A coffee beverage system is described including a coffee bean packaging cartridge and a coffee brewing apparatus. The packaging cartridge includes a container holding coffee beans and transportation component for transporting coffee beans towards an exit opening of the cartridge. The coffee apparatus comprises a grinder for grinding the coffee beans from the cartridge and a brewing device for brewing coffee from ground coffee obtained by the grinder. A metering chamber holds a predetermined amount of coffee beans and comprises a bottom portion which forms a part of the grinder, said bottom portion rotates around an axis extending in a vertical direction. A second coffee bean packaging cartridge includes a second dosing device separate from the first dosing device for preparing and/or supplying a dose of coffee beans to the entrance opening of the coffee brewing apparatus independent of the coffee brewing apparatus.

The invention relates to a coffee beverage system according to the preamble of claim 1. In such a known system roasted coffee beans in packaging cartridges can be connected to the coffee brewing apparatus that includes a grinding mechanism.
In view of the above-mentioned problem the present invention is concerned with a system for in a versatile way preparing a coffee beverage that allows for preparing beverages according to the particular taste (especially strength) of the consumer. In addition it is an object of the present invention to propose a system for preparing coffee beverages of the above referred to kind, which may be more compact. In a more general sense it is thereby an object of the invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. It is also an object of the present invention to provide alternative structures which may be less cumbersome in assembly and operation and which moreover can be made relatively inexpensively. Furthermore it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system with a device for holding and supplying coffee beans, which enables controlling the supply of coffee beans. Alternatively it is an object of the invention to at least provide the public with a useful choice in obtaining coffee bean supply devices for holding and supplying coffee beans.
Unless stated otherwise, in the description and claims coffee beans are understood to be burnt/roasted coffee beans. Coffee beans in the description and claims may be understood to cover also fragmented coffee beans, that is, coffee bean fragments, which coffee bean fragments are still to be ground for extracting desired coffee beverage. The coffee beans are for instance broken, before they are packaged. In an embodiment, at least a part of the coffee beans in the coffee bean package is divided into about thirty or less, in particular about fifteen or less, more particularly about ten fragments or less. One coffee bean fragment then comprises for instance one-thirtieth part, in particular one-fifteenth part, more particularly one-tenth part or more of a coffee bean. For instance, the coffee bean fragments comprise a half or a quarter of a coffee bean. An advantage of the use of coffee bean fragments compared with whole coffee beans can be that coffee bean fragments can be supplied to the grinder relatively simply and/or that the package can be closed off relatively simply. This is because the coffee bean fragments are relatively small and hence can slide relatively easily through openings in the package and the apparatus and/or will block the coffee bean outlet and/or closing means less easily. As the coffee beans may beforehand have been divided into fragments, though not ground, in the meantime comparatively more bean surface can come into contact with any ambient air than would be case with whole coffee beans. On the other hand, less bean surface will come into contact with air than would be the case with ground coffee, so that coffee bean fragments can be preserved better than ground coffee beans. Only just before preparation of the coffee beverage are the coffee bean fragments ground for obtaining coffee beverage. In this description, therefore, coffee bean may also be understood to include a fragmented coffee bean, that is, which is still to be ground for preparing the desired coffee beverage.
To this end according to one preferred aspect of the invention there is provided a coffee beverage system according to claim 1. The coffee been packaging cartridge is removable connected to the coffee brewing apparatus and it is arranged for holding and supplying multiple servings of coffee beans. It includes a container comprising an interior volume and at least one exit opening defining a coffee bean outlet, the interior volume holding coffee beans and transportation means adapted for enabling transportation of the coffee beans from the interior volume towards the exit opening of the cartridge. The coffee apparatus comprises an entrance opening for receiving coffee beans which are transported with the aid of the transportation means towards the exit opening, a grinder for grinding coffee beans which have entered the coffee apparatus via the entrance opening and a brewing device for brewing coffee on the basis of ground coffee obtained by means of the grinder. The system is further provided with a metering chamber for receiving coffee beans which are transported with the aid of the transportation means into the metering chamber. Preferably after being filled the metering chamber will hold a dosed amount of coffee beans. The metering chamber comprises a bottom portion which forms a part of the grinder. The bottom portion is arranged in the coffee apparatus for rotating around an axis extending in a vertical direction. The system is arranged such that upon activation of the grinder the bottom portion is rotating around the vertical axis for transporting the coffee beans from the metering chamber into the grinder and for grinding the coffee beans. The use of a bottom portion of the metering chamber, which is part of the grinder and which rotates for emptying the metering chamber also results in a decreased height of the system compared to the alternative option of providing a separate bottom plate of the metering chamber and a separate grinder. The coffee brewing apparatus and the first coffee bean packaging cartridge comprise a first dosing device for providing and supplying a predetermined dose of coffee beans from the first coffee bean packaging cartridge to the grinder. This first dosing device comprises the metering chamber of the brewing apparatus when the first coffee bean packaging cartridge is or has been connected to the coffee brewing apparatus. The system is further provided with a second coffee bean packaging cartridge. This second coffee bean packaging cartridge is arranged for holding and supplying coffee beans and is also removably connectable to the coffee brewing apparatus. The second coffee bean packaging cartridge includes a second dosing device separate from the first dosing device of the brewing apparatus and the first coffee bean packaging cartridge for independently of the coffee brewing apparatus preparing and/or supplying a dose of coffee beans to the entrance opening of the coffee brewing apparatus. In this way a versatile coffee beverage system is provided which is compact, and with which a consumer can choose to let the coffee brewing apparatus define the dose of coffee beans to be used for preparing a single serving of coffee beverage or that the consumer prepares a dose of coffee beans independently from the coffee brewing apparatus.
The metering chamber may be divided in a first chamber portion which is part of the cartridge and a second chamber portion which is part of the coffee brewing apparatus. The division of the metering chamber over the cartridge and the brewing apparatus enables to provide an even more compact coffee beverage system.
In this regard it can be advantageous for emptying the metering chamber that the bottom portion has a conical shape such that the bottom portion extends downwardly in a direction extending perpendicular to and away from the vertical axis.
It is further advantageous for the coffee beverage system according to the invention that the first chamber portion comprises the exit opening and the second chamber portion comprises the entrance opening and that the exit opening extends above the entrance opening. This provides a metering chamber which can be made relatively inexpensive.
The metering chamber may be arranged for receiving a portion of coffee beans corresponding to a dosed amount of coffee beans which is preferably necessary for preparing a single serving of coffee beverage. The transportation means may comprise a part which is movable relative to the metering chamber for effectively transporting the coffee beans towards the metering chamber upon driving of said transportation means. The coffee brewing apparatus may be provided with a first motor and a vertically extending drive shaft wherein said drive shaft may be releasable connected with the transportation means of the cartridge for driving and thereby moving the transportation means upon rotation of the drive shaft by means of the first motor. The movable part may comprise a bottom and/or a plurality of vanes, which rotates around a further vertical axis upon driving the transportation means.
Furthermore, the transportation means may comprise a downwardly extending bottom wall for transporting the coffee beans towards the metering chamber under the influence of gravity. Alternatively, the transportation means may comprise a downwardly extending bottom wall for transporting the coffee beans towards the metering chamber under the influence of gravity only.
The first chamber portion may be provided with a top wall which limits the volume of the metering chamber in an upwardly vertical direction wherein the bottom portion of the second chamber portion limits the volume of the metering chamber in a downwardly vertical direction.
Alternatively or additionally, the first chamber portion may be provided with an upstanding side wall comprising an inlet opening for entering the coffee beans by means of the transportation means into the metering chamber.
It is further advantageous for the coffee beverage system according to the invention, when the transportation means are arranged for transporting the coffee beans at least in a horizontal direction for transporting the coffee beans into the metering chamber and/or towards the inlet opening of the metering chamber.
The grinder may be positioned centrically with respect to the second chamber portion. It may comprise a conical part lying in the direction of the vertical axis, wherein the conical part rotates around the vertical axis upon driving the grinder. The grinder may be driven by a motor. The drive shaft and the grinder may be driven by different motors.
The coffee brewing apparatus may comprise connection means for the removable connection to the coffee bean packaging cartridge. The connection means may comprise a recess at an upper side of the coffee brewing apparatus, the recess being surrounded by a side wall and being configured for receiving a corresponding part protruding from a lower side of the coffee bean packaging cartridge. The side wall may protrude from the upper side of the coffee brewing apparatus and be covered by a housing.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the side wall comprises openings for receiving bayonet elements of the coffee bean packaging cartridge. The coffee bean packaging cartridge should be inserted into the recess such that the bayonet elements are inserted in the openings and then rotated in order to be connected to the coffee brewing apparatus. The side wall may comprise blocking elements for impeding a further rotation of the coffee bean packaging cartridge, when it has reached its final position. In this way, the user can easily and reliably mount the cartridge on the coffee brewing apparatus. Preferably, the coffee bean packaging cartridge should be rotated approximately 50 degrees in order to reach its final position. The connection between the cartridge and the coffee brewing apparatus may be a snap connection.
Furthermore, the recess may comprise rotatable protruding edges at its center, which are fixed at the end of the driving shaft.
The vertical axis around which the bottom portion of the second chamber portion is rotatable may run centrally through the bottom portion of the second chamber portion. The bottom portion may extend downwardly in a direction extending perpendicular to and away from the vertical axis all around the vertical axis.
The coffee bean packaging cartridge may comprise closing means for closing the coffee bean outlet when the coffee bean packaging cartridge is not connected to the coffee brewing apparatus. In this way it is avoided that coffee beans fall out of the coffee bean packaging cartridge when it is not connected to the coffee brewing apparatus.
The closing means may be configured for opening the coffee bean outlet when the coffee bean packaging cartridge is connected to the coffee brewing apparatus.
The closing means comprises a closure member at the bottom side of the container comprising the coffee bean outlet and a rotatable closing disk having an opening. In order to connect the coffee bean packaging cartridge to the coffee brewing apparatus the opening of the rotatable closing disk may be brought in a position aligned with the coffee bean outlet.
The closure member may comprise a pair of fletching arms and the closure disk comprises a detent, which in the closed position is caught behind the fletching arms.
The exit opening may be associated with a removable sealing element sealing the interior volume prior to activation of the cartridge wherein preferably said sealing element prevents gasses to escape from the cartridge. The beverage system may comprise means for disrupting and displacing the sealing element, preferably when the cartridge is connected to the brewing apparatus for the first time. The sealing element may be a sealing membrane.
The system may be arranged such that, in use, the grinding device is activated for emptying the metering chamber and for grinding the coffee beans collected and/or held in the metering chamber. The grinding device may be activated longer than is required for emptying or at least substantially completely emptying the metering chamber and for grinding all the coffee beans collected in the metering chamber. In this way, the emptying of the metering chamber is reliably performed. Previous to the emptying of the metering chamber and the grinding of the coffee beans, in a first step the transportation means may be driven for filling the metering chamber with coffee beans. The transportation means may be driven longer than is required for completely filling or at least substantially completely filling the metering chamber with coffee beans. In this way, the dosing of the metering chamber with coffee beans is reliably performed.
