Patents by Inventor Matthew J. Nibbelink
Matthew J. Nibbelink has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11025447Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for communicatively coupling internal components and accessories appliances, and appliances with external components and accessories are disclosed herein. A disclosed example method of operating a domestic appliance having at least one of an internal communications network and/or an external communications network among at least two components includes identifying the components, communicating the capabilities of each identified component, communicating the status of each identified component, providing a command interface for operating the components, facilitating communication between the components, and operating the appliance using the command interface and the facilitated communication.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Matthew P. Ebrom, Mark E. Glotzbach, Richard A. McCoy, Andrew D. Whipple, Donald E. Maynard, Matthew J. Nibbelink
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Patent number: 10333731Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for communicatively coupling internal components and accessories appliances, and appliances with external components and accessories are disclosed herein. A disclosed example method of operating a domestic appliance having at least one of an internal communications network and/or an external communications network among at least two components includes identifying the components, communicating the capabilities of each identified component, communicating the status of each identified component, providing a command interface for operating the components, facilitating communication between the components, and operating the appliance using the command interface and the facilitated communication.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Matthew P. Ebrom, Mark E. Glotzbach, Richard A. McCoy, Andrew D. Whipple, Donald E. Maynard, Matthew J. Nibbelink
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Publication number: 20190109723Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for communicatively coupling internal components and accessories appliances, and appliances with external components and accessories are disclosed herein. A disclosed example method of operating a domestic appliance having at least one of an internal communications network and/or an external communications network among at least two components includes identifying the components, communicating the capabilities of each identified component, communicating the status of each identified component, providing a command interface for operating the components, facilitating communication between the components, and operating the appliance using the command interface and the facilitated communication.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: MATTHEW P. EBROM, MARK E. GLOTZBACH, RICHARD A. MCCOY, ANDREW D. WHIPPLE, DONALD E. MAYNARD, MATTHEW J. NIBBELINK
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Patent number: 8713949Abstract: A refrigerator includes a sensing system for detecting a level and quality of ice cubes in an ice cube storage bin. The sensing system employs a digital image capture device that is coupled to a digital image analyzing system which scans digital images of the ice cube storage bin captured by the digital image capture device to determine a level of ice cubes in the ice cube storage bin. Digital images of the ice cubes are contrasted against a reference image which provides a point of comparison for determining the level of ice cubes in the ice cube storage bin and controlling ice production cycles of the ice maker. The sensing system also analyzes edge portions of the ice cubes to determine ice cube quality.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin M. Chase, Randell L. Jeffery, Matthew J. Nibbelink, Kitman Chan, Jordan Cohen, Andrew Gilgallon, Dan Medore, Surisack Phouapanya
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Publication number: 20130082536Abstract: A wireless power supply with an adaptive control system that is capable of adjusting various operating characteristics and that avoids operating at those operating characteristics that present adverse affects, such as impaired communications or interference with operation of the remote device. In one embodiment, the control system is capable of adjusting two or more of the operating frequency, duty cycle, rail voltage and switching circuit phase. In one embodiment, the wireless power supply control system is configured to detect operating characteristics that present adverse affects, maintain a record of those operating characteristics and avoid those operating characteristics once detected. In another embodiment, the remote device may be configured to advise the wireless power supply control system of certain “keep-out” ranges that adversely affect operation of the remote device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Joshua B. Taylor, Colin J. Moore, David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Benjamin C. Moes, Neil W. Kuyvenhoven, Matthew J. Nibbelink
