A master control device in the configuration of a wand may control pre-programmed aspects of the user's environment using RFID/NFC tags and RFID/NFC readers to initiate pre-programmed behavior in a computer database. This pre-programmed behavior be the control of items that rely on electricity and/or gas, such as lights, electric fireplaces, electric valves, activating the listening feature on a home assistant, accruing a balance, paying for items with a topped-up balance, and locking and unlocking doors. This master control device can be used in the connected home or business, such as a pub, restaurant, hotel, or immersive experience.

Systems and methods, including a system for metering, mixing, and dispensing liquids, such as alcoholic and non-alcoholic liquids and solutions, are provided. In one instance, the system includes a controller operatively coupled to a first pump and a second pump. The first pump and the second pump are coupled to a first liquid source and a second liquid source, respectively. The controller controls flow rates at each of the first pump and the second pump. The system includes a valve coupled to a source supply of a third liquid, including pressurized carbonated water. The system includes a fluid connector coupled to the first pump, the second pump, the valve, and a dispenser. The connector receives the first liquid, the second liquid, and the third liquid, such that a fourth liquid, including a combination of the first liquid, the second liquid, and the third liquid, is dispensable from the dispenser.

A contactless autofill dispenser includes a housing and a dispense area for receiving a cup. The dispenser includes a supply of consumable product disposed within the housing. The dispenser includes an outlet connected to the supply and extending from the housing into the dispense area for dispensing the consumable product into the cup. The dispenser includes a controller disposed within the housing and connected to the supply, wherein the controller is configured to control dispensing of the consumable product from the outlet. The dispenser includes a time of flight sensor attached to or with a direct line of sight into the dispense area and connected to the controller.

A touchless beverage dispensing valve assembly includes a nozzle and a valve configured to control a flow of a substance through the valve to the nozzle. A solenoid is configured to operate the valve between open and closed conditions. A trigger sensor includes an optical sensor and a controller. The controller executes a trigger sensor control module to receive an output from the optical sensor and operate the solenoid to control the valve between the open condition and the closed condition. A feedback device is operable to selectively provide a visual indication an operational status of the valve.

An appliance, such as a refrigerator appliance, and controller configured to perform operations of a method for measuring contents in a container are provided. The operations include receiving, from a sensor, one or more signals indicative of a height of contents in a container, and determining a contents volume in the container based at least on the height of contents in the container.

A drink station is provided with an alkaline filter cartridge in fluid communication with an ambient temperature water line provide alkaline water, and with a chilled water mixed with the alkaline water at a spigot to provide chilled alkaline water. A hot water heating element is located below the spigot so hot water flows upward for dispensing from the spigot, with a vent line between the heating element and spigot helping hot water to flow from the spigot to the heating element. A refrigeration system and a carbonation system is also provided. The refrigeration system uses the ice-bank technology. A submersible agitator pump improves heat exchanged between ice-bank and water by forced convection. The agitator pump operating based on the temperature of the drinking water. A figure eight evaporator coil can provide two cylindrical ice banks and two chilled water coils to increase the chilled water capacity.

A beverage system that produces a fermented beverage from two or more liquid streams, includes a first source including an ultra-high gravity beverage at a pressure of 82.7 kPa to 1034.2 kPa; a second source including a carbonated and/or nitrogenated water at a pressure of 82.7 kPa to 1034.2 kPa and and a temperature of 0° to 8°; a mixing point that allows mixing of the ultra high gravity beverage to blend with the carbonated and/or nitrogenated water to produce a fermented beverage; and a fluid line fluidly coupled to the mixing point and configured to allow the fermented beverage to flow to a dispensing tap. The fluid line has a length of 0.3048 m to 45.72 m and an inner diameter of 3.2 mm to 15.9 mm for at least a portion of the line.

A beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage into a vessel, the beverage dispenser including a vessel-receiving region in which the vessel is locatable for receiving beverage; and a sensor arrangement for providing signals based on which a distance between one or more wall portions of the vessel, when located in the vessel-receiving region, and the sensor arrangement can be determined, wherein a volume of beverage to be dispensed into the vessel can be determined based on the determined distance between one or more wall portions of the vessel and the sensor arrangement.

This disclosure relates to a sanitary fitting for dispensing prepared liquids, for example, for beverages. A disclosed system includes a first control element for setting a quantity of the prepared liquid to be dispensed and an actuating element for providing the quantity of prepared liquid set by means of the first control element, wherein at least one second control element is configured to select a type of preparation, for example, from at least two different types of preparation, of non-prepared liquid, wherein the first and the at least one second control element are actuatable independently of one another.

An example of a beverage dispenser includes a nozzle and a valve coupled upstream of the nozzle. A sensor is operable to detect an object within a detection zone and provide a signal representative of a distance between the object and the sensor. A controller is configured to receive the signal from the sensor. The controller is configured to determine a sub-zone from a plurality of sub-zones within the detection zone in which the object is located. The valve is controlled between an open condition to dispense the substance through the nozzle and a closed condition based upon the determined sub-zone.