Abstract: Method and control system for adaptively controlling an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system using a blending or combination of strategies each of which is optimized towards a particular goal in controlling the HVAC system. The blending is based on a strategy alteration signal which, in turn, is based on information provided by the occupant of the vehicle in combination with existing information available to an EATC (Electronic Automatic Temperature Control) system to adapt the optimized strategies to the occupant's preferences. The method and control system allow the response of the climate control system to change according to indications of occupant's preferences and/or detection of special conditions. The method and system provide an adaptive control strategy which utilizes pattern recognition and preference determination to blend the various strategies which include a base thermal comfort strategy.

Abstract: Method and control system for controlling an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system using fuzzy logic to increase steady state comfort of an occupant in a vehicle and to decrease the time needed to reach steady state comfort. The control system responds to signals generated by various climate control sensors, including a humidity sensor, to produce a desired humidity, temperature and flow. Fuzzy logic calculations are performed based on fuzzy rules and membership functions to provide nonlinear compensation and to allow the control to be expressed in the same heuristic terms that an occupant could use in describing the level of comfort.

Abstract: Method and control system for economically controlling an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system using fuzzy logic. The control system responds to signals generated by various climate control sensors including a humidity sensor to produce a desired vehicle air temperature and air flow. Fuzzy logic calculations are performed based on fuzzy rules and membership functions to provide nonlinear compensation for setting the rate of clutch cycling in a CCOT system or refrigerant metering in a TXV system.

Abstract: An N.sup.th order infinite impulse response digital filter for long-delay filtering of signals representing a digital input sequence. The N.sup.th order infinite impulse response digital filter is synthesized by cascading in series N first order infinite impulse response filter stages. A filter stage operable on a digital computer with floating point capability is provided and comprises a multiplier which multiplies an input signal with a weighting factor. A summing element provides an output for the filter stage by summing the weighted input signal with a weighted and delayed output signal. A filter operable on a digital computer with fixed point capability is provided and comprises a summing element which sums an input signal with the output of a first multiplier, and the delayed output of a mask element. The output of the summing element is coupled to the input of a second multiplier and to the input of the mask element.

Abstract: Method and system for modifying a linear control algorithm which controls an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system using fuzzy logic. The control algorithm responds to signals generated by various climate control sensors to produce a desired vehicle air temperature as set by an operator of the vehicle. Fuzzy linear control achieves the following three functions: (1) calibration blending, (2) target set point adjustment, and (3) non-linear offset compensation. Fuzzy logic calculations are performed based on fuzzy rules and membership functions to provide nonlinear compensation and to allow the control to be expressed in the same heuristic terms that an occupant could use in describing the level of comfort.

Abstract: Method and control system for controlling an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system using fuzzy logic to prevent fogging. The control system responds to signals generated by various climate control sensors including a humidity sensor to produce a desired vehicle air temperature and air flow to detect and avoid incipient windshield/window fog conditions. Fuzzy logic calculations are performed based on fuzzy rules and membership functions to provide nonlinear compensation.

Abstract: A standardized microcontroller-based fuzzy logic processing module for generating control signal values in response to variable input signal values in accordance with constraints imposed by propositions or "rules" stored in memory in a standardized format. Each rule consists of one or more input conditions and an output directive. Each input signal and the output signal values are characterizable by their degree of membership in a predetermined number of fuzzy sets, each fuzzy set being defined by a membership function. Each input condition is composed of a reference to a particular input variable, which has been preprocessed into integer (whole number) normalized form and a reference to a membership function. Each output directive includes a reference to a further membership function.

Abstract: Method and control system for controlling an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system to prevent the discharge of air within a predetermined temperature range. The control system responds to signals generated by various climate control sensors to prevent the HVAC system from producing air at an uncomfortable range of temperatures. Fuzzy logic calculations are performed based on fuzzy rules and membership functions to provide nonlinear compensation and to allow the control to be expressed in the same heuristic terms that an occupant could use in describing the level of comfort.

Abstract: An athletic swing timing training device and method are disclosed for an athletic striking implement having a flexible shaft. The device includes indicating components for stroboscopically illuminating the implement to visually freeze the apparent position of the implement relative to the object to be struck and relative to the arms and body of the user, and a sensor carried by the implement for actuating the indicating components when the shaft completes a predetermined pattern of flexural movement. The device is particularly well suited for practicing a golf swing.