Abstract: A cooling system, e.g. for a hot aisle/cold aisle datacenter system, can detect local pressure differences between the hot and cold aisle by way of a conduit containing a temperature sensor positioned between the hot aisle and cold aisle. The temperature sensor can detect a temperature of airflow between the aisles by the temperature sensor in the conduit. This conduit is defined by a frame or insert that includes a first opening and a second opening separated by a nonzero distance and that is configured to penetrate a containment element separating the hot aisle and cold aisle. The cooling system can, based on the interstitial temperature, determine a direction of flow of the airflow between the hot region and the cold region and detect recirculation between the hot region and the cold region based on the direction of flow.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle and a method for controlling thereof, and more particularly to a technique for removing noise generated in a vehicle air conditioner. The vehicle may include an air conditioner, comprising: a speaker configured to output sound; a blower fan configured to blow air that is heat-exchanged in the air conditioner; an air vent configured to regulate a discharge amount of the air discharged into the vehicle; and a controller configured to sense a noise acoustic signal of the blower fan that is determined corresponding to an opening degree of the air vent, and to control the speaker to to output by generating an acoustic signal having an opposite phase to the sensed noise acoustic signal.

Abstract: Systems for predicting a filter lifetime. A filter monitoring system includes a filter effectiveness history based on contaminant sensor information associated with a filter received from one or more contaminant sensors. A lifetime module is configured to determine a rate of filter consumption based on the filter effectiveness history and to determine a remaining filter lifetime based on the determined rate of filter consumption.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for managing climate control. The control system includes one or more sensors that are configured to measure sunload energy. The control system includes a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit that is configured to output air with an airflow rate into the cabin of the vehicle. The electronic control unit is configured to obtain the amount of sunload energy and obtain a blower map based on the amount of sunload energy. The electronic control unit is configured to determine the airflow rate based on the obtained blower map and an expected temperature. The electronic control unit is configured to control the airflow rate to adjust an air temperature within the cabin of the vehicle to reach the expected temperature therefore increasing the fuel efficiency.

Abstract: A sensor system for identifying vaping, other smoking activities, and bullying at a site includes an air quality sensor configured to detect air quality, a sound detector configured to detect sounds, and a network interface configured to transmit a signal indicating abnormality matching signature of vaping, other smoking activity, or sound of bullying. Vaping or another smoking activity is identified based on the detected air quality, and bullying is identified based on the detected sound.

Abstract: A predictive failure system for a cooling apparatus having sensors measuring operational components of a cooling apparatus to determine performance data and means to analyze the data to determine a performance profile, wherein anomalies in the performance profile are determined and the operator of the cooling apparatus is warned prior to failure of the operational components.

Abstract: A building management system includes one or more data sources that provide utilization data describing an actual utilization of one or more spaces and a utilization circuit. The utilization circuit is configured to, for each space of the one or more spaces, calculate a utilization attribute of the space based on the utilization data describing the actual utilization of the space, and retrieve, from a space profile for the space, a utilization target corresponding to the utilization attribute. At least two of the plurality of space profiles are associated with a different type of space that serves a different function and define the target utilization of the space. The utilization circuit is further configured to generate a normalized utilization metric for the space by normalizing the utilization attribute relative to the utilization target and generate and provide a utilization recommendation for the space based on the normalized utilization metric.

Abstract: An HVAC component may be configured using a wearable device and a mobile device that is operatively coupled to the wearable device. The wearable device may be configured to capture one or more gestures that correspond to a particular HVAC component command, and to communicate the captured gestures to the mobile device. In response, the mobile device may carry out the HVAC component command that corresponds to the captured gesture. In this way, an installer may configure the HVAC component while lessening the need to directly enter commands into the mobile device and/or some other device.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes at least one zone comprising a zone damper and a bypass comprising a bypass damper associated with a virtual zone. When an airflow of conditioned air to the at least one zone exceeds a maximum airflow value for the at least one zone and/or when other airflow reduction techniques have been exhausted, a system controller of the HVAC system controls the bypass damper to incrementally bypass a portion of conditioned air to the virtual zone. The portion of the conditioned air that is bypassed is a minimum amount of the conditioned air that is needed to reduce the airflow of the conditioned air below the maximum airflow value and keep the HVAC system running. Further, the system controller closes the bypass damper when a temperature of the portion of the conditioned air exceeds a threshold temperature value.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) and/or Economizer system that is capable of drawing outside air into an HVAC air stream. In some instances, the DCV and/or Economizer system may be configured to help perform one or more system checks to help verify that the system is functioning properly. In some instances, the DCV and/or Economizer system may provide some level of manual control over certain hardware (e.g. dampers) to help commission the system. The DCV and/or Economizer system may store one or more settings and or parameters used during the commissioning process (either in the factory or in the field), so that these settings and/or parameters may be later accessed to verify that the DCV and/or Economizer system was commissioned and commissioned properly.

