Patent Publication Number: US-10330368-B2

Title: Apparatus, method and system for a dispensing system of a refrigerated appliance

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/477,517, filed on Jun. 3, 2009, entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A DISPENSING SYSTEM OF A REFRIGERATED APPLIANCE,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to sensing parameters related to dispensed water and/or ice from the dispensing system of a refrigerated appliance. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus, method and system for sensing parameters relating to dispensed water and/or ice from a dispensing system of a refrigerated appliance. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Dispensing liquid and/or ice from an in-door dispenser or refrigerator is well-known. In fact, many existing refrigerators, whether in a home, business or on the showroom floor, have an in-door dispenser for dispensing water and/or ice. These in-door dispensers lack a sensing system for sensing parameters relating to water and/or ice at the outlet for liquid and/or ice dispension points. 
     What is needed is an efficient and effective apparatus, method and system for sensing parameters relating to dispensed water and/or ice from the dispensing system of a refrigerated appliance. 
     Therefore, it is a primary object, feature or advantage of the present invention to improve over the state of the art. 
     It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide state of the art apparatuses, methods and systems for sensing parameters related to ice and/or water dispension from the dispensing station of a refrigerated appliance. 
     Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a module attachable about the dispensing station of a refrigerated appliance to provide a sensing of parameters relating to dispensed water and/or ice from the dispensing station. 
     A still further object, feature or advantage of the present invention is to provide a sensing module adapted for removable mounting at the dispensing station of a refrigerated appliance wherein the module is aesthetically complementary to the dispensing station and/or the refrigerated appliance. 
     Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a sensing module for a dispensing station of a refrigerated appliance that is seamlessly integratable at the dispensing station. 
     A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a sensing system for a dispensing station of a refrigerated appliance fix providing notification or warnings to an operator or user regarding sensed parameters relating to the water and/or ice being dispensed. 
     Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a sensing system for a dispensing station of a refrigerated appliance that monitors parameters related to dispensed water and/or ice to provide diagnostics information regarding the refrigerated appliance, water, ice and/or the dispensing station. 
     These and/or other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent. No single embodiment of the present invention need achieve all or any particular number of the foregoing objects, features or advantages. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention a refrigerated appliance is disclosed. The refrigerated appliance includes a housing, a dispensing system at the housing having a dispensing station and a dispensing outlet positioned to dispense water and/or ice at the dispensing station. The refrigerated appliance also includes a sensing system at the dispensing system adapted to sense a parameter related to dispensed water and/or ice and produce a sensing signal. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of dispensing water and/or ice from a refrigerated appliance is disclosed. The method includes initiating dispension of water and/or ice and sensing a parameter related to water and/or ice at or near the dispension. In a preferred form, the method also includes monitoring the parameter to determine if the parameter meets a predetermined criteria. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a sensing system for use with a dispensing system of a refrigerated appliance is disclosed. The system includes a sensor adapted to sense a parameter related to water and/or ice dispension from the refrigerated appliance and produce a sensing signal and a controller in operative communication with the sensor and adapted to process the sensing signal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a front elevation view of a refrigerated appliance with a dispensing system having a sensing system for water and/or ice dispension according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is an enlarged view of the dispensing system taken along line  1 B- 1 B in  FIG. 1A  illustrating various operating components of the dispensing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a removable sensing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a front elevation view of the sensing module shown in  FIG. 2A  being mounted at the dispensing station of a refrigerated appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2C  is a front elevation view of the removable sensing module mounted at the dispensing station of the refrigerated appliance shown in  FIG. 2B  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A-3D  are flow charts of a method of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention is directed towards a sensing system for sensing parameters related to dispense water and/or ice from a dispensing system of a refrigerated appliance. 
