Abstract: A virtual thermostat to control an air condition of any target zone in an HVAC controlled space. The thermostat comprising of a 3D scanner to provide a 3D point cloud of the controlled space; a CAD-application algorithm to modify the point cloud into a 3D model of the space; a control panel for a user to input a set of boundary and initial conditions and a desired air condition at the target zone inside the controlled space; a fluid flow software having means to read said 3D model and to determine a spatial velocity and temperature distributions throughout the controlled space, and to calculate an average temperature for the target zone in the controlled space; a control system to manage the air inlet flow to control the temperature at the target zone in the controlled space by comparing the calculated average temperature of the target zone with a user defined temperature and to turn the HVAC system ON and OFF.

Abstract: A method for controlling an operation of a vapor compression system (VCS) determines values of measured outputs of the operation of the VCS that include performance and constrained outputs. The method determines states of the VCS using an estimator model of the VCS defining a relationship between the states of the VCS, control inputs and controlled outputs, such that a difference between outputs predicted using the estimator model and the measured outputs asymptotically approaches zero. The states of the VCS include a main state representing the operation of the VCS and an auxiliary state representing the effect of unknown disturbances on each measured output of the VCS. The control inputs for controlling the operation of the VCS are determined using a prediction model, such that the constrained output satisfies the constraints, and a difference between the performance output and the value of the setpoint asymptotically approaches zero.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a controller for controlling the thermostat, a battery supplying power for the thermostat, and a wireless transceiver for receiving control information from a remote device and for transmitting information to the remote device. The controller sets a default time schedule for enabling the wireless transceiver.

Abstract: A method reconstructs at three-dimensional (3D) real-world scene from a single two-dimensional (2D) image by identifying junctions satisfying geometric constraint of the scene based on intersecting lines, vanishing points, and vanishing lines that are orthogonal to each other. Possible layouts of the scene are generated by sampling the 2D image according to the junctions. Then, an energy function is maximized to select an optimal layout from the possible layouts. The energy function use's a conditional random field (CRF) model to evaluate the possible layouts.

Abstract: A method for climate control for an interior of a motor vehicle includes acquiring climatically relevant data of the interior and/or surroundings of the vehicle, creating a thermodynamic model of a vehicle climate system, the model including at least one of a first thermal capacity of the interior and a first heat loss of the interior, introducing into the interior a quantity of air having a temperature different from an existing interior temperature, calculating at least one of a second thermal capacity of the interior and a second heat loss of the interior existing after the air quantity is introduced into the interior, and adapting the thermodynamic model to include at least one the second thermal capacity and the second heat loss.

Abstract: Ventilation systems and methods are provided. A method for operating a ventilation system includes receiving a fan speed of a first fan of a range appliance, the first fan operable to flow air through a first conduit of an air curtain assembly of the range appliance, the first conduit defined in a cabinet of the range appliance. The method further includes determining a corresponding fan speed for a second fan, the second fan operable to flow air through a second conduit of a vent appliance. The method further includes outputting the corresponding fan speed to the second fan. The corresponding fan speed for the second fan is correlated with the fan speed of the first fan such that a volumetric flow rate through the second conduit is greater than or equal to a volumetric flow rate through the first conduit.

Abstract: A ventilation system includes first and second blowers connected to a plenum in parallel, with a first motor drive to control a speed of an electric motor of the first blower and a second motor drive to control a speed of an electric motor of the second blower. A controller associated with the first blower is programmed to receive a set point for a controlled variable that is controllable by operation of the first and second blowers, estimate a total air flow required from the first and second blowers to reach the controlled variable set point, calculate a blower speed ratio between a first blower speed and a second blower speed that provides the required total air flow at a minimum power consumption level, and generate commands to cause the first blower and the second blower to operate at speeds resulting in the calculated blower speed ratio.

