Method and system for dispensing ice and/or a liquid

A refrigeration appliance comprising:

• a cabinet defining at least one refrigeration compartment;
• a first door coupled to said cabinet and movable between an open position and a closed position, in the closed position said door configured to sealingly enclose said at least one refrigeration compartment, said first door defining a recess;
• a dispenser positioned within said cabinet, said dispenser configured to dispense at least one of an amount of ice and an amount of a liquid into a container positioned within said recess;
• a detection device positioned with respect to said recess, said detection device configured to detect a container positioned within said recess without contacting the container, said detection device further configured to generate a signal confirming a position of the container within said recess;
• and
• a controller in operational control communication with said detection device and said dispenser, said controller configured to activate said dispenser in response to a signal received from said detection device.

A method for dispensing at least one of an amount of ice and an amount of liquid into a container, said method comprising:

• providing a dispensing system comprising a housing defining a recess, a detection device positioned with respect to the recess, and a dispenser positioned with respect to the recess;
• detecting a container positioned within the recess;
• generating a signal confirming a position of the container within the recess;
• and
• activating the dispenser in response to the signal received from the detection device to dispense at least one of an amount of ice and an amount of liquid into the container.