Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a cell on a metal level, the cell defined by a cell boundary. A plurality of substantially parallel interconnect lines are inside the cell boundary. A first power track and a second power track are both dedicated to power and are located completely inside the cell boundary without any power tracks along the cell boundary on the metal level.

Abstract: A liquid pumping device (1) for beverage dispenser comprising: -a housing (2) with a liquid inlet (3) and a liquid outlet (4); -a gear pump (5) positioned in the housing with the liquid inlet communicating with the gear pump; wherein a flowmeter (6) is fluidly positioned in the housing (2) preferably between the gear pump (5) and the liquid outlet (4).

Abstract: A liquid pumping device (1) for beverage dispenser comprising:-a housing (2) with a liquid inlet (3) and a liquid outlet (4);- a gear pump (5) positioned in the housing with the liquid inlet communicating with the gear pump; wherein a flowmeter (6) is fluidly positioned in the housing (2) preferably between the gear pump (5) and the liquid outlet (4).

Abstract: An instant tube heater for heating flowing liquid is disclosed that includes at least a hollow heating tube, an inlet connector, an outlet connector, and a temperature sensor. Also disclosed is a beverage preparation machine that includes the instant tube heater.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a cell on a metal level, the cell defined by a cell boundary. A plurality of substantially parallel interconnect lines are inside the cell boundary. A first power track and a second power track are both dedicated to power and are located completely inside the cell boundary without any power tracks along the cell boundary on the metal level.

Abstract: A volumetric heating device for beverage preparation machines, along with a beverage preparation machine containing same, are disclosed, along with methods of producing and using same.

Abstract: A method and device for producing a beverage from a capsule containing at least one beverage ingredient are disclosed. The device is configured to carry out the method by feeding a first volume of water into the capsule for prewetting the at least one beverage ingredient, interrupting the flow of water into the capsule for a predetermined waiting time, feeding a second volume of water into the capsule for extracting the at least one beverage ingredient, and dispensing the produced beverage.

Abstract: A beverage or foodstuff preparation machine (4) comprising: a component processing unit (14) to process a beverage or foodstuff component to prepare a beverage or foodstuff therefrom; and a control system (16) operable to execute a preparation process comprising controlling said component processing unit to prepare the beverage or foodstuff, the control system comprising a user interface (36), wherein the user interface comprises: a contactless sensor (40) operable to sense without physical contact a body part of a user; and a feedback unit operable to provide feedback to a sensor, said body part of a user; and in response to change a value of a parameter associated with the preparation process and to indicate via the feedback unit the change in value.

Abstract: The invention relates to an instant tube heater (1) for heating flowing liquid comprising: a hollow heating tube (2) comprising a tubular flow passage (20) extending along a central axis (I) for heating liquid as it flows through it, an inlet connector (3) sealingly connected to an inlet end (21) of the hollow heating tube, an outlet connector (4) sealingly connected to an outlet end (22) of the hollow heating tube, a temperature sensor (5) connected to the outlet connector (4) for sensing the temperature of liquid leaving the heating tube, wherein an inlet flow deviating member (6) is positioned locally at the inlet end (21) of the heating tube (2) for forcing the flow of liquid entering the tubular passage of the heating tube in at least one direction away from the direction of the central axis (I) of the tubular passage.

Abstract: A method and device for producing a beverage from a capsule containing at least one beverage ingredient are disclosed. The device is configured to carry out the method by feeding a first volume of water into the capsule for prewetting the at least one beverage ingredient, interrupting the flow of water into the capsule for a predetermined waiting time, feeding a second volume of water into the capsule for extracting the at least one beverage ingredient, and dispensing the produced beverage.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation machines having an ingredient processing module for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule, and their accessories. In particular, the invention relates to a device comprising a container for storing capsules comprising: a first interface for communicating with feedback means; a sensing arrangement for detecting and obtaining information on a capsule in a detection area; a controller configured to send, through the first interface, information related to the detected capsule, to the feedback means.

Abstract: The invention provides a volumetric heating device for beverage preparation machines, comprising an emission source designed for emitting electromagnetic radiation and to transfer the energy to a liquid at least partially surrounding the emission source, a liquid conduct, and an isolation means essentially transparent to the electromagnetic radiation in the emitted spectrum, and designed to electrically isolate the emission source from the liquid.