     Apparatus 
       FIGS. 1-2C  illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1A  illustrates a refrigerated appliance  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Refrigerated appliance  10  may include one or both of a refrigerated compartment and a freezer compartment. The refrigerated and/or freezer compartments are enclosed by one or more doors hingedly attached to a cabinet body. A dispensing station  12  is positioned at the body of the refrigerated appliance, and customarily in one of the doors. Dispensing station  12  could be positioned at the door, either on the exterior or interior of the refrigerated appliance  10 . The present invention is not limited to refrigerated appliances having a dispensing station as illustrated, but extends to all types of liquid dispensing units that have a dispensing station such as free standing, shelf or cabinet water dispensers. As is customary, dispensing station  12  may include an ice dispenser  14  and/or water dispenser  16  to provide dispension of both liquid and ice from dispensing station  12 . Ice and liquid dispension occurs at housing  13  of dispensing station  12 . Within housing  13  of dispensing station  12  is a dispensing area  18 . Dispensing area  18  provides a space concomitant with dispension points where liquid and/or ice may be captured by a receptacle. Dispensing area  18  may be recessed into the door or protrude from the general plane of the door, and is defined generally by dispensing area walls  20 . Dispensing area walls  20  partially enclose liquid and/or ice dispension from ice dispenser  14  and/or water dispenser  16  at dispensing station  12 . Dispensing station  12  includes a dispensing area face  22  having dispensing station controls  23  for operating, monitoring or controlling dispensing station  12 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 1B , illustrating an enlarged view of dispensing station  12  shown in  FIG. 1A , dispensing station  12  also includes a sensing system  24  at dispensing station  12  adapted to sense a parameter related to dispensed water and/or ice from water dispenser  16  and/or ice dispenser  14 . The sensing system  24  is further adapted to produce a sensing signal based on the sensed parameter relating to dispensed water and/or ice. Preferably, one or more sensors may be positioned at points of dispension for ice dispenser  14  and/or water dispenser  16 . Thus, one or more parameters relating to the dispensed ice and/or water may be detected using one or more sensors  26  positioned at points of dispension for water dispenser  16  and/or ice dispenser  14 . Sensors  26  may include one or more types of sensors such as, but not limited to, a flow meter, a water quality meter, a spectral sensor, a temperature gauge, an optical fiber sensor, a motion sensor, a sonar sensor, a conductivity sensor, a capacitive sensor, a inductive sensor, an optical sensor, a light sensor, or a pH sensor. With one or more of the aforementioned sensors positioned at dispension points for water and/or ice at dispensing station  12 , several parameters relating to the water or ice being dispensed may be monitored. For example, sensed parameters may include, but are not limited to, such parameters as quantity, quality, condition, presence or non-presence of certain substances, contamination, turbidity, temperature, chemical make-up, or physical make-up. Sensors  26  could be used to monitor water and/or ice consumption on a global or per user basis by using known information such as the flow rate for the ice and/or water per unit of time. Sensors  26  are configured to produce a sensing signal based on the parameters sensed from liquid and/or ice dispension. The term “dispension” is used to indicate that the water and/or ice has already been dispensed, and thus sensing is performed on the dispensed water outside and/or at the outlet of the dispensing line or conduit through which the water and/or ice is transported. A control system  34  is in operative communication with sensing system  24 . The control system  34  and sensing system  24  may be configured to communicate with each other by wired or wireless connections. According to another aspect, sensors  26  at the outlet points for water and/or ice dispension could be configured to wirelessly communicate sensed information to a control board at a location remote to the dispensing area. For example, in one aspect, the system could include as a single-piece unit a power source (e.g., battery) for powering in combination with a Wi-Fi transmitter having a control board that acquires the sensed signal and transmits it using the onboard Wi-Fi functionality of the transmitter. Control system  34  may be configured to record, store, compare, quantify, publish, and/or communicate sensing data locally or remotely. Remote communication of data to a receiving location, data store or processing station could occur using data telemetry means known in that art. Similarly, remote communications of instructions or data to control system  34  could occur using data telecommand means known in the art. In one aspect, sensing system  24  may be configured to transmit and receive wireless signals from other accessories, whether on the refrigerated appliance  10 , or another appliance or system having data telemetry means. In another aspect, sensing system  24  may be configured with a scanner, such as an RFID scanner, configured to read and inventory data available via RFID tags associated with things in and around the refrigerated appliance  10  (e.g., age or use sensitive perishable or non-perishable products or components). Sensors  26  may be configured to multiplex with control system  34  to perform any one or more of the aforementioned functions. Control system  34  may include one or more data stores for recording or storing sensing data. Control system  34  may also include a controller  36 . A controller  36 , which may be a programmable controller such as a programmable logic controller (PLC), is in operative communication with sensors  26  and data store  40 . In a preferred embodiment, control system  34  is in operative communication with user notification system  50 . Notification of a sensed parameter meeting a certain criteria determined by control system  34  may be communicated to user notification system  50  from control system  34 . User notification of the sensed parameter may be provided by at the dispensing station  12  via visible, audible, and/or tactile signals. For example, user notification system  50  at dispensing area face  22  of dispensing station  12  may include a light or display  52  for providing a visible signal for notifying the user, a sound generator such as loud speaker  54  for notifying the user using an audible signal, or a tactile signal generator such as tactile sensation source  56  for providing a tactile signal for notifying the user of the sensed parameter or information relating thereto. Display  52  may include, in addition to light signals, a textural display for notifying user of the sensed parameter relating to liquid and/or ice dispensed from dispensing station  12 . Dispensing station  12  preferably includes a user interface system  42  for receiving commands from a user via controls  44 . User interface system is in electrical communication with control system  34  whereby user input at controls  44  is communicated to control system  34  for controlling controller  36 , data store  40 , user notification system  50  and/or sensing system  24 . Control system  34 , user notification system  50 , user interface system  42  and sensing system  24  are in electrical communication with a power source  38 . The present invention contemplates the power source  38  may include the refrigerated appliance  10 , an electrochemical cell (i.e., an alkaline or rechargeable battery), a photovoltaic cell, or a power generator operated by water and/or ice dispension. In the case where power source  38  is a photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell may be mounted externally for capturing ambient light and/or near an existing light source of refrigerated appliance  10  for capturing light emitted internally or externally from refrigerated appliance  10 . The present invention further contemplates power source  38  being an inductive power source. 
