Sensor system for refrigerator

摘要

An interactive appliance is provided. The interactive appliance includes at least a housing, and an intelligent control disposed within the housing. One or more lighting devices are electrically connected to the intelligent control, as are one or more sensors. The sensors provide sensor data for the interactive appliance. The intelligent control is configured to alter operation of at least one of the one or more lighting devices based on data provided by the sensor to provide interactive feedback to a user of the interactive appliance. The feedback can include altering light intensity, color, consistency, or the like depending on the sensor data. Furthermore, the lighting device can be placed on a surface, such as an exterior surface of the housing of the appliance, or can be disposed within an interior portion of the appliance.

主权项

1. An interactive appliance comprising:
an appliance housing having an exterior; a door having a handle; a plurality of lighting devices electrically and interactively connected to a plurality of proximity sensors that each acquire sensor data within a separate sensor field that extends a distance away from the exterior of the appliance housing; and wherein each of the plurality of lighting devices perform a programmed function and are responsive to a disruption of one or more of the sensor fields; and wherein a disruption in at least one of the sensor fields activates at least one of the plurality of lighting devices proximate the bottom of the refrigerator and the lighting device proximate the bottom of the refrigerator illuminates a general boundary area proximate the bottom of the refrigerator; wherein the plurality of lighting devices are integrated into a user facing surface of the exterior of the interactive appliance; and wherein at least one of the plurality of lighting devices is positioned on a surface of the handle facing the appliance.