The coffee brewing apparatus may be provided with a control device for controlling the first motor and/or the grinder for performing these steps. The control device may control the brewing device wherein the control device may be arranged such that, in use, in a step which follows after that the emptying and grinding step is completed the brewing device is brewing coffee based on the ground coffee and heated water heated by a heating device of the coffee brewing apparatus. The volume of the metering chamber may be such that if it is completely filled with coffee beans the amount of beans corresponds with one dose of coffee beans for preparing a cup of coffee. The one dose of coffee beans may comprise 5-11, preferably 6-8 grams of coffee beans. The coffee brewing apparatus can be arranged such that the control device controls the brewing device wherein the control device is arranged such that, in use, in a third step which follows after that the second step is completed the brewing device is brewing coffee based on the ground coffee and heated water heated by a heating device of the coffee brewing apparatus.
According to the invention the coffee bean packaging cartridge can also be designed to be (re)fillable with coffee beans by the consumer. Preferably the coffee bean packaging cartridge is filled with coffee beans and is not designed to be refillable with coffee beans. In that case the cartridge is a packaging for the coffee beans to be sold in a shop.
According to a further embodiment, the system further comprises a sensor arranged for detecting if a coffee bean packaging cartridge is connected to the coffee brewing apparatus. The sensor is configured to signal a result of the detection to the controller. The sensor may be a switch, for example a micro switch. The coffee bean packaging cartridge comprises a protruding part for activating the switch when it is connected to the coffee brewing apparatus. The protruding part may be located below or above one of the bayonet elements and may activate the switch when the coffee bean packaging cartridge reaches its final position. The switch may be located in an opening in the sidewall surrounding the recess at the upper side of the coffee brewing apparatus, the protruding part activating the switch through the opening. The switch may be hidden behind horizontal wall segments in the side wall and the opening may be a slit between the horizontal wall segments, the protruding part fitting in the slit. The controller may be arranged for controlling the first motor and the grinder so that they can be activated only if it has been detected that the first coffee bean packaging cartridge is present. In this way, it is ensured that the system works with coffee bean packaging cartridges especially designed thereto. These cartridges may be sold by the manufacturer of the system filled with coffee beans of an elevated quality, thereby guaranteeing the end consumer a good flavor coffee beverage.
In an embodiment the second dosing device is arranged for holding and supplying a predetermined dose of coffee beans which dose amounts to an amount of a single serving of coffee beans which is intended for preparing a magnitude of one cup of coffee beverage. Alternatively the second dosing device can comprise multiple compartments each of the multiple compartments being filled with a predetermined dose of coffee beans. It is then advantageous that each compartment is arranged for holding a dose of coffee beans which dose amounts to an amount of a single serving of coffee beans which is intended for preparing a magnitude of one cup of coffee beverage. In particular each dose has a weight of approximately 50 grams or less, in particular 20 grams of less, more particularly 15 grams or less.
According to the invention the second dosing device of the second coffee bean packaging cartridge includes a housing comprising an interior volume and at least one exit opening defining a coffee bean outlet, the interior volume being arranged for holding a predetermined dose of coffee beans, wherein said coffee bean outlet can be placed in communication with the entrance opening of the coffee brewing apparatus when the second coffee bean packaging cartridge is connected to the coffee brewing apparatus. When the second coffee bean packaging cartridge comprises more compartments, each compartment then preferably has at least one exit opening defining a coffee bean outlet.
In an embodiment the connection of the second coffee bean packaging cartridge to the coffee brewing apparatus is such that the housing is rotatable with respect to the entrance opening of the coffee brewing apparatus. Furthermore, the coffee beverage system is arranged such that coffee beans are transported from the second coffee bean packaging cartridge to the coffee brewing apparatus by gravity.
In accordance with the invention the second dosing device of the second coffee bean packaging cartridge may comprise transportation means arranged for enabling transportation of a predetermined dose of coffee beans from the interior volume towards the at least one exit opening of the second dosing device. Such transportation means form a displaceable dosing element.
The second coffee bean packaging cartridge may be adapted to the coffee brewing apparatus so that, if the second coffee bean packaging cartridge is connected to the coffee brewing apparatus, coffee beans which are transported with the aid of the transportation means of the second dosing device towards the exit opening of the second dosing device can be received by the coffee brewing apparatus via the entrance opening for preparing coffee. In this way the consumer need not perform additional operations for supplying a dose of coffee beans from the second coffee bean packaging into the brewing apparatus. A consumer can define his or her own amount of coffee beans to be used in preparing a coffee beverage in an easy way when the transportation means of the second dosing device are configured to be actuated independently from the coffee brewing apparatus. In particular the transportation means are configured to be actuated manually.
In an embodiment the transportation means of the second dosing device include a moveable structure that is, at least partly, present in the interior volume for contacting the coffee beans, and wherein the transportation means further include manually operable actuation means that are, at least partly, provided outside of the interior volume for manually actuating the moveable structure. Since in accordance with the invention the transportation means of the second coffee bean packaging cartridge are configured to be actuated manually, the user is enabled to control the amount of beans that is supplied in an easy way, by manually actuating the transportation means until the desired amount is reached. By means of the manually operable actuation means, the moveable structure can be moved from outside the interior volume. In this way a force can be applied to the coffee beans, e.g. for forcing the coffee beans to the outlet. Alternatively a blockage for movement of the coffee beans by another force, such as gravity, to the outlet can be removed by moving the moveable structure. In these ways, a user can control the supply of coffee beans to the coffee brewing apparatus.
In an embodiment the transportation means of the second coffee bean packaging cartridge include a rotatable element, such as a rotatable axle, that is at least partly located inside the interior volume. Such a rotatable element offers the possibility to provide a compact structure inside the container, thus substantially preventing an unnecessary increase of a volume occupied by the second coffee bean packaging cartridge.
In an embodiment the actuation means are arranged for rotating the rotatable element. Preferably the actuation means include a crank handle connected to the rotatable element.
In an embodiment the rotatable element is at least partly formed as a conveyor screw. Preferably the moveable structure includes a threaded bore through which the conveyor screw is engaged. Such a structure may be compact while at the same time providing the possibility for rather accurate control of the supply of coffee bean material to the outlet.
In an embodiment the moveable structure is rigidly connected to the rotatable element, and wherein the moveable structure is provided with at least one first aperture for letting the coffee beans pass there through, wherein the second coffee bean packaging cartridge is provided with at least one second aperture that is positioned, in use, above or below the at least one first aperture and that offers entrance to the outlet, wherein, as a result of rotating the rotatable element, the at least one aperture can be aligned with the at least one second aperture. Preferably the second aperture is formed by the outlet. As a result, the moveable element in use rotates together with the rotatable element. As a result of aligning the at least one aperture with the at least one second aperture, a certain amount of coffee beans may move, e.g. fall, towards the outlet and out of the interior volume. Thus, by repeatedly aligning the at least one aperture with the at least one second outlet, the supply of coffee beans can be controlled. It may thus be clear that, in this or other embodiments, the outlet may comprise a plurality of apertures, e.g. comprising the at least one second aperture. The plurality of apertures that may form the outlet may or may not be mutually interconnected.
In an embodiment the moveable structure includes a plunger.
Preferably the second coffee bean packaging cartridge is further provided with a barrier in the interior volume arranged for hindering passage of the coffee beans towards the outlet. Such a barrier may substantially prevent uncontrolled movement of coffee beans towards the outlet.
Preferably the barrier includes a valve for hindering passage of the coffee beans towards the outlet. Such a valve may substantially prevent uncontrolled movement of coffee beans towards the outlet. Preferably, the valve includes a flexible element that is deformed when the valve is opened.
In an embodiment the barrier includes an internal wall spaced apart from, in use, a top part of the container, wherein the transportation means are arranged for moving the coffee beans through a space between the, in use, top part of the container and the internal wall. The internal wall may, in use, form a barrier for coffee beans to reach the outlet. By moving the coffee beans upwards by means of the moveable structure, the coffee beans may be transported over the internal wall. In this way, the coffee beans may reach the outlet.
Preferably the internal wall separates a first part of the interior volume from a second part of the interior volume, wherein the moveable structure is arranged in the first part of the interior volume, and wherein the outlet can be reached via the second part of the interior volume.
In an embodiment the moveable structure of the second coffee bean packaging cartridge is resiliently attached to the second coffee bean packaging cartridge by means of a resilient member, so that the moveable structure is moveable by means of the manually operable actuation means repeatably between a first position and a second position while deforming the resilient member, e.g. from the first position to the second position while deforming the resilient member and vice versa. In use, deformation of the resilient member may e.g. occur during movement from the first position to the second position. During movement back from the second position to the first position, i.e. "vice versa", the deformation of the resilient member may be decreased or may even be completely cancelled. As a result, the resilient member promotes movement of the moveable structure from the second position back to the first position. As a result, it is sufficient to apply a force on the actuation means substantially in only one direction. This facilitates relatively easy operation of the actuation means.
Preferably the second coffee bean packaging cartridge is provided in the interior volume with a passage for the coffee beans towards the outlet, wherein in the second position the passage is at least partly obstructed by the moveable structure and in the first position the passage is obstructed less by the moveable structure than in the second position and optionally is not obstructed by the moveable structure. However, alternatively, in the first position the passage is at least partly obstructed by the moveable structure and in the second position the passage is obstructed less by the moveable structure than in the first position and optionally is not obstructed by the moveable structure.
Preferably, the first position is located, in use, above or below the second position. Preferably, at least part of the coffee beans is located, in use, above the moveable structure of the second coffee bean packaging cartridge. If the first position is located above the second position, and at least part of the coffee beans is located above the moveable structure, moving the moveable structure repeatedly between the first position to the second position, may result in a shaking motion of the coffee beans. During movement from the second position to the first position, the coffee beans may move, in use, upwards, driven by the resiliently deformable member. During movement from the first position to the second position, the coffee beans may move, in use, downwards, driven by gravity. Such a shaking motion is considered advantageous, as it may promote movement of the coffee beans through the interior volume towards the first position.
In an embodiment, the second bean packaging cartridge is provided with a recess in the container or housing for receiving the drive shaft of the coffee brewing apparatus. In this way, the second bean packaging cartridge, although being manually operable, can be used in combination with a coffee brewing apparatus provided with a drive member, such as a motor. Such a drive shaft may be arranged for driving transportation means of an alternative coffee bean packaging cartridge. Preferably the container is closed in the recess.
Alternatively the recess may e.g. be arranged for preventing mechanical contact between the drive shaft and the cartridge. In this way it is enabled that the cartridge may be used in combination with the brewing apparatus or in addition another external apparatus that is provided with the drive member, while the cartridge can also be used in combination with another external apparatus that is not provided with an external drive member.
Preferably, the transportation means are positioned for preventing, in use, driving of the transportation means by means of the drive shaft of the coffee brewing apparatus.
In an embodiment the second coffee bean packaging cartridge comprises a scooper for holding and supplying the coffee beans, the scooper, when connected to the coffee brewing apparatus, being aligned with the entrance opening thereof, the scooper being configured to work also as transportation means by turning around its axis, thereby emptying the coffee beans into the entrance opening. The dosing of the amount of coffee beans to be supplied to the coffee brewing apparatus is very simple here; it is done by filling the scooper.
