An amount ML of particles accumulated in small holes of a particulate filter
is
calculated in accordance with a pressure drop P detected by a pressure sensor
and a characteristic line. The characteristic line is defined by a first characteristic
line and a second characteristic line, which is defined after exceeding a transition
point TP. When the particles accumulated in the small holes are burned while remaining
accumulated particles on the surface, the second characteristic line is shifted
in a parallel fashion and compensated. Thus, the characteristic line is corrected
so that the accumulation amount ML can be precisely calculated, even if particles
accumulated in small holes are burned and the characteristic is changed.