Abstract: A refrigerating appliance for receiving containers within the refrigerating appliance for storing a substance includes a cabinet at least partially defining an interior with an access opening. A door is movably mounted to the cabinet to selectively open and close the access opening, the door at least partially defining the interior when the door selectively closes the access opening. At least one thermal imaging device is configured to obtain thermal image data of at least one container within the interior. A control unit is configured to receive the thermal image data.

Abstract: Example human-machine interface (HMI) assemblies are disclosed. An example HMI assembly includes a fascia, a touch film having a first raised contact, a printed circuit board (PCB) having a second raised contact, and a backer having an extending member and attached to the fascia, the member configured to press the first contact against the second contact by applying a force to the PCB at substantially the second raised contact.

Abstract: A method for packaging a handle set including providing a refrigerator having a cabinet defining an opening to access an interior; and providing doors defining an aperture for accessing the interior, the aperture width being less than the opening width. A handle set for installation onto the doors. A substrate panel having a panel width that is between the aperture width and the opening width, and to which the handle set to define a handle set package. Inserting the leading edge of the substrate panel through the aperture and the opening and rotating the handle set package through the aperture and the opening such that the trailing edge moves through the opening and into the interior, wherein an installation cutout of the substrate panel provides the handle set package with clearance to be rotated, and wherein the perimeter edge of the handle set substrate panel remains substantially level.

Abstract: A refrigerating or food storage appliance for receiving containers within the appliance for storing a substance, the appliance including a cabinet at least partially defining an interior with an access opening, a door movably mounted to the cabinet to selectively open/close the access opening and at least partially defining the interior when the door selectively closes the access opening, at least one thermal imaging device for obtaining thermal image data of at least one container within the interior, and a control unit receiving the thermal image data.

Abstract: A touch screen user interface display for an appliance has a touch screen with a plurality of icons. Each icon represents information that may be selectively invoked by touching the icon on the touch screen, wherein the icon may be moved by maintaining a touch of the icon and dragging it across the touch screen. The display also has a physical element having a portion partly overlapping the touch screen for association with screen icons.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes an insulated cabinet having an opening and a first hinge structure. The refrigerator includes a door including a second hinge structure that is movably connected to the first hinge structure. A height adjustment lever operably interconnects the first and second hinge structures. Movement of the lever in a first direction causes the door to move upwardly, and movement of the lever in a second direction causes the door to move downwardly. A stop limits movement of the height adjustment lever in at least one of the first and second directions. The lever is preferably movable by hand, such that tools are not required to adjust the door height/position.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage compartment with a door pivotally coupled the cabinet between open and closed positions. A mullion assembly is operably coupled to the door between retracted and deployed positions relative to the door. The mullion assembly includes at least one receiving recess disposed on an inner surface thereof. At least one camera device is mounted on an inside edge of the door and vertically aligned with the at least one receiving recess of the mullion assembly, such that the camera device faces into the storage compartment when the first door is in the closed position, and is received in the receiving recess of the mullion assembly when the mullion assembly is in the retracted position. The camera device may also be mounted to a fixed portion of a hinge assembly that interconnects the mullion assembly and the door.

Abstract: A cooking appliance can include a cooking chamber and an imaging device for capturing an image of a food item inside the chamber. A computing device can be configured to compute a parameter for the food item based on the captured image which can be displayed on a user interface.

Abstract: An oven can include an oven body having a peripheral wall at least partially defining a cooking cavity with a top wall comprising spaced interior panels and exterior panels defining a channel therebetween. Furthermore, the oven can include insulation located in the channel and an imaging device with a field of view including at least a portion of the cooking cavity.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage compartment with a door pivotally coupled the cabinet between open and closed positions. A mullion assembly is operably coupled to the door between retracted and deployed positions relative to the door. The mullion assembly includes at least one receiving recess disposed on an inner surface thereof. At least one camera device is mounted on an inside edge of the door and vertically aligned with the at least one receiving recess of the mullion assembly, such that the camera device faces into the storage compartment when the first door is in the closed position, and is received in the receiving recess of the mullion assembly when the mullion assembly is in the retracted position. The camera device may also be mounted to a fixed portion of a hinge assembly that interconnects the mullion assembly and the door.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a door, a cooling system, an indicator configured to indicate a door-ajar condition and a door-ajar switch. The cabinet includes a liner that defines a refrigerated compartment, and the door is movable between an open position and a fully closed position to selectively seal the refrigerated compartment. The cooling system is configured to generate cool air and circulate the cool air within the refrigerator. The door-ajar switch includes a switch portion and a damper portion, with the portions located adjacent to one another in a common housing mounted to the cabinet or the door.

Abstract: An object tracking system is disclosed. The system comprises an appliance comprising at least one operating volume and an access region through which the operating volume is accessed. The system further comprises at least one imager and a controller. The controller is operable to detect at least one part of a person's body in the access region based on the image data and identify the object in connection with the part of the person's body. Based on the detection of the object in connection with the person's body, the controller is configured to identify the object. An action is determined for the object based on one or more characteristics of the physical object indicated in the image data.

Abstract: A refrigerating or food storage appliance for receiving containers within the appliance for storing a substance, the appliance including a cabinet at least partially defining an interior with an access opening, a door movably mounted to the cabinet to selectively open/close the access opening and at least partially defining the interior when the door selectively closes the access opening, at least one thermal imaging device for obtaining thermal image data of at least one container within the interior, and a control unit receiving the thermal image data.

Abstract: A user interface assembly for a household appliance is designed and adapted to provide good lighting execution maintaining a directly coupled touch field unit. The user interface includes a decorative overlay, a structural light box, and a printed circuit board with an integrated touch field unit and plurality of top-fire LED. The printed circuit board is mounted to a mounting frame extending from the inner surface of the structural light box without the use of adhesive. The structural light box is box includes a conical light aperture and dimensioned to maximize thickness to improve lighting diffusion, but keeping the overall thickness of the structural light box within the maximum range acceptable for optimal functionality and sensitivity of the touch field unit through direct coupling.

Abstract: An object status tracking system is disclosed. The system comprises an appliance comprising at least one operating volume and an access region through which the operating volume is accessed. The system further comprises at least one imager and a controller. The controller is operable to detect at least one part of a person's body in the access region based on the image data and identify the object in connection with the part of the person's body. Based the detection of the object in connection with the person's body, the controller is configured to identify a status of the object. The status of the object is determined based on a process occurring in the operating volume of the appliance.

Abstract: A knob assembly includes a repositionable knob having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an interior, light-transmissive indicia provided on the knob and viewable from the outer surface, at least one light source located relative to the repositionable knob and emitting light into the interior of the knob to backlight the light-transmissive indicia, a position sensor providing a position output indicative of the position of the repositionable knob, and a controller configured to receive the position output and control the at least one light source to maintain a predetermined backlighting of the indicia.

Abstract: An appliance includes a temperature control system, a light source, and a spectrometer. The spectrometer works in conjunction with the light source to obtain a measured value of a foodstuff. The measured value is at least one of an absorbance value, a transmittance value, and a reflectance value. The measured value from the foodstuff is compared to a reference value for the foodstuff.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage compartment with a door pivotally coupled the cabinet between open and closed positions. A mullion assembly is operably coupled to the door between retracted and deployed positions relative to the door. The mullion assembly includes at least one receiving recess disposed on an inner surface thereof. At least one camera device is mounted on an inside edge of the door and vertically aligned with the at least one receiving recess of the mullion assembly, such that the camera device faces into the storage compartment when the first door is in the closed position, and is received in the receiving recess of the mullion assembly when the mullion assembly is in the retracted position. The camera device may also be mounted to a fixed portion of a hinge assembly that interconnects the mullion assembly and the door.

Abstract: An object status tracking system is disclosed. The system comprises an appliance comprising at least one operating volume and an access region through which the operating volume is accessed. The system further comprises at least one imager and a controller. The controller is operable to detect at least one part of a person's body in the access region based on the image data and identify the object in connection with the part of the person's body. Based the detection of the object in connection with the person's body, the controller is configured to identify a status of the object. The status of the object is determined based on a process occurring in the operating volume of the appliance.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes an insulated cabinet having an opening and a first hinge structure. The refrigerator includes a door including a second hinge structure that is movably connected to the first hinge structure. A height adjustment lever operably interconnects the first and second hinge structures. Movement of the lever in a first direction causes the door to move upwardly, and movement of the lever in a second direction causes the door to move downwardly. A stop limits movement of the height adjustment lever in at least one of the first and second directions. The lever is preferably movable by hand, such that tools are not required to adjust the door height/position.