Abstract: A method for providing information to a plurality of vendors located remotely from a broadcast network. A plurality of user-defined parameters are received by a user input database with at least one of the user-defined parameters including a user profile. Each of the user profiles includes a user identifier code identifying a communicator device associated with a particular user. Real-time data indicative of the spatial locations of the communicator devices is received by a communicator location database. Search information is received independently from a plurality of vendors and a data set is generated for each vendor.

Abstract: A method of generating individualized real-time weather and environmental information, including receiving weather or environmental condition data from weather and environmental sensors, analyzing the data received from the sensors to generate weather and environmental information, and transmitting the information to a communicator device. The method may include determining a spatial range of a sensor and/or determining if a communicator device is within close proximity of a sensor. The sensors may be mounted in fixed locations along a roadway or a railway. The sensors may be approximately equidistant.

Abstract: A method for locating at least one individual located remotely from a broadcast network. An analysis unit compares user profiles, dynamic locations stored in the communicator location database, and/or fixed locations entered into the analysis unit. A data set of at least one matching individualized locatee user profile is generated and the individualized locatee user profile is transmitted to the locator via the locator's communicator device.

Abstract: A method for passing content to at least one communicator device. The user of a communicator device registers with at least one service provider for delivering a plurality of different types of content to be passed to the at least one communicator device. A user defined priority is assigned to the at least one type of content. The user defined priority is stored on a computer readable medium. The different types of content are passed to the at least one communicator device based on the user defined priority.

Abstract: A method for locating at least one individual located remotely from a broadcast network. An analysis unit compares user profiles, dynamic locations stored in the communicator location database, and/or fixed locations entered into the analysis unit. A data set of at least one matching individualized locatee user profile is generated and the individualized locatee user profile is transmitted to the locator via the locator's communicator device.

Abstract: A method for passing content to at least one communicator device. The user of a communicator device registers with at least one service provider for delivering a plurality of different types of content to be passed to the at least one communicator device. A user defined priority is assigned to the at least one type of content. The user defined priority is stored on a computer readable medium. The different types of content are passed to the at least one communicator device based on the user defined priority.

Abstract: A method for locating at least one individual located remotely from a broadcast network. An analysis unit compares user profiles, dynamic locations stored in the communicator location database, and/or fixed locations entered into the analysis unit. A data set of at least one matching individualized locatee user profile is generated and the individualized locatee user profile is transmitted to the locator via the locator's communicator device.

Abstract: A water dispensing system for a refrigerator comprising a refrigeration compartment includes a manifold assembly, a monitoring device coupled to the manifold assembly and including at least one sensor, and a filter assembly including a filter housing removably mounted to the manifold assembly. The filter assembly is configured to be compatible with a plurality of suitable filter media. At least two indicators are in signal communication with the at least one sensor when the filter housing is mounted onto the manifold assembly. A controller is operatively coupled to the monitoring device. The controller is configured to identify the filter assembly and the filter medium based on a signal received from the at least one sensor and operate the water dispensing system based on the identification of the filter assembly and the filter medium.

Abstract: A method for locating at least one individual located remotely from a broadcast network. An analysis unit compares user profiles, dynamic locations stored in the communicator location database, and/or fixed locations entered into the analysis unit. A data set of at least one matching individualized locatee user profile is generated and the individualized locatee user profile is transmitted to the locator via the locator's communicator device.

Abstract: An appliance is placed in a bootload mode and other operations of the appliance are powered down. Data is gathered through an appliance control module which activates the bootloader mode, and then receives the data and overwrites the remainder of the appliance controller memory. In this manner, software for an appliance is updated without having to enter the home.

Abstract: A method for locating at least one individual located remotely from a broadcast network. An analysis unit compares user profiles, dynamic locations stored in the communicator location database, and/or fixed locations entered into the analysis unit. A data set of at least one matching individualized locatee user profile is generated and the individualized locatee user profile is transmitted to the locator via the locator's communicator device.

