Abstract: Digital content distribution methods, systems and devices are provided. The digital content distribution utilizes a content distribution server for providing a user device access to digital content. In certain embodiments, the content distribution server: (a) receives a check-out request from a user device via a content access device; (b) provides metainfo to the user device via the content access device; (c) receives an open content command comprising an identifier of the digital content and an identifier for a user from the user device; (d) determines from the open content command whether the user device is authorized to view the digital content; and (e) provides a license response to the user device based on the user device being authorized to view the digital content, the license response comprising a license and the digital content.

Abstract: A method for controlling a refrigeration device including a variable speed compressor and variable speed evaporator and condenser fans includes modifying a PID control scheme by calculating a factor to reduce the restart speed of the compressor depending on the length of time the compressor was at rest, and modulating the point of oscillation of the control process.

Abstract: A refrigeration system or a control system for a refrigeration system has a display that by default displays the temperature of a simulated product stored in the refrigeration system as sensed by a temperature probe. The system control logic determines the temperature limits for cutting the refrigeration cycle in or out based on a temperature set-point entered by a user.

Abstract: An ice delivery device includes a bin for storing ice, a rotatable helical auger for delivering ice, and a rotatable agitator wheel with multiple flexible arms to help break up agglomerations of ice. The agitator wheel is mounted such that as the auger is rotated the auger successively engages arms of the agitator wheel to rotate the agitator wheel. If the agitator wheel encounters an obstruction, such as a mass of agglomerated ice, the auger displaces the flexible arm out of the plane of the agitator wheel thus permitting the auger to continue rotate to deliver ice. The agitator wheel is mounted on a pair of flexible liners, which are displaceable by agglomerated ice.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus includes an ice machine for making ice with internal surfaces that come in contact with water and ice during normal operation. A cleaning container provides receiving cleaning solution to clean and disinfect the internal surfaces of the ice machine. A programmable control system controls the cleaning operation.

Abstract: An ice delivery device includes a bin for storing ice, a rotatable helical auger for delivering ice, and a rotatable agitator wheel with multiple flexible arms to help break up agglomerations of ice. The agitator wheel is mounted such that as the auger is rotated the auger successively engages arms of the agitator wheel to rotate the agitator wheel. If the agitator wheel encounters an obstruction, such as a mass of agglomerated ice, the auger displaces the flexible arm out of the plane of the agitator wheel thus permitting the auger to continue rotate to deliver ice. The agitator wheel is mounted on a pair of flexible liners, which are displaceable by agglomerated ice.

Abstract: A low profile ice maker/dispenser and water dispenser having a high ice making capacity, for ice nugget manufacture is provided, wherein ice nuggets are metered out of a storage bin via a nugget dispenser outlet, and whereby water is dispensed via a water dispenser outlet. A refrigeration cycle is used, wherein an auger compresses ice on a wall of an evaporator and delivers the ice to the ice bin, breaking it into nuggets along the way. An outer wall of the evaporator is comprised of part of the water reservoir. A baffle in the ice bin facilitates metering of the amount of ice discharged. The system comprises a closed system that enables efficient cleaning of the system.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing digital content to customers at a plurality of points of transaction that allows each content provider to use its own method of digital rights management. A master digital catalog is used to load product data from a plurality of different content providers. The catalog contents are provided to retailers and other points of transaction. A digital activation broker processes customer orders from the points of transaction and provides information that allows the customer access to the content. The content may be provided by the digital activation broker or through a third-party website. In some embodiments, a payment processor is used to process payments submitted by the customers. The digital activation broker may also void transactions and look up lost authorization codes.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus is provided for making ice of the nugget-forming type from ice shavings that are compacted, wherein inlet water is provided to a freezing chamber having a rotatable auger therein, for flow of the inlet water and water squeezed from ice leaving the freezing chamber at the discharge end thereof along the auger, for flow of water through the freezing chamber, to a water reservoir at an opposite end of the freezing chamber, whereby ice flow through the freezing chamber is in one direction, and water flow through the freezing chamber is in an opposite direction. Dissolved minerals are thereby substantially removed from the ice being discharged from the freezing chamber, and are conveyed from a zone of lesser water volume to a zone of higher water volume where they are more substantially dispersed.

