Abstract: A drum dampening device includes a base positionable adjacent the drum wires on the drum and an elongate, rigid bar operatively coupled to the base. An actuator is operatively coupled to the elongate, rigid bar and selectively transitional relative to the base between a first position and a second position. The transition of the actuator from the first position toward the second position causes at least a portion of the elongate, rigid bar to move away from the base and into contact with at least one of the drum wires, and the transition of the actuator from the second position toward the first position causes at least a portion of the elongate, rigid bar to move toward the base out of contact with the at least one of the drum wires.

Abstract: An electronic messaging system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and a processor operably coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to receive an electronic message package that includes a message from a sender associated with a first communication device, an indication of an intended recipient, a condition for when the message is to be viewable by the intended recipient, and a teaser that can be immediately viewable by the at least one intended recipient. The processor is also operable to execute the one or more modules to initiate delivery of the message at a second communication device associated with the intended recipient so that the message is viewable by the intended recipient only when the condition has been met while the teaser is immediately viewable by the at least one intended recipient.

Abstract: A drum dampening device includes a foam pad adapted to be selectively engageable with drum wires on the drum. The foam pad is configured to dampen vibrations of the drum wires when the foam pad is engaged with the drum wires. A support plate is coupled to the foam pad, and a base plate is coupled to the support plate. An adjustment lever is coupled to the support plate and the base plate. The adjustment lever is selectively transitional between a first position and a second position, with transition of the adjustment lever from the first position toward the second position causing at least a portion of the support plate to move away from the base plate resulting in engagement of the foam pad with the drum wires.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell can include a dopant in contact with a semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A drum dampening device includes a foam pad adapted to be selectively engageable with drum wires on the drum. The foam pad is configured to dampen vibrations of the drum wires when the foam pad is engaged with the drum wires. A support plate is coupled to the foam pad, and a base plate is coupled to the support plate. An adjustment lever is coupled to the support plate and the base plate. The adjustment lever is selectively transitional between a first position and a second position, with transition of the adjustment lever from the first position toward the second position causing at least a portion of the support plate to move away from the base plate resulting in engagement of the foam pad with the drum wires.

Abstract: A drum dampening device includes a foam pad adapted to be selectively engageable with drum wires on the drum. The foam pad is configured to dampen vibrations of the drum wires when the foam pad is engaged with the drum wires. A support plate is coupled to the foam pad, and a base plate is coupled to the support plate. An adjustment lever is coupled to the support plate and the base plate. The adjustment lever is selectively transitional between a first position and a second position, with transition of the adjustment lever from the first position toward the second position causing at least a portion of the support plate to move away from the base plate resulting in engagement of the foam pad with the drum wires.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell can include a dopant in contact with a semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A drum dampening device includes a foam pad adapted to be selectively engageable with drum wires on the drum. The foam pad is configured to dampen vibrations of the drum wires when the foam pad is engaged with the drum wires. A support plate is coupled to the foam pad, and a base plate is coupled to the support plate. An adjustment lever is coupled to the support plate and the base plate. The adjustment lever is selectively transitional between a first position and a second position, with transition of the adjustment lever from the first position toward the second position causing at least a portion of the support plate to move away from the base plate resulting in engagement of the foam pad with the drum wires.

Abstract: A card according to one embodiment includes an RFID circuit on or within a substrate and an antenna coupled to the RFID circuit, where the card is configured such that a signal associated with the card is capable of being read by at least one RF reader.

Abstract: A calibrated gate biasing circuit according to one embodiment includes a switched capacitor precision resistor; and a voltage reference. An electronic circuit for initiating a change in state of a host device, according to another embodiment, includes a counter coupled to a host device, the counter counting at a fixed interval, wherein the counter is reset to zero upon receiving a command from a remote device, wherein the count is compared to a reference value, wherein the host device changes states if the count matches the reference value, wherein operation of the counter continues in spite of an interruption in power supply from a power source. Asymmetrical differential amplifiers are also disclosed, according to various embodiments.

Abstract: A method for generating data encryption coding with variable clocking according to one embodiment includes storing a secret code in a first register; storing a locally-generated random number in a second register; storing a second random number generated at a remote device in the second register; extracting bits from the first register; extracting bits from the second register; setting a state of a clock generator in response to one or more bits from each register, the clock generator generating a clock signal controlling operation of the first register, the clock signal varying depending on the state of the clock generator.

Abstract: A method for exchanging data according to one embodiment includes transmitting a packet of data from a first device to a second device, the packet of data comprising an unencrypted command and an encrypted payload.

Abstract: A display includes a plurality of pixels and operates in a selected load period, a separate deselected load period, and a separate illumination period. Light may be generated by the plurality of pixels during the illumination period based on voltages stored in the plurality of pixels during the selected and deselected load periods. Methods of operating a display are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for communicating with a plurality of radio frequency (RF) devices includes transmitting a first signal at a first power level, interrogating RF devices responding to the first signal, instructing the responding RF devices to change state, and transmitting a second signal at a second power level higher than the first power level. The RF devices responding to the first signal do not respond to the second signal upon changing state.

Abstract: A casino chip according to one embodiment includes an RFID circuit on or within a substrate; and an antenna coupled to the RFID circuit; wherein the casino chip is configured such that a signal associated with the casino chip is capable of being read by at least one RF reader. An RFID system according to one embodiment includes at least one RF reader; and a plurality of casino chips. Each of the plurality of casino chips includes an RFID circuit on or within a substrate; and an antenna coupled to the RFID circuit. Each of the plurality of casino chips are configured such that a signal associated with each of the casino chips is capable of being read by the at least one RF reader.

Abstract: A display includes a plurality of pixels and operates in a selected load period, a separate deselected load period, and a separate illumination period. Light may be generated by the plurality of pixels during the illumination period based on voltages stored in the plurality of pixels during the selected and deselected load periods. Methods of operating a display are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for reading poker chips according to one embodiment includes sending out an interrogation signal; receiving responses from poker chips in response to the interrogation signal, each of the poker chips comprising a circuit and an antenna coupled to the circuit, wherein the antenna minimally affects electromagnetic RF fields surrounding the antenna even in the vicinity of the antenna; and determining a value of the poker chips from which responses are received. A poker chip according to another embodiment includes a circuit on or within a substrate; and an antenna coupled to the circuit, wherein the antenna minimally affects electromagnetic RF fields surrounding the antenna even in the vicinity of the antenna. Additional systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for an electronic assembly. The electronic assembly has a first object created and separated from a host substrate. The first object has a first electrical circuitry therein. A carrier substrate is coupled to the first object wherein the first object is being recessed below a surface of the carrier substrate. The carrier substrate further includes a first carrier connection pad and a second carrier connection pad that interconnect with the first object using metal connectors. A receiving substrate, which is substantially planar, including a second electrical circuitry, a first receiving connection pad, and a second receiving connection pad that interconnect with the second electrical circuitry using the metal connectors. The carrier substrate is coupled to the receiving substrate using the connection pads mentioned.

Abstract: A timing circuit that can function as an accurate persistent node in an RFID tag includes a power capture circuit for capturing power from a power source, and a counter circuit that provides a count representing a progression of time. The count can then be compared to a reference value representing a time constant of the circuit.

Abstract: A method for generating data encryption coding with variable clocking according to one embodiment includes storing a secret code in a first register; storing a locally-generated random number in a second register; storing a second random number generated at a remote device in the second register; extracting bits from the first register; extracting bits from the second register; setting a state of a clock generator in response to one or more bits from each register, the clock generator generating a clock signal controlling operation of the first register, the clock signal varying depending on the state of the clock generator.