Method and apparatus for using gestures in a refrigerator dispensing system

Abstract

A refrigeration device includes a refrigerated compartment, a door that seals the compartment, a dispenser opening in an exterior surface of the door, and a dispenser outlet in the opening. The refrigeration device also includes a reservoir configured to hold a substance and a conveyor configured to convey the substance from the reservoir to the dispenser outlet. Measurement sensors of the refrigeration device are configured to generate first measurement signals that are indicative a gesture of a hand in the dispenser opening. A control unit of the refrigeration device is configured to ascertain a requested fill height based upon the first measurement signals. The control unit is further configured to generate signals that cause the conveyor to convey the substance from the reservoir to a container placed under the dispenser outlet and cease conveying the substance upon the container attaining the requested fill level.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.