Abstract: A multi-zone air conditioner system for large vehicles may include an air conditioning device configured to partition an internal of a vehicle into a plurality of zones to independently cool each zone, a detecting device configured to include a room temperature detector for detecting a room temperature of each zone and a photo detector for detecting an amount of solar radiation, an input device configured to switch an operating state of the air conditioning device to an automatic mode or a manual mode, and a control device configured to generate a control signal for operating the air conditioning device based on a signal transmitted from the detecting device and the input device.

Abstract: An estimation unit estimates a thermal sensation representing how hot or cold a user feels based on an image of the user taken by a camera. A control unit controls an air-conditioning operation of an air conditioner based on an estimation result of the estimation unit so that the thermal sensation falls within a target range, the air conditioner targeting a room in which the user is present. The image shows a motion and/or state of the user representing a hot or cold sensation of the user, and the estimation unit extracts the motion and/or state of the user from the image to estimate the thermal sensation.

Abstract: A fan includes a temperature sensor, such as a passive infrared sensor, for sensing temperature at a location remote from the fan, such as at a floor, ceiling, or wall, or simply external to the fan housing. This may avoid the influence of heat generated from components of the fan, such as the fan motor or controller for controlling the operation of the fan. A mounting arrangement for forming a connection between two parts, such as components of a fan, is also described.

Abstract: An air-conditioning control device for controlling an air-conditioning apparatus configured to perform air conditioning of a room in which a device that changes an amount of water vapor is located. The air-conditioning control device includes a condensation occurrence determiner configured to determine whether condensation occurs in the room after a certain amount of time elapses by using an amount of change in water vapor, which is predicted by collating device operation data with a device operation table, and an air-conditioning controller configured to change an operation state of the air-conditioning apparatus when the condensation occurrence determiner determines that condensation occurs.

Abstract: Agricultural machines such as sprayers can be improved by providing a pressure relief system in the operator cab to allow the operator cab to be pressurized while avoiding over-pressurization. The pressure relief system can be arranged to allow air to freely escape from the operator cab during what would otherwise be an over-pressurization event, such as a door or window being closed. In one aspect, the pressure relief system can include a spring-loaded pressure relief valve configured to passively allow air to escape from the cab in order to maintain a cab pressure at or below a predetermined threshold, such as 100 Pascals. In addition, interior and exterior pressures can be monitored for implementing a closed loop control for the pressurization system to enable a more comfortable experience for the operator.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring interior temperature of a vehicle, the apparatus includes a base substrate provided inside an interior panel of the vehicle and a housing including an infrared ray blocking material for inhibiting temperature of an inner space from being increased. The housing includes an exposed part provided in one side of the housing and exposed to an interior space of the vehicle, and an opening on a side portion of the exposed part for allowing the inner space of the housing to communicate with the interior space through the opening. The apparatus further includes a non-contact sensor provided on the inner space of the housing for measuring temperatures of the exposed part and the opening, and a controller calculating temperature of the interior space of the vehicle with the measured values by the non-contact sensor.

Abstract: A movable air conditioner includes an air conditioner main body, an air conditioning unit installed in the air conditioner main body and configured to generate a cold air or a warm air, a moving unit configured to move the air conditioner main body, a control unit configured to control the air conditioning unit and the moving unit, and a human body recognition unit configured to recognize a person existing in a specific space. The control unit is configured to control the moving unit so that the air conditioner main body is moved toward the person recognized by the human body recognition unit so as to supply the cold air or the warm air from the air conditioning unit to the person recognized by the human body recognition unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for attributing a primary causative agent for HVAC system usage being above or below an average, the HVAC system being controlled by a self-programming network-connected thermostat. Systems and method are also described interactively and graphically displaying schedule information to a user of an HVAC system controlled by a network-connected thermostat. The displayed information can include indications of the manner in which one or more setpoints was created or last modified. Historical HVAC performance information can also be displayed that can include details of certain energy-effecting events such as setpoint changes, adaptive recovery, as well as automatic and manually set non-occupancy modes.

Abstract: Heating, ventilating and air conditioning are provided to a temporary, flexible shelter, especially in a rugged, remote and/or extreme environment, including locations and/or conditions where access to electric power may be limited and/or expensive. A portable system may include a light weight HVAC unit, with variable-speed components that are dynamically managed for efficiency, reliability and safety, and a flexible, self-insulating duct for connecting the HVAC unit to the temporary shelter.

