Patent ID: 8309892

Claim:
A controller for controlling at least an air mover and a heater of an automotive vehicle comprising; at least one control module in signaling communication with an energy source, a sensor, the air mover, a power stage and a switch wherein the energy source provides power to the heater as dictated by the power stage, the sensor senses a temperature associated with the heater and the switch turns the heater on and off and wherein the control module includes: i. programming for comparing representative values originating from the sensor to a set of n set point values (V 1 . . . V n ) wherein the representative values are representative of temperatures (T s ) sensed by the temperature sensor, the n set-point values are representative of n predetermined temperatures (T 1 . . . T n ) and n is a whole number greater than 1, wherein n is at least 3 ii. programming for allowing n different amounts of energy (E 1 . . . E n ) to be applied to the heater depending upon the representative value, such different amount be applied during an initial heat up time period of the heater once the heater is turned on; and iii. programming for providing remedial measures if a relatively high temperature or a relatively low temperature is detected wherein the remedial measures include programming for turning the air mover on in the event that the temperature sensor senses a temperature in excess of a predetermined upper limit temperature and programming for turning the heater on in the event that the temperature sensor senses a temperature below a predetermined lower limit temperature.