Preferably the second coffee bean packaging cartridge comprises a handle for manually turning the scooper.
According to an alternative embodiment the second coffee bean packaging cartridge comprises a hopper for holding the coffee beans. The hopper preferably has an outlet, which is aligned with the entrance opening of the coffee brewing apparatus, when the second coffee bean packaging cartridge is connected thereto. The transportation means advantageously comprise a closure plate, which in a first position at least to a large extent and preferably entirely closes the outlet, thereby hindering passage of the coffee beans towards the entrance opening and in a second position does not obstruct or not substantially obstruct the outlet and wherein the transportation means further include manually operable actuation means for actuating the closure plate from the first to the second position and vice versa. The amount of coffee beans supplied to the coffee brewing apparatus may be dosed by moving the closure plate of the transportation means between the first position, wherein coffee beans are supplied to the coffee brewing apparatus and the second position, wherein this is not the case.
Preferably the closure plate in the second position at least substantially delimits a first part of the interior volume of the hopper from a second part of the interior volume of the hopper, thereby hindering the passage of coffee beans from the first part to the second part. The amount in the second part corresponds to a single dose, which when the closure plate is in the first position, is provided to the coffee brewing apparatus.
Preferably the closure plate forms the first part of a virtual cylinder, the other part of the cylinder being open, wherein the manually operable actuation means are configured for rotating the closure plate to the first and second position, respectively. With each rotation, a dose of coffee beans corresponding to the second part of the interior volume of the hopper is supplied to the coffee brewing apparatus.
At least one of the first and second coffee bean packaging cartridges may comprise a funnel shaped holder for holding the coffee beans and an outlet for releasing the coffee beans from the holder. The outlet is positioned at an upper end of the funnel shaped holder and, when the coffee bean packaging cartridge is connected to the coffee brewing apparatus is aligned with the entrance opening thereof, wherein the transportation means are spiral shaped transportation means and, in use, rotatably actuated for driving the coffee beans out of the funnel shaped holder towards the outlet The amount of coffee beans supplied to the coffee brewing apparatus is in this case dependent on the time period that the spiral shaped conveyor means are rotated with coffee beans in the funnel shaped holder.
Preferably the spiral shaped conveyor means are formed by a spiral shaped trajectory for the coffee beans on the inner wall of the funnel, obtained by a spiral shaped protruding edge on the inner wall. The spiral shaped conveyor means may comprise a non-moving block element, impeding the coffee beans to continue rotating on the inner wall, thereby driving the coffee beans to follow the spiral shaped trajectory upwards towards the outlet. As a result, the coffee beans in the funnel shaped holder are driven steadily and reliably towards the outlet thereof.
According to a still further embodiment, at least one of the first and second coffee bean packaging devices is configured for shaking or vibrating the coffee beans to encourage flow thereof towards an outlet of the coffee bean packaging cartridge for releasing the coffee beans. In this way, an alternative manner of providing the coffee beans to the coffee brewing apparatus is obtained. Preferably the coffee bean packaging cartridge comprises a first module, which is a coffee bean package and a second module, which comprises a motor, the first module being removably connectable to the coffee brewing apparatus and the second module being removably connectable to the first module, when the first module is connected to the coffee brewing apparatus. As a result of this modular structure, the coffee beans of the first module may either be supplied to the coffee brewing apparatus due to the operation of the motor in the second module or, in case that the second module is not connected to the first module, due to operation of the transportation means present in the coffee brewing apparatus.
Still further, wherein the outlet of the coffee bean packaging cartridge is open when it is connected to the coffee brewing apparatus and closed when it is disconnected, and wherein the second module, preferably in a coffee bean refill mode, is connectable to the first module in lieu of the coffee brewing apparatus. Preferably, in the coffee bean refill mode, the second module is connected in a same or similar way to the first module as the coffee brewing apparatus, resulting in the outlet of the first module being open. As a result, the first module, i.e. the coffee bean package, may be refilled with coffee beans in a user friendly way.
The system may further comprise an insert piece that is removable connectable to the coffee brewing apparatus in lieu of the coffee bean packaging cartridge, preferably in a same or similar way as the coffee bean packaging cartridge by using means for connecting the insert piece to the coffee brewing apparatus, which are the same or similar as the means used for connecting the coffee bean packaging cartridge to the coffee brewing apparatus. In this case, the insert piece comprises bayonet elements and a protruding part, preferably located below or above one of the bayonet elements, for activating the switch when the insert piece is connected to the coffee brewing apparatus. Since the detection of the connected coffee bean packaging cartridge and the insert piece is executed in the same way, the controller of the coffee brewing apparatus does not see any difference between these two situations. This means that the functionality of the coffee brewing apparatus is also the same.
The purpose of connecting an insert piece to the coffee brewing apparatus may be twofold. It is usable for unlocking the coffee brewing apparatus, so that the motor and the grinder(s) may be activated, also if no coffee bean packaging cartridge is connected thereto. This is useful for service and maintenance.
Alternatively, the insert piece may be used for supplying the coffee brewing apparatus with coffee beans, because the coffee bean packaging cartridges are designed not to be refillable. A favorable embodiment of an insert device for this purpose comprises a cavity having an interior volume and at least one exit opening defining a coffee bean outlet, the interior volume being arranged for receiving coffee beans. The insert piece further comprises closing means for closing the coffee bean outlet when the insert piece is not connected to the coffee brewing apparatus or not connected to the coffee brewing apparatus in its final position. The closing means are configured for opening the coffee bean outlet when the insert piece is connected to the coffee brewing apparatus in its final position. A user fills the cavity with coffee beans when the insert piece is connected to the coffee brewing apparatus in an entry position and then rotates the insert piece to its final position, resulting in the coffee beans to enter the coffee brewing apparatus to be ground.
Advantageously, the system may be arranged such that upon activation of the grinder the bottom portion is rotating around the vertical axis for transporting the dose of coffee beans from the metering chamber into the grinder and for grinding the coffee beans. The bottom part with the conical shape may lie in the direction of the first vertical axis, wherein the conical part rotates around the first vertical axis upon driving the grinder. The grinder may comprise a lower grinding disk extending around the bottom portion and an upper grinding disk extending above the lower grinding disk. The grinder may be rotationally driven by a second motor, resulting in the rotation of the bottom part with the conical shape and the lower grinding disk. Upon driving the bottom portion and lower grinding disk coffee beans are moved in an outwardly extending radial direction between the lower grinding disk and the upper grinding disk and in that the coffee beans are crunched and cut into ground coffee, because a vertical distance between the lower grinding disk and the upper grinding disk decreases in the outwardly extending radial direction.
The grinder may be a no contamination grinder, wherein after grinding the coffee beans and supplying the ground coffee to the coffee brewing device, substantially no ground coffee remains. As a result, when the cartridge is replaced by one with a different blend, the coffee of the new blend is not contaminated by the previously used blend.
The second chamber portion may comprise about 100-X % of the volume of the metering chamber and the first chamber portion may comprise about X % of the volume of the metering chamber wherein X is in the range of 2-50, preferably in the range of 5-40, more preferably in the range of 15-30. By placing a larger part of the metering chamber in the brewing apparatus a further decrease in the height of the beverage system may be obtained. This may be an issue, for example in case that the beverage system is to be placed on a kitchen sink under a cupboard.
According to a further aspect of the invention a second coffee bean packaging cartridge for use with the inventive system is provided, wherein said second coffee bean packaging cartridge being arranged for holding and supplying coffee beans, said second coffee bean packaging cartridge including a second dosing device for supplying a dose of coffee beans. Preferred embodiments are described in the respective dependent claims.
According to a further aspect of the invention a method is provided for preparing a beverage by means of a coffee brewing apparatus as described herein above. In an emptying and grinding step the grinding device is activated for emptying the metering chamber and for grinding coffee beans collected in the metering chamber. The grinding device may be activated longer than is required for emptying or at least substantially completely emptying the metering chamber and for grinding all the coffee beans collected in the metering chamber. The method comprises the following steps: In a filling step the metering chamber may be filled with coffee beans for collecting coffee beans in the metering chamber. The metering chamber may be completely filled with coffee beans or at least substantially completely filled with coffee beans.
According to still a further aspect of the invention a method for preparing a beverage by means of the inventive system is provided, wherein the method comprises the following steps: in a first step the transportation means is driven longer than is required for filling the metering chamber with coffee beans; and in a second step which follows after the completion of the first step the grinding device is activated longer than is required for emptying the metering chamber and for grinding all the coffee beans which were collected in the metering chamber during the first step.
According to another aspect of the invention a method for brewing coffee is provided, wherein a cartridge filled with coffee beans is coupled to a coffee brewing apparatus, wherein by means of the coupling between the cartridge and the coffee brewing apparatus a metering chamber is formed, wherein subsequently the metering chamber is filled with coffee beans from the cartridge, the metering chamber subsequently is emptied by means of activation of a grinder, wherein the coffee beans of the metering chamber are ground by the activation of the grinder and subsequently coffee is brewed with the coffee brewing apparatus based on the ground beans and heated water.
According to still another aspect of the invention a method for preparing a beverage by means of the inventive system is provided wherein the method comprises the following steps:
in a first step the metering chamber is filled with coffee beans; and
in a second step which follows after the completion of the first step the grinding device is activated for emptying the metering chamber and for grinding coffee beans which were collected in the metering chamber during the first step.
According to a further aspect of the invention a method of preparing a beverage by means of the inventive coffee beverage system is provided comprising the following steps:
connecting the first coffee bean packaging cartridge to the coffee brewing apparatus,
rotating the vertically extending drive shaft with the motor means thereby driving and moving the transportation means of the first coffee bean packaging cartridge for preparing and transporting a dose the coffee beans towards the exit opening of the first coffee bean packaging cartridge;
grinding coffee beans which have entered the coffee brewing apparatus via the entrance opening thereof to produce ground coffee;
brewing coffee on the basis of ground coffee;
connecting the second coffee bean packaging cartridge to the coffee brewing apparatus,
actuating the second dosing device of the second coffee bean cartridge for preparing and transporting a dose of coffee beans towards the exit opening of the second coffee bean packaging cartridge independently from the coffee brewing apparatus;
grinding coffee beans which have entered the coffee brewing apparatus via the entrance opening thereof to produce ground coffee;                brewing coffee on the basis of ground coffee. Preferably the step of actuating the second dosing device of the second coffee bean cartridge for preparing and transporting a dose of coffee beans towards the exit opening of the second coffee bean packaging cartridge is carried out prior to the step of connecting the second coffee bean packaging cartridge to the coffee brewing apparatus.
Furthermore the invention relates to a method of supplying coffee beans from the inventive second coffee bean packaging cartridge to an external apparatus, the method comprising the following steps:
holding the coffee beans in a housing that encloses an interior volume of the second coffee bean packaging cartridge,
manually activating the second dosing device for providing a dose of coffee beans,
releasing the coffee beans from the interior volume through the outlet of the housing,
transporting the coffee beans by means of the transportation means towards the outlet, wherein transporting the coffee beans includes contacting the coffee beans by means of the moveable structure of the transportation means,
actuating the moveable structure by means of manually operable actuation means of the transportation means.
Further advantageous aspects of the invention will become clear from the appended description of preferred embodiments.