Abstract: A flow control system for controlling exhaust flow can measure effluent escaping from the exhaust hood at a given flow rate. An interferometric detector can measure fluctuations in fluid properties external to and/or in the vicinity of the exhaust hood. The flow control system may vary a flow rate of the exhaust hood and/or control exhaust hood structures responsive to the measurements to contain the effluent while minimizing the exhaust of air from the occupied space.

Abstract: In an indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus, a casing has an air inlet formed in an upper part and an air outlet formed below a front part. The casing accommodates a heat exchanger and fan. A horizontal airflow-direction louver is mounted pivotally inside the air outlet to guide airflow in a horizontally changeable manner. A vertical airflow-direction louver is mounted to cover the air outlet in a closed position and to guide airflow in a vertically changeable manner. An infrared sensor projects downward from the casing at a position in a horizontal end portion of the casing and in front of the air outlet. An airflow blocking portion is located behind the infrared sensor, and has a side wall on or beside one edge of the air outlet. The side wall is located closer to a center of the air outlet in the horizontal direction than the infrared sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes an outdoor unit. The air conditioner further includes an indoor unit located in a building and configured to distribute cool air to a space within the building. The air conditioner further includes an antenna unit configured to sense (i) movement of human bodies within the space or (ii) presence of human bodies located in the space and determine a number of human bodies based on the sensed presence, where the antenna unit includes a housing and a plurality of antenna arrays located on an outer surface of the housing.

Abstract: Providing hospitality via a mobile device is described herein. One method includes determining, by a mobile device, a hospitality preference of a user of the mobile device for a particular location, storing the hospitality preference in a memory of the mobile device, and modifying, by the mobile device, an operation of at least one system device associated with the particular location to provide the hospitality preference responsive to a distance between the mobile device and the particular location exceeding a particular threshold.

Abstract: An arrangement configured to control an environmental parameter in a building space includes a building automation system. The building automation system includes a plurality of field devices configured to control the environmental parameter within the building space. The arrangement further includes a motion detector configured to determine a number of humans within the building space and a measure of movement for the number of humans. The building automation system is configured to control the field devices based at least in part on the determined number of humans and the measure of movement for the number of humans.

Abstract: An air conditioner for determining whether a human body exists in a sensing region using a plurality of heat sensors, as human body-detecting sensors, installed in the air conditioner and arranged at regular intervals. The air conditioner recognizing, when a human body has been detected, angles formed between the human body-detecting sensors and the human body, and calculating a distance from the human body-detecting sensors to the human body based on the recognized angles and a distance between the human body-detecting sensors, and adjusting a direction and speed of wind according to the calculated distance to the human body, and a control method of the air conditioner. Also, the air conditioner may be used as a security sensor when it does not operate.

Abstract: A control unit for controlling the operation of at least one smart-home system may include at least one occupancy sensor and a processing system. The processing system may be configured to receive readings from the at least one occupancy sensor during a trial period; compare information derived from the readings to at least one threshold criterion to establish whether the one or more occupancy sensors reliably determined occupancy of an enclosure in which the control unit is installed during the trial period; and enable an away-state feature of the control unit if it is determined that the one or more occupancy sensors reliably determined occupancy of an enclosure during the trial period.

Abstract: A method of determining emissions captured can include receiving information indicative of transmission of light through a region nearby an air handling apparatus. The information can include information indicative of a first condition wherein emissions to be captured by the air handling apparatus are suppressed and information indicative of a second condition wherein the emissions to be captured by the air handling apparatus are present. A processor circuit can be used to determine a difference between the information about the transmission of light during the first condition and information about the transmission of light during the second condition. The processor circuit can be used to determine a portion of the emissions captured by the air handling apparatus using information about the determined difference.

Abstract: A self-contained pre-manufactured roof top unit is used to circulate fresh air, heat or cool a building. The housing has a blower connected into a circulation system to circulate air into and out of the building. The unit has a pressure relief opening for connection into the building that is used to relieve air pressure buildup within the building. The pressure relief opening is part of a pressure relief passage that is independent of the blower and has an exhaust vent that opens and closes automatically in response to pressure differential between the building and ambient air.

Abstract: In an air-conditioning system, during precooling or preheating control, a setting temperature is controlled such that a first temperature difference between the setting temperature and an indoor temperature is not less than a temperature difference at which a compressor performs operation, and the setting temperature is controlled to be changed to a target temperature when a second temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the target temperature is less than the first temperature difference. Since the compressor can be operated in the range from a low capacity to a medium capacity, operation efficiency of the air-conditioning apparatus can be increased, and the energy-saving operation with less power consumption can be realized. Since the operation capacity of the compressor can be readily suppressed with adjustment of the setting temperature, control is facilitated and the precooling control can be incorporated in various types of air-conditioning apparatuses.

