Brian E Janke from 3833 N Malaga Dr W, La Porte, IN 46350, age 63, Phone: 847 840-1354

Us Patents

Select-Fill Dispensing System
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US Patent:

8322384, Dec 4, 2012
Filed:

Mar 5, 2010
Appl. No.:

12/718192
Inventors:

Farhad Ashrafzadeh - Stevensville MI, US
Kevin M. Chase - Saint Joseph MI, US
Brian P. Janke - Saint Joseph MI, US
Ronald L. Voglewede - Saint Joseph MI, US
Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI
International Classification:

B65B 1/30
F25D 3/00
US Classification:

141198, 141 94, 141 95, 141192, 141351, 62389
Abstract:

A select-fill dispensing system and method for a dispenser assembly utilizes a camera to sense a desired fill level based on the location of a user's finger with respect to a container. In use, a consumer places his or her finger along a container to indicate the desired fill level of the container. Image data from the camera is transmitted to a controller and processed for distortion correction, edge based image segmentation and morphological operations are carried out to remove background noise. The processed image data is utilized to detect the presence of the container, as well as the shape of the container, the position of the container opening, and the top and bottom points of the container. The controller provides a means for controlling the dispensing operation, including a fill rate, based on the desired fill level and the shape of the container.

Hands Free, Controlled Autofill For A Dispenser
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US Patent:

8327889, Dec 11, 2012
Filed:

Aug 31, 2009
Appl. No.:

12/550831
Inventors:

Farhad Ashrafzadeh - Stevensville MI, US
Kevin M. Chase - Saint Joseph MI, US
Brian P. Janke - Ann Arbor MI, US
Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI
International Classification:

B65B 1/30
US Classification:

141 94, 141192, 62389
Abstract:

A dispensing system includes a digital image capture device focused on a dispenser well for capturing images of containers in the dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the digital image capture device. The digital image analyzer evaluates digital images of containers captured by the digital image capture device to determine physical parameters of each container placed in the dispensing well. An actual dispensing operation is automatically regulated based on characteristics of the container.

Refrigerator Ice And Liquid Dispenser Incorporating Imaging System
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US Patent:

8578730, Nov 12, 2013
Filed:

Aug 31, 2009
Appl. No.:

12/550774
Inventors:

Farhad Ashrafzadeh - Stevensville MI, US
Kevin M. Chase - Saint Joseph MI, US
Brian P. Janke - Ann Arbor MI, US
Ronald L. Voglewede - Saint Joseph MI, US
Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI
International Classification:

F25D 3/00
G06K 9/34
US Classification:

62389, 382164, 382165
Abstract:

A safety system for an ice and liquid dispenser of a refrigerator is used to sense the presence of human skin in a dispensing well. The safety system includes a digital image capture device focused on a dispenser well for capturing images of objects, such as hands, in the dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the digital image capture device. The digital image analyzer evaluates the digital images captured by the digital image capture device to determine if human skin color is detected in the image of the object in the dispensing well. If human skin color is detected, thus indicating a hand in the dispensing area, any dispensing operation will be prevented and an alert will be provided.

Ice Imaging System
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US Patent:

20090314016, Dec 24, 2009
Filed:

Aug 31, 2009
Appl. No.:

12/550722
Inventors:

FARHAD ASHRAFZADEH - STEVENSVILLE MI, US
KEVIN M. CHASE - SAINT JOSEPH MI, US
BRIAN P. JANKE - ANN ARBOR MI, US
Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - BENTON HARBOR MI
International Classification:

G06T 7/00
F25C 5/18
F25D 23/02
F25C 1/00
US Classification:

62137, 62344, 62449, 382100
Abstract:

A refrigerator includes a sensing system for detecting multiple physical characteristics of ice cubes in an ice cube storage bin. The system includes a digital image capture device coupled to a digital image analyzing system which captures digital images of the ice cube storage bin intermittently and compares the images to detect the presence of ice clumps. In addition, the digital image analyzing system evaluates the edges, ice size and/or image intensity of the ice cubes in the images in order to determine the presence of stale ice. An algorithm is utilized to estimate the volume of ice within the bin based on the number of pixels in an ice bin image, the number of pixels of the ice within the bin, and a known volume of the ice bin. Notifications for clumped ice, stale ice and ice volume within the bin are sent to a user interface.

