Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program product for configuring a network connected appliance to use online services are disclosed. A method may include receiving an indication of a selected home automation system for a network connected appliance. The selected home automation system may be selected from multiple available home automation systems. The method may additionally include registering the network connected appliance to the selected home automation system. The method may also include enabling communication between the network connected appliance and the selected home automation system.

Abstract: A cooking oven has a cooking cavity and a steam generating system. The steam generation system includes a water reservoir received and support in a reservoir-receiving space of a reservoir rack inside the cooking cavity. Thermal energy is provided to the water reservoir by a heater inside the cooking cavity. The heater can include thermal block made of a thermally conductive material in thermal communication with a heating element. The heater can be positioned such that it intimately contacts the water reservoir to deliver thermal energy thereto to convert water contained therein to steam, which can be used to cook a food item inside the cooking cavity.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing system may include a fluid cup configured to receive a fluid, and processing circuitry and a capacitive sensor coupled to one another, the capacitive sensor is a distance separated from and in parallel with a top surface of the fluid in the fluid cup, the distance the capacitive sensor is separated from the top surface of the fluid being variable with a fill level of the fluid in the fluid cup. The capacitive sensor and the fluid in the fluid cup may form elements of a capacitor with a capacitance that is a function of at least the distance the capacitive sensor is separated from the top surface of the fluid. The processing circuitry may be configured to measure a change in signal corresponding to a change in capacitance of the capacitor and determine the fill level based on a magnitude of the change in signal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a processor and a memory storing executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to at least perform a number of operations. The apparatus is caused to receive time information over a packet-switched computer network, with the time information including a current standard time, time-zone offset and timestamps that define a predetermined timeframe. The apparatus is caused to calculate a current local time from the current standard time and time-zone offset, and including an adjustment of the current local time in instances in which the timestamps indicate that the current standard time is within the predetermined timeframe. And the apparatus is caused to cause a clock to be set to the current local time.

Abstract: A switch box for housing a switch underneath a cooktop is disclosed. The switch is connected to a control member accessible above the cooktop to accept user inputs. The switch box has an air-insulation channel defined between first and second spaced-apart barrier walls. In desirable embodiments the first and second barrier walls are integrally formed with other components of the switch box from plastic as a single-piece part.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooktop having at least one heating element for heating a cookware member on or to be placed on the cooktop, the at least one heating element being adjustable between a working-power level wherein the at least one heating element is energized to generate heat and a zero-power level wherein the at least one heating element is not energized. The cooking appliance further includes a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature or rate of temperature change of a cooking element. The cooking appliance further includes a control device configured to adjust the at least one heating element from the working-power level to the zero-power level based on the temperature or rate of temperature change of the cooking element. The at least one heating element will remain at the zero-power level until a user intervenes to re-energize the at least one heating element.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance including a compartment within the refrigerator appliance, a liner defining a rear wall of the compartment, a first vertical support rail attached to the rear wall, a second vertical support rail attached to the rear wall wherein the second vertical support rail is offset in a generally horizontal direction from the first vertical support rail, and a cover. The cover is attachable to the liner and includes a vertical slot extending therethrough and configured to align with and allow access to one of the first vertical support rail and the second vertical support rail when the cover is attached to the liner, while a portion of the cover is positioned over and prevents access to the other of the first vertical support rail and the second vertical support rail.

Abstract: A modular water storage tank, for a refrigerator, includes a hollow storage body comprising a first body member having first and second open ends, the first open end comprising a first male extension having a first connection member on an outer surface thereof. A female end cap comprises a second connection member on an inner surface thereof that is configured to engage with the first connection member to secure the female end cap to the first open end. A male end cap comprises a second male extension having a third connection member on an outer surface thereof that is configured to engage with a fourth connection member disposed on an inner surface at the second open end of the first body member to secure the male end cap to the second open end of the first body member.

