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US 7,028,725 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for dispensing ice and water
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorJohn Kenneth Hooker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for actuating a dispensing system, wherein the system includes a dispenser cavity and a dispenser is provided. The method includes intersecting at least two beams of light, sensing the at least two beams of light, and actuating the dispenser system based upon the sensing
Claims16
A method for actuating a dispensing system, the system includes a dispenser cavity and a dispenser, said method comprising:
- intersecting at least two beams of light, wherein intersecting the at least two beams of light comprises coupling a first infra-red (IR) light emitting diode (LED) element on a first wall of the cavity and coupling a second IR LED on a second wall of the cavity opposite the first wall;
- sensing the at least two beams of light, wherein sensing the at least two beams of light comprises coupling a first IR photodetector on the first wall of the cavity and coupling a second IR photodetector on the second wall of the cavity, wherein each IR photodetector is positioned above each IR LED;
- and
- actuating the dispenser system based upon said sensing.
1 more element
An optical system for a dispenser system comprising:
- at least two light emitting optic elements mounted on opposing first and second dispenser walls;
- and
- at least two light receiving optic elements mounted on said opposing first and second dispenser walls, wherein each of said at least two light receiving optic elements is in optical communication with each of said at least two light emitting optic elements, wherein said at least two light receiving optic elements are in electromechanical communication with said dispenser system, said at least two light receiving optic elements are mounted above said at least two light emitting optic elements.
A dispenser system comprising:
- a top wall, a bottom wall, and a cavity extending therebetween, said top wall parallel said bottom wall;
- a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall positioned therebetween, said second wall opposite said first wall, said third wall substantially perpendicular to both said first and second walls, said first, second, and third walls substantially perpendicular to both said top wall and said bottom wall;
- at least one dispenser coupled to said third wall;
- and
- an optical system coupled to said first and said second wall and in electromechanical communication with said at least one dispenser, said optical system comprising at least two light receiving elements mounted above at least two light emitting optic elements.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.