Coffee beverage system using a coffee bean cartridge


A method for controlling uplink radio resource which can improve the capacity and coverage of a mobile communication network includes the steps of: measuring, at base stations, both total interference and intra-cell interference values; reporting measured values to a radio network controller; calculating, at the radio network controller, allowed total interference for individual cells in response to the reporting from the base stations; sending information about the allowed total interference to the base stations; and scheduling, in response to the allowed total interference by the base stations, uplink data packet transmission of mobile stations not to exceed the allowed total interference calculated for the respective cells.

A typical cellular mobile communication network system is illustrated in FIG. 1. The mobile communication network includes a plurality of mobile stations (MS) 101, 105, a plurality of base stations (BTS) 102, 104 connected to the mobile stations, and a radio network controller (RNC) 103 connected to the base stations 102, 104. The base stations are assigned for the respective cells of the mobile communication network. The base station (BTS1) 102 serves cell 1 and can communicate the mobile stations (MS1, MS2) 102, 105 located within cell 1. The base station (BTS2) 104 serves cell 2 and can communicate the mobile stations (MS2, MS3, MS4) located within cell 2.
When a mobile station (MS1) 101 sends an uplink data packet to a base station transceiver (BTS1) 102 over the air, the base station 102 receives the packet and forwards the received packet toward the radio network controller (RNC) 103. The radio network controller 103 then sends the received packet to an appropriate upper layer. To support efficient uplink packet transmission from multiple mobile stations in the mobile communication network, the base station schedules the multiple mobile stations in order to maximize the number of supportable mobile stations or, equivalently, total uplink data throughput of the cell while meeting QoS (Quality of Service) requirements of individual mobile stations. As an example of uplink data packet scheduling, the Enhancement of Uplink Dedicated Channel of WCDMA mobile system is proposed (see, 3GPP TR 25.896 V1.2.1 (2004-01) Technical Report 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Feasibility Study for Enhanced Uplink for UTRA FDD; (Release 6)). The uplink data packet scheduling by a base station is described also in WO99/13600, which corresponds to JP, 2001-523901, A.
In the BTS scheduling uplink packet transmission, the common radio resource for scheduling is the total interference received by a cell. If a base station has more radio resource, then it can allow more uplink throughputs or more number of mobile stations. Conventionally, the radio network controller sets the total interference of individual cells as a pre-defined fixed level. Then the base station scheduler can schedule mobile stations up to this pre-defined upper limit.
JP, 2003-244754, A discloses the feature that a radio network controller calculates allowed interference. JP, 2002-244754, A discloses the feature that a network controller calculates uplink interference and requests radio resource to a base station.
References cited in this description will be listed below:                Patent document 1: WO99/13600        Patent document 2: JP, 2003-244754, A        Patent document 3: JP, 2002-247639, A
Non-patent document 1: 3GPP TR 25.896 V1.2.1 (2004-01) Technical Report 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Feasibility Study for Enhanced Uplink for UTRA FDD (Release 6)
Non-patent document 2: 3GPP TS 25.215 V5.5.0 (2003-09) 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Physical layer-Measurements (FDD) (Release 5)

Method of uplink radio resource control, base station apparatus, and radio network controller


A panelling part for a cabin of a means of transportation is proposed, which includes at least one display unit and at least one control unit, which are produced by printing and equipping at least one film, which is applied to a panelling element. The control unit can communicate wirelessly with an external electronics unit, so that the panelling part only requires a power terminal to implement electronic functions. Functions can be retrofitted easily by replacing the at least one film.

