HANDS FREE, CONTROLLED AUTOFILL FOR A DISPENSER

• US 20120138629A1
• Filed: 02/13/2012
• Published: 06/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: ASHRAFZADEH, FARHAD, CHASE, KEVIN M., JANKE, BRIAN P., KANCHANAVALLY, SHREECHARAN, KERNER, JAMES
• Granted Patent: US 8,813,794 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/1
• 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 from a dispenser assembly having a dispensing zone comprising:

capturing a first image of a container placed in the dispensing zone with a first digital image capture device;

analyzing the first image; and

regulating the dispensing operation based on the first image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first image is analyzed in determining a height of the container.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

employing geometric positioning between the first digital image capture device and the container within the dispensing zone in analyzing the first image.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein analyzing the first image includes determining an angle from the first digital image capture device and an upper rim of the container.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the height of the container is determined by subtracting a height value from a maximum container height for the dispensing zone.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

employing a triangulation technique in analyzing the first image.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

capturing a second image of the container placed in the dispensing zone with a second digital image capture device; and

regulating the dispensing operation based on both the first and second images.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first image is analyzed in determining a height of the container.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second image is analyzed in determining a position of the container in the dispensing zone.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

capturing the first image from an upper location of the dispensing zone; and

capturing the second image from a lower location of the dispensing zone.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second images is directed to at least one target fixed within the dispensing zone.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the container blocks at least a portion of the at least one target.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second images are respectively directed to first and second targets within the dispensing zone.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

preventing the dispensing operation if the at least one target is in the at least one of the first and second images.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

wherein the first image is directed to a height of a container in the dispensing zone and the second image is directed to a position of the container within the dispensing zone.

16. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

switching between the first and second images for analysis during the dispensing operation.

17. A dispenser assembly for selectively releasing at least one of liquid and ice to a consumer through a dispensing operation, said dispenser assembly comprising:

a dispenser well provided in a main housing, said dispenser well including an upper portion, a base section for supporting a container, a recessed upstanding wall section and opposing side wall sections;

a dispensing outlet arranged in the upper portion of the dispenser well for delivering the at least one of liquid or ice into the dispensing well; and

a sensor system including a first digital image capture device focused within the dispenser well for capturing a first image within the dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the first digital image capture device for evaluating the image to regulate the dispensing operation.

18. The dispenser assembly according to claim 17, further comprising:

a second digital image capture device image focused within the dispenser well for capturing a second image of the container, wherein the digital image analyzer evaluates both the first and second images in regulating the dispensing operation.

19. The dispenser assembly according to claim 18, wherein the first image capture device is located in the upper portion of the dispenser well and the second image capture device is located in the base section of the dispenser well.

20. The dispenser assembly according to claim 19, further comprising:

first and second targets within the dispenser well, wherein the first and second image capture devices are directed to take images of the first and second targets respectively.