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Patent number: 8250163Abstract: A smart coupler for connecting two networks has a processor, a memory, a means to connect to a first network, a means to connect to a second network, and a power source. The first network has a client, and the memory has information which must be transferred to the client to enable the client to be usefully operable relative to the second network.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Rodrigo C. Castaldo, Matthew P. Ebrom, Mark E. Glotzbach, Patrick J. Glotzbach, Gale R. Horst, Randy L. Jeffery, Richard A. McCoy, Christopher S. Moes, Matthew J. Nibbelink, Andre O. Pires, Eduardo K. Yamakawa, Cesario Zimmerman
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Patent number: 8217781Abstract: A central collector has appliance communication links to communicate with multiple appliances, and removable memory to store operational data retrieved from the appliances. When the memory is removed from the central collector and installed in a device capable of communication, the operational data can be communicated from the removable memory to a remote service center or a portable computing device.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Matthew P. Ebrom, Richard A. McCoy, Matthew J. Nibbelink, James P. O'Shaughnessy, Randy A. Voss
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Patent number: 8033134Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a refrigerator compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, and a battery. There is at least one fan disposed within the refrigerator cabinet and electrically connected to the battery. The battery powers the at least one fan during a power outage to thereby circulate air from the freezer compartment to the refrigerator compartment. The at least one fan may be a direct current operated fan. The refrigerator may also include an inverter and the at least one fan may then be an alternating current operated fan electrically connected to the inverter. The battery may be disposed within the refrigerator cabinet or may be external to the refrigerator cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Andrew David Litch, Rodrigo Alexandre Sigwalt, Anderson Bortoletto, Vincent Paul Anderson, Michael E. Stagg, Ronald Wayne Guess, Jill C. Moeller, Randell L. Jeffery, Matthew J. Nibbelink
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Patent number: 8027752Abstract: A network includes a smart coupler having a processor, a memory with software, and a power source to energize the processor and the memory, and an appliance configured to perform an operation on a physical article. The appliance is one that consumes at least some of a resource in performing the operation. The network also includes a source of information about the resource. The smart coupler is in communication with the appliance and the source, and the processor and memory operate to request a change to the operation of the appliance in response to a resource parameter or a request communicated by the source.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Rodrigo C. Castaldo, Matthew P. Ebrom, Wallace J. Elston, Gale R. Horst, Randy L. Jeffery, Anthony E. Jenkins, Richard A. McCoy, Christopher S. Moes, Matthew J. Nibbelink, Andre O. Pires, Randy A. Voss, Andrew D. Whipple
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Patent number: 7808368Abstract: An appliance network comprising an appliance in communication with an audio communication accessory to effect communication therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Matthew P. Ebrom, Mark E. Glotzbach, Donald E. Maynard, Richard A. McCoy, Matthew J. Nibbelink, Andrew D. Whipple
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Patent number: 7673661Abstract: A sensing system for a refrigerator dispensing system is used to sense the presence, positioning, height and shape of a container placed in a dispensing well. When the presence of the container is sensed in the dispensing well and the container is properly positioned relative to a dispensing nozzle of the well, a dispensing operation can be performed. The actual dispensing operation is regulated based on the height and shape of the container. In this manner, dispensing operations can only be performed when a container is appropriately arranged in the dispensing well and the dispensing operation will be timely terminated based the size and shape of particular container employed.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2008Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin M. Chase, Randell L. Jeffery, Matthew J. Nibbelink, Brian Wendling, Rahul Mehta, Vashishtha Kadchhud, Greg Hatch, Morounkeji Fatunde
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Publication number: 20090100132Abstract: A central collector has appliance communication links to communicate with multiple appliances, and removable memory to store operational data retrieved from the appliances. When the memory is removed from the central collector and installed in a device capable of communication, the operational data can be communicated from the removable memory to a remote service center or a portable computing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: MATTHEW P. EBROM, RICHARD A. MCCOY, MATTHEW J. NIBBELINK, JAMES P. O'SHAUGHNESSY, RANDY A. VOSS
