Abstract: A method of determining a amount of ice collected in a storage container of a refrigerator, the ice being discharged into the storage container by an ice maker having an ice detecting sensor with a heater, the method comprises determining whether or not the ice storage container is full or nearly full of ice by turning on the detecting sensor for a prescribed period of time. In one embodiment, the heater is turned on while the determining step is preformed. In an alternative embodiment, the heater is continuously maintained in an “ON” state.

Abstract: A method of detecting an amount of ice stored in a storage bin made by an ice maker of a refrigerator, the method comprises applying heat to the ice detecting sensor of the ice maker, detecting an amount stored in the storage bin, and controlling heat application according to the detected amount. The ice maker has an ice detecting sensor attached thereto. A sensor heater provides the heat.

Abstract: An ice detecting apparatus for a refrigerator comprising and ice maker, a storage container to collect ice from the ice maker, and an ice detecting sensor provided at the ice maker including a transmitting unit to transmit one or more pulses, and a receiving unit to detect the pulses transmitted from the transmitting unit. A controller to determine whether the storage container is full or nearly full based on the pulses detected by the receiving unit among one or more pulses transmitted by the transmitting unit.

Abstract: An ice detecting apparatus for a refrigerator the apparatus includes an ice maker, an ice container to collect ice made by the ice maker, and an ice detecting sensor to detect an amount of ice stored in the ice container. The ice detecting sensor has a transmitter module provided on one side of the ice maker and a receiver module provided on another side of the ice maker. The transmitter module is separated by a prescribed distance from the receiver module. At least one of the transmitter module or receiver module includes at least one optical element and at least one heater, and the heater is made of an electroconductive heating material.

Abstract: An ice detecting apparatus for an ice maker provided in a refrigerator includes an ice maker, and an ice detecting sensor attached to the ice maker and detecting an amount of ice collected in an ice container. The ice detecting sensor includes at least one optical transmitter or emitter provided on one side of the ice maker and at least one receiver at another side of the ice maker. The optical transmitter and receiver are separated by a prescribed distance and, at least one heater is provided to generate heat to be transferred to at least one of the optical transmitter or receiver.

Abstract: An ice detecting apparatus of an ice maker disposed to make ice in a refrigerator includes an ice maker and an ice detecting sensor to detect an ice-full state of ice discharged from the ice maker. The ice detecting sensor may be disposed at the ice maker. The ice detecting sensor may also be heated by a heater.

Abstract: The present document relates to an icemaker having a pulse electrothermal ice release system for separating ice bodies from an ice mold. The pulse electrothermal ice release system operates by applying an electric current through the ice mold through two wires. Safety apparatus for preventing electric shock to users of the icemaker is described. A refrigerator having the icemaker, and an operating method of the icemaker are disclosed. In an embodiment, the safety apparatus interrupts current flow through both wires.

Abstract: An icemaker and a refrigerator having an icemaker are discussed. The icemaker has pulse-electrothermal ice release and includes an ice-making tray having several ice forming portions in which water is stored and ice is formed; and a housing surrounding the ice-making tray provided with at least one cold air inlet and/or ice ejection port through which cold air is supplied and ice released along a bent channel. The cold air inlet and/or ice ejection ports are baffled to prevent contact with a user's fingers and thereby reduce the possibility of electric shock.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vehicle console comprise a front storage bin having a first pair of sidewalls, a back storage bin adjacent the front storage bin having a second pair of sidewalls, a pair of tracks associated with the first and second pair of sidewalls, and a movable armrest disposed over the back storage bin, wherein the armrest is moveable to provide access to the back storage bin. The region between the movable armrest and the back storage bin is a panel housing. The vehicle console further comprises a sliding panel comprising at least one convenience apparatus wherein the sliding panel is aligned with the pair of tracks and is operable to move into the panel housing.

Abstract: An ice maker and a refrigerator having the same include an ice making container which is maintained at a temperature higher than a freezing point of water. Ace core rods having the temperature lower than the freezing point are inserted into the ice making container to cause water in the container to freeze. Accordingly, water at the periphery of the ice making container remains liquid which the water surrounding the ice core rods freezes. As a result, air bubbles generated when the ice is made can be discharged from the liquid portions of the water at the outer edges of the container. This results in ice without trapped air bubbles, which allows excellent transparent ice pieces to be formed. In some embodiments, the exterior surfaces of the ice making container are maintained at a temperature lower than the freezing point of water, and thawing rods maintained at the temperature higher than the freezing point of water are inserted into the center portions of the ice making container.

Abstract: A protective cover for a portable communication device includes a battery cover and a protective cover part coupled with the battery cover. The protective cover is detachably coupled with the portable communication device, and the protective cover part is disposed at a front surface of a display unit part of the portable communication device when the protective cover is coupled with the portable communication device. The portable communication device being turned off/on when the portable communication device is attached to/detached from the protective cover.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel and a backlight unit. A case top covers edges of the liquid crystal display panel. At least one resilient metallic member contacts a portion of the case top as well as an upper glass substrate of the liquid crystal display panel and a plastic support main on which the liquid crystal display panel is supported and into which the backlight unit is fit. The resilient metallic member grounds the liquid crystal display panel to the case top, thereby preventing static electricity from damaging the liquid crystal display panel.

Abstract: An ice maker and a controlling method thereof are provided. The system and method may prevent the overflow or splashing of water or thin ice out of an ice tray during the supply of water or when the ice maker is shaken by an external force. The ice maker may include an ice tray, and an ice tray cover that covers an open portion of the ice tray. The cover may include an opening through which water may be supplied to the ice tray, and through which ice may be discharged from the ice tray. The cover may move together with the tray, or may move separately from the tray, to facilitate these supply and discharge processes.

Abstract: An ice tray is provided that prevents the overflow or splashing of water or thin ice out of the ice tray as water is supplied to the ice tray, or when the ice tray is shaken by an external force. The ice tray may include a plurality of receiving portions that receive water for freezing into ice pieces. An overflow preventing portion may extend upward from upper edges of the receiving portions to form a barrier to water flowing out of the ice tray. Alternatively, the receiving parts may be positioned within a corresponding plurality of location parts having water proofing walls extending upward therefrom to inhibit the unintentional flow of water or thin ice out of the receiving portions of the ice tray.

Abstract: A method of controlling an ice maker is provided that minimizes generation of excess water and reduces energy consumption. The method allows for uniform heat to be generated and distributed throughout the ice tray during an ice separation process. Consequently, the ice separating process may be consistently performed irrespective of the shape of the ice tray and its surroundings, thereby minimizing generation of excess water, and reducing energy consumption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing substrate-molecular sieve layer complex by vising ultra-sound and apparatuses used therein, more particularly to a method for preparing substrate-molecular sieve layer complex by combining substrate, coupling compound and molecular sieve particle, wherein covalent, ionic, coordinate or hydrogen bond between a substrate and a coupling compound; molecular sieve particle and coupling compound; coupling compounds; coupling compound and intermediate coupling compound is induced by using 15 KHz-100 MHz of ultrasound instead of simple reflux to combine substrate and molecular sieve particles by various processes, further to reduce time and energy, to retain high binding velocity, binding strength, binding intensity and density remarkably, to attach molecular sieve particle uniformly onto all substrates combined with coupling compound selectively, even though substrate with coupling compound and substrate without coupling compound exist together; and apparatuses