Abstract: A service management system communicates via wide area network with gateway devices located at respective user premises. The service management system remotely manages delivery of application services, which can be voice controlled, by a gateway, e.g. by selectively activating/deactivating service logic modules in the gateway. The service management system also may selectively provide secure communications and exchange of information among gateway devices and among associated endpoint devices. An exemplary service management system includes a router connected to the network and one or more computer platforms, for implementing management functions. Examples of the functions include a connection manager for controlling system communications with the gateway devices, an authentication manager for authenticating each gateway device and controlling the connection manager and a subscription manager for managing applications services and/or features offered by the gateway devices.

Abstract: A self-regulating intelligent building automation system includes: a smart sensing unit including a first sensing unit disposed in a first specific space and a second sensing unit disposed in a second specific space separated from the first specific space; a self-regulating terminal unit including a first self-regulating terminal disposed in the first specific space and a second self-regulating terminal disposed in the second specific space; a network management unit managing a network without a direct digital control unit and wirelessly communicating with the smart sensing unit and the self-regulating terminal unit; and a central monitoring unit connected to the network management unit via the Internet.

Abstract: A remote control device according to the present invention includes an operation unit for switching and setting an operation state of an apparatus performing at least one of a heating operation and a cooling operation, a display unit that displays a screen on which an operation at the operation unit is reflected, and a controller that controls a display operation of the display unit. The controller causes the display unit to display at least one of a type and a range of an operation state that is able to be switched and set by the operation unit.

Abstract: A system includes a climate control module and a thermal device control module. The climate control module, based on at least one of a user input and a first input from a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of a seat of a vehicle, generates one of (i) a heating command signal indicating an instruction to heat the seat and (ii) a cooling command signal indicating an instruction to cool the seat. The thermal device control module, in response to one of the heating command signal and the cooling command signal, controls at least one of a blower and at least one TED to one of heat and cool the seat based on a second input from at least one sensor that measures at least one of a pressure applied to the seat, a force applied to the seat, and a strain within the seat.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for remote control of a thermostat by a network-based server, when the thermostat is not connected to a local or wide-area network. A network-based server calculates a modified temperature profile for a thermostat based on a utility's time-of-use pricing and/or weather forecasts. After the server has calculated the modified temperature profile, it is provided to a mobile device via a wide-area network, and the mobile device provides the modified temperature profile directly to the thermostat when the mobile device is within range of the thermostat.

Abstract: A thermostat has a thermostat housing that includes circuitry to control HVAC equipment and first and second dampers, and a first temperature sensor. A second temperature sensor is operatively connected to the thermostat, and a microcomputer enables the thermostat to perform the following steps: receiving a desired temperature; receiving first and zone temperatures; activating or de-activating the heating and cooling equipment responsive to a comparison between the first zone temperature relative to the desired temperature; and adjusting the first and second dampers as required to direct airflow to the first and second zones to adjust the second temperature until it is equal to or within an allowed deviation of the first temperature.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system control apparatus including: a storage to store data for control of a ventilation apparatus and an air-conditioning apparatus; and a computing device to generate a control command controlling the ventilation and the air-conditioning apparatus based on the stored data.

Abstract: An electropneumatic positioner for a pneumatic actuator to operate a control device of a processing plant can include two modular pneumatic slots and a pneumatic control output. The two modular pneumatic slots can engage with a respective modular pneumatic component. The two pneumatic slots and the pneumatic components can be modularly matched to one another such that their respective pneumatic interfaces merge into one another when a pneumatic slot is engaged. The pneumatic control output can output a pneumatic control pressure signal to the pneumatic actuator. The two modular pneumatic slots and the pneumatic control output can form a pneumatic series connection.