Abstract: A drain cup assembly comprising a drain cup cap and a drain cup are provided, adapted for mating engagement with each other, whereby a plurality of water discharge conduits ma deliver water into the drain cup through the drain cup cap, with cup sidewalls able to deflect water droplets having a lateral component of direction, toward the center of the cup and with lower ends of the conduits being spaced above a maximum overflow discharge level in the drain cup, for, in the event of overflow, water can be discharged via one or more overflow discharge openings around the upper end of the cup at the overflow discharge level, and wherein an air gap isolates drain water in the drain cup from water entering the drain cup from one or more water discharge conduits.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus is provided for making ice of the nugget-forming type from ice shavings that are compacted, wherein inlet water is provided to a freezing chamber having a rotatable auger therein, for flow of the inlet water and water squeezed from ice leaving the freezing chamber at the discharge end thereof along the auger, for flow of water through the freezing chamber, to a water reservoir at an opposite end of the freezing chamber, whereby ice flow through the freezing chamber is in one direction, and water flow through the freezing chamber is in an opposite direction. Dissolved minerals are thereby substantially removed from the ice being discharged from the freezing chamber, and are conveyed from a zone of lesser water volume to a zone of higher water volume where they are more substantially dispersed.

Abstract: A low profile ice maker/dispenser and water dispenser having a high ice making capacity, for ice nugget manufacture is provided, wherein ice nuggets are metered out of a storage bin via a nugget dispenser outlet, and whereby water is dispensed via a water dispenser outlet. A refrigeration cycle is used, wherein an auger compresses ice on a wall of an evaporator and delivers the ice to the ice bin, breaking it into nuggets along the way. An outer wall of the evaporator is comprised of part of the water reservoir. A baffle in the ice bin facilitates metering of the amount of ice discharged. The system comprises a closed system that enables efficient cleaning of the system.

Abstract: A low profile ice maker/dispenser and water dispenser having a high ice making capacity, for ice nugget manufacture is provided, wherein ice nuggets are metered out of a storage bin via a nugget dispenser outlet, and whereby water is dispensed via a water dispenser outlet. A refrigeration cycle is used, wherein an auger compresses ice on a wall of an evaporator and delivers the ice to the ice bin, breaking it into nuggets along the way. An outer wall of the evaporator is comprised of part of the water reservoir. A baffle in the ice bin facilitates metering of the amount of ice discharged. The system comprises a closed system that enables efficient cleaning of the system.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing digital content to customers at a plurality of points of transaction that allows each content provider to use its own method of digital rights management. A master digital catalog is used to load product data from a plurality of different content providers. The catalog contents are provided to retailers and other points of transaction. A digital activation broker processes customer orders from the points of transaction and provides information that allows the customer access to the content. The content may be provided by the digital activation broker or through a third-party website. In some embodiments, a payment processor is used to process payments submitted by the customers. The digital activation broker may also void transactions and look up lost authorization codes.

Abstract: A low profile ice maker/dispenser and water dispenser having a high ice making capacity, for ice nugget manufacture is provided, wherein ice nuggets are metered out of a storage bin via a nugget dispenser outlet, and whereby water is dispensed via a water dispenser outlet. A refrigeration cycle is used, wherein an auger compresses ice on a wall of an evaporator and delivers the ice to the ice bin, breaking it into nuggets along the way. An outer wall of the evaporator is comprised of part of the water reservoir. A baffle in the ice bin facilitates metering of the amount of ice discharged. The system comprises a closed system that enables efficient cleaning of the system.

Abstract: An ice making and delivery apparatus for making and delivering ice to different ones of a plurality of receptacle units is provided, in which ice delivered via a conduit to a diverter valve mechanism, is diverted from alignment with one ice discharge line to another, depending upon sensors in ice receptacles recognizing a level of build-up of ice in any given receptacle, for computer control of a gearmotor for moving the diverter valve from one position to another. Various controls are provided for preventing ice build-up, and for operating the diverter valve during a “dwell” period of ice movement in the conduit, as distinguished from a “push” period of ice movement in the conduit to the diverter valve. A force multiplication technique is employed for moving the diverter valve notwithstanding the presence of ice therein.