Abstract: An ice maker assembly and a method for operating an ice maker are provided. The method includes measuring a temperature of the ice maker and determining a first derivative of the temperature of the ice maker with respect to time. An operating state of the ice maker is established based at least in part on the temperature of the ice maker and the first derivative of the temperature of the ice maker with respect to time. Knowledge of the operating state of the ice maker can assist with preventing damage to a motor of the ice maker and with detecting super-cooled liquid water in a mold body of the ice maker.

Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligent placement of appliance response to a voice command are provided. An exemplary system includes a plurality of appliances. An exemplary method includes connecting each of the plurality of appliances over a local area network and generating a location map providing a location of each of the plurality of appliances. The method includes receiving the human voice signal at a plurality of microphones respectively included in the plurality of appliances and determining an originating location of the human voice signal based at least in part on the location map. The method includes selecting one of the plurality of appliances to respond to the human voice signal based at least in part on the location map and the originating location.

Abstract: A control system for a refrigeration system with dual evaporators is provided. In one embodiment, a control system for a dual evaporator refrigeration system is provided where the evaporators are operated simultaneously to provide for improved temperature and humidity control in a refrigerator appliance. In another embodiment, the control system can also use a linear model that is designed to minimize or remove excess enthalpy from one or more compartments and/or features of the appliance. The control system can also be configured with at least one variable speed compressor that is operated at a speed that will remove excess enthalpy within a desired time period while also operating at an optimized speed for energy efficiency.

Abstract: A control system for a refrigeration appliance is provided. The control system uses a linear model that is designed to minimize or remove excess enthalpy from one or more compartments and/or features of the appliance. At least one variable speed compressor is operated at a speed that will remove excess enthalpy within a desired time period while also operating at an optimized speed for energy efficiency.

Abstract: A method for viewing virtual objects within or on an appliance is provided. The method includes recording an image of the appliance and a positional reference disposed on a surface of the appliance. The method also includes generating a modification of the image. The modification illustrates the appliance and a virtual object disposed adjacent the positional reference.

Abstract: A control system for operating a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator has a variable damper, a variable speed fan, and a variable speed compressor. The damper position, evaporator fan speed, and compressor speed are determined through interacting feedback control loops based on the set point temperatures for the fresh food and freezer compartments as well as the measured temperatures in such compartments. The adjustment of these actuators can eliminate large temperature fluctuations and discontinuities in the air flow and improve the thermal performance and energy efficiency of the refrigerator.

Abstract: An adaptive system for controlling a refrigeration appliance is provided. More particularly, a system for controlling the cooling of the refrigerator to achieve a desired temperature performance is provided. A variable damper and variable speed evaporator fan are used to dynamically control temperature of the freezer and fresh food compartments. A model of the refrigerator system can be used to determine the settings for the damper and evaporator fan needed to achieve the temperature performance desired.