Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for beverage machines (e.g., drip coffee machines, espresso machines, etc.) are provided. In an exemplary implementation, an espresso machine is configured to brew and dispense espresso. In an exemplary implementation, the espresso machine is configured to determine a recommended coffee bean grind size for a beverage, e.g., an espresso or a sprover-style drink, selected by a user and to provide the recommended coffee bean grind size to the user.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for beverage machines are provided. In one exemplary implementation, a system includes a portafilter and a plurality of baskets. The portafilter is configured to be removably coupled to an espresso machine. The plurality of baskets each define a filter, each is removably receivable in the portafilter, and each is configured to hold coffee grounds. The plurality of baskets including a first basket, a second basket, and a third basket. The third basket has a volume that is about 105 mL to 135 mL. The third basket is configured to permit brewing of a beverage using pressurized and unpressurized brewing methods.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for beverage machines are provided. In one exemplary implementation, a system includes a housing, a grinder, a portafilter, a filter basket, and a tamp. The grinder is disposed within the housing. The portafilter is removably coupled to the housing. The filter basket is configured to be removably disposed within the portafilter for receiving coffee grounds. The tamp is configured to be disposed within the housing and has a tamp head, a tamp body, and a spring.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for beverage machines are provided. In one exemplary implementation, a system includes a portafilter, a filter basket, a funnel, and a tamp. The portafilter is configured to be removably coupled to a housing of a beverage machine. The filter basket is configured to be removably disposed within the portafilter for receiving coffee grounds. The funnel is configured to be removably mounted on the portafilter and has a passageway configured to receive the coffee grounds therein and to direct the coffee grounds into the filter basket. The tamp is slidably insertable into the passageway of the funnel and configured to advance through the funnel to press the coffee grounds in the filter basket.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for beverage machines (e.g., drip coffee machines, espresso machines, etc.) are provided. In an exemplary implementation, an espresso machine is configured to brew and dispense espresso. In an exemplary implementation, the espresso machine is configured to determine a recommended coffee bean grind size for a beverage, e.g., an espresso or a sprover-style drink, selected by a user and to provide the recommended coffee bean grind size to the user.

Abstract: An audio communications system has an acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) module. The AEC module receives a digital signal sent to a loudspeaker and a digital signal received from a microphone. The signal received from the microphone contains an echo of the signal played through the loudspeaker. The loudspeaker signal is processed by an audio generation module (AGM) that models substantially nonlinear distortions that can occur while producing the signal played through the loudspeaker. The AGM includes a modeling path comprised of one or more distortion modules. Each distortion module receives digital samples as input, modifies the samples to model a form of distortion, and outputs the modified samples. The output of the AGM is provided to an acoustic echo estimation (AEE) module that uses adaptive algorithms to compensate for substantially linear changes in the echo characteristics of the environment in which the loudspeaker and microphone are located.

Abstract: A communications system and method performs centralized signal processing on received audio signals. A plurality of terminals are coupled to a processing switch via links. The terminals can be, for example, dedicated speakerphones, desktop handsets, or personal computers with audio capabilities. The links can be wired or wireless, can carry analog or digital signals, and can be shared with other users in a network. The switch receives the audio data from the terminals, processes the data according to desired acoustical procedures, creates one or more output mixes, and provides the output mixes to the appropriate terminals. The operation of the processing switch is controlled by a communications support module (CSM) which can receive, process, and send data to/from multiple terminals simultaneously. The CSM receives audio signals from the terminals.

Abstract: A credit limit recommendation helps customers more easily manage credit decisions. The credit limit recommendation has two guidelines: an aggressive limit and a conservative limit. The recommendation may be a specific dollar amount or a range or other information. The guidelines are based on an historical analysis of credit demand of customers in a business information database having a similar profile to the business being evaluated with respect to employee size and industry. The feature is available as a clickable link and each recommendation may be billed separately or as part of a subscription service.

Abstract: A missile includes a payload assembly that has a pair of nosecones. The nosecones may be optimized for different environments and/or phases of flight, for example, having different shapes, different shell materials, different types of seals, and/or different separation mechanisms. The first (outer) nosecone may have a more streamlined shape, be made of more thermally-protective material, and may meet less stringent sealing requirements, than the second (inner) nosecone. Separation of the outer nosecone from the payload assembly may cause backward movement of a center of pressure of the payload assembly, bringing the center of pressure of the assembly closer to a center of gravity of the assembly. This may make the payload assembly easier to maneuver, for example, reducing or eliminating the need for intervention by an attitude control system, to maintain the payload assembly on a desired course.