Passenger cabins of means of transportation are typically provided with internal panelling, which provides the walls of the cabin with an appealing exterior and protects insulation and electrical lines arranged thereon from mechanical action. Functions which are integrated into cabin components of a means of transportation are typically equipped with cables for power and data supply. In the case of larger means of transportation, such as commercial aircraft, however, this can mean a very high integration expenditure. Electrical lines have to be complexly produced and securely attached to the vehicle. The design, production, and testing of electrical lines can be accompanied by a significant time expenditure with increasing size of the means of transportation and an increasing number of electrical consumers.
In addition, for these reasons the planning of the functions to be implemented also has to be established very far ahead of time with respect to the actual implementation. An operator of the means of transportation is thus restricted in its flexibility, because short-term changes are only possible with very high expenditure.

Panelling part for a cabin of a means of transportation


A method for cleaning a process chamber in such a manner that chamber-cleaning chemicals or agents are incapable of remaining in the chamber after cleaning and chemically interfering with semiconductor fabrication or other processes subsequently carried out in the chamber. The method includes providing a repellant coating layer having a hydrophobic or hydrophilic polarity on the interior surfaces of a process chamber and using a cleaning agent having a polarity opposite that of the repellant coating layer to clean the chamber. Accordingly, the cleaning agent removes post-processing chemical residues from the interior chamber walls and other surfaces and is incapable of adhering to the surfaces and remaining in the chamber upon commencement of a subsequent process carried out in the chamber.

The fabrication of various solid state devices requires the use of planar substrates, or semiconductor wafers, on which integrated circuits are fabricated. The final number, or yield, of functional integrated circuits on a wafer at the end of the IC fabrication process is of utmost importance to semiconductor manufacturers, and increasing the yield of circuits on the wafer is the main goal of semiconductor fabrication. After packaging, the circuits on the wafers are tested, wherein non-functional dies are marked using an inking process and the functional dies on the wafer are separated and sold. IC fabricators increase the yield of dies on a wafer by exploiting economies of scale. Over 1000 dies may be formed on a single wafer which measures from six to twelve inches in diameter.
Various processing steps are used to fabricate integrated circuits on a semiconductor wafer. These steps include sequential deposition of conductive and insulative layers on the silicon wafer substrate; formation of a photoresist or other mask such as titanium oxide or silicon oxide, in the form of the desired metal interconnection pattern, using standard lithographic or photolithographic techniques; subjecting the wafer substrate to a dry etching process to remove material from one or more conducting layers from the areas not covered by the mask, thereby etching the conducting layer or layers in the form of the masked pattern on the substrate; removing or stripping the mask layer from the substrate typically using reactive plasma and chlorine gas, thereby exposing the top surface of the conductive interconnect layer; and cooling and drying the wafer substrate by applying water and nitrogen gas to the wafer substrate.
The numerous processing steps outlined above are used to cumulatively apply multiple electrically conductive and insulative layers on the wafer and pattern the layers to form the circuits. Additional techniques, such as dual damascene processes, are used to form conductive vias which establish electrical contact between vertically-spaced conductive lines or layers in the circuits. The finished semiconductor product includes microelectronic devices including transistors, capacitors and resistors that form the integrated circuits on each of multiple die on a single wafer.
In the semiconductor industry, CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) technology is extensively used in the fabrication of IC devices. CMOS technology typically involves the use of overlying layers of semiconductor material with the bottom layer being a dielectric layer and the top layer being a layer of doped silicon material that serves as a low-resistivity electrical contact gate electrode. The gate electrode, also referred to as a gate stack, typically overlies the dielectric layer.
In the semiconductor fabrication industry, silicon oxide (SiO2) is frequently used for its insulating properties as a gate oxide or dielectric. As the dimensions of device circuits on substrates become increasingly smaller, the gate dielectric thickness must decrease proportionately in field effect transistors (FETs) to approximately 3 to 3.5 nonometers. Accordingly, device performance and reliability can be adversely affected by such factors as interfacial defects, defect precursors and diffusion of dopants through gate dielectrics, as well as unintended variations in thickness in the gate oxide layer among central and peripheral regions of the layer.
Two types of CMOS device structures which are commonly fabricated in semiconductor technology include the MOSCAP (metal oxide semiconductor capacitor) structure and the MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) structure. Both of these structures include a substrate on which is deposited a dielectric layer having a high dielectric constant (k), such as a pad oxide layer. A silicon-containing gate, or gate stack, is deposited on the dielectric layer and connects a pair of trench oxide layers (in the case of a MOSCAP structure) or source and drain regions (in the case of a MOSFET structure).
One gate stack fabrication technique involves the deposition of polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) on the high-k dielectric layers of multiple substrates simultaneously in a vertical process furnace to form the gate stack on each substrate. Such a deposition process requires a relatively high thermal budget (620 degrees C. at a process time of typically about 1.5 hours). Another technique involves the deposition of amorphous silicon on the dielectric layer in a process furnace to form the gate stack on each of the multiple substrates. Compared to the polysilicon deposition process, the deposition of amorphous silicon has a lower thermal budget (550 degrees C. at a process time of typically about 2 hours). Therefore, due to the relatively lower thermal budget of the amorphous silicon deposition process in the furnace processing of multiple substrates, amorphous silicon has a higher stability than polysilicon when deposited as a gate stack on a dielectric layer having a high dielectric constant.
Formation of a gate stack on a pad oxide layer in fabrication of both the MOSCAP and MOSFET structures is currently carried out typically on single substrates using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in a CVD process chamber. In the fabrication of MOSCAP and MOSFET structures, polysilicon or amorphous silicon is deposited on a high-k dielectric layer in a CVD process chamber. Polysilicon is deposited on the dielectric layer at a temperature of typically about 675 degrees C. for a process time of about 1 minutes. Amorphous silicon, on the other hand, is deposited on the dielectric layer at a temperature of typically about 575 degrees C. for about 10 min. This is accomplished by reacting hafnium dioxide (HfO2) with silicon (Si) to form silicon oxides (SiOx), according to the following equation:HfO2+Si--Δ-->HfO2-x+SiOx
Ideally, the silicon oxides are deposited in an even layer over the high-k dielectric layer to form the high-stability gate stack structure. However, it has been found that in spite of the lower thermal budget of the amorphous silicon deposition process, the amorphous silicon is less stable than the polysilicon in single-wafer processing applications due to unintended chemical reactions between the hafnium dioxide and cleaning agent used to clean the process chamber.
During gate stack fabrication, some of the silicon oxide residues accumulate on the interior surfaces of the process chamber. Accordingly, at regular intervals, the CVD process chamber must be subjected to a chamber-cleaning procedure to remove the residues of silicon oxides from the interior chamber walls. The chamber-cleaning procedure typically uses HCl gas as the cleaning agent. Because the interior walls of the process chamber are typically made of a hydrophilic material such as quartz, however, residual quantities of hydrophilic HCl tend to adhere to the interior surfaces of the chamber walls.
After each chamber cleaning, some of the residual HCl remains in the chamber upon commencement of subsequent amorphous silicon gate stack fabrication. Consequently, the HfO2 reacts with residual HCl in the chamber according to the following equation:HfO2+HCl---->HfO2—HCl---->HfClO
The HfO2 reacts with residual HCl and silicon according to the following equation:HfO2+HCl+Si---->OHfCl+SiOH---->HfSiO2+HCl
Consequently, quantities of SiOH (silicon hydroxide) and HfSiO2 (hafnium silicon dioxide) are deposited on the dielectric layer, contaminating and rendering unstable the amorphous silicon gate stack. As a result, the structural and functional integrity of the gate stack is compromised, resulting in leakage of the gate stack and CV (capacitance-versus-voltage) failure. Accordingly, a method is needed to clean a CVD process chamber in such a manner as to prevent residual HCl from remaining in the chamber after chamber cleanings and rendering a silicon-containing gate stack unstable during subsequent gate stack fabrication.
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for the cleaning of a process chamber in such a manner as to enhance the stability of gate stacks fabricated on substrates in the chamber.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel chamber cleaning method which in one embodiment may include providing a repellant coating layer having a hydrophobic or hydrophilic polarity on the interior surfaces of a process chamber and using a cleaning agent having a polarity opposite to that of the repellant coating layer to clean the chamber.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel chamber cleaning method which may be adapted to a variety of process chambers for a variety of semiconductor fabrication or other processes.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel chamber cleaning method which may render a material deposition process carried out in a process chamber amenable to producing a silicon-containing gate stack layer of enhanced stability on a substrate.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel chamber cleaning method which may include providing a repellant silicon coating layer having a hydrophobic polarity on the interior surfaces of a process chamber and using a hydrophilic cleaning agent such as HCl to clean the chamber and prevent residual cleaning agent from remaining in the chamber after cleaning.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


Devices that include a substrate; a source region and a drain region formed within the substrate and having a channel region provided therebetween; a first insulating layer formed over the channel region; a first floating gate formed over the first insulating layer, the first floating gate configured to respond to an analyte in a target material; and a second gate formed over the first floating gate, the second gate capacatively coupled but not electrically connected to the first floating gate.