Abstract: A method of operating a lighting device positioned in an environment that includes acquiring lighting data corresponding to an environment using one or more sensing devices. The one or more sensing devices are communicatively coupled to a processor and a lighting device is positioned in the environment. The method further includes determining from the lighting data, by the processor, a lighting condition of the environment, acquiring presence data corresponding to a presence of one or more individuals in the environment using the one or more sensing devices, determining from the presence data, by the processor, a number of individuals present in the environment, and generating, by the processor, an actuation signal receivable by the lighting device to actuate the lighting device based on the lighting condition of the environment and the presence of both a registered individual and one or more additional individuals in the environment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for providing adaptive automatic climate control functionality for a vehicle. A sensor is configured to detect when a manual override of an automatic climate control feature of a vehicle has occurred. A processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to initiate the automatic climate control feature for the vehicle and adjust a calibration of the automatic climate control feature when the manual override has been detected.

Abstract: When user face information and user air-conditioning information are stored in advance via a portable information terminal and a face of a user is located within a face recognition range of an indoor imaging device, an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus recognizes the face. In addition, when it is determined that the face of the user corresponds to the face of a first user represented by first user information stored in advance, the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus blows conditioned air that satisfies a first user air-conditioning environment represented by first user air-conditioning information set for the first user toward the first user.

Abstract: A device for detecting blockage of an air filter mesh, including: an air inlet, an air outlet, an air duct, a fan or a wind wheel, a blower motor, an air filter mesh, and a controller. The controller includes a main control board including: a microprocessor, an inverter circuit, and a motor operation parameter detecting circuit. The air filter mesh is disposed in the air duct. The motor operation parameter detecting circuit inputs a real time operation parameter into the microprocessor, and the output terminal of the microprocessor controls the inverter circuit. A function module of the microprocessor calculates a detected air volume according to the real time operation parameter. When the detected air volume is smaller than a preset air volume, the microprocessor determines that the air filter mesh is obstructed and outputs a signal to an alarm circuit to trigger an alarm.

Abstract: A dual communication-interface facility monitoring and management system, the system including a multiplicity of facility monitoring\management devices, the devices including at least one of at least one facility monitoring sensor and at least one facility management device, the facility monitoring sensors being operative to monitor at least a part of a facility, the facility management devices being operative to manage at last part of the facility, a facility communication gateway operative to facilitate electronic communication between a local area network (LAN) associated with the facility and an a wide area network (WAN) external to the facility, and a dual communication-interface facility monitoring and management subsystem operative to communicate with each of the multiplicity of devices via at least one of a first multiplicity of communication protocols and to communicate with the facility communication gateway via at least one of a second multiplicity of communication protocols.

Abstract: Provided is an easy-to-design, inexpensive air-conditioning apparatus in which an external static pressure and an airflow are calculated without using a static-pressure detector and an indoor-unit-side fan is controlled using those values. An air-conditioning apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that a control unit (indoor-unit-side control unit) stores an external static pressure of an indoor unit calculated from a rotation speed of an indoor-unit-side fan when the airflow of the indoor-unit-side fan is controlled to a predetermined rated airflow and controls the rotation of the indoor-unit-side fan so that the external static pressure of the indoor unit obtained thereafter from the rotation speed of the indoor-unit-side fan approaches the stored external static pressure.

Abstract: An indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus includes an indoor imaging device that captures an image of inside a room, a thermal image detection device that acquires a thermal image of inside the room, an arithmetic operation device that acquires an air flow inside the room and that generates an air-conditioning status image obtained by superimposing the air flow obtained by the arithmetic operation and the thermal image acquired by the thermal image detection device on a visible image captured by the indoor imaging device, and a storage device that stores therein air-conditioning status images in accordance with the lapse of time. When a visualization button on a remote control is pressed, air-conditioning status images are transmitted to the remote control and are displayed as time-reduced moving images on a display unit of the remote control.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically calibrating one or more damper positions of a demand control ventilation system are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a demand control ventilation system includes a damper for controlling a flow of outside air into a building. A controller may be programmed to automatically execute a calibration algorithm from time to time to calibrate one or more calibration damper positions such that a predetermined flow of outside air is drawn through the damper and into the building at each of the one or more calibration damper positions. This calibration can, in some instances, help increase the efficiency and/or utility of the demand control ventilation system.

