Abstract: An apparatus and method for sharing capsule image data and beverage preparation parameters, from one or more beverage preparation machines with a remote computer system via a network, such as the Internet, is disclosed. The remote computer system may process the capsule image data to determine characteristics of the capsule (e.g., a type of capsule, such as a brand, or beverage ingredients in the capsule), thereby relieving the beverage preparation from having to determine information about the capsule. The remote computer may track a user's consumption of capsules, may compare this value to the user's past capsule purchase history, and may determine if the user's supply of capsules is below a threshold value (e.g., below a week's worth of capsules).

Abstract: A beverage machine and method in which a pod is positioned relative to a camera as a brew chamber moves to a closed position so the pod can be imaged prior to brew chamber closure. A pod stabilizer may urge a pod to be received by a pod receiver of the brew chamber before the brew chamber is closed and so as to properly position the pod for imaging.

Abstract: A beverage machine arranged to image at least a portion of a capsule held by a beverage forming station of the machine. Parts of the beverage forming station may be movable between open and closed positions, and a portion of the capsule may be imaged while parts of the forming station are between open and closed positions. A capsule image may be captured only when forming station parts are moved toward the closed position, and image date discarded if the forming station is moved toward the open position prior to beverage formation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sharing capsule image data and beverage preparation parameters, from one or more beverage preparation machines with a remote computer system via a network, such as the Internet, is disclosed. The remote computer system may process the capsule image data to determine characteristics of the capsule (e.g., a type of capsule, such as a brand, or beverage ingredients in the capsule), thereby relieving the beverage preparation from having to determine information about the capsule. The remote computer may track a user's consumption of capsules, may compare this value to the user's past capsule purchase history, and may determine if the user's supply of capsules is below a threshold value (e.g., below a week's worth of capsules).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sharing capsule image data and beverage preparation parameters, from one or more beverage preparation machines with a remote computer system via a network, such as the Internet, is disclosed. The remote computer system may process the capsule image data to determine characteristics of the capsule (e.g., a type of capsule, such as a brand, or beverage ingredients in the capsule), thereby relieving the beverage preparation from having to determine information about the capsule. The remote computer may track a user's consumption of capsules, may compare this value to the user's past capsule purchase history, and may determine if the user's supply of capsules is below a threshold value (e.g., below a week's worth of capsules).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sharing capsule image data and beverage preparation parameters, from one or more beverage preparation machines with a remote computer system via a network, such as the Internet, is disclosed. The remote computer system may process the capsule image data to determine characteristics of the capsule (e.g., a type of capsule, such as a brand, or beverage ingredients in the capsule), thereby relieving the beverage preparation from having to determine information about the capsule. The remote computer may track a user's consumption of capsules, may compare this value to the user's past capsule purchase history, and may determine if the user's supply of capsules is below a threshold value (e.g., below a week's worth of capsules).

Abstract: A two-way coded aperture radar imaging system is disclosed. The system includes an antenna reflector and a radar signal transceiver configured to generate sequential radar transmission signals and receive a plurality of respective reflected radar signals. The system also includes a phase control component configured to phase-encode the sequential radar transmission signals via a plurality of phase-codes to generate a respective plurality of phase-coded radar pulses that are concurrently reflected at a respective plurality of sub-aperture portions of the antenna reflector to concurrently transmit the plurality of phase-coded radar pulses from the antenna reflector to a target. The transmitted phase-coded radar pulses can be reflected from the target as the respective plurality of reflected radar signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sharing capsule image data and beverage preparation parameters, from one or more beverage preparation machines with a remote computer system via a network, such as the Internet, is disclosed. The remote computer system may process the capsule image data to determine characteristics of the capsule (e.g., a type of capsule, such as a brand, or beverage ingredients in the capsule), thereby relieving the beverage preparation from having to determine information about the capsule. The remote computer may track a user's consumption of capsules, may compare this value to the user's past capsule purchase history, and may determine if the user's supply of capsules is below a threshold value (e.g., below a week's worth of capsules).

Abstract: A two-way coded aperture radar imaging system is disclosed. The system includes an antenna reflector and a radar signal transceiver configured to generate sequential radar transmission signals and receive a plurality of respective reflected radar signals. The system also includes a phase control component configured to phase-encode the sequential radar transmission signals via a plurality of phase-codes to generate a respective plurality of phase-coded radar pulses that are concurrently reflected at a respective plurality of sub-aperture portions of the antenna reflector to concurrently transmit the plurality of phase-coded radar pulses from the antenna reflector to a target. The transmitted phase-coded radar pulses can be reflected from the target as the respective plurality of reflected radar signals.

Abstract: A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) which operates at UHF frequencies and which includes a two element antenna. The SAR generates a null in the backlobe of the antenna pattern at the location of a target which is steered rather than trying to obtain directivity in the mainlobe. Both analog and digital implementations are provided. In the analog approach, required phase shifts are performed at a frequency higher than the RF output frequency and the receive and transmit nulls are steered separately to increase the width of the null so as to allow for wider SAR swaths. The digital implementation involves steering the null only on receive and multiplying fast time samples by a complex phase correction similar to that used in the analog approach to form the beam. The phase correction is also performed prior to range resolution which employs "stretch" processing, so as to achieve high range resolution.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus that prebiases a transmitted radar signal. The prebiasing of the transmit signal automatically aligns the return signals in one dimension or dimensionally transforms the return signals thereby removing the need for one of the dimensional processing operations of a conventinal two dimensional return signal interpolator. A map function generator produces small frequency (phase) changes in the transmitted signal during each pulse over the entire integration or exposure period. The map function generator produces a parabolic frequency change control signal applied during the integration period. The control signal is divided into segments where each segment controls a single transmit pulse. The control signal modifies a linear frequency modulation control signal. conventionally produced by high resolution radar systems.