Hands free, controlled autofill for a dispenser

• US 10,233,069 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2017
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Chase, Kevin M., Janke, Brian P., Ashrafzadeh, Farhad, Kanchanavally, Shreecharan, Kerner, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Niesz, Jason K
• Application Number:
  US15/804,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20180057342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0858 using compression systems
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0878 Safety, warning or controlling devices B67D1/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1236 comprising means for detecting the size of vessels to be filled
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1238 comprising means for detecting the liquid level in vessels to be filled, e.g. using ultrasonic waves, optical reflexion, probes
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/124 the flow being started or stopped by means actuated by the vessel to be filled, e.g. by switches, weighing
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 2400/10 Refrigerator units
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 5/22 particularly adapted for household refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/06 Sensors detecting the presence of a product
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/06 with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation

Abstract

A dispensing system includes one or more digital image capture devices for capturing images in a dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the digital image capture device(s) for analyzing the images for use in regulating a dispensing operation. The digital image analyzer evaluates digital images captured by the digital image capture device(s) to determine various characteristics of a container placed in the dispensing well, such as the height and position of the container.

Claims

1. A method of performing a dispensing operation comprising:

exposing a camera to a dispensing assembly;

performing the dispensing operation based on at least one image obtained from the camera; and

evaluating the at least one image to determine at least one characteristic of a container positioned for the dispensing operation.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing the dispensing operation with the dispensing assembly being incorporated in a refrigerator.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the dispensing assembly is incorporated in a door of the refrigerator.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the dispensing operation includes dispensing at least one of water and ice into the container.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the at least one characteristic of the container includes determining a height or position of the container.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically stopping the dispensing operation when the container is filled to a pre-specified level or volume.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

illuminating the container during at least a portion of the dispensing operation.

8. A method of performing a dispensing operation comprising:

exposing a camera to a dispensing assembly;

performing the dispensing operation based on at least one image obtained from the camera;

capturing the at least one image from an upper location; and

capturing at least one additional image from a lower location.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

performing the dispensing operation based on the at least one image and the at least one additional image.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

analyzing the at least one image to determine a height of a container positioned for the dispensing operation; and

analyzing the at least one additional image to determine a position of the container.

11. A method of performing a dispensing operation comprising:

exposing a camera to a dispensing assembly;

performing the dispensing operation based on at least one image obtained from the camera; and

sensing movement based on multiple images from the camera.

12. A dispensing assembly for selectively performing a dispensing operation comprising:

a dispensing outlet configured to dispense a product into a container;

a camera, exposed to the dispensing outlet, for obtaining at least one image used to regulate the dispensing operation; and

a digital image analyzer configured to evaluate the at least one image to determine at least one characteristic of the container.

13. The dispensing assembly of claim 12, wherein the dispensing assembly is incorporated in a refrigerator.

14. The dispensing assembly of claim 13, wherein the dispensing assembly is incorporated in a door of the refrigerator.

15. The dispensing assembly of claim 14, wherein the camera is mounted in a dispensing well provided on the door.

16. The dispensing assembly of claim 12, wherein the at least one characteristic is a height or position of the container.

17. The dispensing assembly of claim 12, wherein the dispensing assembly is configured to automatically stop the dispensing operation when the container is filled to a pre-specified level or volume.

18. A dispensing assembly for selectively performing a dispensing operation comprising:

a dispensing outlet configured to dispense a product into a container; and

a camera, exposed to the dispensing outlet, for obtaining at least one image used to regulate the dispensing operation, wherein the camera is configured to obtain the at least one image from an upper location, and the dispensing assembly is configured to regulate the dispensing operation based on the at least one image and at least one additional image obtained from a lower location.

19. The dispensing assembly of claim 18, further comprising:

a digital image analyzer configured to evaluate the at least one image to determine a height of the container and the at least one additional image to determine a position of the container.