Abstract: A home security system may infer a mode of operation based on indications it receives regarding a user's behavior. The disclosed implementations provide for a vacation mode of operation that defines a response for a security event that differs from the response that would be provided by the home security system for the same security event if it operated in another mode such as an away mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing haptic effects are disclosed. One disclosed system comprises an actuator, a non-volatile memory configured to store a haptic effect profile, and a processor in communication with the actuator and the non-volatile memory. The processor may be configured to receive a sensor signal indicating a movement of a manipulandum, to identify an effect parameter associated with the sensor signal in the haptic effect profile, and to generate an output signal based, at least in part, on the effect parameter. The generated output signal may be configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the effect parameter.

Abstract: A battery includes at least one battery cell that has a housing with an electrode arrangement arranged therein. A first temperature sensor is arranged outside the battery cell housing, and a second temperature sensor is arranged inside the battery cell housing. The temperature dynamic of the second temperature sensor is higher than the temperature dynamic of the first temperature sensor. A motor vehicle includes the battery cell.

Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, even in a case where an air outlet mode is set in which an air outlet switching damper opens a defroster opening so as to blow air from the defroster opening toward an inner surface of a window glass of a vehicle, the air outlet switching damper is controlled to close the defroster opening when a target air temperature TAO is lower than an outside air temperature TAM. Thus, the vehicle air conditioner prevents a fogging of an outer surface of the window glass without decreasing a temperature comfort in a vehicle compartment.

Abstract: A system for automatic setup and control of Lighting, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems comprising a set of occupancy detectors and at least one controller where the controller determines various aspects of the building control based on the input of the occupancy detectors.

Abstract: An air handling system includes a housing, a blower, a sensor, an air intake valve and a controller. The housing includes an outlet to a passenger compartment, a fresh air inlet providing fresh air into the housing and a recirculated air inlet that guides air flow from the passenger compartment into the housing. The blower moves air through the housing. The air intake valve moves between a closed position blocking air flow from the fresh air inlet into the housing and an open position unblocking air flow from the fresh air inlet into the housing. The controller positions the air intake valve relative to the fresh air inlet controlling the flow of fresh air into the housing and thereby maintaining moisture density of the air flow entering the passenger compartment within a prescribed range based on humidity and temperature values from the sensor.

Abstract: Mixing gases within an adiabatic cooling unit can include allowing a first gas at a first temperature to enter a mixing chamber on a non-exposed side of an adiabatic cooling media and utilizing a first baffle to direct the first gas in a direction away from the adiabatic cooling media. Mixing gases within an adiabatic cooling unit can also include allowing a second gas at a second temperature to enter the mixing chamber on an exposed side of the adiabatic cooling media and allowing the first gas and the second gas to mix in the mixing chamber creating a mixed gas. Furthermore, mixing gases within an adiabatic cooling unit can include creating an inlet with the first baffle and a second baffle to direct the mixed gas away from the adiabatic cooling media and allowing the mixed gas to enter through the exposed side of the adiabatic cooling media.

Abstract: A method of controlling the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a building, the method comprising the steps of: (a) developing an initial thermal model of the building, and continuously updating the thermal model over time; (b) utilising the thermal model to continuously develop a daily HVAC operating plan for the building; and (c) continuously examining a current HVAC operating plan and optimising the alignment of the current HVAC operation with the current HVAC operating plan.

Abstract: A sensor module that transmits at a predetermined transmission interval, via a network, data obtained by measurement to an externally installed information processing device sets, together with a nearby sensor module, a predetermined module group in which a plurality of sensor modules for transmitting measurement data according to data processing in the information processing device are put together. Then, together with the nearby sensor modules, one sensor module among the predetermined module group is set as a reference sensor module for which a transmission interval is maintained at a predetermined transmission interval, and transmission intervals of measurement data of sensor modules other than the reference sensor module are changed to a prolonged transmission interval that is longer than the predetermined transmission interval.

