Abstract: A water dispenser having a water reservoir for retaining water to be dispensed, a dispensing arrangement for flow-interruptible dispensing of water from the reservoir and a filtration unit in fluid flow connection with the reservoir, the filtration unit being located externally to the water reservoir.

Abstract: A circuit according to one embodiment includes a data line; a select line; a storage node coupled to the select line; a first transistor with a gate coupled to the select line, a first electrode thereof coupled to the storage node, and a second electrode thereof coupled to the data line; a second transistor with a gate coupled to the storage node, a first electrode thereof coupled to the data line; and a light emitting diode coupled to a second electrode of the second transistor. Additional systems and methods are claimed.

Abstract: A display driver according to one embodiment includes a digital to analog converter producing a current at a selected level an output of the digital to analog converter being coupleable to a data line of a display; and a voltage source being coupleable to the data line for precharging the data line. A method for precharging a data line of a display according to another embodiment includes determining a voltage level on a data line during a frame period; storing the voltage level; and prior to or during a subsequent frame period, precharging the data line voltage to a derivative of the stored voltage level. Additional systems and methods are claimed.

Abstract: A water dispenser comprising a water reservoir for retaining water to be dispensed, a dispensing arrangement for flow-interruptible dispensing of water from the reservoir and a filtration unit in fluid flow connection with the reservoir, the filtration unit being located externally to the water reservoir.

Abstract: A circuit according to one embodiment includes a data line; a select line; a storage node coupled to the select line; a first transistor with a gate coupled to the select line, a first electrode thereof coupled to the storage node, and a second electrode thereof coupled to the data line; a second transistor with a gate coupled to the storage node, a first electrode thereof coupled to the data line; and a light emitting diode coupled to a second electrode of the second transistor. Additional systems and methods are claimed.

Abstract: A circuit according to one embodiment includes a data line; a select line; a storage node coupled to the select line; a first transistor with a gate coupled to the select line, a first electrode thereof coupled to the storage node, and a second electrode thereof coupled to the data line; a second transistor with a gate coupled to the storage node, a first electrode thereof coupled to the data line; and a light emitting diode coupled to a second electrode of the second transistor. Additional systems and methods are claimed.

Abstract: In a system and method of dimensional adjustment or positioning of an aperture mask for depositing a pattern of material on a substrate, an aperture mask is coupled to a frame such that the frame does not block one or more deposition apertures of the aperture mask. An external force applied to the frame causes the frame to move or bend and place the aperture mask in tension or compression thereby adjusting at least one dimension of the aperture mask or a position of at least one deposition aperture.

Abstract: A current-driven display according to one embodiment includes a circuit producing a variable average output current during a frame period in response to a variable average input current received during a line period, wherein a ratio of high and low values of the output current is different than a ratio of high and low values of the input current. Additional systems and methods are claimed.

Abstract: A display driver according to one embodiment includes a digital to analog converter producing a current at a selected level an output of the digital to analog converter being coupleable to a data line of a display; and a voltage source being coupleable to the data line for precharging the data line. A method for precharging a data line of a display according to another embodiment includes determining a voltage level on a data line during a frame period; storing the voltage level; and prior to or during a subsequent frame period, precharging the data line voltage to a derivative of the stored voltage level. Additional systems and methods are claimed.

Abstract: A circuit according to one embodiment includes a data line; a select line; a storage node coupled to the select line; a first transistor with a gate coupled to the select line, a first electrode thereof coupled to the storage node, and a second electrode thereof coupled to the data line; a second transistor with a gate coupled to the storage node, a first electrode thereof coupled to the data line; and a light emitting diode coupled to a second electrode of the second transistor. Additional systems and methods are claimed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for authenticating entities to use an intelligent interactive Electronic Product Code stored in an RFID tag attached to a document as a means for third parties to ascertain a document is not counterfeit and has not been revoked or changed. In addition, such intelligent RFID tags can uniquely identify a particular document and data related to the document. The authenticating agency can utilize a public or private Electronic Product Code database as a means for the authenticating agency and third parties to authenticate documents and data in documents. The intelligent interactive Electronic Product Code can be used as an anti counterfeit mechanism enabling third parties requested to provide services, benefits or monetary payments to authenticate documents and or the data associated with the document is not counterfeit.

