US 11,891,295 B2
Systems and methods for accurately tracking water consumption from a liquid dispenser
Katherine Caverno, Louisville, KY (US); Santhosh William, Fisherville, KY (US); and Kelsey King, Fisherville, KY (US)
Assigned to Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed by Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed on Oct. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/507,227.
Prior Publication US 2023/0127059 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. B67D 1/08 (2006.01); G05B 15/02 (2006.01); F25D 23/12 (2006.01); G06V 40/10 (2022.01); G06V 40/13 (2022.01); G06F 3/0488 (2022.01); G06V 40/12 (2022.01); G06F 18/22 (2023.01)
CPC B67D 1/0888 (2013.01) [F25D 23/126 (2013.01); G05B 15/02 (2013.01); G06F 3/0488 (2013.01); G06F 18/22 (2023.01); G06V 40/10 (2022.01); G06V 40/13 (2022.01); G06V 40/1365 (2022.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of tracking liquid consumption from a refrigerator appliance, the refrigerator appliance comprising a dispenser and a camera provided on an exterior surface of the refrigerator appliance, the method comprising:
receiving an input from a user to initiate a liquid dispensing operation from the dispenser;
determining an identity of the user providing the input, the user being a first user among a group of users, wherein determining the identity of the user comprises:
capturing, via the camera, an image of the user initiating the liquid dispensing operation;
comparing the captured image to a database of stored images; and
determining that the captured image matches a stored image from the database of stored images registered to the first user;
performing the liquid dispensing operation to dispense a volume of liquid;
determining a volume of liquid dispensed by the dispenser in response to performing the liquid dispensing operation; and
displaying a first prompt to the first user in response to performing the liquid dispensing operation, the first prompt comprising a request to confirm that the volume of dispensed liquid is intended for the first user.