Ion sensitive field effect transistors (ISFETs) provide a non-optical based sequencing technique which has good run times and high per-base accuracy. Currently, ISFETs are commercially available in sequencing chips that have 1.3 million and 6.3 million ISFET sensors. In order to render DNA sequencing even more cost-effective, sequencing chips with even more ISFETS per chip are desirable.

Double gate ion sensitive field effect transistor


A liquid crystal display device includes an array substrate and a counter-substrate, a liquid crystal layer which is held between the array substrate and counter-substrate and includes a transmissive display part and a reflective display part which neighbor each other via a boundary, an alignment state of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer being controlled by an application voltage from the array substrate and counter-substrate in the transmissive display part and the reflective display part, and control means for making an alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules, which are present near the boundary in the reflective display part, substantially match an alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules which are present near the boundary in the transmissive display part.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to a transflective liquid crystal display device having a reflective display region and a transmissive display region.
2. Description of the Related Art
A display device using a liquid crystal element is not self-luminous, unlike a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) or an EL (Electroluminescence) device. As a liquid crystal display device which enables luminous display, there is known a transmissive liquid crystal display device, wherein a backlight is disposed on the back side of the liquid crystal element and the backlight illuminates the back side of the liquid crystal element. In usual cases, however, the backlight consumes more than 50% of the total power which is consumed by the liquid crystal display device. As a liquid crystal display device which can reduce power consumption, there is known a reflective liquid crystal display device, which effects luminous display by using only ambient light, and this reflective liquid crystal display device has been applied to mobile information devices which are, in usual cases, used outdoors or carried by users. A drawback of the reflective liquid crystal display device is that when ambient light is dark, reflective light for effecting display decreases and the visibility considerably deteriorates. On the other hand, the transmissive liquid crystal display device has such a drawback that the visibility deteriorates when ambient light is very bright, for example, in fine weather.
To solve these problems, there is known a transflective liquid crystal display device wherein a reflective display part and a transmissive display part are separately provided in each of pixels.
In a dark place, the transflective liquid crystal display device functions as a transmissive liquid crystal display device which displays an image by selectively passing backlight through the transmissive display part in each pixel. In a light place, the transflective liquid crystal display device functions as a reflective liquid crystal display device which displays an image by selectively reflecting ambient light by means of the reflective display part in each of the pixels. Thereby, power consumption can greatly be reduced.
Various liquid crystal display methods are applicable to the liquid crystal display device, if a variation in liquid crystal alignment is utilized in such methods. For example, a TN (twisted nematic) mode and a STN (super-twisted nematic) mode, in which polarizers are used, are adopted in reflective liquid crystal display devices. In recent years, a phase-transition guest-host (GH) mode, which can realize bright display since no polarizer plate is used, has been developed.
In a multi-domain VAN (Vertical Alignment Nematic) (MVA) mode, liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the surface of an alignment film are vertically aligned by adopting a vertical alignment treatment, and the birefringence index of the liquid crystal layer becomes substantially zero. Thus, black of an adequate level can be displayed and a high contrast can be obtained. In addition, the design for compensating a viewing angle is relatively easy, and a wide viewing angle can be realized. Furthermore, a rubbing alignment treatment process, which has conventionally been considered to be a possible cause of defects, such as electrostatic discharge damage, can be dispensed with. Therefore, the MVA mode has attracted particular attention in these years.
However, if the MVA mode is applied to the transflective liquid crystal display device, the direction of electric field, which is applied to the liquid crystal layer, and the elastic energy due to the interface shape become complex. It is thus difficult to obtain fixed guidelines relating to the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules in association with the arrangement of ridge-like projections and slits. In some cases, the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules may be disturbed in each domain, and it is difficult to stably form a plurality of domains in one pixel.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems, and the object of the invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device which can have wide viewing-angle characteristics by virtue of stable domain division, can suppress a decrease in light transmissivity due to, e.g. disturbance of the alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules, and can perform transmissive display and reflective display with high display quality.

Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd.


The present invention provides a polynucleotide (mctl) which identifies and encodes a novel human C-type lectin (MCTL). The invention provides for genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequence encoding MCTL. The invention also provides for the use of substantially purified MCTL and its agonists in the commercial production of recombinant proteins and in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of MCTL. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to mctl in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of diseases associated with the expression of MCTL. The invention also describes diagnostic assays which utilize diagnostic compositions comprising the polynucleotide, fragments or the complement thereof, which hybridize with the genomic sequence or the transcript of mctl. The present invention also relates to anti-MCTL antibodies which specifically bind to MCTL.

The C-type lectins are widely expressed in cells of the immune system, including macrophages, B and T lymphocytes, mast cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. The characteristic structural feature conserved among members of this family of calcium-dependent lectins is an extracellular carbohydrate recognition domain. This domain consists of a series of invariant residues arranged in a characteristic pattern (Spiess, M (1990) Biochem 29:10009-10018). Receptor proteins of the C-type lectin superfamily do not generally share significant sequence homology beyond that of the carbohydrate recognition domain. For many of these proteins, there is no direct evidence for the binding of carbohydrates, and physiological ligands have not been identified. In fact, carbohydrate-binding activity has been inferred from the homology with the carbohydrate-binding domain of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (Spiess, supra).
Many C-type lectins are classified as Type II membrane proteins. The characteristic topology of the Type II membrane protein includes an extracellular C-terminus comprising the carbohydrate binding domain, an amino terminus facing the cytosol, and a membrane-spanning domain of approximately 20 apolar residues serving as the signal for membrane insertion. Several prolines generally precede the cytoplasmic side of the transmembrane domain. The prolines are suggested to prevent the steric interference of the amino-terminal domain with the transmembrane domain during membrane insertion. The N-terminal cytosolic domains of the C-type lectins are very diverse in both length and sequence. The cytosolic domains of most endocytotic receptors contain at least one tyrosine, which may be involved in signal transduction (Spiess, supra). Phosphorylation of the cytosolic tyrosine of the asialoglycoprotein receptor, a C-type lectin, has been demonstrated (Fallon RJ (1990) J Biol Chem 265: 3401-3406). The extracellular carbohydrate binding domains are readily separated from membrane-bound C-type lectin molecules by protease treatment. These isolated, soluble domains retain structural integrity and carbohydrate binding activity, owing in part to the three intrachain disulfide bonds present in the binding domains of this class of lectin.
Many cell surface receptor molecules expressed on macrophages belong to the C-type lectin supergene family. Macrophage lectin proteins perform a variety of functions in the recognition and destruction of foreign cells and pathogens.
Serotypes of Klebsiella pneumoniae have been shown to bind to macrophages via the interaction of K. pneumoniae surface mannose residues with mannose-specific lectins on the macrophage surface. Only the K. pneumoniae serotypes displaying certain surface mannose polysaccharide sequences bind to, and are subsequently internalized and destroyed by macrophages (Athamna A et al (1991) Infect Immun 59: 1673-1682).
A human macrophage C-type lectin has been found to recognize Tn Ag, a well-known human carcinoma-associated epitope (Suzki N et al (1996) J Immunol 156: 128-135). Unique macrophage lectins may specifically interact with surface antigens expressed by certain abnormal or diseased cells. The lectins may direct the macrophages to abnormal or diseased cells.
Binding of activated macrophages to mastocytoma cells was inhibited by pre-incubation of the macrophages with a glycopeptide inhibitor of a Gal/GalNAc-specific macrophage C-type lectin, as well as by the addition of anti-macrophage lectin antiserum. In addition, the anti-macrophage lectin antiserum inhibited the tumoricidal activity of the activated macrophages, suggesting that the binding of activated macrophages to these tumor cells through the Gal/GalNAc-specific macrophage lectin is an important part of the tumor cell killing mechanism (Oda S et al (1989) J Biochem (Tokyo) 105: 1040-1043). Furthermore, the recombinant cytosolic carbohydrate binding domain of the mouse macrophage C-type lectin also served as an inhibitor of cytotoxic activity, indicating that the lectin was a direct mediator of the macrophage tumoricidal response (Imai Y and Irimura T (1994) J Immunol Methods 171: 23-31).
Many diseases have been identified that relate to abnormalities of macrophage function, especially adherence, chemotaxis, and microbicidal activity. Some of these abnormalities may be due to defects in the recognition of foreign particles, diseased tissues or host tissues via lectin receptor molecules expressed by the macrophages. Other conditions derive from normal, yet undesirable, functioning of macrophages. Such undesirable conditions include graft and transplant rejection and pathogen colonization of host macrophages.
Increased expression of a macrophage cell-surface lectin was localized to inflammatory cells in rat cardiac allografts. Macrophage cell-surface lectins were proposed to be linked to the chronic rejection of cardiac allografts in arteriosclerosis. In this case the lectin served as a possible mediator of macrophage infiltration (Russel ME et al (1994) J Clin Invest 94: 722-730).
Pathogenic Mycobacteria, including M. tuberculosis, colonize activated macrophages. The attachment of such pathogens to macrophages is the preliminary step in pathogenesis. The colonization has been shown to occur via mannose-specific lectin receptors expressed on the macrophages (Goswami S et al (1994) FEBS Lett 355: 183-186).
Macrophage lectins clearly play an important role in the recognition and destruction of diseased and non-self cells. The selective modulation of the expression and specificity of a novel macrophage lectin may allow the successful management of diseases related to macrophage function, such as graft rejection or pathogen colonization, or the exploitation of the natural cytolytic capabilities of macrophages, such as specific targeting to tumors or infected host cells.


