System and method for automatic temperature control in vehicles using predictive coding

A computer readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a computer for controlling temperature within a vehicle cabin, the computer readable storage medium comprising:

• instructions for monitoring vehicle sensors to determine current operating conditions;
• instructions for determining a desired temperature based on input from a vehicle occupant;
• instructions for determining system momentum based on changes in the current operating conditions over a period of time;
• instructions for predicting a time when the desired temperature will be attained based on the system momentum and the current operating conditions;
• and
• instructions for controlling a heating/cooling system based on the predicted time.

A system for controlling temperature within a vehicle cabin, the system comprising:

• a plurality of temperature sensors, the sensors providing signals indicative of current operating conditions;
• means for heating the vehicle cabin;
• means for cooling the vehicle cabin;
• a user interface disposed within the vehicle cabin for providing a signal indicative of a desired temperature;
• a controller in communication with the plurality of temperature sensors, the means for heating, the means for cooling, and the user interface, the controller determining a desired temperature based on the signal from the user interface, determining system momentum based on changes in the current operating conditions over a period of time, predicting a time when the desired temperature will be attained based on the system momentum and the current operating conditions, and generating signals to control the means for heating and the means for cooling based on the predicted time.