Abstract: A ventilation duct (10) for a passenger interior of a motor vehicle has an inflow duct (12) for supplying air and a main guiding duct (14) that extends from the inflow duct (12) to an outlet opening (16) for guiding at least part of the air of the inflow duct (12) along a main flow direction (28) toward the outlet opening (16). At least one bypass duct (18, 40) can branch from the inflow duct (12) for discharging part of the air of the inflow duct (12). The bypass duct (18, 40) opens into the main guiding duct (14) upstream of the outlet opening (16) and introduces a flow jet (32) into the main guiding duct (14) at an angle to the main flow direction (28) for setting the flow direction of air at the outlet opening (16) without openings or louver grilles that are visible from the passenger interior.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes: a first heat exchanger configured to perform a first process of cooling air-conditioning air by heat-exchange water; a second heat exchanger configured to perform a second process of cooling the air-conditioning air by the heat-exchange water; a first water passage configured to cause the heat-exchange water to flow through the first heat exchanger and then flow through the second heat exchanger; a second water passage branching off from the first water passage and configured to cause the heat-exchange water that has been used in the first process to flow in a manner to bypass the second heat exchanger; a first water regulating valve configured to adjust performance of the first heat exchanger in the first process; a second water regulating valve configured to adjust performance of the second heat exchanger in the second process; and an air conditioner control device configured to adjust the air-conditioning air.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a monitored heat exchanger system that includes a heat exchanger unit in operable engagement with a heat generating device. The heat exchanger unit has a frame; and at least one cooler coupled with the frame, the at least one cooler having an airflow side and a service fluid side. The system includes a monitoring module coupled to the heat exchanger unit. The monitoring module an at least one sensor coupled with a panel; and at least one controller housing coupled with the panel. A microcontroller is disposed within the controller housing and in operable communication with the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor has a rotating member configured to generate a system signal proportional to an amount of rotation of the rotating member.

Abstract: A radiant heater device includes: a heater main body having a heating portion that generates heat by being supplied with electric power to radiate radiation heat due to the heat supplied from the heating portion; an output control unit that controls an output of the heating portion; and a maximum output determination unit that determines an upper limit of the output of the heating portion depending on a heat load around the heater main body. The output control unit controls the output of the heating portion depending on the heat load not to exceed the upper limit of the output determined by the maximum output determination unit.

Abstract: Provided is a server room cooling device including: an outer air inflow unit into which outer air flows; a filter unit provided at one side of the outer air inflow unit and filtering the outer air supplied through the outer air inflow unit; a mist ejection unit provided at one side of the filter unit and ejecting mist into the outer air that has passed through the filter unit; and a supply unit provided at one side of the mist ejection unit and supplying the outer air that has passed through the mist ejection unit to a server room.

Abstract: An air-cooled high intensity LED light system includes an air-cooled LED array coupled to a blower device via a conduit. Each segment of the array includes a radiator thermally coupled to the LED elements to transfer heat from the LED elements to the environment. Airflow through the radiators is accomplished by creating a vacuum within the array by drawing air out of the manifold through the conduit. A blower provides the desired vacuum pressure to draw air from the environment through the radiator fins and out of the manifold. The conduit branches into individual segments so that an inlet corresponds to each of the segments of the array.

Abstract: A system and method for introducing external air into an enclosure having an exhaust fan for removing internal air at an outflow rate. A sensor measures a quantifiable characteristic which is indicative of the outflow rate. Based on the measured quantifiable characteristic, a controller determines a speed of a makeup air fan that results in the inflow rate matching the outflow rate, and opens a damper and runs the makeup air fan at the determined speed. For example, the sensor may measure an amount of electrical current flowing to the exhaust fan, and low and high speed exhaust fan values are stored in a memory, and corresponding low and high makeup air fan speeds are set. The controller then controls operation of the makeup air fan based on the amount of current flowing to the exhaust fan and the corresponding makeup air fan speed to match the inflow and outflow rates.