Abstract: When the air conditioner implements the temperature controlling operation, the ventilator performs ventilation in a normal ventilation mode where a ventilation amount is set at a certain ventilation amount or more. When the air conditioner implements the operation not intended for temperature control, the ventilator performs ventilation in a ventilation suppressed mode where the number of rotations of an exhaust fan is made greater than that of an air supply fan to place indoor space in a negative pressure and ventilation is performed at an amount smaller than the certain ventilation amount or ventilation is stopped. In the ventilation suppressed mode, a ventilation amount is set to be smaller in response to a greater heating load that is increased by ventilation performed during the operation not intended for temperature control.

Abstract: A smart tile system and methodology, each tile having a sensor device and control unit for monitoring an environmental condition of a room or space. A plurality of smart tiles form a hive community resulting in a tightly coupled sensor network configured to communicate in clusters and collaborate to accomplish missions. One of the missions is environmental control which is communicated to a tile in the form of a policy. The tiles around one piece of equipment in the room or space may control the regulating of cooling/heating for just that one piece of equipment allowing little to not impact of other equipment(s) in the room. The smart tile of the hive communicate over a mesh network protocol, and one or more smart tiles comprise a vent under actuator control wherein the tile is configured to receive commands to adjust the vent opening according to a desired setting.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with improved temperature detection accuracy includes a coefficient calculation circuitry which calculates a plurality of N-th order coefficients, where N is an integer equal to or greater than one, of a correction function as an N-th order approximation of a characteristic function which relates temperature data measured by the temperature sensor and the actual temperature. The coefficient calculation circuitry uses N+1 pieces of the temperature data including a theoretical value at absolute zero in the characteristic function and N measured values of the temperature data measured by the temperature sensor unit at N points of temperature. A corrected temperatures are output using the correction function with the calculated coefficients and measured temperature values.

Abstract: A method of managing at least one network device at a site includes providing a web-based control selector to manage a detection module to control the at least one network device at the site. The method includes enabling the detection module in response to an enabled setting of the web-based control selector, and initiating a change in an operating condition of the at least one network device at the site in response to the enabled detection module and based on a detected presence of a user at the site. The method proceeds by disabling the detection module in response to the disabled web-based control selector.

Abstract: An approach is provided in which a subsystem cooling manager detects an increased workload indicator corresponding to a computer subsystem's forthcoming workload requirement. The forthcoming workload requirement corresponds to future computing resources required by the subsystem to support one or more software programs executing on the computer system. The subsystem cooling manager determines that the forthcoming workload requirement exceeds a utilization threshold and in turn, directs one or more cooling systems towards the corresponding subsystem according.

Abstract: An air conditioner control device controls a plurality of air conditioners installed at different positions in a predetermined living room space. A memory unit manages presence and absence data on people who are in a room air-conditioned by each of the air conditioners. Based on the managed presence and absence data, a number-of-people-in-the-room calculation unit calculates, on a per-air-conditioner basis, the number of people who are in the room air-conditioned by each of the air conditioners. A control time determination unit increases or decreases the control time during which an energy saving control of each of the air conditioners is executed, depending on the calculated number of people in the room. A control execution unit repeatedly executes the energy saving control of each of the air conditioners, according to the determined control time.

Abstract: Systems, method and apparatuses of a building control sensor unit are disclosed. One apparatus includes a building control sensor unit that includes one or more sensors operative to sense an environmental condition of a structure, and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver includes an extended antenna, wherein the extended antenna includes a strand of memory metal. The apparatus further includes a controller, wherein the controller is operative to receive information from other building control sensor units or a central controller, and transmit information to the other building control sensor units or the central controller, wherein the building control sensor unit is configured such that when placed on or within a ceiling of the structure, the extended antenna extends into the structure.

