Abstract: Standalone and self-contained cooling systems using compressed liquid and/or gas CO2 containers positioned in an insulated or non-insulated vessel encompassing a container which is either vertically positioned in an upright or an upside-down position. The liquid and/or gas CO2 coolant is then released into a capillary system or flow metering system to allow the CO2 to enter a second body to where the CO2 coolant properties may be leveraged. The second body includes, by way of example, a plate, a cushion, a spot treatment pad for a person's muscle, or a cooler. The temperature is controlled by a metering CO2 releasing system encompassing an electronic control device which sends alerts when pre-defined thresholds are exceeded. The invention's metering CO2 releasing system may be triggered by an electronic or a thermostatic valve or may be triggered manually or by an electronic solenoid.

Abstract: A system including mode, engine, and battery modules, where the mode module determines whether to operate in an engine mode or a battery mode based on parameters. The engine module, while operating in the engine mode, runs a compressor at a first speed based on a temperature within a temperature controlled container of a vehicle and permits passage of refrigerant through eutectic plates independent of the temperature. A battery, while in the engine mode, is charged based on power received from an electrical source. The battery module, while operating in the battery mode and based on the temperature, runs the compressor at a second speed and prevents passage of the refrigerant through the eutectic plates. While in the battery mode, the battery is not being charged based on power from a shore power source and the electrical source from which power is received during the engine mode.

Abstract: A system including mode, engine, and battery modules, where the mode module determines whether to operate in an engine mode or a battery mode based on parameters. The engine module, while operating in the engine mode, runs a compressor at a first speed based on a temperature within a temperature controlled container of a vehicle and permits passage of refrigerant through eutectic plates independent of the temperature. A battery, while in the engine mode, is charged based on power received from an electrical source. The battery module, while operating in the battery mode and based on the temperature, runs the compressor at a second speed and prevents passage of the refrigerant through the eutectic plates. While in the battery mode, the battery is not being charged based on power from a shore power source and the electrical source from which power is received during the engine mode.

Abstract: A humidity control and ventilation device includes: a determiner determining that another ventilation device has turned on, if at least one of an increasing variation in the rotation speed of the air supply fan and an increasing variation in the rotation speed of the exhaust fan exceeds a corresponding one of predetermined values while the air supply fan and the exhaust fan are under the constant airflow rate control; and an air-flow-rate controller decreasing one of the rotation speed of the air supply fan or the rotation speed of the exhaust fan if the determiner determines that the ventilation device is on, such that a total air supply rate and a total air exhaust rate in the ventilation target space are balanced with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for improving air quality in a vehicle are provided. The method for improving air quality in a vehicle, includes: acquiring state information about the vehicle and/or environmental information of the vehicle; determining whether ventilation of the vehicle is to be performed according to the state information and/or the environmental information; deriving a time period for ventilation of the vehicle according to the state information and/or the environmental information if it is determined that the ventilation of the vehicle is to be performed; and performing the ventilation of the vehicle in open mode automatically for the derived time period so as to improve the air quality in the vehicle. The apparatus and the method can improve the air quality in the vehicle before a user enters the vehicle, and thus provides the user with more comfort.

Abstract: When a first temperature difference is the difference between an inlet temperature of a first refrigerant and an outlet temperature of the first refrigerant in the heat exchanger for heating, and a second temperature difference is the difference between an inlet temperature of a second refrigerant and an outlet temperature of the second refrigerant in the heat exchanger for heating, the difference between the first temperature difference and the second temperature difference is held in a predetermined value or less by controlling the opening degree of a second expansion device.

Abstract: A heat pump apparatus includes a heat source unit that cools or heats a refrigerant, an indoor unit that performs a cooling operation, and a hot water supply unit that performs a hot water supply operation. When there is an operation request for one of the indoor unit and the hot water supply unit, even when there is no operation request for the other, the heat pump apparatus causes both the one and the other to operate if the other satisfies a certain condition so that the hot water supply unit performs a hot water supply operation by utilizing a refrigerant heated by performing a cooling operation in the indoor unit and the indoor unit performs a cooling operation by utilizing a refrigerant cooled by performing a hot water supply operation in the hot water supply unit.

