An embodiment relates to an automatic water supply device comprising: a container seating portion, one side of which is open such that a container is placed; a water intake member arranged on the upper portion of the container seating portion so as to supply the container with a liquid; a container height measuring unit and a water level measuring unit arranged to be adjacent to the water intake member, respectively; and a control unit for comparing the height of the container, which is measured by the container height measuring unit, and the water level, which is measuring by the water level measuring unit, thereby checking whether the water level inside the container reaches a preset height or not, and adjusting the water level inside the container using the result of the checking, wherein the container height measuring unit comprises a plurality of first optical sensors for sensing both ends of the upper end of the container, and can measure the height of the container in response to the result of sensing by the first optical sensors.

A dispensing system includes one or more digital image capture devices for capturing images in a dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the digital image capture device(s) for analyzing the images for use in regulating a dispensing operation. The digital image analyzer evaluates digital images captured by the digital image capture device(s) to determine various characteristics of a container placed in the dispensing well, such as the height and position of the container.

A refrigerator having a dispenser that includes an outlet and that is configured to dispense content through the outlet and along an output flow path. The refrigerator also includes a detection unit configured to detect user activity that is indicative of a desire to fill a container with content using the dispenser. The refrigerator further includes an optical system that is configured to, in response to detecting the user activity, direct a beam of light along at least a portion of the output flow path of the dispenser to assist a user in positioning a container to receive content dispensed along the output flow path.

Food product dispensing machines and methods for dispensing food product into a cup. The food product dispensing machine includes a cup holder having a target element, a sensor that senses the target element, and a controller. The cup holder is configured to hold a cup such that the cup prevents the sensor from sensing at least a portion of the target element. The controller determines whether a cup is present in the cup holder and/or a size of the cup based on a remaining portion of the target element that is sensed by the sensor when the cup is held by the cup holder. Drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position. An indicator is configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user.

Provided is a system (1) for autonomous filling of a container (5), comprising: a fluid dispenser (9); a distance (11); a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitters (2) and receivers (3); a user interface (6) configured to receive a desired percentage of the height of the container (5) to be filled with liquid; and a controller electronically connected to the distance sensor (11), the plurality of emitters (2) and receivers (3), the user interface (6) and the fluid dispenser (9).

An embedded system controls an electric fluid valve, and the embedded system is connected to and receives overlooking images from an overlooking camera. It processes the images using a sequence labeling unit to tell if a fluid container is ready to receive and operates the valve accordingly.

A dispense control system for a dispensing assembly of a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The dispensing assembly defines a base plane for receiving a container. A dispense control system includes an emitter for directing a beam of energy toward the container and the base plane and a receiver for detecting a projection of the beam of energy in an image plane of the receiver. The dispense control system may be configured to obtain a measured displacement of the projection when the container is positioned on the base plane, and an actual height of the container or a liquid level within the container may be determined from the measured displacement of the projection.

Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that, in some aspects, provide for a cost-reduced touch sensitive user interface including a static printed display. The methods and systems may include providing illumination to guide a user through interaction with a touch sensitive user interface. The methods and systems may include a configurable printed display. Further aspects are disclosed providing use of a cost-reduced touch user interface in a beverage dispensing apparatus.

A method of providing a beverage, including obtaining a beverage container, accessing a dispensing system, entering a volume amount into a user interface, placing the beverage container on a nozzle, and filling the beverage container with the beverage. The beverage container may include a bottom surface including an opening, a ring including a first magnetic material, the ring connected to the bottom surface around the opening, and a cap including a second magnetic material, the cap magnetically coupled to the ring in a beverage container closed position. The dispensing system may include the user interface, a platform including one or more ports, and the nozzle provided in each of the one or more ports. The method may further include moving a translating member with respect to a shaft to position a plurality of apertures in an interior of the beverage container.

Food product dispensing machines and methods for dispensing food product into a cup. The food product dispensing machine includes a cup holder having a target element, a sensor that senses the target element, and a controller. The cup holder is configured to hold a cup such that the cup prevents the sensor from sensing at least a portion of the target element. The controller determines whether a cup is present in the cup holder and/or a size of the cup based on a remaining portion of the target element that is sensed by the sensor when the cup is held by the cup holder. Drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position. An indicator is configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user.