Abstract: A remote controller and an air-conditioning apparatus are provided. The remote controller includes an operation unit, a human detection sensor, a transmission/reception unit, and a processor. The human detection sensor detects the presence or absence of a person, and generates a presence/absence detection signal representing a result of detection of the presence or absence of a person. The processor transmits a schedule operation signal and the presence/absence detection signal to the air-conditioning apparatus. The air-conditioning apparatus includes a heat-source-side control section that controls the operation of the air-conditioning apparatus based on the schedule operation signal and the presence/absence detection signal.

Abstract: A multiple heating/cooling zone control system is disclosed. A heating/cooling system control device continuously monitors heating/cooling zone demand and matches the heating/cooling device output capacity to the total space or heat input required. Within the calculated heating/cooling device output capacity the heating/cooling device is modulated based on zone temperature setpoint to further adjust heating/cooling device output. As heat/cooling loss is increased heating/cooling device capacity and modulation are increased. Should heat/cooling loss decrease heating/cooling device capacity and modulation are decreased. Since heat/cooling output is adjusted based on the heat loss(gain) the heating/cooling device can be immediately adjusted to the proper or matching heating/cooling rate even before water/air temperature based adjustments can be made.

Abstract: A method for occupancy based energy optimization can include determining a size and speed of a number of objects within an area, determining a number of human occupants within the area based on the size and speed of the number of objects within the area, and altering a number of environmental settings for the area based on the determined number of human occupants.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes an HVAC unit having a cooling mode and a heating mode for conditioning the air in an inside space, and a programmable thermostat located remotely from the HVAC unit. The HVAC unit may have an onboard controller configured to control when the HVAC unit is in the cooling mode or heating mode, and whether the HVAC unit is activated or not. In some cases, the onboard controller of the HVAC unit may use a common temperature setpoint when controlling in the cooling mode and the heating mode. The programmable thermostat may have a programmable schedule with a plurality of time periods, where each time period has a heating setpoint and a cooling setpoint separated by a dead band. The onboard controller of the HVAC unit may be configured to accept input signals from the remotely located thermostat.

Abstract: In an air conditioner, one of a linkage mode or a non-linkage mode is selected by a user as a control mode of an external device. In the air conditioner, when the linkage mode is selected, on/off control of the external device by using a human detection sensor is permitted during operation, whereas on/off control of the external device by using the human detection sensor is inhibited during suspension of operation. In the air conditioner, when the non-linkage mode is selected, on/off control of the external device by using the human detection sensor is always permitted, irrespective of whether the air conditioner is in operation or not.

Abstract: A controller sets a target setting temperature for an air-conditioning space, compares a value obtained by subtracting an outdoor temperature detected by an outdoor temperature sensor from the target setting temperature, with a first threshold related to the value, compares a value obtained by subtracting the outdoor temperature from an indoor temperature detected by an indoor temperature sensor, with a second threshold related to the value, compares a value obtained by subtracting a heat load in the air-conditioning space from a cooling capacity, with a third threshold related to the value, and controls operation of a heat pump type air-conditioning device and a ventilating device on the basis of these comparison results. The first threshold, the second threshold, and the third threshold are set in accordance with the number of people detected by a human detection sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes an outdoor unit. The air conditioner further includes an indoor unit located in a building and configured to distribute cool air to a space within the building. The air conditioner further includes an antenna unit configured to sense (i) movement of human bodies within the space or (ii) presence of human bodies located in the space and determine a number of human bodies based on the sensed presence, where the antenna unit includes a housing and a plurality of antenna arrays located on an outer surface of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement (10) for a merchandise display system. The arrangement comprises a detector (5) arranged to detect the presence of a person (8) in the proximity of a display region (2) adapted to accommodate a piece of merchandise (3), a temperature adjustment device (4) arranged to adjust the temperature in the proximity of the display region, and a controller (6) configured to, based on the detection, control the temperature adjustment device. The present invention is advantageous in that the temperature difference may contribute to how the piece of merchandise is perceived by the person.

Abstract: A HVAC system is provided. In one embodiment, the HVAC system includes (1) a sensor being configured to measure a body condition of a user and having a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit body condition information, and (2) a HVAC controller having a receiver configured to receive the body condition information and being configured to adjust a current conditioning set point of the HVAC system to a temporary conditioning set point based on the body condition information.