Abstract: A wiring arrangement for protecting a bleed air supply system of an aircraft against overheating is associated with a bleed air supply system. The bleed air supply system includes a bleed air source, a bleed air feed, a shutoff valve arranged in the bleed air feed and a leakage monitoring device with a monitoring control device, which is connected via a shutoff circuit to the shutoff valve in such a way that the shutoff valve is closed when the shutoff circuit is interrupted. The wiring arrangement includes a thermal switch, which is connected in series with the shutoff valve and the monitoring control device to the shutoff circuit and which, once a predetermined limit temperature has been exceeded, interrupts the shutoff circuit.

Abstract: An adaptive-fan-control (AFC) communicating thermostat for controlling an electrical load and controlling an HVAC circulation fan during a load control event. The thermostat interrupts and overrides an occupant-selected fan setting of the thermostat. The AFC communicating thermostat includes a controller in communication with a temperature sensor and the occupant-selectable fan control.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a refrigeration unit, a method, and a refrigeration system are disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment, a controller stores instructions for a first refrigeration setting and a second refrigeration setting, tracks a cumulative average temperature in a refrigeration element, and activates either the first refrigeration setting or the second refrigeration setting. The first refrigeration setting has a lower average power consumption and a higher range of temperature variation than the second refrigeration setting.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for incorporating manual changes to the setpoint for a thermostatic controller into long-term programming of the thermostatic controller. For example, one or more of the exemplary systems compares the actual setpoint at a given time for the thermostatic controller to an expected setpoint for the thermostatic controller in light of the scheduled programming. A determination is then made as to whether the actual setpoint and the expected setpoint are the same or different. Furthermore, a manual change to the actual setpoint for the thermostatic controller is compared to previously recorded setpoint data for the thermostatic controller. At least one rule is then applied for the interpretation of the manual change in light of the previously recorded setpoint data.

Abstract: An integrated air conditioner that controls the operation of a water feed device according to the mode of use. The air conditioner includes a control section that determines whether or not exhaust heat from a condenser 3 is being released outdoors through an exhaust duct 7 according to whether or not an air intake duct 26 or an exhaust duct 7 is fitted, operates a water feed device 8 for leading drain wafer collected in the drain pan to the condenser 3 during both of a cooling operation and a dehumidifying operation if it determines that the heat to be released from the condenser 3 is being released outdoors, and operates the water feed device 8 during the cooling operation and stops the operation of the water feed device 8 during the dehumidifying operation if it determines that the exhaust heat from the condenser 3 is not being released outdoors.

Abstract: An operation unit for a vehicle air conditioner includes a display device, a setting input portion of a control parameter of the air conditioner other than a set temperature, an obtaining portion configured to obtain a present set value of the control parameter, and an operating state identification portion configured to identify whether an air-conditioning operating state is in a plurality of predetermined operating states of the air conditioner. In the operation unit, a moving pattern of a pointer of the display device is changed according to the operating state of the air conditioner. For example, a pointer operation control portion can be configured to control an operation of a pointer driving motor such that the pointer moves on a dial of the display device at different moving speeds according to the air-conditioning operating state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power semiconductor device (100) cooling assembly for cooling a power semiconductor device (100), wherein the assembly comprises an actively cooled heat sink (102) and a controller (208; 300), wherein the controller (208; 300) is adapted for adjusting the cooling efficiency of the heat sink (102) depending on the temperature of the high current carrying semiconductor junction comprised in the power semiconductor device (100).

Abstract: A combined air-conditioning and hot water supply system simultaneously executes the cooling operation of a use unit and the hot water supply operation of a hot water supply unit, wherein the combined air-conditioning and hot water supply system operates in a cooling priority mode when the temperature differential ?Twm between a set hot water supply temperature Twset and the inlet water temperature Twi of a plate water-heat exchanger is smaller than a priority operation determination threshold M that is set in advance, and operates in a hot water supply priority mode when the temperature differential ?Twm becomes equal to or higher than the priority operation determination threshold M. This simultaneous execution of cooling and hot water supply operations prevents hot water from running out.

Abstract: A compressor monitoring system includes current and voltage monitors, current and voltage averaging modules, a control module, and a switch. The current monitor measures a current drawn by a motor of a compressor. The current averaging module generates first and second average current values based on the current measured by the current monitor. The voltage monitor measures a utility power voltage. The voltage averaging module generates first and second average voltage values based on the voltage measured by the voltage monitor. The control module selectively generates a fault signal when a first ratio is greater than a first predetermined threshold and a second ratio is less than a second predetermined threshold. The first ratio is based on the first and second average current values. The second ratio is based on the first and second average voltage values. The switch deactivates the motor when the fault signal is generated.