Abstract: An event planning system, using both computer system software and hardware, that has a user-friendly, interactive, three-dimensional planning space for a user that can be updated with real-time, accurate vender information to aid in event planning. Such vendor information is received, stored, updated, categorized, re-categorized and matched with selectable user parameter as necessary to allow users to customize their virtual planning space or first focal space. Once users customize a focal space, they can act in their space to perform three-dimensional modeling of the first focal space, including making snapshots and short movies to visualize their event.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation machines having an ingredient processing module for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule, and their accessories. In particular, the invention relates to a device comprising a container for storing capsules containing an ingredient for preparing a beverage using a beverage preparation machine, characterised in that the device further comprises: a first interface for communicating with a module; a user-interface having a first element switchable into at least a first state; a controller configured to send information to the module, through the first interface, when the first element is switched into the first state.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation machines having an ingredient processing module for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule, and their accessories. In particular, the invention relates to a device comprising a container for storing capsules comprising: a first interface for communicating with feedback means; a sensing arrangement for detecting and obtaining information on a capsule in a detection area; a controller configured to send, through the first interface, information related to the detected capsule, to the feedback means.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: a base (10) having a fluid circuit for conditioning and delivering a fluid via a base outlet (11) and a base data interface (12,13); and a removable module (20) having a module inlet (21) and a module data interface (22,23) disconnectably connectable to the base outlet and the base data interface, respectively. The data base interface (12,13) and the module data interface (22,23) are mechanically connectable and disconnectable along a direction (2) of the connection and disconnection of the base outlet (11) and the module inlet (21).

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: a base (10) having a fluid circuit for conditioning and delivering a fluid via a base outlet (11), in particular a fluid circuit connected to a fluid source and controlled by a control unit and comprising a pump and/or a thermal conditioner such as a heater and/or a cooler; and a user-removable module (20) having a module inlet (21) disconnectably connectable to the base outlet, and comprising a mixing unit (25) downstream the module inlet (21) for holding an ingredient that is mixed downstream said inlet with fluid fed into the unit via the base outlet (11) and the module inlet (21) to form a mixture that is dispensed via a machine outlet (26). The fluid circuit of the base (10), the module inlet (21), the mixing unit (25) and the machine outlet (26) are configured to prevent that the mixture formed in the mixing unit contacts the base outlet (11) via the module inlet (21).

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) includes: a base (10) having a fluid circuit for conditioning and delivering a fluid via a base outlet (11) and a base data interface (12,13); and a removable module (20) having a module inlet (21) and a module data interface (22,23) disconnectably connectable to the base outlet and the base data interface, respectively. The base (10) may have a base connector block (14) for mechanical connection to the module (20), the base outlet (11) and the base data interface (12,13) being borne by the base connector block (14). The module (20) can have a module connector block (24) for mechanical connection to the base (10), the module inlet (21) and the module data interface (22,23) being borne by the module connector block (14).

Abstract: A method (300 or 400) of key press prediction on a touch-based device or an apparatus (501) can entail registering (302, 402) a position of a touch press attempt on an icon among a plurality of icons presented on the touch-base device, calculating (304, 404) a distance from a center of the icon, calculating (306, 406) a psychomotor probability for each icon in the plurality of icons, calculating (312, 408) a linguistic probability for each icon in the plurality of icons, calculating (314, 410) a predictive index for each icon in the plurality of icons based on the psychomotor probability and the linguistic probability, and registering (310,416) as a user selected icon, an icon with one among a highest predictive index (316, 412) or a probability higher than a predetermined absolute value (308).

Abstract: Described is a system and method for managing a mobile device by using a user device, wherein the mobile device includes a web server and one or more web pages including a home web page that is accessible via an assigned uniform resource locator (URL). The method includes establishing a local connection between the mobile device and the user device, and detecting the established local connection by the user device. The method further includes launching a web browser of the user device when the local connection is detected using an auto-launch application to access the home web page via the assigned URL using a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) request, and providing the home web page to the web browser by the web server in response to the HTTP request, wherein the home web page provides access to the mobile device and facilitates management of the mobile device.