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Publication number: 20090045680Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a refrigerator compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, and a battery. There is at least one fan disposed within the refrigerator cabinet and electrically connected to the battery. The battery powers the at least one fan during a power outage to thereby circulate air from the freezer compartment to the refrigerator compartment. The at least one fan may be a direct current operated fan. The refrigerator may also include an inverter and the at least one fan may then be an alternating current operated fan electrically connected to the inverter. The battery may be disposed within the refrigerator cabinet or may be external to the refrigerator cabinet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2007Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Andrew David Litch, Rodrigo Alexandre Sigwalt, Anderson Bortoletto, Vincent Paul Anderson, Michael E. Stagg, Ronald Wayne Guess, Jill C. Moeller, Randell L. Jeffery, Matthew J. Nibbelink
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Publication number: 20080264092Abstract: A sensing system for a refrigerator dispensing system is used to sense the presence, positioning, height and shape of a container placed in a dispensing well. When the presence of the container is sensed in the dispensing well and the container is properly positioned relative to a dispensing nozzle of the well, a dispensing operation can be performed. The actual dispensing operation is regulated based on the height and shape of the container. In this manner, dispensing operations can only be performed when a container is appropriately arranged in the dispensing well and the dispensing operation will be timely terminated based the size and shape of particular container employed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: KEVIN M. CHASE, RANDELL L. JEFFERY, MATTHEW J. NIBBELINK, BRIAN WENDLING, RAHUL MEHTA, VASHISHTHA KADCHHUD, GREG HATCH, MOROUNKEJI FATUNDE
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Publication number: 20080264074Abstract: A refrigerator includes a sensing system for detecting a level and quality of ice cubes in an ice cube storage bin. The sensing system employs a digital image capture device that is coupled to a digital image analyzing system which scans digital images of the ice cube storage bin captured by the digital image capture device to determine a level of ice cubes in the ice cube storage bin. Digital images of the ice cubes are contrasted against a reference image which provides a point of comparison for determining the level of ice cubes in the ice cube storage bin and controlling ice production cycles of the ice maker. The sensing system also analyzes edge portions of the ice cubes to determine ice cube quality.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin M. Chase, Randell L. Jeffery, Matthew J. Nibbelink, Kitman Chan, Jordan Cohen, Andrew Gilgallon, Dan Medore, Surisack Phouapanya
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Publication number: 20080143489Abstract: A smart coupler for connecting two networks has a processor, a memory, a means to connect to a first network, a means to connect to a second network, and a power source. The first network has a client, and the memory has information which must be transferred to the client to enable the client to be usefully operable relative to the second network.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Rodrigo C. Castaldo, Matthew P. Ebrom, Mark E. Glotzbach, Patrick J. Glotzbach, Gale R. Horst, Randy L. Jeffery, Richard A. McCoy, Christopher S. Moes, Matthew J. Nibbelink, Andre O. Pires, Eduardo K. Yamakawa, Cesario Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20080140862Abstract: An appliance network has a networked appliance and a clock accessory in communication with one another. Optionally, the clock accessory can have or more functionalities, such as time synchronization, appliance control, amplification, wireless access point, and protocol bridging.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2007Publication date: June 12, 2008Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Wallace J. Elston, Layne E. Heilman, Gale R. Horst, Anthony E. Jenkins, Greg S. Lieto, Richard A. McCoy, Matthew J. Nibbelink, Randy A. Voss, Andrew D. Whipple
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Publication number: 20080122585Abstract: A network includes a smart coupler having a processor, a memory with software, and a power source to energize the processor and the memory, and an appliance configured to perform an operation on a physical article. The appliance is one that consumes at least some of a resource in performing the operation. The network also includes a source of information about the resource. The smart coupler is in communication with the appliance and the source, and the processor and memory operate to request a change to the operation of the appliance in response to a resource parameter or a request communicated by the source.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Rodrigo C. Castaldo, Matthew P. Ebrom, Wallace J. Elston, Gale R. Horst, Randy L. Jeffery, Anthony E. Jenkins, Richard A. McCoy, Christopher S. Moes, Matthew J. Nibbelink, Andre O. Pires, Randy A. Voss, Andrew D. Whipple