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US 9,020,635 B2Granted
Beverage dispensing system with user customizable inputs
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorGregory G. Hortin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a first compartment, a second compartment, a first door providing access to the first compartment, a second door providing access to the second compartment, and a beverage dispensing system operatively connected the cabinet. The refrigerator further includes a user interface operatively connected to the cabinet, the user interface having a display and being configured to identify a user of the beverage dispensing system and customize beverage settings and preferences associated with the user.
Claims19
A refrigerator, the refrigerator comprising;
- a cabinet;
- a fresh food compartment;
- a freezer compartment;
- a first door providing access to the fresh food compartment;
- a second door providing access to the freezer compartment;
- a beverage dispensing system operatively connected the cabinet;
- and
- a user interface operatively connected to the cabinet, the user interface having a display and being configured to optically identify a user of the beverage dispensing system and customize beverage settings and preferences associated with the user;
- wherein the user interface comprises a user optical characteristic detecting device comprising an image sensor to assist in optically identifying the user;
- and
- wherein the user interface recommends a beverage to be dispensed by the dispensing system for the identified user based upon beverage parameters from a set comprising beverage settings, preferences, usage, restrictions, and other data stored in the system a are saved for the identified user;
- and
- wherein one or more functions of the beverage dispensing system are disabled based upon the identified user.
10 more elements
A refrigerator, the refrigerator comprising;
- a cabinet;
- a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet;
- a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet;
- a fresh food compartment door providing access to the fresh food compartment;
- a freezer compartment door providing access to the freezer compartment;
- a beverage dispensing system disposed operatively connected to the cabinet, the beverage dispensing system configured to prepare a beverage using a liquid enhancement component;
- and
- a user interface electrically connected to the beverage dispensing system, the user interface having a display and being configured to optically identify a user of the beverage dispensing system;
- wherein the user interface comprises a user optical characteristic detecting device comprising an image sensor to assist in identifying the user;
- and
- wherein the user interface suggests a beverage to be dispensed by the dispensing system based upon beverage parameters from a set comprising beverage settings, preferences, usage, restrictions, and other data stored in the system that are saved for the identified user;
- and
- wherein one or more fictions of the beverage dispensing system are disabled based upon the identified user.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.