In the present invention, a single cylinder or solenoid, ratchet-action, three speed actuator is used on an in-line shifter which actuator can be controlled by a button, single rpm switch, timer or a multiple number of rpm switches, or timers with a special controller. In-line shifters can control forward or reverse pattern transmissions. The pattern for a three-speed forward shifting transmission is first gear, second gear, third gear, neutral, reverse, and park. The pattern for a three-speed reverse shifting transmission is third gear, second gear, first gear, neutral, reverse, and park. A shifter for a forward pattern transmission must be pushed or pulled in a forward direction to shift to the next higher gear, and a shifter for a reverse pattern transmission must be pushed or pulled in a rearward direction to shift to the next higher gear. The handle of an in-line shifter travels in an arc through these patterns. The present invention includes an arc accommodating ratchet action mechanism with a single cylinder or solenoid that controls an in-line shifter that controls forward gear changes in a drag race vehicle with a forward or reverse pattern three speed transmission.

The present invention relates to a shifting apparatus for controlling a transmission in a vehicle and, more particularly, to controlling an in-line shifter that controls the transmission of a drag race vehicle.
In the sport of automotive drag racing (which includes, drag racing, monster truck racing, mud racing, sand racing, hill racing, and the like), automatic transmissions are converted with manual shift valve bodies with transbrakes (transmission brakes). The transbrake is used to hold the vehicle on the starting line through a solenoid attached to the valve body. Some vehicles are provided with a "roll control" solenoid that locks the brakes on the vehicle, acting much the same manner as a transbrake. These solenoids are activated by a hold button, most often found on the steering wheel. A shifter is connected through a cable to the transmission controlling the valve body. The shifter is controlled manually by the driver when the tachometer reaches the rpm (revolutions per minute) level desired by the driver. The shifter also can be controlled by a pneumatic cylinder or an electric solenoid, thus freeing the driver's hands. Manufacturers now offering this type of shifter control include Shifnoid (Columbus, Ohio), Dixie (Boone, N.C.), Dedenbear (Pleasant Hill, Calif.), and Advance Control Devices (Alburtis, Pa.). The cylinder or solenoid is electronically connected through a control valve or a relay that is activated by a button or an "rpm switch". This rpm switch is preset at the desired shift level. The shifter control is activated each time the desired rpm level is reached.
A multiple number of cylinders or solenoids can be attached to an in-line shifter, each activating each shift or gear change. Manufacturers of this type of shifter control are Shifnoid and Advanced Control Devices (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,885). A special controller must activate this multiple cylinder or solenoid type of shifter control (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,894). Shifnoid is one manufacture of this type of special controller. Alternatively, a single cylinder or solenoid can be attached to a ratchet shifter controlling a multiple number of shifts at one rpm level with an rpm switch or a multiple number of rpm levels with a special controller (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,925). Shifnoid, Advance Control Devices and Dixie are manufactures of cylinder or solenoid shifter controls for ratchet shifters.

Shifting apparatus for controlling a transmission shifter in a vehicle


Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing a user record deletion notification are disclosed. In one example, the method comprises determining, at a subscriber data management (SDM) node, that a service subscription to an access network is to be terminated, wherein the service subscription is associated with a subscriber user, generating, at the SDM node, a notification message that includes a deletion notification attribute, and sending the Diameter notification message to an application server associated with the access network. The method further includes terminating, at the application server, a communication service connection established between the subscriber user and the access network in response to detecting the deletion notification attribute in the notification message and deleting, in the SDM node, a user record associated with the service subscription after receiving notification of the connection termination.

At present, problems exist with notifying a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) node of user record deletions stored in a subscriber data management (SDM) node. Although the SDM node may be configured to transmit a notification messages, such Diameter Push Notifications Request (PNR) messages, to inform the PCRF node about any user data or profile change, there is no existing process/mechanism that allows the SDM node to inform the PCRF node that an entire user record is to be deleted. The PNR message includes a user identifier (ID) and user data portion that includes the user profile. Notably, sending a PNR message to the PCRF node without including a user profile section in an attempt to serve as a user record deletion notification is not feasible since a PCRF node is configured to reject such a notification.
Accordingly, a need exists for improved methods, systems, and computer readable media providing a user record deletion notification.


A new and distinct cultivar of aster plant named `Peter's White`, characterized by its white ray floret color; short flowering height; elliptic-linear shaped leaved which are medium to long in length, dark green in color and sometimes with a slight anthocyanin coloration; first flower heads spread along the axis; medium to large flower heads with many ray florets; medium to long ray florets that are narrowly elliptic in shape; long, cylindrical shaped involucre; and late flowering.

The new cultivar was originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program in Ter Aar, Holland. The female or seed parent was a selection from proprietary breeding stock designated the "Butterfly family" while the male or pollen parent was a selection from proprietary breeding stock designated the "P" family. `Peter's White` was discovered and selected by the inventor as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Ter Aar, Holland. First asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cuttings was in December 1994. Subsequent asexual reproduction by cuttings of the new cultivar as performed by applicant at Ter Aar, Holland, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.
`Peter's White` has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, without only change in the genotype of the plant. The following observations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grown in Ter Aar, Holland under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.
The new cultivar is most similar to `Milka` , U.S. Plant Patent application Ser. No. 8/664,519) `Karmijn` U.S. Plant Patent application Ser. No. 8/664,520, and `Parade` U.S. Plant Patent application Ser. No. 8/664,669, each of the cultivars has a similar number of ray florets and type of flower head. The following Table provides several phenotypic characteristics that can be used to distinguish the aster varities `Parade`, `Milka`, `Karmijn`, and `Peter's White`.
______________________________________ Capi- Ray Florets tulum Diam- Diam- Color Length eter eter (RHS) (mm) (mm) (mm) Shape ______________________________________ `Parade` Purple (87A) 11-13 1.8 28-30 Funnel-shaped, Long `Milka` Violet (85A) 14-16 2.0 24-27 Cylindrical, Very Long `Karmijn` Purple-Violet 12-15 2.0 26-29 Campanulate, (81B) Medium Length `Peter's White (155B) 11-13 2.0 26-30 Cylindrical, White` Very Long ______________________________________


Various embodiments relate to systems and methods related to an integrated electrically-powered sub-system and wind power system including a wind power source, an electrically-powered sub-system coupled to and at least partially powered by the wind power source, the electrically-powered sub-system being coupled to the wind power source through power converters, and a supervisory controller coupled to the wind power source and the electrically-powered sub-system to monitor and manage the integrated electrically-powered sub-system and wind power system.

Worldwide water needs are increasing rapidly and factors such as population growth, increased industrial usage and pollution of existing supplies may limit many countries' capability to satisfy freshwater demands in the future. The development of new water resources through the purification of impaired resources is seen as a critical technology for meeting future water needs. Existing desalination techniques are characterized by large energy expenditures to generate potable water. The associated cost of energy is one of the dominant factors in the water desalination economy.
One purification technique, reverse osmosis, is gaining increased acceptance as a viable desalination technique due to its low energy consumption and its design flexibility. But in water starved areas and remote, inland areas where electric grid connectivity is limited, the energy cost associated with reverse osmosis based desalination may render the desalination solution as economically infeasible. Wind energy provides an important source of power for these regions and other areas where the cost of energy from other sources is high or unavailable.
Desalination is only one example of an electrically powered sub-system that could benefit from wind energy. Other examples of electrically powered sub-systems include electrical power storage devices, such as batteries, hydrogen electrolysis systems, variable speed pumping systems, and the like. Conventional systems have not integrated these types of electrically powered sub-systems with wind energy sources.
Thus, systems and methods for providing integration of an electrically-powered sub-system and a wind power source are needed.

