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 comprising at least one wall 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 and configured to detect a presence of a person, said detection device further configured to:
• determine a distance between the container and said at least one wall and a distance between the person and said at least one wall, and
• generate a signal confirming a position of the container within said recess and the presence of the person;
• 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 confirming the position of the container within said recess and the presence of the person.

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 having at least one wall 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;
• detecting a person positioned with respect to the dispensing system;
• determining a distance between the container and the at least one wall;
• determining a distance between the person and the at least one wall;
• generating a signal confirming a position of the container within the recess and a position of the person;
• 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, wherein the signal confirms the position of the container and the position of the person.