Abstract: An HVAC controller and/or server may be programmed to determine if ventilation of a building is desired based, at least in part, on the one or more user-specified air quality thresholds stored in a memory, and one or more of a measure of indoor air quality and a measure of outdoor air quality. The air quality parameter threshold may relate to an air quality index, an air pollutant concentration, a smog alert, a pollen count, a dew point, a chance of precipitation, and/or the like. In addition, the HVAC controller and/or server may take into account current or future weather conditions when determining the ventilation needs of a building. Upon determining that ventilation is needed or recommended, the HVAC controller may send or display a message to the user. The message may recommendation that the user open a window or operate a ventilation system, as desired.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing energy consumption in a plurality of air handling units (AHUs) in a zone is provided. The system comprising a zone thermal unit that is configured to obtain a first set of input parameters including an internal heat gains, a surface convective loads, an intra-zone mixing, a supply air temperature, a second set of input parameters including internal moisture gains, a supply humidity ratio, and a third set of input parameters including an air contaminant concentration and an ambient contaminant concentration of the AHUs and generates a first set of output parameters including a zone temperature, a humidity ratio and an air concentration. The system further includes an optimizer that is configured to generate a second set of output parameters including an optimum combination of AHU flow rates for the AHUs based on at least one of the first set of output parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal management system (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: at least one sensor (13, 113) capable of measuring at least one quantity that can be used to determine at least one thermal comfort data item (TS), a predefined number of actuators (A101, A102, A103, A104), configured, respectively, for adjusting at least one parameter of an associated piece of equipment (3, 5, 7, 9) of said vehicle, and a control device (12) for controlling the actuators (A101, A102, A103, A104) on the basis of the measurements of said at least one sensor (13, 113).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of splitting whole building energy consumption includes collecting sensor data from a plurality Variable Air Volume (VAV) boxes in a building, an electric meter in the building, and a gas meter in the building. The total heating energy consumption is split across a plurality of zones within the building using the sensor data, thereby yielding heating energy consumption for each zone. The total cooling energy consumption is split across the plurality of zones using the sensor data, thereby yielding cooling energy consumption for each zone and the total ventilation energy consumption is split across the plurality of zones using the sensor data, thereby yielding ventilation energy consumption for each zone. Zone energy consumption by aggregating the heating energy consumption for the zone, the cooling energy consumption for the zone, and the ventilation energy consumption for the zone.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an air conditioning apparatus configured to be capable of executing ventilation operation to supply air outside the vehicle into a passenger compartment, and cooling operation to supply cool air into the passenger compartment; and a control unit that causes the air conditioning apparatus to execute remote air conditioning in which air conditioning is performed while a user is not in the vehicle, and operated air conditioning in which air conditioning is performed by the user's operation while the user is in the vehicle. The control unit controls the air conditioning apparatus such that a condition in which the ventilation operation is executed in the remote air conditioning is more relaxed than a condition in which the ventilation operation is executed in the operated air conditioning. In this way, power consumption by pre-air conditioning can be reduced.

Abstract: A mobile communication device (2) comprises a mobile radio communication module, configured for data communication in a mobile radio communication network, and a close range radio communication module, configured to establish a local communication link (43) to an actuator (3) via a close range radio communication interface (33) that is connected to the actuator (3) and located in communication range of the close range radio communication module. The mobile communication device (2) further comprises a processing unit connected to the mobile radio communication module and the close range radio communication module (23), and configured to exchange location-specific data with a remote data server (8) via the mobile radio communication network, the contents of the location-specific data being dependent on identification information associated with the local communication link (43) to the actuator (3).

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit including an air inlet, a plurality of air outlets, a heater, and a plurality of blowers. The plurality of blowers are downstream of the heater with respect to a direction of airflow through the HVAC unit from the air inlet to the plurality of air outlets. The plurality of blowers are configured to control air distribution through the plurality of air outlets.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating a temperature of a cabin of a vehicle and using the estimated cabin temperature. The methods and systems obtain, via at least one temperature sensor, a surface temperature of at least a first internal surface of the cabin of the vehicle. The methods and systems estimate, via a processor and using at least the obtained surface temperature, the heat transfer from the at least one surface to cabin air within the cabin. The methods and systems estimate, via a processor and using at least the estimated heat transfer, the cabin temperature of the vehicle. The methods and systems use the estimated cabin temperature of the vehicle to control at least one feature of an air conditioning module of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for controlling rotational speed applied to a smart fan includes acquiring environmental temperature from a temperature sensor and radiation intensity of human body from an infrared sensor. A result of analysis is generated by determining whether the acquired environmental temperature is within a predetermined temperature range and the acquired radiation intensity is greater than a predetermined value. A working status of the smart fan can be changed according to the result when the smart fan is in automatic mode.