Abstract: An air conditioning ventilator includes a ventilation unit, an air conditioning unit and a bypass channel. The ventilation unit has an air supply channel configured to supply air from an outdoor space to a target space, and an air supply fan configured to create a first airflow from the outdoor space to the target space within the air supply channel. The air conditioning unit has an intake channel configured to take in air from the target space, a temperature regulator configured to regulate the temperature of air that has passed through the intake channel, a discharge channel configured to discharge temperature-adjusted air that has been regulated by the temperature regulator to the target space, and an air-conditioning fan configured to create a second airflow from the intake channel to the discharge channel via the temperature regulator. The bypass channel bypassed the air supply channel and the discharge channel.

Abstract: A control device controls a swing action of flaps of an air conditioning apparatus. The flaps are swung up and down. The control device includes an operation mode determining section, a swing pattern storage area and a control command generator. The operation mode determining section determines at least an air-cooling operation mode and an air-warming operation mode that are operation modes of the air conditioning apparatus. The swing pattern storage area stores a plurality of swing patterns that include information pertaining to the swing action. The control command generator generates a control command of the air conditioning apparatus on the basis of a swing pattern corresponding to the mode determined by the operation mode determining section from among the plurality of swing patterns.

Abstract: A method includes selecting the branch of a ventilation system with the greatest pressure loss, opening a control valve in the selected branch and closing control valves in all other branches, controlling a fan to produce the desired air flow rate into the selected branch by using fan characteristic shaft power to air flow rate curves, and a shaft power estimate from the frequency converter and by adjusting the rotational speed of an electric motor to achieve the desired air flow rate, calculating the fan pressure corresponding to the desired air flow rate from fan characteristic fan pressure to air flow rate curves, saving the calculated fan pressure as a reference pressure, and adjusting the control valves in each of the remaining branches so that the desired air flow rate to each branch is delivered while the fan is controlled by the frequency converter to produce the reference pressure.

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 cooling host module is operable for providing cooling gas flow in a substantially isolated closed loop for a computing device. The computing device comprises a substantially vertical first face having an inlet portion comprising no more than about a lower third of a height of the first face for inlet gas flow and a substantially vertical second face opposite the first face for outlet gas flow. The cooling host module comprises: a heat exchanger adjacent to the second face of the computing device for cooling outlet gas flow; a gas flow path directing air exiting the heat exchanger beneath the computing unit; a gas moving device for moving gas in the gas flow path; and a vent towards distal end of the gas flow path for providing gas flow to the inlet portion of the first face of the computing device.

Abstract: A cooling host module is operable for providing cooling gas flow in a substantially isolated closed loop for a computing device. The computing device comprises a substantially vertical first face having an inlet portion comprising no more than about a lower third of a height of the first face for inlet gas flow and a substantially vertical second face opposite the first face for outlet gas flow. The cooling host module comprises: a heat exchanger adjacent to the second face of the computing device for cooling outlet gas flow; a gas flow path directing air exiting the heat exchanger beneath the computing unit; a gas moving device for moving gas in the gas flow path; and a vent towards distal end of the gas flow path for providing gas flow to the inlet portion of the first face of the computing device.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling operation of electrical heating elements in a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in accordance with fan operating conditions, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring speeds at which a fan motor is operating; communicating status signals indicative of fan motor operating speeds; and upon receiving a status signal indicating the fan motor is operating at a speed exceeding a predetermined maximum speed, communicating a control signal instructing a heater interlock to interrupt power supplied to at least one electrical heating element.

Abstract: In an air-cooling-and-heating controlling system, individual variable air volume controllers send, to an air-cooler-and-heater controller, current cooling/heating requirement information for the controlled area that is controlled by that variable air volume controller. If there is a mixing of a cooling requirement and a heating requirement in the cooling/heating requirement information that is received, the air-cooler-and-heater controller establishes a cold air temperature setting value and a hot air temperature setting value that can handle the cooling requirements and the heating requirements at that time, to perform alternating switching of a supply air temperature setting value. If a variable air volume controller that requires heating is supplied cold air, it blocks the supply of air to the controlled area. If a variable air volume controller that requires cooling is supplied hot air, it blocks the supply of air to the controlled area.