       FIGS. 2A-C  illustrate another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2A  illustrates a sensing module  30  configured for removable mounting at the dispensing station of a refrigerated appliance. Module  30  is configured in height, width, depth dimensions to fit seamlessly (i.e., removably mounted) within the dispensing area of a dispensing station in any commercial refrigerated appliance such as illustrated in  FIGS. 2B-C . Much like a picture frame, module  30  includes top, bottom and side walls that mate to dispensing area walls  20  of a dispensing station. Another embodiment of module  30  could include side walls connected to a top wall. Still another embodiment of module  30  could include adjustable sidewalls, top and/or bottom walls for accommodating varying size dispensing areas of a refrigerated appliance or other liquid dispenser. Another embodiment of module  30  could include a narrow rectangular (non-frame-like) body configured for removable mounting to one of the walls  20  at dispensing station within proximity to dispension points for ice dispenser  14  and/or water dispenser  16 . For example, module  30  in this form could be fit or adhered to the top or side wall  20  of dispensing station. To remain seated within dispensing area  18  of dispensing station  12 , frame  32  of module  30  may include one or more attachments  28  for securing to dispensing area walls  20  of dispensing station  12 . Module  30  may also be configured for receipt within the dispensing area  18  and remain attached to dispensing area using a compression or friction fit whereby module  30  fits sufficiently snug within dispensing area  18  of dispensing station  12  to retain module  30  at the dispensing station  12 . In a preferred form, module  30  includes an exterior portion adapted to fit with a complementary portion of the dispensing station  12 . Further, frame  32  of module  30  may include exterior portions that are configured cosmetically to match dispensing area face  22  of dispensing station  12  or other cosmetic or design features of the host appliance. Module  30  may include one or more faceplates for being adaptable to different brands, makes and models of refrigerated appliances. Configured into frame  32  of module  30  are many of the same operational components as discussed supra relating to the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . When module  30  is seated within dispensing area  18  of dispensing station  12 , sensors  26  associated with sensing system  24  are positioned at dispension points for ice dispenser  14  and/or water dispenser  16 . As previously indicated, sensors  26  are configured to sense a parameter related to water and/or ice dispension. The measured parameters are electrically communicated to control system  34  where controller  36  processes the information. Control system  34  is in electrical communication with user notification system  50  for alerting the user of the sensed parameter relating to ice and water dispension. As noted previously, user notification system may include a visual display  52 , loud speaker  54  or tactile sensation source  56  for alerting the user of the sensed parameter. User interface system  42  is in electrical communication with control system  34 . Instructions or input to the system from a user may be provided at controls  44  of control system  34 . In one aspect of the present invention, alkaline or rechargeable batteries may be used as power source for powering control system  34 , sensing system  24 , user notification system  50  and/or user interface system  42 . Module  30  may also be configured to receive AC power from refrigerated appliance  10  whereby wire connections associated with module  30  are connected to an electrical connection/tie-in within dispensing station  12  or associated with refrigerated appliance  10 . Module  30  may also include a photovoltaic cell configured to convert ambient light sources into energy for use by module  30 . A photovoltaic cell may also be positioned relative to an existing light source of the refrigerated appliance whereby light energy from the refrigerated appliance is used to power module  30 . Module  30  may also include a power generator positioned at and operated by water and/or ice dispension for providing electrical energy for operating module  30 . Thus, module  30  may be attached to a refrigerated appliance for monitoring or sensing parameters related to water and/or ice being dispensed from ice dispenser  14  and/or water dispenser  16 . As previously indicated, sensors  26  may be used to monitor one or more parameters associated with liquid and/or ice dispension. Controller  36  of control system  34  may be used to process the sensed information to determine if it meets a certain criteria for alerting the user. Control system  34  may be also be configured to record or store the sensed information within data store  40  for later analysis and/or subsequent notification to the user. Thus, module  30  includes all the same functionalities and components of the dispensing station illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 , but in a modulated form. Thus, module  30  may be retrofitted to any new or existing refrigerated appliance or liquid dispenser having a dispensing station where the ability to sense parameters related to water and ice dispension are desired. Further, using parameters gleaned from monitoring water and/or ice dispension, user notification may be given regarding the status of various components within the refrigerated appliance such as a water filter that is expired or an ice maker that is malfunctioning. 
