Controller for variable valve actuation device

A controller for a variable valve actuation device, the variable valve actuation device comprising:

• a hydraulic phase changing mechanism for changing valve timing of an internal combustion engine by selectively supplying and discharging hydraulic oil to and from an phase advancing chamber and a phase retarding chamber;
• a phase locking mechanism for locking the valve timing to a specific angular phase that is more advanced than the most retarded phase;
• and
• an independent phase advancing mechanism for advancing the valve timing in accordance with cam torque variations from the most retarded phase to the specific angular phase, wherein
• the amount of hydraulic oil remaining in the phase retarding chamber is defined as a residual oil amount and the pressure of hydraulic oil remaining in the phase retarding chamber is defined as a residual oil pressure, and
• the controller allows a greater amount of hydraulic oil to be supplied to the phase advancing chamber when the residual oil amount or the residual oil pressure is large at engine starting in comparison with a case in which the residual oil amount or the residual oil pressure is small at engine starting.