Abstract: A sensor control method that is executed by an air-conditioning apparatus includes: acquiring a first thermal image by scanning an air-conditioned space using the infrared sensor in accordance with a first scanning scheme, the air-conditioning apparatus being placed in the air-conditioned space; extracting a subject thermal image from the first thermal image, based on a difference between a background thermal image of the air-conditioned space when no subject is present therein and the first thermal image; determining a second scanning scheme different from the first scanning scheme, when the subject thermal image has a size smaller than a threshold size; and acquiring a second thermal image by scanning an area corresponding to the subject thermal image of the air-conditioned space using the infrared sensor in accordance with the determined second scanning scheme.

Abstract: An expandable, mobile structure is capable of sustaining a retracted state and an expanded state, and may be capable of alternately using public utilities as a power supply, or a self-contained “off-grid” power supply. This allows for use of the mobile structure in a multitude of locations, which are not governed by the presence or absence of an available external power supply. The structure may operate in an “on-grid” power mode when in an expanded condition, and in an “off-grid” mode in a retracted condition. The structure includes a different number of zones within the structure in the retracted state as compared to the expanded state. A modular HVAC system provides a different flow path of air in the retracted state and the expanded state.

Abstract: A method of controlling air circulation in a data center system. The data center system includes: a cold aisle; a hot aisle including a floor element and a ceiling element; a server rack comprising a controller and servers separating the cold aisle from the hot aisle; and an air conditioning unit. The method includes: toggling, by the controller, the hot aisle between: (a) a first configuration in which the ceiling element is opened and the floor element is closed and (b) a second configuration in which the ceiling element is closed and the floor element is opened, wherein the first configuration enables circulation of air from the from the hot aisle to the cold aisle via the air conditioning unit, and wherein the second configuration enables circulation of air from the from the hot aisle to the cold aisle without the circulated air passing through the air conditioning unit.

Abstract: An electronic device, with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, one or more processors and memory, displays a first representation of a first controllable external device, where the first controllable external device is situated at a location. The device detects a first user input corresponding to a selection of the first representation of the first controllable external device. The device, after detecting the first user input, adds data identifying the first controllable external device and a first state of the first controllable external device in a scene profile.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises a controller receiving a thermographic image of an area to be cooled by one or more cooling devices; the controller identifying at least a first cooling target within the area to be cooled based on executing image analytics on the thermographic image, the first cooling target identified based on prioritizing hot zones on one or more identified objects in the thermographic image, and identifying among the prioritized hot zones the first cooling target as covering a first hot zone on a first identified object; and the controller generating and sending a cooling command to the one or more cooling devices for directed cooling of at least the first cooling target.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of detecting an occupancy state of a living space for controlling lighting apparatus. The method comprises using a motion sensor to send wave signal and detect echoed signal reflected from a moving human body and using a control circuitry operated with a software program to analyze the echoed signal for establishing a numerical value account. In referring to preset parameters, the software program judges the echoed signal by analyzing time duration and frequency pattern of the echoed signal as an incoming motion, an outgoing motion or a local random motion, such that the numerical value account is accordingly updated to represent actual occupant number for activating the controller circuitry to turn on or turn off the lighting apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, device for controlling the output of the air volume and a memory medium. The method includes: determining the temperature difference value according to the current temperature value and the preset temperature value of a cabinet; controlling the opening of an air valve of a variable air volume terminal according to the temperature difference value, so as to adjust the air volume needed by the cabinet. The temperature value needed to be adjusted is determined according to the difference value between the current temperature value and the preset temperature value. The opening of the air valve of the variable air volume terminal is correspondingly adjusted according to the temperature value needed to be adjusted, so as to adjust the air volume needed by the cabinet, and adjust the air volume according to the actual demand.

Abstract: An air conditioner and a communication method for an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include an outdoor unit; an indoor unit; and a central controller connected to the indoor unit through a communication line. The indoor unit may perform periodic communication for transmitting a plurality of periodic packets to at least one of the outdoor unit or the central controller at predetermined periods, and change and transmit the plurality of periodic packets so as to decrease a load on the communication line.