Abstract: In an air conditioning system for circulating cooled air to an enclosed space, a controller including a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and a microcontroller for controlling the indoor fan or blower to prevent operation of same if a fan run-on mode is selected or continuous fan operation is selected and the humidity sensed in the enclosed space is greater than a predetermined amount. Continuous fan operation is allowed unless the humidity exceeds a user defined setpoint during an air cooling operating mode. If the humidity sensed is greater than the predetermined amount, the fan is operated only when the system is providing cooled air, such as when the system compressor is energized.

Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioner integrated management system and an operational method of the same according to the present invention. The present invention can promptly detect and repair the device, where an error really occurred, by determining the error as an upper unit's in the case that the error occurred at the whole devices belonging to a lower unit managed by the upper unit.

Abstract: A method for managing access to a confined space which is cooled by the direct injection of a cryogenic fluid, comprising at least one system for closing the confined space, which can prevent access to said confined space and can be opened/closed to a variable and controllable degree, and a data acquisition and processing device. The device can: control the open or closed state of the closure system; set and control the degree to which the closure system is open/closed; ensure that a time delay (TP) is respected every time the closure system is closed, after which time delay the injection of cryogenic fluid into the space resumes; and, at the request of a user, implement the cycle for opening the closure system. The device determines the time that has elapsed (TE) in the closed position since the last closure cycle of the closure system and compares TE to TP. If TE=TP the device immediately authorizes the opening of the closure system.

Abstract: A Kimchi refrigerator that applies cold shock to Kimchi stored therein at predetermined time intervals, while a keeping mode is performed, so as to improve the taste of the Kimchi, wherein the time intervals are changed, and a control method of the same are disclosed. The Kimchi refrigerator includes a cooling system to cool the interior of the refrigerator in which Kimchi is stored, and a control unit to control the cooling system to perform a cold shock operation in which the interior of the refrigerator is cooled to a cold shock temperature lower than a keeping temperature at predetermined time intervals, for a predetermined period of time, while a keeping mode is performed. The control unit changes the time intervals.

Abstract: There is provided a heat pump apparatus bringing heating water to a high temperature by connecting one or a plurality of load-side units to one heat source-side unit. The air conditioning-hot water supply combined system (heat pump apparatus) includes a heat source-side unit equipped with an air conditioning compressor, a four-way valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger; and the load-side units equipped with an air conditioning throttle, an indoor heat exchanger, a second compressor, a second load-side heat exchanger, and a second flow rate control unit. Here, a main circuit is configured by sequentially connecting the air conditioning compressor, the four-way valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the air conditioning throttle, and the indoor heat exchanger, using a high-pressure side connection piping and a low-pressure side connection piping.

Abstract: A cut-out circuit for an air conditioner protects the air conditioning system components when subjected to low pressure conditions, without manually resetting the system after low pressure cut-out. The cut-out circuit preferably includes a relay, connectable to a voltage source through a normally closed low pressure switch to a compressor clutch, the relay operable in a closed state to output a voltage from the voltage source through the low pressure switch to the clutch, and in an open state to interrupt the voltage. The low pressure switch may open responsive to a low pressure condition interrupting voltage flow to the clutch. The circuit includes a normally open high pressure switch, connected to the relay and a voltage source, operable to close responsive to a high pressure condition, to output a voltage from a voltage source to the relay for changing the relay operating state to open.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a supercooling recognition method and a supercooling apparatus which can rapidly and precisely judge whether a stored object is maintained in a supercooled state on the basis of a temperature thereof. A supercooling recognition method according to the present invention includes the steps of: cooling a stored object to below a temperature of a maximum ice crystal formation zone thereof; and judging whether the stored object is maintained in a supercooled state on the basis of a temperature thereof during the cooling step.

