Abstract: A refrigerator appliance is generally provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, an icebox liner, an icemaker, an ice bin, and a circulation duct. The cabinet may define a one or more chilled chambers. The icebox liner may be attached to the cabinet. The icebox liner may define a sub-compartment in which the icemaker may be mounted. The ice bin may define a storage volume within the sub-compartment to receive ice from the icemaker. The circulation duct may extend within the sub-compartment in conductive thermal communication with the icemaker. The circulation duct may define an air passage in fluid communication with one of the chilled chambers and fluid isolation from the storage volume.

Abstract: When a user conducts a search for content using one or more of the many search engines known in the art, embodiments of the present invention may receive results returned to the user's browser by the search engine, and may then proceed to filter, organize, modify, or enhance those results and/or their presentation by performing various editing and/or presentation operations on the search results, based on information relating to the user's prior interactions with the search results and the user's interests and preferences. Search results may also be modulated based on information about the way other users have responded to or interacted with each of the search results in the past.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for generating peer-to-peer augmented reality handlers. The method includes receiving, from a user wearing a pair of augmented reality glasses, an indication that the user intends to place an augmented reality handler at a location where the user is currently looking. The augmented reality handler is for visually associating content with an item of interest to the user. The method further includes determining, by the augmented reality glasses, the location where the user is currently looking. The method also includes creating the augmented reality handler in three-dimensional space at the location and presenting, by the augmented reality glasses, the augmented reality handler to the user. The method additionally includes creating an access control list to determine authorized individuals able to use this handler. The method further includes presenting the augmented reality handler to the authorized individuals, based on the access control list.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a plurality of fingers extending into a tub. A manifold has a plurality of outlets. The plurality of outlets is positioned below the plurality of fingers within the tub. A multi-speed pump is operable to flow liquid water from a reservoir to the manifold such that the liquid water exits the manifold at each outlet of the plurality of outlets and flows upwardly towards the plurality of fingers. A controller is configured for changing a speed of the multi-speed pump during an ice making cycle of the ice maker.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance is generally provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, an icebox liner, an icemaker, an ice bin, and a circulation duct. The cabinet may define a one or more chilled chambers. The icebox liner may be attached to the cabinet. The icebox liner may define a sub-compartment in which the icemaker may be mounted. The ice bin may define a storage volume within the sub-compartment to receive ice from the icemaker. The circulation duct may extend within the sub-compartment in conductive thermal communication with the icemaker. The circulation duct may define an air passage in fluid communication with one of the chilled chambers and fluid isolation from the storage volume.

Abstract: An ice maker apparatus is provided that may include a casing, an extruder die, an auger, a heat exchange body, and a fin portion. The casing may define a chamber about a central axis and extend along the central axis between a top portion and a bottom portion. The extruder die may be mounted to the casing at the top portion of the casing. The auger may be disposed within the chamber. The heat exchange body may be disposed in thermal engagement with the chamber. The heat exchange body may include a base wall extending along a portion of the casing and a sidewall extending outward from the base wall. The heat exchange body may also define an air duct across the base wall and sidewall. The fin portion may include a fin extending outward from the base wall. The fin may define a plurality of subchannels.

Abstract: A vehicle deceleration system for stopping a vehicle that includes of a set of sensors, a controller, force applicators, and a friction applicator. The first sensor reads the ambient air temperature, the second sensor reads the vehicle speed, and a third sensor indicates if antilock brake system is operational. The controller calculates the distance between the front bumper and any surrounding objects to adjust the stopping force accordingly. The controller monitors the three sensors and a processor checks for predetermined given conditions. If all checks are met, the controller activates the force applicators. When the force applicators extend, they rotate a friction applicator into the road surface until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.

Abstract: Animal chews are generally formulated with a composition that generally comprises a combination of protein, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, humectants and water, which is formed by mixing, followed by a forming process, such as molding. As described herein, animal chews are made having an outer portion and an inner portion. The inner portion is contained within recesses within the outer portion and can also include runners giving the appearance of a tied rawhide bone.

