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Method and apparatus for conserving power consumed by a refrigerated appliance utilizing dispensing event data signals

  • US 6,898,942 B2
  • Filed: 01/24/2003
  • Issued: 05/31/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A refrigerated appliance for use with a power source to dispense items, said system comprising:

  • a cooling system;

    power control circuitry that selectively provides electrically coupling of at least one component of said cooling system to said power source;

    a controller, operably coupled to said power control circuitry, that is adapted to control said power control circuitry in at least one power-conserving mode of operation and in a normal-operation mode, said controller automatically transitioning between said at least one power-conserving mode and said normal-operation mode based upon at least one dispensing event signal supplied to said controller by one of (i) a dispensing port sensor that senses items passing through a dispensing port of said refrigerated appliance, (ii) an occupancy sensor that senses occupancy of a user that opens a door to said refrigerated appliance, and (iii) an open door sensor that senses opening of a door to said refrigerated appliance.

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