Abstract: The subject application relates to a remote control system and method for an ice maker machine. The system, for example, can monitor and regulate the operations of a plurality of ice maker components. An output display can also be employed in order to output relevant operating statuses to a user remotely or at a distance from the ice maker machine. The system can receive user input as well as sensor input and control the operation of the ice maker according to both types of input. As a result, a user can remotely determine failure modes and efficiently troubleshoot them as well as maintain an overall awareness of the operation status of the ice maker without physical interaction with the machine.

Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, when a passenger set temperature of a vehicle compartment is changed through an operation portion by a passenger, a storage portion updates a value of a control set temperature corresponding to a predetermined point of a detection area at a time of the changing operation to a value of the changed passenger set temperature, and stores therein the value of the updated temperature. Furthermore, when the detection point is not any one of the predetermined points, a control portion interpolates and calculates a control set temperature corresponding to the detection point from the control set temperature stored in the predetermined point of the detection area and the control set temperature stored in the predetermined point of a surrounding area around the detection area, and then controls the air-conditioning state in the vehicle compartment based on the interpolated and calculated control set temperature.

Abstract: A controller area network based climate control system for a work machine, and a method of operation of the same, which advantageously and economically integrates into and utilizes the resources and capabilities of a CAN of a work machine, including, but not limited to, shared data from other systems of the machine, particularly engine data including engine operating speed and temperature, for controlling climate control system operation, as well as for troubleshooting and diagnosing problems.

Abstract: An autodiscovery system for configuration information about an HVAC system being provided to a controller or thermostat. Configurations or parameters may be autodiscovered from communicating equipment. Also, this equipment may be manually selected and set without affecting the autodiscovery status of the remaining equipment. There may also be non-communicating equipment that does not provide information to the thermostat. However, the thermostat may control the non-communicating equipment via an equipment interface module.

Abstract: A control method of a multi-air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units is connected to one outdoor unit and refrigerant flow amount is adjusted by electronic expansion valves comprises a share step in which a plurality of indoor units exchanges their operation information, a comparison and judgment step in which each above indoor unit compares and judges its operation status based on the exchanged operation information, and an adjustment step in which each above indoor unit adjusts refrigerant flow amount supplied to each indoor unit based on the compared and judged operation status.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a multi-air conditioner and a group-unit control method thereof, wherein a plurality of indoor units can be controlled on a group basis. The method comprises the step of grouping the indoor units into a plurality of groups, the step of if an air conditioning operation condition of a specific one of the indoor units is changed, sending, by the specific indoor unit, the changed operation condition to all the other indoor units according to a predefined communication protocol, and the step of by each of the indoor units, receiving an air conditioning operation condition sent from a different one of the indoor units in the same group and performing an air conditioning operation based on the received operation condition. According to the invention, the plurality of indoor units can be more efficiently controlled on a group basis through inter-indoor unit data communication. Further, the group-unit control is not restricted by whether a controller is used or not.

Abstract: A food storing apparatus dispenses a content stored in the apparatus. The food storing apparatus includes a button tray that functions as a switch to control dispensing of different contents in accordance with different moved positions of the button tray, but also functions as a tray to receive a residual content discharged after dispensing the content.

Abstract: The present disclosure adjusts an air conditioner (A/C) compressor load responsive to the available torque to provide a compromise between A/C system and vehicle performance. The maximum available torque is monitored in real-time, and it is determined if there is enough torque to keep the A/C on for a fixed displacement compressor or how much the compressor displacement can be destroked through a current control for a variable displacement compressor. In an exemplary embodiment, an engine control unit (ECU) broadcasts the maximum available torque at a flywheel based on sensor readings and calculations. Accordingly, this broadcast enables a determination of whether there is enough torque available to maintain the A/C system in a controlled manner. Advantageously, the present disclosure avoids an abrupt turn-off or turn-on of the A/C system. Rather, the present disclosure maintains the A/C system in a controlled manner providing improved vehicle driveability.

Abstract: A lighting device controller which controls a lighting device and provides a signal to an air conditioner controller indicating an operation state of the lighting device, and an air conditioner controller which receives a signal from a lighting device controller indicating an operation state of a lighting device, and controls an air conditioning unit corresponding to the lighting device in response to the signal are disclosed.

Abstract: A control method of a refrigerator which includes a dispenser through which water and ice are discharged, a water supplying valve and an ice supplying valve which respectively regulate the water and the ice which are supplied to the dispenser, and a water supplying switch and an ice supplying switch which selectively supply the water and the ice to the dispenser, includes determining which switch of the water supplying switch and the ice supplying switch is handled first; and opening the water supplying valve to supply the water to the dispenser if the ice supplying switch is handled while the water supplying switch is under operation.

