Devices, methods, and systems for disinfection with light are disclosed. In some examples, a lighting source is operable to provide light at wavelength range of about 380 nm - 420 nm with an irradiance and/or dosage sufficient for disinfection. One or more sensors and a control system may be used to control operation of the lighting source, such as by adjusting the lighting source in response to various inputs.

A home appliance and a control method therefor are provided. The home appliance includes a display, a sensor to detect whether a door is opened or closed, and at least one processor configured to control the display to display one or more objects, and based on sensing, by the sensor, at least one of an opening or a closing of the door, provide visual feedback to the one or more objects.

Provided is a refrigerator. While a user is holding an object in both hands, a door may be automatically and additionally opened using another part of a body other than hands.

A refrigerator is provided which includes a cabinet. A first compartment and second compartment are disposed within the cabinet. A first door provides access to the first compartment and a second door provides access to the second compartment. A beverage dispensing system is operatively connected to the cabinet. A machine vision system associated with the beverage dispensing system. The machine vision system has an imaging device.

A domestic appliance, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, has a lamp for illuminating a recessed handle of a door. The recessed handle has a recess. The door has a light-guide element in the recess and the door also has a light source for illumination into the light-guide body at least on a front end of the light-guide body.

An automatic sliding door system includes a door frame having a first end and an opposite second end, configured and adapted for placement at a housing of a cooler; an at least three-parting door connected to the door frame, the at least three-part door including a first door part, a second door part and a third door part, each door part slidably connected to the door frame and in some cases each door part having a rectangular shape; and at least one drive element configured and adapted for moving the first, second and/or third door part. The present disclosure also relates to a cooler with such an automatic sliding door system.

A perishable storage unit with means for sanitizing food stuffs having a sanitization unit. The storage unit provides a storage body, a door, and a cooling system, wherein the cooling system is integrated with the storage body to maintain a cooling temperature when the door is in a closed position. The sanitization unit includes a light assembly and a switch, wherein the switch is integrated with a peripheral edge of the storage unit such that the door engages the switch when in the closed position. The light assembly is configured to emit sterilizing wavelengths of light, such as ultraviolet light, and is operably coupled to the switch, such that when the door is actuated from an open position to the closed position, the light assembly is switched from an off state to an on state.

A system and a method for generated synchronized audible communications are provided. In one aspect, a system includes a suite of appliances, including at least a first and second appliance. Each appliance has a speaker operable to generate one or more audible communications. The system includes one or more controllers that output one or more sound commands that cause the speakers of the appliances to generate their respective audible communications. One or more of the appliances include a proximity device operable to detect whether a user is within a proximity range thereof. In some instances, the speakers can generate audible communications to amplify their audible communications. In other instances, the speakers can generate audible communications to create localization cues for directing a user's attention to a particular appliance.

A controller for a refrigerator for an entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to: register a user authentication means through a user authentication method setting process; and to open an outer door only when user authentication has succeeded, if an article delivery command is input, thereby preventing theft of the article.

A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a main body including a first door, a door opening device configured to open the first door, a first proximity sensor disposed adjacent to the first door, a first infrared sensor disposed on the first door, and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to, based on detection data obtained by the first proximity sensor, control the door opening device to open the first door based on an external object approaching within a threshold distance from the refrigerator, and based on the external object being identified based on detection data obtained by the first infrared sensor while the first door is open, control the door opening device to stop opening of the first door.