Abstract: A dispensing unit is operatively associated with a refrigeration appliance for selectively dispensing water and ice at a dispensing station. The dispensing unit includes an actuator that is movable to selected positions in order to support the dispensing of the water and ice. The dispensing unit can include a passageway through which ice is dispensed, and an ice door can be provided for selectively opening and closing the passageway to the dispensing of ice. In one aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed mechanically and in another aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed electromechanically. The dispensing unit also can provide for the position of a water-dispensing nozzle to be adjusted for the purpose of dispensing water to receptacles outside a recessed area at which the nozzle is located and to provide for the activation of illuminating devices to indicate operating conditions at the refrigeration appliance.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a compartment for storing food items in a refrigerated environment, and a door for engaging with an appliance body and selectively closing the compartment. The door has a front panel, a rear panel, and a door end closure assembly providing an end of the door. The closure assembly includes an endcap extending between the front panel and the rear panel and a user interface engaged with the endcap. The user interface is configured to allow control of or to provide feedback regarding one or more aspects of the appliance to the user. The endcap defines at least a portion of a handle gap configured to receive at least a portion of a user's hand to allow for selective opening of the compartment, and an interface cavity for receiving the user interface. The interface cavity is separated from the handle gap and closed by the user interface.

Abstract: A double-telescoping leg leveler is provided having an upper member, a central member, and a foot. The upper member is adapted to attach the leveler to an appliance. The central member includes an external thread pattern and is adapted to rotatably couple the foot to the upper member. The internal thread patterns of the foot and central member include a distal end that is shaped to enable a retraction of the leveler. The internal thread patterns of the foot and the central member are also configured to prevent the foot and central member from becoming disengaged from the leveler when extending the leveler.

Abstract: A solid-production system for producing a solid on demand is provided herein. In some aspects, the solid-production system includes a conveying mechanism; a fluid-dispensing mechanism; a pressure plate arranged to urge the fluid mold into interaction with a cooling block to form a solid; a solid-dispensing mechanism arranged to dispense the solid loosened by a solid ejector to a user; and processing circuitry configured to implement a master state machine, and slave state machines for respective ones of the fluid-dispensing mechanism, conveying mechanism, pressure plate and solid-dispensing mechanism, wherein the master state machine is configured to send commands to the slave state machines based on states of the slave state machines, and the slave state machines are configured to execute the commands to control the respective ones of the conveying mechanism, fluid-dispensing mechanism, pressure plate, and solid-dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: A glide rack assembly removably installable within a cooking chamber. The assembly includes a support rack, an engagement member extending downward therefrom and being translatable between a fully retracted position and an extended position, and a locking arm. The locking arm is configured such that when the support rack is in the fully retracted position, the engagement member deflects said locking arm into an unlocked position wherein the locking arm does not cooperate with an embossment on a side wall of the cooking chamber. Further, when the support rack is translated from the fully retracted position, the engagement member does not deflect the locking arm such that the locking arm pivots to a locked position wherein the locking arm cooperates with the embossment such that the assembly is inhibited from being removed.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing moisture as liquid from moisture-laden air in an appliance is provided. The apparatus includes a body that defines a channel extending from a first position to a second position and a serpentine flow path between the first position and the second position that operates to redirect the moisture-laden air to remove the liquid from the moisture-laden air. The body includes an opening at the serpentine flow path that is closed when the apparatus is secured to the wall of the appliance. In operation, the body cooperates with the wall to cause the moisture-laden air entering the channel at the first position through an inlet opening in the wall to pass into the serpentine flow path to remove the liquid from the moisture-laden air before the liquid exits the channel at the second position through an outlet opening in the wall.

Abstract: A refrigerator assembly includes a cabinet defining a storage compartment and a door for providing selective access to the storage compartment. The refrigerator assembly further includes a mullion assembly having a hinge coupled to the door and a flipper mullion pivotally attached to the hinge. The flipper mullion is rotatable between a first position, a second position, and an intermediate position that is intermediate the first and second positions. The mullion assembly further includes a spring configured to bias the flipper mullion toward the first position when the flipper mullion is between the first position and the intermediate position. The spring is further configured to bias the flipper mullion toward the second position when the flipper mullion is between the second position and the intermediate position. The mullion assembly further includes a magnetic assembly configured to bias the flipper mullion toward the second position.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment. An ice maker with an ice mold is disposed within the fresh food compartment for freezing water into ice pieces. A refrigeration system includes a system evaporator and an ice maker evaporator dedicated to cooling the ice mold. A frame rotatably supports the ice mold within the fresh food compartment between an ice-forming position and an ice-harvesting position. The frame supports the ice maker evaporator at a stationary position that serves as a pivot axis for the ice mold so the ice mold can rotate around the ice maker evaporator between the ice-forming position and the ice-harvesting position, while the ice maker evaporator remains stationary. In one example, a heater is rotatable with the ice mold, and a drip tray is located underneath ice mold and rotatable with the ice mold.