Abstract: An occupancy sensing electronic thermostat is described that includes a thermostat body, an electronic display that is viewable by a user in front of the thermostat, a passive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy and an infrared energy directing element formed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body. The passive infrared sensor may be positioned behind the infrared energy directing element such that infrared energy is directed thereonto by the infrared energy directing element. The thermostat may also include a temperature sensor and a microprocessor programmed to detect occupancy based on measurements from the passive infrared sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods for using the geographic location of networked consumer electronics devices as indications of occupancy of a structure for purposes of automatically adjusting the temperature setpoint on a thermostatic HVAC control. At least one thermostat is located inside a structure and is used to control an HVAC system in the structure. At least one mobile electronic device is used to indicate the state of occupancy of the structure. The state of occupancy is used to alter the setpoint on the thermostatic HVAC control to reduce unneeded conditioning of unoccupied spaces.

Abstract: A monitoring system comprises a module having at least one sensor which could be an electric-field sensor within a housing. The device may be durable or disposable. A receiver may be provided to obtain and display data from the module. The module may also display the output data. The output data comprises both detected and derived data relating to physiological and contextual parameters of the wearer and may be transmitted directly to a local recipient or remotely over a communications network. The system is capable of deriving and predicting the occurrence of a number of physiological and conditional states and events and reporting the same as output data.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system has an input configured to receive at least one of a first heating setting, a first ventilation setting, a first cooling setting, a first humidity setting, and a first air quality setting, at least one of an image sensor and a microphone connected to at least one component in the HVAC system, the image sensor and/or microphone being configured to capture an data from a first zone, and a controller connected to the input and at least one of the image sensor and microphone, the controller configured to control at least one of the first heating setting, the first ventilation setting, the first cooling setting, the first humidity setting, and the first air quality setting in response to receiving the data from at least one of the image sensor and the microphone.

Abstract: A control component for insertion in a standard size connection box of a conventional component such as a switch or other electrical mechanism. The control component may have new capabilities plus maintain the capabilities of the conventional component. The connection box need not be removed, or if the box is removed then the structure or space encompassing the box need not be enlarged. Further, no new wiring for is necessarily needed for connecting the control component. This placement or substitution may be particularly applicable to many rooms of hotels, motels, and other facilities. Neither time nor expense of modifications to the connection box, wiring and/or the room is necessarily needed. In many cases, a room or space cannot necessarily be modified to add a larger or an additional component having additional capabilities, such as a component having an air quality controlled device for operating a ventilation fan in a room.

Abstract: An air conditioner and a controlling method thereof are provided. The controlling method may include determining an initial operation temperature based on a received external input or setting, cooling or heating a room at the determined initial operation temperature for a preset initial operation time period, and thereafter increasing or decreasing the room temperature at a preset time interval.

Abstract: An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.

Abstract: An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.

Abstract: An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system configured for use in a vehicle to provide a perceived comfortable thermal environment to an occupant seated in a rear portion of a vehicle cabin. A heat exchanger provides a first airstream characterized as having a first temperature to an air moving device configured to generate a second airstream characterized as having a second temperature. The second airstream comprises a mixture of the first airstream and cabin air drawn from the rear portion of the vehicle cabin. The air moving device may be disposed in the rear portion of the vehicle. The HVAC system further includes a nozzle that may be configured to direct the second airstream toward an occupant in the rear portion of the vehicle cabin to provide spot conditioning.

Abstract: A system may be provided for limiting false detections of occupancy caused by air flow. The system may include control unit and sensors that detect motion in one or more areas, where the control unit and the sensors are connected by a network. The control unit may determine that the area or areas are unoccupied, and autotune parameters of the sensors so that the sensors indicate that the area or areas are unoccupied.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to distribution of electrical energy, and more particularly to distribution of solar electric energy at or near particular power points of solar cells.

Abstract: A method of controlling a controllable device related to a building aperture, whereby a climate related characteristic for the aperture is adjusted by the device, and whereby the device is controlled in accordance with a climate and comfort program which is dependent on a control parameter, whereby the device is controlled in accordance with a time schedule provided by the climate and comfort program.