     System 
     In another embodiment of the present invention a sensing system for use with a dispensing station of a refrigerated appliance or other liquid dispensing appliance is disclosed. In a preferred form, the sensing system of the present invention includes one or more sensors  26  adapted to sense a parameter related to water and/or ice dispension from a dispensing station  12  of a refrigerated appliance  10 . The sensor  26  is further adapted to produce a sensing signal. The sensing signal is communicated control system  34  in operative communication with the one or more sensors  26 . The control system  34  is configured to process the sensing signal received from sensing system  34 . A user notification system is in operative communication with the control system  34 . The user notifications system  50  is configured to generate a user-perceivable notification signal in response to the sensing signal received from sensing system  24 . Control system  34  may include one or more data stores  40  whereby sensing data received from control system  34  may be stored or recorded within the control system  34 . Sensing signal received from sensing system  24  may be processed in real-time or by post processing procedures or protocol programmed within controller  36  of control system  34 . Depending upon the operating parameters or criteria programmed into controller  36 , sensed information may be processed in real-time or post processed and a subsequent electronic signal sent to the user notification system  50  for providing a user-perceivable notification signal, such as a visible, audible, or tactile signal. Notification devices at the user notification system  50  provide notification to the user of the sensed parameter using a light source, a sound source, a tactile signal source or textual display source. Sensors  26  of sensing system  24  may be configured to monitor parameters relating to the liquid or ice being dispensed. For example, parameters such as quantity, quality, condition, presence, contamination, turbidity, temperature, chemical make-up, or physical make-up may be monitored and/or sensed. Appropriate sensors  26 , such as those listed supra, may be positioned at dispersion points for ice and/or water at the dispensing station  12  for monitoring a parameter relating to the ice and/or water being dispensed. In sensing system  24 , control system  34  user interface system  42  and user notification system  50  may be configured into a module  30  that is configured for being removably mounted at a dispensing area of a refrigerated appliance or liquid dispenser. The module  30  may include a fixed or adjustable frame  32  portion adapted for being removably affixed to a complementary portion of the dispensing area  18  of dispensing station  12 . One or more of the exterior portions of module  30  may be configured cosmetically to match complementary portions of dispensing station  12 . For example, various cosmetically arrayed faceplates may be configured to match the dispensing area face  22  of dispensing station  12 . A user may provide input to the sensing system by way of controls  44  at user interface  42 . Module  30  may be configured to receive power from a power source  38 . For example, the sensing system may include an on-board power source  38  such as rechargeable power source. Alternatively, the sensing system may be configured to receive power from the refrigerated appliance  10 , such as where the module  30  is electrically tied into a power source aboard the refrigerated appliance  10 . In the modulated form, the sensing system may be configured whereby the module  30  is rechargeable offline and when fully charged reinserted into the dispensing area  18  of dispensing station  12 . Furthermore, module  30  may include a power pack adapted for receipt within module  30  that may be removed for offline charging and reconnected to module  30  for powering operation of the module  30 . 