Abstract: A distributed refrigeration appliance system for use in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling and includes multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can also include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger and arranged for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit.

Abstract: In a cooling system (10) for cooling heat-generating installations (44, 46, 48) in an aircraft, with a refrigerating installation (12), at least one refrigeration consumer (44, 46, 48) and a refrigeration transport system (14) connecting the refrigerating installation (12) and the refrigeration consumer (44,46, 48), it is provided that the refrigerating installation (12) comprises at least one refrigeration machine (18, 20) which covers the maximum refrigeration requirement of the at least one refrigeration consumer (44, 46, 48) and in that the at least one refrigeration consumer (44, 46, 48) is supplied with cold generated in the refrigerating installation (12) via a refrigerating agent circulating in the refrigeration transport system (14).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving the safety and efficiency and decreasing the cost of producing liquid gas, such as liquid oxygen, with a small-scale use liquefaction device, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, liquid oxygen barrier may be added to interface between a cryocooler and a dewar to control rate of liquid oxygen escape upon a tipping of the dewar. A boiloff vessel in fluid communication with the dewar allows expanding gas from a tipped dewar to escape while allowing the liquid to safely settle in the boiloff vessel. A temperature sensing circuit, in proximity with a heat dissipator or cold finger of the cryocooler, is operable to break an electrical power circuit of the cryocooler or cooling fan when a sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. Oxygen purity of a feed stream of gas may be sensed and/or displayed.

Abstract: A cableless control system for an automobile air conditioner includes a slide pot potentiometer assembly for connection to an actuator arm on the back of a dashboard mounted control assembly. The position of the slide pot potentiometer assembly creates an electrical resistance signal which governs the position of the devices which moves the variable mechanical portions of the automobile air conditioner. The shape of the linear slide pot potentiometer assembly allows for the use of existing hardware and eliminates the need to run sheathed cables from the dashboard mounted control panel assembly to the mechanically variable portions which govern the operation of the automobile air conditioner.

Abstract: A cut-out circuit for an air conditioner, which protects the air conditioning system components when subjected to low pressure conditions, without requiring manually resetting the system after low pressure cut-out, but which requires resetting after high pressure cut-out. The cut-out circuit includes a device, preferably a relay, connectable to a voltage source and through a normally closed low pressure switch to a compressor clutch, the relay being operable in a closed state to output a voltage from the voltage source through the low pressure switch to the clutch, and in an open state to cease outputting or interrupting the voltage. The low pressure switch is operable to open responsive to a low pressure condition, to interrupt voltage flow to the clutch.

Abstract: An air-conditioner includes a refrigeration cycle device having an evaporator for evaporating refrigerant discharged from a compressor to cool air to be sent into a vehicle compartment. A controller turns on the compressor when a surface temperature of the evaporator or a downstream temperature of air at a downstream side of the evaporator is equal to or larger than a first predetermined value. The controller turns off the compressor when a changing rate of the surface temperature or a changing rate of the downstream temperature is equal to or larger than a second predetermined value. The controller turns on the compressor again when the surface temperature or the downstream temperature becomes equal to or larger than a third predetermined value, which is larger than the first predetermined value.

Abstract: An air conditioner for an automobile having a passenger compartment comprising is provided, including an air control system to control a property of air entering the passenger compartment, a manual setting member through which the property of the air is manually controlled, and a control system that automatically controls the property of the air based on a control characteristic. The control system updates the control characteristic based on an input from the manual setting member and based on a variable learning rate. The variable learning rate may be based on a time value measured between a first adjustment of the manual setting member and a second adjustment of the manual setting member and based on a magnitude of the second adjustment of the manual setting member. The property of the air entering the passenger compartment may be volumetric flow rate or temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning apparatus includes a dehumidification means, which has a compressor and dehumidifies inside of the vehicle, a humidity calculation means, which calculates humidity in the vicinity of an inside surface of the windshield, and a determination means, which determines whether the windshield is fogged on the basis of comparison between the humidity and a predetermined value. A defogging operation for heightening dehumidifying performance of the dehumidification means is performed, when the determination means determines that the windshield is fogged in a state where the compressor is turned on. The dehumidifying performance of the dehumidification means is lowered or condition in which the defogging operation is started is made to be difficult in the next defogging operation, when the windshield is determined to be fogged and the defogging operation is not manually performed in a state where the compressor is turned off.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operator control unit having at least one operator control for setting a setpoint value, in particular a temperature, an air quantity and/or an air distribution, an automatic function being provided for the air quantity, air distribution and temperature which is activated by actuating the operator control. The invention provides that, by actuating the operator control for longer than an actuation time z, the setpoint values of functions which are controlled directly or indirectly by the air-conditioning unit are reset to the automatic state which is permanently set at the factory.

