Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming both carafe quantities and smaller (e.g., cup) quantities of a beverage using a cartridge-based beverage machine. A beverage forming machine accommodates cartridges having different sizes and/or shapes, including different rim sizes/shapes. The outlet used for receiving a beverage from a standard cartridge differs from the outlet used for receiving the beverage from a carafe cartridge inserted in a same cartridge holder. Beverage may exit the cartridge in an upward direction in some embodiments.

Abstract: A sealing process of LED modules includes a waterproof wire put through a wire-through hole of a heat sink to be connected with a positive-negative solder joints on a PCB board, which are subjected to glue sealing treatment. A waterproof sealing process is operated between the waterproof wire and wire-through hole. The PCB board is fixed on the heat sink. One sealing ring is placed into a groove. A ring of liquid silica gel is evenly applied along the other groove. The heat sink installed with the PCB board and the waterproof wire are inversely buckled on the lens set which is fixed with the solid silica gel ring and liquid silica gel.

Abstract: An LED lighting device is provided, having a lamp housing and at least one LED module. The lamp housing has a lamp cover and a housing-type heat-dissipating lamp bracket that directly radiates the heat generated by the LED module. The housing-type heat-dissipating lamp bracket is entirely made of heat-dissipating material, and several radiating hole devices are set on the housing-type heat-dissipating lamp bracket. The radiating hole devices on the housing-type heat-dissipating lamp bracket and the gaps between the LED modules form a mutually-reinforcing thermal honeycomb effect, providing a heat dissipation channel with unhindered air convection. Radiating holes are set at the head and tail of the housing-type heat-dissipating lamp bracket. The radiating holes and the gaps between the modules enhance the heat-dissipating effect and enhance air convection, to improve heat dissipation from the lamp housing and provide improved heat dissipation effect for the entire lamp.

Abstract: A lamp-housing-type heat-sink in an LED lighting device is provided, which is a hollow middle part formed monolithically by extending a high purity aluminum plate with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 5 mm and an aluminum content of above 95%. The heat-sink has a heat-sinking surface and housing body. A surface contact structure is formed between the heat-sinking surface and a circuit board, and several radiating holes are set on the housing body to form heat dissipation channels. A method for manufacturing the lamp-housing-type heat-sink in LED lighting device is also provided. The lamp-housing-type heat-sink uses fewer materials and costs less than conventional die-cast aluminum housing, while providing a higher thermal conductivity co-efficient.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for providing embedded Input/Output (IO) blocks in a floor plan of a semiconductor device are provided, where the embedded IO blocks constitute partial columns (i.e., they do not extend from the bottom through to the top of the semiconductor device). In some embodiments, the partial column IO banks are skewed away from one another. In some embodiments, the partial column IO banks are located away from the center of the semiconductor device. Techniques and mechanisms for implementing symmetrical package routing using skewed partial column IO banks are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a beverage. A brewer may be operated so that when water or other beverage precursor is detected to be heated to a desired temperature, the liquid may be provided to a brew chamber to form a beverage. In one embodiment, detection of the water temperature may be performed by a temperature cut off switch (TCO) which is normally closed to provide power to a water heater, but opens when the water reaches a predetermined temperature. Opening of the TCO may cause delivery of the liquid to the brew chamber, e.g., by causing pressurization of a reservoir containing the liquid. In another embodiment, control of delivery of water from the reservoir may be made based on power interruption to the heater. For example, an air pump may be controlled to deliver air to the reservoir in response to power to the heater being cut off.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a beverage. A brewer may be operated so that when water or other beverage precursor is detected to be heated to a desired temperature, the liquid may be provided to a brew chamber to form a beverage. In one embodiment, detection of the water temperature may be performed by a temperature cut off switch (TCO) which is normally closed to provide power to a water heater, but opens when the water reaches a predetermined temperature. Opening of the TCO may cause delivery of the liquid to the brew chamber, e.g., by causing pressurization of a reservoir containing the liquid. In another embodiment, control of delivery of water from the reservoir may be made based on power interruption to the heater. For example, an air pump may be controlled to deliver air to the reservoir in response to power to the heater being cut off.

Abstract: A touch screen panel including an insulative substrate; a resistive layer disposed on the insulative substrate; and a plurality of spaced conductive segments on the resistive layer along the border thereof. The conductive segments are disposed in rows, and every row has at least two segments which face at least a portion of three segments in the next inner row for optimizing the linearity of the touch screen panel and at the same time reducing the space occupied on the touch screen panel by the conductive segments.

Abstract: A combined membrane switch and touchscreen employs a continuous front transparent sheet that directly supports a transparent electrode for the touchscreen and graphics for the membrane switch portion of the assembly. Improved transparency and reduced touch activation pressure is thereby obtained.

Abstract: A touch screen panel including an insulative substrate; a resistive layer disposed on the insulative substrate; and a plurality of spaced conductive segments on the resistive layer along the border thereof. The conductive segments are disposed in rows, and every row has at least two segments which face at least a portion of three segments in the next inner row for optimizing the linearity of the touch screen panel and at the same time reducing the space occupied on the touch screen panel by the conductive segments.

Abstract: A touch screen panel including an insulative substrate; a resistive layer disposed on the insulative substrate; and a plurality of spaced conductive segments on the resistive layer along the border thereof. The conductive segments are disposed in rows, and every row has at least two segments which face at least a portion of three segments in the next inner row for optimizing the linearity of the touch screen panel and at the same time reducing the space occupied on the touch screen panel by the conductive segments.

Abstract: An improved position responsive sensor is disclosed comprising a substrate having first and second parallel, conductive strips at the edges in electrical contact with high resistance coating on the top surface and low resistance coating on the bottom surface respectively. A d. c. voltage is applied to the top surface of substrate, at the same time an a. c. voltage is applied to the bottom surface. An electrical conductive probe or a flexible resistive sheet is used to detected both d. c. and a. c. voltage between the contact point and the ground, whereby the electrical output signals are accurately related to the x and y coordinates of the contacted point on the top surface of substrate.

Abstract: A touch position sensor is shown in which a transducer or transducer array mounted to a side of a substrate generates pulse shear-mode acoustic wave and receives the partial wave reflected by the finger or other styles. An electronic circuitry connected to the transducers determine the position of the finger or style in geometrical coordinate terms by detecting time interval between the transmitted wave and reflected wave.

Abstract: An acoustic wave touch panel is shown for use with a non-active stylus. The acoustic wave touch panel includes an acoustic wave touch position sensor with an elastomeric substrate 20 overlying the touch position sensor and further including a stiff substrate overlying the elastomeric substrate. When a non-active stylus contacts a surface of the stiff substrate exerting a Z-axis force thereon, the Z-axis force is transmitted through the stiff substrate to the elastomeric substrate. The elastomeric substrate deforms in response to the Z-axis force and transmits the force to the acoustic wave touch sensor, the deformation of the elastomeric substrate absorbing or damping acoustic wave energy like a finger touch on the acoustic wave touch sensor.