A messaging and ornamental coffee table system and method of operation provides a coffee table comprising a resilient base, sidewalls extending up from the resilient base and forming a cavity, and an at least partially transparent table top having a depressed message portion and hingedly connected to one of the sidewalls. The system further comprises at least one light source operational in the cavity to illuminate towards the at least partially transparent table top. The system further comprises a plurality of tiles defined by multiple faces displaying alphanumeric characters, or symbols, or both. The tiles are arrangable on the message portion to display a message. The system further comprises an at least partially transparent ornamental member disposed on the table top. The illumination from light source illuminates the alphanumeric characters and symbols of tiles, and the at least partially transparent ornamental member to enhance visibility and decorative effect thereof.

A messaging and ornamental coffee table system and method of operation provides a coffee table comprising a resilient base, sidewalls extending up from the resilient base and forming a cavity, and an at least partially transparent table top having a depressed message portion and hingedly connected to one of the sidewalls. The system further comprises at least one light source operational in the cavity to illuminate towards the at least partially transparent table top. The system further comprises a plurality of tiles defined by multiple faces displaying alphanumeric characters, or symbols, or both. The tiles are arrangable on the message portion to display a message. The system further comprises an at least partially transparent ornamental member disposed on the table top. The illumination from light source illuminates the alphanumeric characters and symbols of tiles, and the at least partially transparent ornamental member to enhance visibility and decorative effect thereof.

An RFID system includes multiple antennas and uses amplitude and phase information of the RFID signals received by each antenna to determine the position of RFID tags in the vicinity. More than one antenna can receive the RFID signals during a single read cycle, enabling the RFID system to operate more quickly than a system that energizes antennas separately.

An RFID system includes multiple antennas and uses amplitude and phase information of the RFID signals received by each antenna to determine the position of RFID tags in the vicinity. More than one antenna can receive the RFID signals during a single read cycle, enabling the RFID system to operate more quickly than a system that energizes antennas separately.

An automatic playing card shuffler system including an automatic playing card shuffler and deck of modified playing cards. The modifications relate to asymmetrical information on each card face, back and/or side for identifying playing card orientation. The asymmetrical information is discernable by one or more image-capturing and/or sensors associated with the automatic playing card shuffler. Accordingly, the orientation of the playing cards may be monitored by the automatic playing card shuffler. The orientation data can be analyzed by a processor of the automatic playing card shuffler to determine unusual orientation patterns indicative of advantage play or cheats. Another version utilizes two distinct marks to identify important cards and less important cards.

A ball holder for a table tennis table designed for non-intrusive mounting under a corner of a table tennis table. The ball holder can be manufactured in two parts for ease of sale and construction, with the two halves being easily assembled and secured by the user. The two halves can connect using a set of male and female tabs, and secure using a set of bolts. The full assembly can attach to the table tennis table through the use of four screws. Properly assembled, the ball holder can contain multiple table tennis balls in an easily accessible position, but without obstructing the players' range of motion or creating a hazard.

The present invention generally encompasses a game table including a base, a first layer fixedly secured to the base, a second layer arranged to at least partially encompass and slidingly engage with the first layer, and a third layer arranged to at least partially encompass and pivotably engage with the second layer. The first layer is operatively arranged to display a first plurality of assembled game pieces, the second layer is operatively arranged to display a second plurality of unassembled game pieces, and the third layer is operatively arranged to cover and protect the first and second layers.

The present invention generally encompasses a game table including a base, a first layer fixedly secured to the base, a second layer arranged to at least partially encompass and slidingly engage with the first layer, and a third layer arranged to at least partially encompass and pivotably engage with the second layer. The first layer is operatively arranged to display a first plurality of assembled game pieces, the second layer is operatively arranged to display a second plurality of unassembled game pieces, and the third layer is operatively arranged to cover and protect the first and second layers.

The present invention generally encompasses a game table including a base, a first layer fixedly secured to the base, a second layer arranged to at least partially encompass and slidingly engage with the first layer, and a third layer arranged to at least partially encompass and pivotably engage with the second layer. The first layer is operatively arranged to display a first plurality of assembled game pieces, the second layer is operatively arranged to display a second plurality of unassembled game pieces, and the third layer is operatively arranged to cover and protect the first and second layers.

The present invention generally encompasses a game table including a base, a first layer fixedly secured to the base, a second layer arranged to at least partially encompass and slidingly engage with the first layer, and a third layer arranged to at least partially encompass and pivotably engage with the second layer. The first layer is operatively arranged to display a first plurality of assembled game pieces, the second layer is operatively arranged to display a second plurality of unassembled game pieces, and the third layer is operatively arranged to cover and protect the first and second layers.