Abstract: A refrigeration system is employed to cool a refrigerated compartment in a kitchen or restaurant. An electronic refrigeration controller controls various aspects of the refrigerated compartment, including temperature. When a push button is pressed, a “sleep-mode” is activated to safely shut the refrigeration system down and turn the evaporator fan off. An employee can then stock or remove inventory from the refrigerated compartment without cool air blowing on the employee. After a predetermined amount of time, the sleep-mode ends and cool air blows into the refrigerated compartment.

Abstract: A method for operating an air conditioning system that is operable both manually and automatically for a transportation means and an air conditioning system for implementing the method are provided. An automatic characteristic line is corrected based on a manual operation. The air conditioning system includes sensors for detecting parameter values that influence and represent the climate in the transportation means, memory means having a plurality of automatic characteristic lines for different operating states which represent the fixedly predetermined dependencies between the detected sensor signals of an operating state and the assigned manipulated variables for components of the air conditioning system during automatic operation, and equipment for manual adjustment of manipulated variables.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating unit comprising at least one operating element, especially for adjusting the quantity of air, the temperature or the air distribution of an automatic air conditioning system, an automatic function and a manual adjustment function being provided. According to the invention, when changing from the automatic function to the manual adjustment function, the adjusted valued of the adjustment function is associated with the value of the automatic function which is selected during the changeover, or the next value in the direction of the new target value, or the closed value to the display value, or a value which can be pre-programmed in a fixed manner.

Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a front air conditioning unit and a seat air conditioning unit are automatically controlled by an air conditioner ECU. If a seat air conditioner switch is operated by a user during an automatic control, the setting (e.g. air volume of a seat blower) of the seat air conditioning switch is learned. Based on the learning, a seat blower characteristic diagram, which is stored in a ROM, is changed. Therefore, from this time onward, under the same environmental condition, the seat blower air volume is determined based on the changed seat blower characteristic diagram. Accordingly, a seat air conditioning is provided as desired.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a cooling compartment provides a memory storing data about a user and data on food items stored in the cooling compartment; a user recognition device recognizing a present user; a controller reading the food item data corresponding to the user data relevant to the present user recognized by the user recognition device; and a display displaying the food item data read by controller. Thus, the refrigerator may be provided, which displays food item information appropriate to a user and reflecting the user's taste, physical constitution and health condition.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system is capable of learning preferences for a plurality of passengers, altering control characteristics of air conditioning means based on the results of learning, and automatically controlling the system. The system is capable of adjusting a temperature separately and independently for the left and right sides of a passenger compartment, and stores a temperature setting map of preferences of respective passengers for the Dr side and Pa side. Temperature set points are used for calculating blowing temperatures and determining opening degrees of air mix dampers. If a set point temperature is changed by a manual setting, the temperature-setting map is altered and restored by learning such change, and thus the temperature-setting map can be updated to reflect preferences of each passenger for each of the Dr side and Pa side.

Abstract: An automatic cold-storage system includes a food package (22) provided with a noncontact IC tag (11), and a refrigerator (31) for storing the food package (22). Information is read from the noncontact IC tag (11) by a noncontact IC tag reader (12) and is compiled to a database (31c). A managing means (31b) controls the refrigerator (31) on the basis of information contained in the database (31c). The managing means (31b) makes a display device (14) display a warning on the basis of information read by the noncontact IC tag reader (12).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring power outages in a household appliance such as a refrigerator are disclosed. According to the method, a household appliance determines a prior occurrence of a power outage to the appliance. The household appliance then computes a duration of the power outage. Further, the household appliance alerts a user of the duration of the power outage.