Demand driven ice mode software

Abstract

This disclosure is related to software that responds to consumer usage patterns in order to create more ice. The developed software monitors ice dispenses rather they are crushed or cubed. When a threshold of the number of dispenses within the preset time period has been met, the freezer enters a high demand mode. During high demand mode, the freezer is commanded to run at a colder temperature for a preset period of time. The method described in this disclosure includes setting a threshold for the number of dispenses within a time interval and detecting the number of dispenses that are related to a trigger's activation. The method continues with sending a signal when the number of dispenses surpasses the threshold within the time interval and taking a corrective action that increases the production of ice when the signal is received.

1 . A method for automated boosting of ice production within a freezer region based on demand comprising:
 setting a threshold for a number of dispenses in a time interval;   detecting said number of dispenses which are related to a trigger's activation;   sending a signal when said number of dispenses surpasses said threshold within said time interval; and   taking a corrective action that increases the ice production when said signal is received.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said corrective action includes facilitating convention. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said corrective action includes decreasing the temperature within said freezer region. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said time interval is rolling time interval. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said number of dispenses is measured on a weighted scale. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising sending said signal via a human interface. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein detecting said number of dispenses is facilitated via communication between a dispense trigger and a central controller. 
   
   
       8 . An automated ice dispenser system associated within a freezer region comprising:
 a dispensing module that is configured to facilitate ice dispensing and signal a quantitative measurement associated with the amount of ice dispensed;   a dispensing trigger that is in communication with said dispensing module and is adapted to dispense ice when activated;   a temperature module configured to lower the temperature of the freezer region when an activation signal is received; and   a logic module in communication with said temperature control module and said dispensing module configured to receive said quantitative measurement communicated from said dispensing module and send said activation signal to said temperature module if said quantitative measurement exceeds a predetermined threshold within a predetermined time interval.   
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein lowering the temperature is implemented by activating an evaporation fan adapted to increase convection. 
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said quantitative measurement is a weighted measurement. 
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein said weighted measurement is dependent upon the amount of time that said dispensing trigger has been activated. 
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said quantitative measurement is a count of the number of activations. 
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said predetermined time interval is a rolling time interval. 
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 8 , further comprising a human interface configured to allow for manual adjustment of said predetermined threshold. 
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 8 , further comprising a human interface configured to allow for manual adjustment of said predetermined time interval. 
   
   
       16 . A method of responding to consumer usage patterns for an automated ice dispenser positioned within the confines of freezer region in order to maintain adequate ice production comprising:
 determining a lower bound threshold, that when surpassed will signal that said automated ice dispenser is in high demand status; and   activating an evaporation fan configured to increase convention and lower the temperature within said freezer when said automated ice dispenser is in high demand status.   
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said threshold is a predetermined number of dispenses per a predetermined time interval. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said threshold is a percentage of time that the dispenser has been active during a time interval. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said time interval is manually regulated via a human interface. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said time interval is dynamic.