Abstract: A refrigerator or liquid dispensing appliance adapted for receiving, storing, managing, processing and dispensing a liquid enhancement component for preparation of a finished beverage is disclosed. Delivery, processing and management of the liquid enhancement component includes loading a solid liquid enhancement component at a product interface, and managing the transfer of the liquid enhancement component through various systems of the invention including processing to provide a processed liquid enhancement component for discharging for preparing a finished beverage.

Abstract: A refrigerator or liquid dispensing appliance adapted for receiving, storing, managing, processing and dispensing a liquid enhancement component for preparation of a finished beverage is disclosed. Delivery, processing and management of the liquid enhancement component includes loading a solid liquid enhancement component at a product interface, and managing the transfer of the liquid enhancement component through various systems of the invention including processing to provide a processed liquid enhancement component for discharging for preparing a finished beverage.

Abstract: A refrigerator or liquid dispensing appliance adapted for receiving, storing, managing, processing and dispensing a liquid enhancement component for preparation of a finished beverage is disclosed. Delivery, processing and management of the liquid enhancement component includes loading a solid liquid enhancement component at a product interface, and managing the transfer of the liquid enhancement component through various systems of the invention including processing to provide a processed liquid enhancement component for discharging for preparing a finished beverage.

Abstract: A method is provided for personalizing the user interface of an appliance by displaying a standard interface template. The standard interface template is based on the detected biometric characteristics of a user and the demographic class matching the set of detected biometric characteristics.

Abstract: A refrigerator or liquid dispensing appliance adapted for receiving, storing, managing, processing and dispensing a liquid enhancement component for preparation of a finished beverage is disclosed. Delivery, processing and management of the liquid enhancement component includes loading a solid liquid enhancement component at a product interface, and managing the transfer of the liquid enhancement component through various systems of the invention including processing to provide a processed liquid enhancement component for discharging for preparing a finished beverage.

Abstract: A modular system of an appliance host with multiple identical host service interfaces. The multiple identical host service interfaces provide a mechanical service and an electrical service for removable consumer electronic devices. Multiple distinct consumer electronic devices or adapters for consumer electronic devices may be coupled alternatively to the multiple host service interfaces.

Abstract: A system for removably mounting a consumer electronic device to a vertical surface, an adapter, as well as adapters and appliance for use with the system. The system has a writing surface which is at least partially coverable by a removable consumer electronic device. The adapter has a writing surface and an interface for removably mounting an electronic device to at least partially cover the writing surface. The appliance has a writing surface and interface on surface of the appliance, such as, for example, the surface of a door of a refrigeration appliance.

Abstract: An appliance having various mechanical components that can be replaced with a component that provides power or data to the appliance. The component being replaced includes handles, trim pieces, face plates, or the like. The source of power to the new mechanical component comes from an external source which can also provide data.

Abstract: A door movably mounted to a cabinet to selectively close a chamber. The door has a peripheral edge, and a standardized service interface is located on the peripheral edge. The standardized service interface is configured to supply at least one service for use by a consumer electronic device. The peripheral edge can be the top edge of the door. The standardized service interface can receive the service from the use environment of the cabinet. A connector can be incorporated into the standardized service interface to selectively supply the consumer electronic device with the service. The service can comprise mechanical, power, or data communication.

Abstract: A portable functional unit having a main body and a consumer electronic device coupled to the main body. The main body includes an erasable writing surface, a physical storage compartment for storing articles used with the white board surface, a first service port for selective communication of data, and a second service port for selective communication of power. The main body is adapted to receive the service from the service port.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the presently described technology provide methods for providing an atomized food preservation solution to food stored in a refrigerator. The methods include dissolving a soluble food preservative in water to form a food preservation solution and delivering the food preservation solution to an atomizer which atomizes the food preservation solution to distribute the solution to food stored in the refrigerator. Also, described are embodiments of a food preservation solute dispenser for use in the methods. The food preservation solute dispenser is adapted for placement along an atomizer fluid supply path at a location where fluid will flow over the food preservation solute dispenser. The food preservation solute dispenser provides a food preservative to be dissolved in water along the fluid supply path as fluid flows over the food preservation solute dispenser.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the presently described technology provide methods and systems for providing an atomized food preservation solution to food stored in a refrigerator. Certain embodiments provide an atomization unit for a refrigerator for humidifying at least a portion of the refrigerator. The atomization unit comprises an atomizer for atomizing and dispensing fluid to at least a portion of the refrigerator, a water supply for providing water to the atomizer, the water supply providing water along a fluid supply path to the atomizer, a food preservation solute dispenser located along the fluid supply path at a location where fluid will flow over the food preservation solute dispenser. The food preservation solute dispenser provides a food preservative to be dissolved in water along the fluid supply path as fluid flows over the food preservation solute dispenser.

Abstract: A system for mounting a device to a host, such as an appliance, includes elongated, substantially parallel device interfaces for removably mounting the device to the host. The device interfaces can include rails, slots and/or electrical conductors.

Abstract: A modular system comprises an appliance and an adaptive adapter configured to alternately couple two consumer electronic devices to the appliance and to supply a different electrical service between the appliance and the consumer electronic devices depending on the device selected. The adaptive adapter supplies a first category of electrical service to a first consumer electronic device and a second category of electrical service to a second consumer electronic device. The appliance may comprise a refrigeration appliance and the adaptive adapter can couple the consumer electronic devices to the appliance.

Abstract: A method of failure recovery in a network element is disclosed. The method includes indicating to a number of forwarding engines that a forwarding engine has completed a switchover operation and causing at least one of the forwarding engines to acknowledge that the forwarding engine has completed the switchover operation in response to the indication.

Abstract: A system for mounting a device to a host, such as an appliance, includes elongated, substantially parallel device interfaces for removably mounting the device to the host. The device interfaces can include rails, slots and/or electrical conductors.

Abstract: A handle for a closure can be replaced with a new handle having a power supply. The replacement handle can be for an appliance, a drawer, a door, a cabinet or the like. An interface may communicate with the power supply so as to provide power to a consumer electronic device. Power is provided to the replacement handle by an external source.

Abstract: An appliance having various mechanical components that can be replaced with a component that provides power or data to the appliance. The component being replaced includes handles, trim pieces, face plates, or the like. The source of power to the new mechanical component comes from an external source which can also provide data.

Abstract: A system of an appliance host with at least a pair of generally parallel elongated interface structures cooperatively defining alternative pairs of locations for removably coupling a portable device to the outer wall and a potable device for use with the appliance. The interface structures may be rails, slots or elongated electrical connectors.

Abstract: A portable functional unit having a main body and a consumer electronic device coupled to the main body. The main body includes an erasable writing surface, a physical storage compartment for storing articles used with the white board surface, a first service port for selective communication of data, and a second service port for selective communication of power. The main body is adapted to receive the service from the service port.