Abstract: Arc resistant enclosures for dry-type transformers. More particularly, transformer enclosures having one or more arc-resistant features, including arc channels, arc fault dampers, and arc fault plenums, and methods for providing same.

Abstract: An internal component and external interface arrangement for a cylindrical compact computing system is described that includes at least a structural heat sink having triangular shape disposed within a cylindrical volume defined by a cylindrical housing. A computing engine having a generally triangular shape is described having internal components that include a graphics processing unit (GPU) board, a central processing unit (CPU) board, an input/output (I/O) interface board, an interconnect board, and a power supply unit (PSU).

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 HVAC system includes a first and a second electric motor. A load manager is coupled to the first electric motor. The load manager is configured to prevent the first electric motor from operating simultaneously with said second electric motor.

Abstract: A motor assembly coupled to an external alternating voltage input, the motor assembly comprising a motor including a stator and a rotor rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The motor assembly further includes a circuit assembly, the circuit assembly having a state detector operable to detect the state of the external alternating voltage input and a control unit operable to control the motor based on the state of the external alternating voltage input detected by the state detector. The motor assembly also includes a housing substantially encasing the motor, and the circuit assembly.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for minimizing system power in the data processing system with fast convergence. A current aggregate system power value is determined using a current thermal threshold value. For each potential thermal threshold value in a set of potential thermal threshold values, a determination is made as to whether there is a potential thermal threshold value that results in a potential aggregate system power value that is lower than the current aggregate system power value. Responsive to identifying an optimal potential thermal threshold value from the set of potential thermal threshold values that results in minimum aggregate system power value that is lower than the current aggregate system power value, the optimal potential thermal threshold value is set as a new thermal threshold value.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for minimizing system power in the data processing system with fast convergence. A current aggregate system power value is determined using a current thermal threshold value. For each potential thermal threshold value in a set of potential thermal threshold values, a determination is made as to whether there is a potential thermal threshold value that results in a potential aggregate system power value that is lower than the current aggregate system power value. Responsive to identifying an optimal potential thermal threshold value from the set of potential thermal threshold values that results in minimum aggregate system power value that is lower than the current aggregate system power value, the optimal potential thermal threshold value is set as a new thermal threshold value.

Abstract: A computer program product including computer usable program code embodied on a computer usable medium for controlling a temperature within a computer system using a fan. The computer program product includes computer usable program code for monitoring the temperature within the computer system; dynamically selecting a fan speed step in response to the temperature, wherein the fan speed step is selected from a fan speed table defining a finite number of fan speed steps each having an associated fan speed; operating a fan at the dynamically selected fan speed step; measuring a fan output variation is measured over a prescribed time interval; and automatically modifying the fan speed table to change the fan speeds associated with each fan speed step, wherein the fan speeds are changed as a function of the measured fan output variation while continuing to drive the fan.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an environmental monitoring and analyzing device. The device contains a plurality of sensors, a control unit and a display unit. The different types of sensor obtain values of different environmental parameters. The control unit receives the obtained values of the environmental parameters and compares the obtained values against predetermined standards and criteria which define parameter ranges of the different environmental parameters. A display unit displays a real-time air quality report including a user-friendly interpretation of the obtained values and recommendations in response to the obtained values. By implementing this invention into an embodiment, the environmental monitoring analyzing is carried out instantly by considering the interrelationship of the obtained values of the different environmental parameters. The analyzed results are therefore much more accurate.

Abstract: A multiple zone climate control system includes a HVAC unit, a digital wireless network, powered wireless adjustable registers controlled by their respective zone controllers, and a central controller that controls the HVAC unit and coordinates the zone controllers for concerted action.

Abstract: Automated methods, apparatuses and computer program products for controlling environmental parameters in a defined environment are disclosed herein. One method disclosed includes the steps of: measuring values of temperature, relative humidity, and wind velocity in the environment, calculating a value of perceived temperature as a function of the measured values, and controlling the environmental parameters based on the calculated value. In certain embodiments, the defined environment comprises a chicken house and the temperature perceived by the chickens in the chicken house is calculated as a function of a characteristic of the chickens such as age or weight.