Abstract: A preheat damper preheats ambient air being directed to an air handling unit of a data center to mitigate ice accumulation caused by the ambient air. The ambient air can be preheated upstream of a mist eliminator, which removes moisture from the ambient air upstream of the air handling unit, to mitigate ice accumulation in the mist eliminator. The preheat damper directs exhaust air from an exhaust air plenum. The preheat damper can be adjusted based on the ambient temperature, and can be upstream of a return damper which directs exhaust air from the exhaust air plenum based on characteristics of the cooling air supplied to cool data center equipment. The return damper can be adjusted in counter-opposition with one or more intake dampers to maintain cooling air characteristics, and concurrently with the preheat damper to direct ambient air to the air handling unit through the exhaust air plenum.

Abstract: A control system includes first and second hardware components and a server which is remote from the hardware components. The server is a server in the cloud which is connected via the Internet to the hardware components. A control module is implemented as a service running on the server and the control module is operable to communicate with the hardware components to control at least one of the hardware components.

Abstract: Techniques for use with vent covers of furnace ductworks are described herein. A vent cover may include a fan to actively pull air from the ductwork and into a room at least in part in response to a number of open or closed vents in ductwork to which the vent cover is connected. Active air movement through the vent cover may lower air pressure and/or temperature within the ductwork and increase airflow through heat exchangers of the furnace, thereby compensating for zones created by closed vent covers. A system may monitor factors consistent with a furnace over-temperature event, such as furnace operation, closed vent covers, high air pressure or temperature in ductwork, etc. A fan of a vent cover may be turned on to actively draw air through a vent covered by the vent cover. The fan may turn off after conclusion of at least one of the monitored factors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control method for air deflectors of an air conditioner. The air deflectors are arranged at an air outlet of the air conditioner to adjust directions of discharged air. The control method comprises: during the air conditioner is operating in a refrigeration mode, judging whether a motion instruction for swinging air is input or not; when the motion instruction for swinging air is not input, acquiring a set air volume level, set temperature T1 and indoor ambient temperature T2; according to the set air volume level, the set temperature T1 and the indoor ambient temperature T2, judging the amount of a refrigeration demand of a user; and according to the amount of the refrigeration demand of the user, controlling an air guide angle of the air deflectors.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring interior temperature of a vehicle using a 3D thermal image may include: a pair of stereo infrared (IR) sensors arranged at the front of the vehicle interior so as to be spaced from each other, and configured to measure 2D thermal images for the vehicle interior including a passenger; a calculator configured to convert the 2D thermal images measured through the pair of stereo IR sensors into a 3D thermal image; and a controller configured to calibrate the 3D thermal image information acquired through the calculator, according to variables having an influence on the temperature of the vehicle interior.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores three-dimensional data describing a real device including an object, a source of an acting factor that acts on the object and causes a detectable change at the object, and a detector that detects the change in a specified detection range. The processor produces a virtual device that represents the real device in a virtual space, based on the three-dimensional data in the memory. With this virtual device, the processor simulates the change caused by the acting factor, and calculates a region of the object in which the simulated change satisfies a specified condition.

Abstract: A system for automatically synchronizing window openings and closings of multiple windows of a vehicle. The system includes a first actuator and a second actuator configured to move a first window and a second window to respective closed positions. The system includes a window control unit configured to receive, at a first time, an indication to close the first window at a first closing rate. The window control unit is configured to receive, at a second time, an indication to close the second window at a second closing rate. The window control unit is configured to adjust at least one of the first closing rate or the second closing rate, from a standard rate to an adjusted rate, when the first time and the second time are within a threshold time, such that the first window and the second window achieve their respective closed positions simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the operation of a sensor is provided. The method comprises the step of representing the operation of the sensor by: i) storing a plurality of data values, each data value corresponding to the sensor output signal, wherein said step is performed during a time period such that said data values are distributed over a range of possible data values, ii) defining a plurality of discrete intervals within said range of possible data values; and iii) calculating the frequency of the data values within each interval thus forming a sensor representation. The method further comprises the steps of receiving at least one reference sensor representation; and comparing said sensor representation with said at least one reference sensor representation.