Ice Quality Sensing System Employing Digital Imaging
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US Patent:

20100046793, Feb 25, 2010
Filed:

Aug 31, 2009
Appl. No.:

12/550893
Inventors:

FARHAD ASHRAFZADEH - Stevensville MI, US
KEVIN M. CHASE - Saint Joseph MI, US
BRIAN P. JANKE - Ann Arbor MI, US
Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - BENTON HARBOR MI
International Classification:

G06K 9/46
F25C 5/18
F25D 23/02
F25D 25/00
F25D 27/00
F25C 1/00
US Classification:

382100, 62344, 62449, 62381, 62264, 62137, 382190
Abstract:

A refrigerator includes a sensing system for detecting quality of ice cubes in an ice cube storage bin. The system includes a digital image capture device coupled to a digital image analyzing system which captures digital images of the ice cube storage bin intermittently. The digital images are processed to determine a centroid of the ice mass within the bin, and the centroid is analyzed to determine whether it is located outside a predetermined acceptable boundary. A centroid outside of the acceptable range indicates an ice clumping situation. Additionally, the digital images are analyzed to determine whether ice cubes are smaller than a predetermined minimal acceptable size in order to detect stale ice. The level of ice in the bin can also be determined from the images. Notifications for clumping, stale and/or low level ice are sent to a user interface.

Select Fill Sensor System For Refrigerator Dispensers
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US Patent:

20100155415, Jun 24, 2010
Filed:

Mar 5, 2010
Appl. No.:

12/718174
Inventors:

FARHAD ASHRAFZADEH - STEVENSVILLE MI, US
KEVIN M. CHASE - SAINT JOSEPH MI, US
BRIAN P. JANKE - SAINT JOSEPH MI, US
Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - BENTON HARBOR MI
International Classification:

B67D 7/00
F25D 3/00
F25D 23/02
G05D 7/00
F25C 1/00
US Classification:

222 1, 62389, 62449, 700283, 62340
Abstract:

A refrigerator includes a dispenser having a dispenser well, a control for regulating a product dispensing operation, and a select fill sensor system for automatically initiating and terminating the dispensing operation. An optical sensing system includes a camera within the dispenser well in communication with a controller for sensing the fill rate of a container within the dispenser well. The dispensing rate of product is adjusted depending on the product fill rate of the container such that optimum fill rates are obtained without overflow or spilling events. In this manner, a hands-free dispenser is provided that can be utilized regardless of the shape or size of container utilized.

Hands Free, Controlled Autofill For A Dispenser
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US Patent:

20120138629, Jun 7, 2012
Filed:

Feb 13, 2012
Appl. No.:

13/371688
Inventors:

FARHAD ASHRAFZADEH - STEVENSVILLE MI, US
KEVIN M. CHASE - SAINT JOSEPH MI, US
BRIAN P. JANKE - ANN ARBOR MI, US
JAMES KERNER - INDIANAPOLIS IN, US
Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - BENTON HARBOR MI
International Classification:

B67D 7/14
US Classification:

222 1, 222 52
Abstract:

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.

Method And Apparatus For Redistributing An Imbalance In A Laundry Treating Appliance
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US Patent:

20120144600, Jun 14, 2012
Filed:

Dec 10, 2010
Appl. No.:

12/964763
Inventors:

FARHAD ASHRAFZADEH - STEVENSVILLE MI, US
BRIAN P. JANKE - SAINT JOSEPH MI, US
PETER J. RICHMOND - BERRIEN SPRINGS MI, US
MARCELO C. SILVA - JOINVILLE, BR
RODRIGO S. TEIXEIRA - JOINVILLE, BR
Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - BENTON HARBOR MI
International Classification:

D06L 1/20
D06F 37/00
US Classification:

8137, 68 1206
Abstract:

An apparatus and method for detecting an imbalance in the laundry load and effecting a redistribution of the imbalance by reducing the rotational speed of the treating chamber such that part of the load may redistribute while part of the load remains satellized, without ceasing rotation, and increasing the rotational speed back to a spin speed after redistribution.