The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method for time shifting when a cold storage facility is cooled that includes determining a thermal model of a cold storage facility, obtaining an energy cost model that describes a schedule of variable energy costs over a predetermined period of time in the future, determining an operational schedule for at least a portion of a refrigeration system based on the thermal model, the energy cost model, and a maximum allowed temperature, and powering on the portion the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule, cooling, by the powered portion of the refrigeration system to a temperature below the maximum allowed temperature, reducing power usage of the powered portion of the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule, and permitting the facility to be warmed by ambient temperatures toward the maximum allowed temperature.

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method for time shifting when a cold storage facility is cooled that includes determining a thermal model of a cold storage facility, obtaining an energy cost model that describes a schedule of variable energy costs over a predetermined period of time in the future, determining an operational schedule for at least a portion of a refrigeration system based on the thermal model, the energy cost model, and a maximum allowed temperature, and powering on the portion the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule, cooling, by the powered portion of the refrigeration system to a temperature below the maximum allowed temperature, reducing power usage of the powered portion of the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule, and permitting the facility to be warmed by ambient temperatures toward the maximum allowed temperature.

A refrigerator includes: a cabinet; a door rotatably connected to the cabinet by a hinge; and a door opening device for opening the door. The door opening device includes a driving motor and a push member configured to move in the forward/backward direction. The push member includes a first end portion positioned close to the front surface of the cabinet and a second end portion positioned on the opposite side of the first end portion. The cabinet includes a cabinet side wall positioned close to the hinge. The door includes a door side wall positioned close to the hinge. When the door is closed, the horizontal distance between the first end portion and the cabinet side wall or the door side wall is smaller than the horizontal distance between the second end portion and the cabinet side wall or the door side wall.

A refrigerator and a control method. The method includes: in response to one or more doors corresponding to one or more storage compartments of a refrigerator being all detected to be closed, obtaining a first of information; determining, by comparing the first set of information with a second set of information, one or more target tags placed in a first storage compartment of the one or more storage compartments, and determining one or more target placement times corresponding to the one or more target tags according to a current time, wherein the second set of information is an information set generated according to identity information of each RFID tag in the one or more storage compartments obtained in response to that the doors are detected to be closed last time immediately before this closing of the doors.

A refrigerator and a control method. The method includes: in response to one or more doors corresponding to one or more storage compartments of a refrigerator being all detected to be closed, obtaining a first of information; determining, by comparing the first set of information with a second set of information, one or more target tags placed in a first storage compartment of the one or more storage compartments, and determining one or more target placement times corresponding to the one or more target tags according to a current time, wherein the second set of information is an information set generated according to identity information of each RFID tag in the one or more storage compartments obtained in response to that the doors are detected to be closed last time immediately before this closing of the doors.

A system for playback of messages. Context appropriate messages for an environment may be played back. Messages may be user behavior interactive and subject to user behavior initiated message playback conditions. User generated environment events may be automatically analyzed and user behavior interactive messages may be automatically coordinated. An automated themed message playback apparatus may have a self-contained housing within which a stored themed message, an in situ user generated environment event sensor, and an automated themed message playback device are housed. User generated environment events may be automatically sensed in situ.

A system for playback of messages. Context appropriate messages for an environment may be played back. Messages may be user behavior interactive and subject to user behavior initiated message playback conditions. User generated environment events may be automatically analyzed and user behavior interactive messages may be automatically coordinated. An automated themed message playback apparatus may have a self-contained housing within which a stored themed message, an in situ user generated environment event sensor, and an automated themed message playback device are housed. User generated environment events may be automatically sensed in situ.

An apparatus for cryostorage and manipulation of a plurality of container units includes a cryochamber having a cryo-access port. The cryochamber is electrically cooled at cryogenic temperatures. A unit holder is located inside the cryochamber and is configured to hold a plurality of container units. A user access area is provided for selectively permitting access to a chosen container unit by an authenticated user who has been authenticated by the apparatus. A motive grasper is provided for selectively removing the chosen container unit from the cryochamber through the cryo-access port, and selectively placing the chosen container unit into the user access area.

An apparatus for cryostorage and manipulation of a plurality of container units includes a cryochamber having a cryo-access port. The cryochamber is electrically cooled at cryogenic temperatures. A unit holder is located inside the cryochamber and is configured to hold a plurality of container units. A user access area is provided for selectively permitting access to a chosen container unit by an authenticated user who has been authenticated by the apparatus. A motive grasper is provided for selectively removing the chosen container unit from the cryochamber through the cryo-access port, and selectively placing the chosen container unit into the user access area.

A vacuum insulated structure including a first cover member of a stamped unitary sheet defining a perimeter portion positioned at a first planar level and first rib formed in the unitary sheet extending to a second planar level spaced axially outward and disposed radially inward of the perimeter portion, a second cover member, and thermal bridge interconnecting the first cover member and the second cover member at the perimeter portions thereof to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The insulating cavity is a sealed cavity having a vacuum drawn therefrom, and the first rib defines a first portion of a path for air flow out of the sealed cavity during a vacuum draw process.