Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus includes a dispenser for dispensing water or ice into a receiver vessel. The dispenser includes a dispense command input for receiving a dispense command from a user and a code reader for interpreting an identification code associated with the receiver vessel. At least one controller is operatively connected to the dispense command input to receive the dispense command, and to the code reader to receive a vessel identification based on the interpreted identification code. The at least one controller controls the dispensing. A memory is configured to store the vessel identification in association with a usage parameter for the vessel. The at least one controller determines whether water/ice has been previously dispensed into the receiver vessel.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance, such as a household refrigerator that can include freezer and fresh food compartments, includes operating components that can be controlled so as to allow a user to select for implementation at the refrigeration appliance modes of operation that can optimize the performance of the refrigeration appliance with respect to selected operating objectives. The refrigeration appliance also can include a respective actuating device corresponding to each mode of operation that is available for selective implementation by the user upon the activation of the respective actuating device and a controller configured to direct operating commands to the one or more operating components in response to the activation of a respective actuating device, causing the one or more operating components to operate in a manner so as to selectively implement at the refrigeration appliance the mode of operation corresponding to the respective actuating device activated.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus includes a dispenser for dispensing water or ice into a receiver vessel. The dispenser includes a dispense command input for receiving a dispense command from a user and a code reader for interpreting an identification code associated with the receiver vessel. At least one controller is operatively connected to the dispense command input to receive the dispense command, and to the code reader to receive a vessel identification based on the interpreted identification code. The at least one controller controls the dispensing. A memory is configured to store the vessel identification in association with a usage parameter for the vessel. The at least one controller determines whether water/ice has been previously dispensed into the receiver vessel.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance, such as a household refrigerator that can include freezer and fresh food compartments, includes operating components that can be controlled so as to allow a user to select for implementation at the refrigeration appliance modes of operation that can optimize the performance of the refrigeration appliance with respect to selected operating objectives. The refrigeration appliance also can include a respective actuating device corresponding to each mode of operation that is available for selective implementation by the user upon the activation of the respective actuating device and a controller configured to direct operating commands to the one or more operating components in response to the activation of a respective actuating device, causing the one or more operating components to operate in a manner so as to selectively implement at the refrigeration appliance the mode of operation corresponding to the respective actuating device activated.

Abstract: An appliance for dispensing product is provided including a storage compartment located within the appliance, a dispensing unit located on the exterior of the appliance including a dispensing outlet, and an actuating mechanism located on the exterior of the storage compartment. The actuating mechanism is configured to be moved from a neutral position to at least a first position and a second position. The first position is configured to trigger a release of a first type of product, and the second position is configured to release a second type of product, respectively, from the dispensing outlet. In one example, a switch can be provided to detect the position of the actuating mechanism, and each position triggers the release of a different type of product from within the appliance.