Abstract: An identification system includes a reader and one or more tags. The reader identifies tags such as radio frequency (RF) tags. The system divides a number space into n bins, wherein each bin is associated with m unique bits of the number space, and the number space contains the identification codes of the tags. A command is issued to test v bits of the number space. A response is received from a tag, wherein the response occurs when a first portion of an identification code of the tag matches the v bits of the number space, a timing of the response corresponds to a particular bin and m unique bits associated with the particular bin correspond to a second portion of the identification code.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for identifying devices, such as RF tags, are described. In one exemplary method of an embodiment of the invention, a reader identifies tags without requiring or determining whether a response to an interrogation was a single response from a single tag or multiple responses from multiple tags. In another exemplary method of an embodiment, a method is performed by a tag in an identification system, and the method includes receiving a first data from a reader, and correlating the first data with a first corresponding portion of the tag's identification code, and specifying a match if the first data matches the first corresponding portion, and receiving second data which, combined with the first data, is correlated with a second corresponding portion of the tag's identification code.

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 memory system according to one embodiment includes a plurality of content addressable word decoders, and memory cells associated with each of the word decoders. A memory system according to another embodiment includes a word decoder storing an identifier which is a subset of a memory address, the word decoder being responsive to a match of the identifier and an incoming subset of the memory address. A memory system according to yet another embodiment includes a word decoder having more than sixteen address line inputs. A memory system according to a further embodiment includes a word decoder array having fewer word decoders than combinations of memory addresses. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader in one embodiment of the invention includes an amplifier for amplifying an incoming RF signal, a switchable filter receiving an amplified signal from the amplifier, and mixers receiving a filtered signal from the filter. An RFID reader in another embodiment of the invention includes an RF section with an RF signal level control. A baseband section with baseband signal level control receives a signal from the RF section. The RF signal level control and the baseband signal level control are dynamically adjustable independently of each other. An RFID reader in another embodiment of the invention includes RF signal level control, and mixers receiving a signal from the RF signal level control. A level of a signal between the RF signal level control and the mixers is monitored. The RF signal level control is adjusted based on the monitored signal for preventing saturation of the mixers. Methods are also presented.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first microprocessor acting as a controller, and a second microprocessor, e.g., DSP, in communication with the first microprocessor, the second microprocessor generating a digitally synthesized waveform. A converter converts the digitally synthesized waveform to an analog waveform. A modulator combines the analog waveform with a carrier signal for generating an outgoing signal. The waveform may have rising and falling edges of varying shape. Methods are also presented.

Abstract: An RFID reader includes first and second mixers receiving an incoming signal, circuitry for adding a portion of an outgoing signal to an incoming signal, first and second analog feedback loops coupling outputs of the first and second mixers to the circuitry for adding the outgoing signal to the incoming signal. An amount of outgoing signal added to the incoming signal depends on signals in the feedback loops. An RFID reader in another embodiment of the present invention includes a first mixer receiving an incoming signal, a second mixer receiving the incoming signal, an AC-coupled section coupled to the mixer outputs, and a DC-coupled section coupled to the mixer outputs. An RFID reader in another embodiment of the present invention includes an analog loop for adaptive carrier signal cancellation from an incoming signal, and a digital loop for controlling a gain of the incoming signal. Methods are also presented.

Abstract: A practice device that can be used with or without a ball to help further develop the feel and muscle memory of a proper swing. A swing training device includes a handle, a shaft and a weight slidably mounted along the shaft. During the swinging of the club, the weight slides from an end near the user's hands to a distal end away from the user. When the weight reaches the distal end, the weight contacts a stop creating an audible “snap,” giving the user both tactile and audible feedback to the success of the swing. The weight preferably includes a friction adjustment device to control the amount of static and/or dynamic friction between the sliding weight and the shaft. The shaft preferably has a constant cross-sectional area or diameter to provide a set amount of friction during the travel of the weight along the shaft.

Abstract: Circuit and methods for tracking the total amount of time that a host device has spent in its high power “activated” state (and optionally idle and hibernate states) and thereby can estimate the total power consumed by the host device. A value representing this time may be send to a remote device to, for example, accurately determine how much of the energy has been consumed by the host device and how much time is left and/or how many operations can be performed before the host device's battery is exhausted.