Systems and methods for an integrated electrical sub-system powered by wind energy


In a semiconductor device, an insulating layer formed on a substrate and a wiring pattern layer is formed on the insulating layer. A lower mark element is defined as a groove formed in the insulating layer, and defines an overlay mark in conjunction with an upper mask element formed in a photoresist pattern coated on the insulating layer for the formation of the wiring pattern layer. The lower mark element features a width falling within a range from approximately 4 to 6 μm, and a depth of at most 1 μm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device featuring an overlay mark used in a photolithography process for forming a multi-layered wiring structure on a substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a semiconductor substrate such as a monocrystalline silicon substrate (wafer) is prepared, and various semiconductor elements, such as transistors, resistors, capacitors and so on, are formed in the semiconductor substrate by using various well-known processes. Then, a multi-layered wiring structure is constructed over the semiconductor substrate.
In particular, first, an insulating layer such as a silicon dioxide layer, which defines a part of the multi-layered wiring structure, is formed on the semiconductor substrate by using a suitable chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, and a plurality of via holes are formed in the insulating layer to obtain electrical contacts with the various semiconductor elements. Then, a suitable metal material such as a tungsten material is deposited on the silicon dioxide layer by using a sputtering process, to thereby form a tungsten layer on the insulating layer so that the via holes are completely stuffed with the tungsten material.
Next, the tungsten layer is polished by using a chemical mechanical polishing process (CMP) so as to be removed from the top surface of the insulating layer, and thus the tungsten materials, with which the via holes are stuffed, remain as tungsten via plugs electrically connected to the semiconductor elements which are formed in the substrate. Then, a suitable metal material such as an aluminum material is deposited on the top surface of the insulating layer by using a sputtering process, to thereby form an aluminum layer on the insulating layer so as to be in electrical contact with the tungsten via plugs.
Next, a photoresist layer is coated on the aluminum layer by using a spin-coat process, and then the semiconductor device (wafer) is transferred to a stepper including an alignment mark detection apparatus and an optical exposure apparatus. First, the semiconductor device (wafer) is set in the alignment mark detection apparatus, and an alignment mark element, which is previously formed on the semiconductor substrate, is optically detected, and a position of the detected alignment mark element is calculated as positional data with respect to a suitable coordinate system defined on the semiconductor substrate.
Next, the semiconductor device (wafer) is set in the optical exposure apparatus, which includes an optical projector unit having a photomask or reticle for generating a wiring pattern image, and a movable stage associated with the optical projector unit. In the optical exposure apparatus, the semiconductor device (wafer) is placed on the movable stage, and is positioned with respect to the optical projector unit based on the positional data obtained by the alignment mark detection apparatus. Then, an exposure process is carried out such that the wiring pattern image is optically projected on the photoresist layer on the photoresist semiconductor device (wafer) with an ultraviolet ray, by using the photomask or reticle.
After the exposure process is completed, the exposed photoresist layer is subjected to a developing process in which the photoresist layer is defined as a photoresist mask for transfer the wiring pattern image to the aluminum layer on the semiconductor substrate. At this time, although the photoresist mask should be precisely positioned with respect to an arrangement of the tungsten via plugs due to the aforesaid positional data of the alignment mark element, in reality, a discrepancy may be produced between the wiring pattern image and the arrangement of the tungsten via plugs.
Accordingly, after the developing process is completed, the discrepancy between the wiring pattern image and the arrangement of the tungsten via plugs is optically detected, and it is evaluated whether the discrepancy falls within a permissible range. To this end, an overlay mark including a lower mark element and an upper mark element is utilized, as disclosed in, for example, JP-2003-031484-A.
In particular, the lower mark element is defined as a groove formed in the insulating layer, and the groove usually has a square frame configuration when viewed from a location above the top surface of the insulating layer. The formation of the lower mark element in the insulating layer is simultaneously carried out when the tungsten via plugs are formed in the insulating layer, and thus the inner wall faces of the lower mark element are covered with the tungsten layer.
On the other hand, the upper mark element is defined as a square opening formed in the photoresist layer at an area encompassed by the lower mark element. The formation of the upper mark element in the photoresist layer is carried out by the exposure and developing processes. That is, the photomask or reticle has an image corresponding to the upper mark element.
The discrepancy is evaluated as a difference between the center of the lower mark element and the upper mark element.

Semiconductor device featuring overlay-mark used in photolithography process


Feedback detection, adaptive notch filtering, and gain adjustment are combined for managing feedback. Feedback detection includes detection of short term and long term spectral peaks and assessing their magnitude, shape, rate of growth, and power concentration ratio. A plurality of notch filters are available and are allocated according to the spectral magnitude of the feedback detected. Wide band gain adjustment supplements the notch filters.

A "speaker" generates sound from an electrical signal. In the hearing aid art, one often encounters the term "receiver" for such a device, which reads strangely to the uninitiated. "Electroacoustic transducer" is clumsy and pedantic. Thus, "speaker" is the term used for describing this invention.
A human ear canal is a narrow, irregular, tubular structure, approximately 25 mm in length. Coupling amplified sound to the eardrum at the inner end of the canal is not as simple as it might seem. In a hearing aid, a microphone is connected to a speaker by a high gain (60-80 dB) amplifier and is relatively close to the speaker, 1-5 cm.
If an acoustic path exists between the speaker and the microphone, sound from the speaker feeds back to the microphone. Feedback typically occurs at high frequencies due to the higher gain at these frequencies, where most hearing loss occurs. Technically, when the output from the speaker is coupled in phase to a microphone and the loop gain exceeds unity, there is feedback. Feedback is a sharp tonal sound, often at the higher frequencies.
Feedback manifests itself as an unpleasant squeal that quickly grows in magnitude until maximum amplification is reached. The squeal can be audible even to those several feet from the hearing aid. Feedback can be eliminated by reducing the gain of the amplifier by way of a volume control on the hearing aid. Often the wearer is obliged to adjust the gain frequently as the loudness of background sounds and the loudness of sounds of interest change. Feedback in a hearing aid can interfere with hearing and may cause the wearer not to use the hearing aid. High level feedback in a hearing aid may even damage the already impaired hearing of the wearer.
In most modern hearing aids, an adaptive feedback canceller is used to cancel feedback. A digital filter continuously models the feedback path and generates an estimate of the feedback signal. This estimate is subtracted from the incoming signal to provide feedback cancellation. Constraints must be imposed to ensure that audio quality is not sacrificed when the hearing aid is presented with tones or narrow band sounds that cause the digital filter to converge to incorrect values. While adaptive feedback cancellation is effective to a degree, false positives are a constant problem. Eliminating a tone when a user is listening to music, for example, can cause great frustration.
Eliminating feedback involves reducing loop gain at a particular frequency using a notch filter or reducing loop gain in a narrow band of frequencies using less selective filters. Using notch filters to reduce gain often requires computational resources that are inherently limited by the size and power consumption of the semiconductor chip implementing the filters, which is limited by the size of the hearing aid.
Hearing aids can be divided into four groups: Behind-The-Ear (BTE), In-The-Ear (ITE), In-The-canal (ITC), and Completely-In-the-Canal (CIC). Some BTE hearing aids have an advantage over other types because the speaker is relatively far from any microphone in the body of the hearing aid. This invention is applicable to all types of hearing aids and to other applications where acoustic feedback is a problem.
As is well known to those of skill in the art, once an analog signal is converted to digital form, all subsequent operations can take place in one or more suitably programmed microprocessors. Special purpose circuits can be used instead of general purpose circuits for improved efficiency or reduced cost. Reference to "signal," for example, does not require nor exclude a particular implementation and can be analog or digital. Data in memory, even a single bit, can be a signal. In other words, a block diagram can be interpreted as hardware, software, e.g. a flow chart or an algorithm, or a mixture of hardware and software. Programming a microprocessor and other devices is well within the ability of those of ordinary skill in the art, either individually or in groups.
In view of the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a system for managing acoustic feedback.
Another object of the invention is to eliminate or minimize false positives in an adaptive feedback cancellation system.
A further object of the invention is to provide improved feedback detection.
Another object of the invention is to accurately minimize the gain of a feedback signal.
A further object of the invention is to cancel feedback that cannot be handled by an adaptive feedback canceller within its prescribed limits.
Another object of the invention is to provide effective and rapid cancellation of feedback at more than one frequency.
A further object of the invention is to prevent a loss of gain at frequencies where feedback is not occurring even while feedback is being cancelled at one or more other frequencies.
Another object of the invention is to cause negligible degradation of audio quality while reducing feedback.
A further object of the invention is to handle varying amounts of feedback including catastrophic situations.
Another object of the invention is to provide feedback management with maximum use of available resources such as adaptive filters.