Abstract: A method for locating at least one individual located remotely from a broadcast network. An analysis unit compares user profiles, dynamic locations stored in the communicator location database, and/or fixed locations entered into the analysis unit. A data set of at least one matching individualized locatee user profile is generated and the individualized locatee user profile is transmitted to the locator via the locator's communicator device.

Abstract: A water dispensing system for a refrigerator comprising a refrigeration compartment includes a manifold assembly, a monitoring device coupled to the manifold assembly and including at least one sensor, and a filter assembly including a filter housing removably mounted to the manifold assembly. The filter assembly is configured to be compatible with a plurality of suitable filter media. At least two indicators are in signal communication with the at least one sensor when the filter housing is mounted onto the manifold assembly. A controller is operatively coupled to the monitoring device. The controller is configured to identify the filter assembly and the filter medium based on a signal received from the at least one sensor and operate the water dispensing system based on the identification of the filter assembly and the filter medium.

Abstract: A water filter identification system for a refrigerator including a refrigeration compartment includes a manifold assembly positioned within the refrigeration compartment and operatively coupled to a water dispensing system, and a monitoring device positioned with respect to the manifold assembly. The system also includes a filter assembly including a filter housing removably mounted to the manifold assembly and at least one indicator coupled to the filter housing. The at least one indicator is in signal communication with the monitoring device for facilitating identification of the filter assembly.

Abstract: A method for passing content to at least one communicator device. The user of a communicator device registers with at least one service provider for delivering a plurality of different types of content to be passed to the at least one communicator device. A user defined priority is assigned to the at least one type of content. The user-defined priority is stored on a computer readable medium. The different types of content are passed to the at least one communicator device based on the user defined priority.

Abstract: A method for passing content to at least one communicator device. The user of a communicator device registers with at least one service provider for delivering a plurality of different types of content to be passed to the at least one communicator device. A user defined priority is assigned to the at least one type of content. The user defined priority is stored on a computer readable medium. The different types of content are passed to the at least one communicator device based on the user defined priority.

Abstract: A water filter identification system for a refrigerator including a refrigeration compartment includes a manifold assembly positioned within the refrigeration compartment and operatively coupled to a water dispensing system, and a monitoring device positioned with respect to the manifold assembly. The system also includes a filter assembly including a filter housing removably mounted to the manifold assembly and at least one indicator coupled to the filter housing. The at least one indicator is in signal communication with the monitoring device for facilitating identification of the filter assembly.

Abstract: A broadcast network for selectively transmitting individualized weather output signals to at least one of a plurality of remotely-located communicator devices. The network comprises a user input database, a communicator location database, a weather analysis unit, and a communication network. The user input database contains a plurality of user profiles. At least some of which contain parameters provided from a pre-defined user profile. Each user profile includes a user identifier code. The communicator location database contains real-time data indicative of the spatial locations of the communicator devices. The weather analysis unit automatically and continuously compares the parameters and the spatial locations of the corresponding communicator devices with real-time weather data to generate individualized weather output signals.

Abstract: A broadcast network for selectively transmitting individualized weather output signals to at least one of a plurality of communicator devices remotely located from the broadcast network. The broadcast network comprises a user input database, a communicator location database, a weather analysis unit, and a communication network. The user input database contains a plurality of predefined user profiles. Each user profile includes a user identifier code. The communicator location database contains real-time data indicative of the spatial locations of the communicator devices. The weather analysis unit compares the spatial locations of the corresponding communicator devices contained in the communicator location database with real-time weather data to generate individualized weather output signals. The communication network receives the user identifier codes and the individualized weather output signals.

Abstract: A method of generating individualized real-time weather and environmental data including the steps of receiving user profiles that identify communicator devices and identifications of pre-determined weather and environmental sensors associated with designated locations; analyzing weather and environmental information as well as sensor data from the weather and environmental sensors to generate an individualized weather and environmental signal; and, transmitting the individualized weather and environmental information signal to the communicator devices.