Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090071567 | DISPENSING APPARATUS AND CORRESPONDING METHOD - A dispensing apparatus for determining a location of a container into which at least one of a liquid and ice is dispensed from a refrigerator. A sensor is configured to sense a position of the container, without contacting the container, and to send a first signal indicating the sensed position. A microprocessor is configured to receive the first signal and to send a second signal based on the first signal. An indicator is configured to receive the second signal and to indicate the position of the container. | 03-19-2009 |
20090103587 | MONITORING APPARATUS AND CORRESPONDING METHOD - A monitoring apparatus configured to monitor a temperature related condition of a compartment of a refrigerator which is cooled by a cooling system. The monitoring apparatus includes a sensor configured to sense a temperature of the compartment when the cooling system is not operating. A processor is configured to send processed information based on the sensed temperature. An indicator is configured to receive the processed information from the processor and to indicate, when the cooling system recommences operation, (i) a duration that the cooling system was not operating and (ii) a temperature of the compartment when the cooling system was not operating. | 04-23-2009 |
20090127425 | REFRIGERATOR WITH DISPLAY DEVICE - A display device of an appliance having a graphic user interface and a structure for positioning the display device within a recess of a surface of the appliance between a substantially flush position with respect to the surface and a tilted position in which the display device has been moved away from the surface. | 05-21-2009 |
20100070434 | APPLIANCE WITH REAL TIME ENERGY COST DISPLAYED BASED ON USAGE - An appliance includes a display unit for an appliance and a control unit coupled to the display unit. The control unit is configured to detect at least one operating parameter associated with use of the appliance, calculate energy usage and energy costs associated with the at least one operating parameter, and present current energy usage and cost information on the display unit. | 03-18-2010 |
20100142104 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTRICAL PROTECTION OF APPLIANCES - An electrical protection system includes a household electronic device and an electrical protection unit permanently interfaced therewith. The household electronic device is configured for detachable electric connection to an external household source and to utilize electrical power received from the household source. The electronic device operates according to an electrical power waveform, e.g., the device exhibits the electrical power waveform during operation. The electrical protection unit is configured to allow electrical power to pass from the household source to the electronic device if the power waveform is within a waveform profile, and to prevent electrical power from passing from the household source to the electronic device if the power waveform is outside a fault deviation of the waveform profile. The waveform profile is indicative of normal electrical operation of the electronic device, across its entire operational range. | 06-10-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130233116 | ROBOT SKELETAL COMPONENTS - A robot skeletal component may be configured to support and power a robot. The skeletal component may include an elongated inner core and a battery coupled to and substantially circumscribing the inner core. The robot skeletal component may be configured to connect to a joint via a quick release flange. A casing may enclose the battery. The casing may be configured to seal punctures. The robot skeletal component may include a heating element to heat the battery. The robot skeletal component may be configured to transport fluid, data, and/or electrical power. The inner core may include a plurality of surface elements to transfer data and/or electrical power. The inner core may include a hollow interior, and the hollow interior may include a plurality of non-interconnected chambers configured to transfer fluid. The inner core may include insulators to insulate the inner core from the surface elements and/or the fluid. | 09-12-2013 |
20130233166 | ROTATIONAL HYDRAULIC JOINTS - A rotational hydraulic joint may include an extension chamber and a retraction chamber. Each chamber may include an end cap and a piston that moves relative to the end cap. One or more ports may add and remove fluid from the chamber. The rotational hydraulic joint may rotate in a cyclical direction when fluid is added to the extension chamber and in a countercyclical direction when fluid is added to the retraction chamber. The chambers may each include a torus-shaped cavity. Bladders may prevent fluid from leaking out of the rotational hydraulic joint. Stationary and movable electrodes may be coupled to the end cap and piston respectively. A plurality of rotational hydraulic joints may be combined to create a compound joint. | 09-12-2013 |
20130238129 | TOUCH SENSITIVE ROBOTIC GRIPPER - A displacement measuring cell may be used to measure linear and/or angular displacement. The displacement measuring cell may include movable and stationary electrodes in a conductive fluid. Electrical property measurements may be used to determine how far the movable electrode has moved relative to the stationary electrode. The displacement measuring cell may include pistons and/or flexible walls. The displacement measuring cell may be used in a touch-sensitive robotic gripper. The touch-sensitive robotic gripper may include a plurality of displacement measuring cells mechanically in series and/or parallel. The touch-sensitive robotic gripper may be include a processor and/or memory configured to identify objects based on displacement measurements and/or other measurements. The processor may determine how to manipulate the object based on its identity. | 09-12-2013 |
20150019013 | TOUCH SENSITIVE ROBOTIC GRIPPER - A displacement measuring cell may be used to measure linear and/or angular displacement. The displacement measuring cell may include movable and stationary electrodes in a conductive fluid. Electrical property measurements may be used to determine how far the movable electrode has moved relative to the stationary electrode. The displacement measuring cell may include pistons and/or flexible walls. The displacement measuring cell may be used in a touch-sensitive robotic gripper. The touch-sensitive robotic gripper may include a plurality of displacement measuring cells mechanically in series and/or parallel. The touch-sensitive robotic gripper may be include a processor and/or memory configured to identify objects based on displacement measurements and/or other measurements. The processor may determine how to manipulate the object based on its identity. | 01-15-2015 |