Abstract: A system for determining a quality of a beverage can include a flow sensor for coupling with an outlet for waste from a beverage dispenser. The system can also include a controller coupled with the flow sensor for receiving an indication of the presence and/or absence of waste. The controller can be coupled with an actuation mechanism and configured to: receive an indication of an actuation of the actuation mechanism, determine a time associated with the actuation, calculate a volume associated with a stream of waste, determine a time associated with the stream of waste, and correlate a dump of a beverage to the actuation when the calculated volume associated with the stream of waste is greater than a volume threshold and when a difference in time between the time associated with the stream of waste and the time associated with the actuation is less than a time threshold.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for a networked soda reconstruction appliance, adapted for home or office use, that includes intelligent sub-systems for handling various beverage components, which can be mixed under intelligent control, including local control and control by a remote host system, winch may help manage the appliance itself as well as the replenishment supply chains involved in delivering appropriate beverage components to the appliance.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for a networked soda reconstruction appliance, adapted for home or office use, that includes intelligent sur systems or handling various beverage components, which can be mixed under intelligent control, including local control and control by a remote host system, which may help manage the appliance itself as well as the replenishment supply chains involved in delivering appropriate beverage components to the appliance.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for a networked soda reconstruction appliance, adapted for home or office use, that includes intelligent sur systems or handling various beverage components, which can be mixed under intelligent control, including local control and control by a remote host system, which may help manage the appliance itself as well as the replenishment supply chains involved in delivering appropriate beverage components to the appliance.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for a networked soda reconstruction appliance, adapted for home or office use, that includes intelligent sub-systems for handling various beverage components, which can be mixed under intelligent control, including local control and control by a remote host system, which may help manage the appliance itself as well as the replenishment supply chains involved in delivering appropriate beverage components to the appliance.

Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns a method including receiving at a computer at least one target value of a scent parameter for an environment that is remote from the computer, receiving at the computer a sensed parameter of the environment, and controlling, via the computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensed parameter.

Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns a method including receiving at a computer at least one target value of a scent parameter for an environment that is remote from the computer, receiving at the computer a sensed parameter of the environment, and controlling, via the computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensed parameter.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for a networked soda reconstruction appliance, adapted for home or office use, that includes intelligent sub-systems for handling various beverage components, which can be mixed under intelligent control, including local control and control by a remote host system, which may help manage the appliance itself as well as the replenishment supply chains involved in delivering appropriate beverage components to the appliance.

Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns a method including receiving at a computer at least one target value of a scent parameter for an environment that is remote from the computer, receiving at the computer a sensed parameter of the environment, and controlling, via the computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensed parameter.

Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns an atomizing diffusion device including at least two packages with liquid in fluid communication with the atomizing diffusion device, a liquid level sensor that determines the liquid level in the package, and a processor, operatively coupled to the liquid level sensor, for generating a signal indicative of the liquid level and a control instruction for a switch based on the signal, wherein the switch, operatively coupled to the processor, receives the control instruction from the processor, and wherein the control instruction causes the diffusion device to switch from utilizing one package in the diffusion device to utilizing a different package in the diffusion device.

Abstract: Scent cartridges for use in a networked scent diffusion device include a reservoir that holds a liquid and an atomizer head assembly. An anti-tampering identifier is associated with at least one of the reservoir and the atomizer head assembly. Scent diffusion from the device is based on the condition of the anti-tampering identifier.

Abstract: Scent cartridges for use in a networked scent diffusion device include a reservoir that holds a liquid and an atomizer head assembly. An anti-tampering identifier is associated with at least one of the reservoir and the atomizer head assembly. Scent diffusion from the device is based on the condition of the anti-tampering identifier.

Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns an atomizing diffusion device including at least two packages with liquid in fluid communication with the atomizing diffusion device, a liquid level sensor that determines the liquid level in the package, and a processor, operatively coupled to the liquid level sensor, for generating a signal indicative of the liquid level and a control instruction for a switch based on the signal, wherein the switch, operatively coupled to the processor, receives the control instruction from the processor, and wherein the control instruction causes the diffusion device to switch from utilizing one package in the diffusion device to utilizing a different package in the diffusion device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing scent in an environment include disposing a plurality of scent diffusion devices within an environment, wherein the diffusion devices include a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer and disposing at least one sensor within the environment that transmits sensor data to the remote computer. At least one scent parameter for scenting an environment is received at the remote computer. The remote computer controls diffusion of a liquid from a source of a liquid in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of scent diffusion devices to achieve the scent parameter. Controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the scent diffusion device in response to the sensor data.

Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns a method including receiving at a computer at least one target value of a scent parameter for an environment that is remote from the computer, receiving at the computer a sensed parameter of the environment, and controlling, via the computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensed parameter.

Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns an atomizing diffusion device including at least two packages with liquid in fluid communication with the atomizing diffusion device, a liquid level sensor that determines the liquid level in the package, and a processor, operatively coupled to the liquid level sensor, for generating a signal indicative of the liquid level and a control instruction for a switch based on the signal, wherein the switch, operatively coupled to the processor, receives the control instruction from the processor, and wherein the control instruction causes the diffusion device to switch from utilizing one package in the diffusion device to utilizing a different package in the diffusion device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing scent in an environment include disposing a plurality of scent diffusion devices within an environment, wherein the diffusion devices include a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer and disposing at least one sensor within the environment that transmits sensor data to the remote computer. At least one scent parameter for scenting an environment is received at the remote computer. The remote computer controls diffusion of a liquid from a source of a liquid in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of scent diffusion devices to achieve the scent parameter. Controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the scent diffusion device in response to the sensor data.

Abstract: Scent cartridges for use in a networked scent diffusion device include a reservoir that holds a liquid and an atomizer head assembly. An anti-tampering identifier is associated with at least one of the reservoir and the atomizer head assembly. Scent diffusion from the device is based on the condition of the anti-tampering identifier.

Abstract: A knife sharpener is disposed adjacent a second electrical appliance of a design family. In an inoperative position, the knife sharpener includes design features mimicking the remainder of the design family. When moved to an operative position, the knife sharpener makes its sharpening wheel accessible to the edges of a knife blade. An energizing switch is coordinated for actuation as the knife sharpener reaches its operational position. In a combination that uses the same electric motor to drive the knife sharpener and a second appliance, different motor speeds are produced appropriate for the two functions to be performed. A bi-directional spring loading assembly permits deflection of the sharpening wheel in opposed lateral directions from a positively controlled neutral position to maintain substantially uniform application of sharpening force on the knife edges. An articulating knife guide permits the use of a single guide slot which can be inclined on either side of the sharpening wheel.