Abstract: A vehicle speed regulation apparatus and system comprises a speed control apparatus having a front panel with a solar panel and display screen, a control panel with means to increase or decrease a desired speed, an internal communication transceiver, and a means for communicating with a vehicle transceiver, along with other elements.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and ice maker assembly are generally provided herein. The ice maker assembly may include a body and a harvester. The body may include an ice mold for receiving and freezing water. The ice mold may define a compartment within which water freezes. The compartment may be at least partially defined by a continuous arcuate bottom surface comprising a first segment defined about a first radius and a second segment defined about a second radius. The harvester may be rotatably disposed above at least a portion of the arcuate bottom surface to motivate ice from the compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and method of operation are provided. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, an ice maker, a door, and a dispenser conduit. The cabinet may define a storage compartment. The ice maker may be disposed within the storage compartment. The door may be attached to the cabinet and define a dispenser recess in selective communication with the ice maker. The dispenser conduit may be disposed on the door within the dispenser recess. The dispenser conduit may include a stationary inner funnel and a slidable outer funnel extending along a passage axis. The slidable outer funnel may be disposed over an external surface of the stationary inner funnel to selectively define an extended portion of an ice passage.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a plurality of fingers extending into a tub. A manifold has a plurality of outlets. The plurality of outlets is positioned below the plurality of fingers within the tub. A multi-speed pump is operable to flow liquid water from a reservoir to the manifold such that the liquid water exits the manifold at each outlet of the plurality of outlets and flows upwardly towards the plurality of fingers. A controller is configured for changing a speed of the multi-speed pump during an ice making cycle of the ice maker.

Abstract: An ice maker apparatus is provided that may include a casing, an extruder die, an auger, a heat exchange body, and a fin portion. The casing may define a chamber about a central axis and extend along the central axis between a top portion and a bottom portion. The extruder die may be mounted to the casing at the top portion of the casing. The auger may be disposed within the chamber. The heat exchange body may be disposed in thermal engagement with the chamber. The heat exchange body may include a base wall extending along a portion of the casing and a sidewall extending outward from the base wall. The heat exchange body may also define an air duct across the base wall and sidewall. The fin portion may include a fin extending outward from the base wall. The fin may define a plurality of subchannels.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and method of operation are provided. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, an ice maker, a door, and a dispenser conduit. The cabinet may define a storage compartment. The ice maker may be disposed within the storage compartment. The door may be attached to the cabinet and define a dispenser recess in selective communication with the ice maker. The dispenser conduit may be disposed on the door within the dispenser recess. The dispenser conduit may include a stationary inner funnel and a slidable outer funnel extending along a passage axis. The slidable outer funnel may be disposed over an external surface of the stationary inner funnel to selectively define an extended portion of an ice passage.

Abstract: A brew module for use with a refrigerator appliance is provided. The brew module includes a brewing body and a pivotally attached lid that together define a brew chamber configured to receive a brew pod. A lower needle is positioned at the bottom of the brew chamber and an upper needle is slidably received within the lid. Pivoting the lid to the closed position forces the lower needle to pierce the brew pod first, thereby relieving any built up pressure. Thereafter, a moving water supply tube drives the upper needle downward to pierce a top cover of the brew pod along a substantially vertical direction, thus minimizing the size of the pierced hole in the top cover. The brew module thus facilitates an improved seal with the brew pod, reduces the risk of clogging the upper needle, and prevents the ejection of brew pod contents.

Abstract: A stand-alone ice making appliance is provided. The stand-alone ice making appliance may include a container, a water tank, a pump, a reservoir, an ice maker, and a primary drain line. The container may define a first storage volume to receive ice. The water tank may define a second storage volume to receive water. The pump may be in fluid communication with the second storage volume to actively flow water from the water tank. The reservoir may define a third storage volume that is in fluid communication with the pump to receive water that is actively flowed from the water tank. The ice maker may be in fluid communication with the third storage volume to receive water from the reservoir. The primary drain line may be in downstream fluid communication with the second storage volume and bypass the reservoir to selectively drain water from the second storage volume.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for generating peer-to-peer augmented reality handlers. The method includes receiving, from a user wearing a pair of augmented reality glasses, an indication that the user intends to place an augmented reality handler at a location where the user is currently looking. The augmented reality handler is for visually associating content with an item of interest to the user. The method further includes determining, by the augmented reality glasses, the location where the user is currently looking. The method also includes creating the augmented reality handler in three-dimensional space at the location and presenting, by the augmented reality glasses, the augmented reality handler to the user. The method additionally includes creating an access control list to determine authorized individuals able to use this handler. The method further includes presenting the augmented reality handler to the authorized individuals, based on the access control list.

Abstract: Organizing and publishing content in a content management system wherein content, including text, images and video, is received and segmented into content atoms. One or more tags are associated with the content atoms to allow device specific presentation of the content atoms.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for assessing one or more predetermined characteristics or properties of a microfluidic droplet within a microfluidic channel, and regulating one or more fluid flow rates within that channel to selectively alter the predetermined microdroplet characteristic or property using a feedback control.