     Method 
       FIGS. 3A-D  illustrate a method of the present invention. According to one method, a module  30  is seated within dispensing area  18  of dispensing station  12 . Or, in the case where refrigerated appliance  10  includes sensing system  24 , the operator in either case initiates dispersion of water and/or ice at dispensing station  12  of refrigerated appliance (step  60 ). Liquid and/or ice being dispensed from ice dispenser  14  and/or water dispenser  16  is monitored by sensor  26  for sensing one or more parameters relating to water and/or ice being dispensed from ice dispenser  14  and/or water dispenser  16 . Sensor  26  senses parameters relating to the water and/or ice at or near the point of dispension (see step  62 ). Steps  64 - 68  illustrate sensed parameters of the liquid candor ice being dispensed. Sensed parameters may include, but are not limited to, sensing physical make-up of ice and/or water being dispensed, sensing chemical make-up of ice or water being dispensed, sensing turbidity of ice and water being dispensed, or sensing quality of the ice or water being dispensed. Further sensed parameters include sensing for the presence of ice and/or water, sensing for contamination of the ice and/or water, or sensing the temperature of the ice and/or water being dispensed. Further methods of the present invention contemplate sensing other parameters gleanable or perceivable from monitoring or analyzing the liquid and/or ice being dispensed from ice dispenser  14  or water dispenser  16 . Sensing data from sensor  26  is communicated electronically from sensing system  24  to control system  34 . A controller  36  within control system  34  manages sensed data (step  80 ). Controller  36  operating under instruction from on-board code within the controller or code programmed into the controller remotely, manages the data provided from sensor  26 . Data management, as illustrated in steps  82 - 92 , includes recording or storing data in data store  40 . Further management of data may include publishing data to as local or remote source, including making data available by communicating data locally or remotely via a computer network to an enterprise database associated with the business or a service company associated with providing service for the refrigerated appliance. Other data management include comparing, contrasting or quantifying the data by real or post-time processing protocols. The control system  34  also manages the sensory data to determine if a user-perceivable signal should be generated (step  94 ). Control system  34  may opt to process and manage sensory data internally without apprizing the user, such as for example where sensory data is stored for post-processing purposes (step  96 ). In the case where it is desirable to notify the user of the sensed data or information gleaned from processing the sensed data, a user notification signal such as a user-perceivable signal is given. Steps  98 - 104  illustrate various user-perceivable signals for alerting the user. These steps include generating a textual signal, generating a visual or visible signal, generating an audible signal, or generating a tactile signal. If no operator acknowledgement of the signal generated is required (step  106 ) the control system  34  will cycle the signal (step  108 ) based on the number of cycles programmed into controller  36 . If user acknowledgement of the signal is required, control system  34  aborts signal generation upon receipt of an instruction from a user at controls  44  of user interface system  42  acknowledging receipt or appreciation of the signal being provided (step  110 ). Control system  34  may be configured to require attention or care depending upon the parameter sensed from the liquid or ice being dispensed. In the case where no attention or care is required (step  112 ), control system  34  may be configured to record historically the sensed parameters for subsequent instruction and signal generation, or for deriving historical information about the liquid and/or ice being dispensed from the refrigerated appliance (step  114 ). In the case where attention or care is required upon acknowledgement of a parameter sensed from liquid and/or ice dispension, control system  34  may be configured to communicate sensory data to a maintenance professional (step  116 ) to provide necessary services to the refrigerated appliance, the ice dispenser or liquid dispensing system of the refrigerated appliance (step  116 ). In the case where the parameter sensed from the water or ice being dispensed relates to the quality of the liquid and/or ice such as where a foreign or unwanted chemical is identified within the water and/or ice, sensory data may be communicated to public works to notify them of such issues (step  118 ). Control system  34  may also be configured to provide a user with additional instructions (step  120 ) relating to the attention or can required given the parameter sensed from the liquid or water being dispensed. Further, control system  34  may be configured to communicate sensory data to the manufacturer of the refrigerated appliance (step  122 ) to alert the manufacturer of any problems or concerns relating to the refrigerated appliance. For example, in the case where water quality is identified as being poor as a result of filter life having expired, the manufacturer may be notified that the refrigerator in need of a new filter and the user subsequently notified and/or provided instructions on how to order or obtain a new filter for the refrigerated appliance. In some instances a system reset may be required (step  124 ), and if not, the system continues normal operation (step  126 ). Control system  34  may be configured to provide instructions or notification of a need for system reset (step  128 ) if the system reset is required. For example, in the case where the system identifies that the water quality is poor as a result of filter life having expired, the control system further identifies the need for a reset of a filter life counter associated with the system to know when to alert the user when the new filter expires. Upon receiving instruction and notification of the need to reset the system (step  128 ), the system continues normal operation (step  130 ) whereby sensor  26  monitors parameters relating to the water and/or ice being dispensed from ice dispenser  14  and/or water dispenser  16  of dispensing station  12 . 
     The embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the drawings and specification and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generically descriptive sense only and are not used for the purposes of limitation. Changes in the formed proportion of parts, as well as in the substitution of equivalences are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or are rendered expedient without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims.