Abstract: A method for controlling a refrigerator having at least two compartments and actuators adapted to maintain temperatures of said compartments close to predetermined set values comprises a comparison between a signal (CCR) indicative of the cooling request of each compartment and a signal variable according to a predetermined carrier function. This comparison is carried out in a predetermined time interval (TW), said actuators being activated or deactivated on the basis of such comparison that is repeated for each subsequent time interval (TW).

Abstract: A method for controlling the defrost of an evaporator in a refrigeration appliance provided with a compressor and in which a temperature sensor (TP) is used for detecting the temperature inside a cell of the appliance, comprises the steps of estimating the temperature of the evaporator on the basis of the cell temperature (TP) and of a mathematical model of the refrigeration appliance, and controlling the compressor on the basis of the estimated temperature of the evaporator.

Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature inside a cavity of a cooling appliance provided with a temperature sensor inside the cavity and with an actuator for adjusting the cooling capacity of the appliance, the food temperature is estimated on the basis of a value from the temperature sensor and on a predetermined function of a status of the actuator.

Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature inside a cavity of a cooling appliance provided with a temperature sensor inside the cavity and with an actuator for adjusting the cooling capacity of the appliance, the food temperature is estimated on the basis of a value from the temperature sensor and on a predetermined function of a status of the actuator.

Abstract: A method for cooling a bottle in a freezer compartment of a refrigerator includes sensing the temperature of a zone of the freezer in which the bottle is placed, estimating the temperature of the bottle on the basis of the compressor status and of the sensed temperature of the zone, and informing the user when the estimated temperature of the bottle has reached a set value. The method can also be used for an automatically adjusted “shock freezing” process for any kind of food.

Abstract: A method for controlling the humidity inside a refrigerator, having at least a cavity and a refrigeration circuit including an evaporator and a compressor, comprising the step of measuring the relative humidity level inside the cavity, measuring the temperature of the evaporator and feeding the above measured values to a control algorithm capable of driving the refrigeration circuit in order to maintain substantially constant the average level of relative humidity and corresponding to a set value.

Abstract: A method for controlling a refrigerator having at least two compartments and actuators adapted to maintain temperatures of said compartments close to predetermined set values comprises a comparison between a signal (CCR) indicative of the cooling request of each compartment and a signal variable according to a predetermined carrier function. This comparison is carried out in a predetermined time interval (TW), said actuators being activated or deactivated on the basis of such comparison that is repeated for each subsequent time interval (TW).

Abstract: A method for controlling the program of a washing machine comprises the recording of the amount of water supplied to the tub of the washing machine, the assessment of the amount of free water present in the tub (T), the evaluation of the amount of water absorbed by the load by subtracting the amount of free water from the amount of water supplied to the tub (T), the estimate of the specific absorption of the load based on the water absorbed and on free water, and the calculation of a load equivalent based on the specific absorption and on the amount of water absorbed by the load, such load equivalent being related to the load in the machine and being used for controlling the program thereof.

Abstract: A method of fast freezing a food item using a freezing process that estimates a temperature value of a food item, selects from a plurality of freezing routines based on the estimated temperature, and activates the selected routine. This process is repeated until the temperature of the food item reaches a desired temperature.

Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a compressor and control means for controlling such compressor in response to the temperature inside the refrigerator. The control means are adapted to detect how the temperature changes inside the refrigerator due to the loading of a warm food item, and to adjust the cooling capacity of the compressor accordingly.

Abstract: A method for controlling the defrost of an evaporator in a refrigeration appliance provided with a compressor and in which a temperature sensor is used for detecting the temperature inside a cell of the appliance, comprises the steps of estimating the temperature of the evaporator on the basis of the cell temperature and of a mathematical model of the refrigeration appliance, and controlling the compressor on the basis of the estimated temperature of the evaporator.

Abstract: A method for controlling a refrigerator having a variable speed compressor and at least two compartments (FR, FZ) cooled to respective temperatures and comprising sensor devices (TR, TZ) for generating control signal responsive to cooling demands of the respective compartments comprises the step of providing the control system with a signal indicative of the total cooling demand on the basis of the sum of each compartment cooling demand, such signal being used to drive the variable speed compressor according to said total cooling demand.

Abstract: A method for controlling the program of a washing machine comprises the recording of the amount of water supplied to the tub of the washing machine, the assessment of the amount of free water present in the tub (T), the evaluation of the amount of water absorbed by the load by subtracting the amount of free water from the amount of water supplied to the tub (T), the estimate of the specific absorption of the load based on the water absorbed and on free water, and the calculation of a load equivalent based on the specific absorption and on the amount of water absorbed by the load, such load equivalent being related to the load in the machine and being used for controlling the program thereof.

Abstract: A method for controlling a refrigerator having a variable speed compressor and at least two compartments (FR, FZ) cooled to respective temperatures and comprising sensor devices (TR, TZ) for generating control signal responsive to cooling demands of the respective compartments comprises the step of providing the control system with a signal indicative of the total cooling demand on the basis of the sum of each compartment cooling demand, such signal being used to drive the variable speed compressor according to said total cooling demand.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine comprising a device for determining the weight of a clothes load placed in the washing machine drum, a microprocessor circuit control and memory for controlling the operation of the motor for the washing machine such as to cause the drum to spin; for measuring the quantity of water remaining in the clothes load after spinning; for determining the type of constituent fabric of the clothes load, based on the quantity of water remaining in the clothes; and for operating the washing machine in accordance with the determined fabric type.