Abstract: A thermostat, includes a housing and an occupancy sensor that is disposed within the housing and configured to detect physical presences of users within a responsive area of the occupancy sensor. The thermostat may also include a processing system that is disposed within the housing and in operative communication with the occupancy sensor. The processing system may be configured to determine, after a trial period, whether to activate an away-state feature by storing indications of how often the occupancy sensor detected physical presences during the trial period, computing an occupancy level for the trial period, comparing the occupancy level to a threshold criterion, determining whether sufficiently true indications of occupancy conditions were sensed by the occupancy sensor during the trial period, and enabling the away-state feature of the thermostat if it is determined that the sufficiently true indications of occupancy conditions were sensed during the trial period.

Abstract: A first fan controlling section of a controller circuit is configured to control a first blower fan so as to induce the discharge of the airflow of a cool air through a first air outlet defined in a first enclosure of an indoor unit of the air conditioner. A second fan controlling section is configured to control second blower fans so as to induce the discharge of the airflows of a room air through second air outlets, respectively, defined in a pair of second enclosures disposed on the opposite sides of the first enclosure. An enclosure attitude controlling section is configured to change the respective attitude of the second enclosures relative to the first enclosure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods for using the geographic location of networked consumer electronics devices as indications of occupancy of a structure for purposes of automatically adjusting the temperature setpoint on a thermostatic HVAC control. At least one thermostat is located inside a structure and is used to control an HVAC system in the structure. At least one mobile electronic device is used to indicate the state of occupancy of the structure. The state of occupancy is used to alter the setpoint on the thermostatic HVAC control to reduce unneeded conditioning of unoccupied spaces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling a parameter of a device through motion sensing are disclosed. One apparatus includes a motion sensor for sensing a first instance of motion. The apparatus further includes a controller interfaced to the motion sensor and the device, wherein the controller is operative to activate the light only if consecutive instances of motion are sensed, wherein each instance is sensed within a gap of time of a previously sensed instance of motion, and the consecutive instances of motion being sensed span an entire window of time after sensing the first instance of motion.

Abstract: A thermostat, includes a housing and an occupancy sensor that is disposed within the housing and configured to detect physical presences of users within a responsive area of the occupancy sensor. The thermostat may also include a processing system that is disposed within the housing and in operative communication with the occupancy sensor. The processing system may be configured to determine, after a trial period, whether to activate an away-state feature by storing indications of how often the occupancy sensor detected physical presences during the trial period, computing an occupancy level for the trial period, comparing the occupancy level to a threshold criterion, determining whether sufficiently true indications of occupancy conditions were sensed by the occupancy sensor during the trial period, and enabling the away-state feature of the thermostat if it is determined that the sufficiently true indications of occupancy conditions were sensed during the trial period.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioner includes a cabinet that is configured to mount on an indoor ceiling. The air conditioner also include a front panel that is coupled to the cabinet and having an air inlet and outlet. The air conditioner further include a suction panel that is coupled to the front panel and configured to move between an open positione in which air is able to circulate through the air conditioner and a closed position in which air is blocked from circulating through the air conditioner. The air conditioner further include a sensor unit that is mounted on the suction panel, that is configured to move together with the suction panel and that is configured to detect a position of a person in the indoor place. In addition, the air conditioner also include a controller adjusting a direction of air flow from the outlet based on the deteded position of the person.

Abstract: A comfort system is provided for a motor vehicle. A seat occupancy sensor determines whether a third row zone is occupied. At least one flow controller is provided in the floor duct for controllably supplying the conditioned airflow to at least the third row outlet. If the third row zone is occupied, then a second row outlet and the third row outlet are turned on to supply a conditioned airflow to a front seat zone, a second row zone, and the third row zone. If the third row zone is not occupied, then the third row outlet is closed off. If the second row zone is not occupied, then the second and third row outlets are closed off. If occupied, then the second row outlet is turned on until a desired comfort level is achieved in the second row zone.

Abstract: A method of controlling a heating and/or ventilation and/or air-conditioning (HVAC) system, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: (12)—Calculation of a theoretical thermal comfort parameter (PMValgo) for at least one occupant of at least one area of a building on the basis of at least one parameter specific to the occupant, such as their metabolic rate (met) and/or their clothing (clo), and controlling a heating and/or ventilation and/or air-conditioning (HVAC) system so that the theoretical thermal comfort parameter converges toward a predefined thermal comfort range corresponding to a satisfactory level of comfort, (17)—Correction of at least one parameter specific to the occupant if the real thermal sensation of the occupant is not satisfactory.

Abstract: A space conditioning system for a building including production and occupied spaces provides precise control of exhaust and space conditioning equipment by taking into account multiple conditions and by using predictive control. The control method and system are illustrated by a commercial kitchen ventilation application.