Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes: a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines arranged in the form of a matrix; a plurality of transistors each having a gate, a source and a drain, and each disposed at an intersecting point of the lines; a plurality of pixel electrodes connected to the drain electrodes of the respective transistors; and a plurality of capacitors formed on the pixel electrodes. The capacitor includes a capacitor electrode, a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer and a protective insulating layer. The semiconductor layer of the capacitor is composed of the same material as that of a semiconductor region of the transistor. An etch stop layer is used for protecting a gate insulating layer during etching a protective insulating layer situated above the gate insulating layer. For the etch stop layer, an amorphous silicon layer or a metal layer are used.

Abstract: A fin tube heat exchanger includes a plurality of fin plates spaced at regular intervals in parallel with one another and adapted to allow air to flow therebetween, each fin plate having a plurality of through-holes in at least one row in a longitudinal direction of the fin plates, a plurality of refrigerant tubes inserted into the through-holes of the fin plates in a perpendicular direction and a plurality of raised strips formed in a plurality of rows in a direction perpendicular to an air flow. The raised strips in the same row are raised from a fin base in a direction opposite to the direction in which the raised strips in adjacent rows are raised. The fin base and each of the raised strips define therebetween two openings open against the air flow. Rising portions on the refrigerant tube side of the raised strips in one row near to a center line of the through-holes are formed along a circular arc which has an identical center with the refrigerant tube.

Abstract: A water level measuring apparatus for a washing machine which is capable of sensing the water level depending on a level of a sound made by a falling water when water is supplied, includes a microphone disposed at an interval from a water supply inlet to sense the sound of the falling water, a microphone amplifier for amplifying the sound sensed through the microphone, and a microcomputer for determining a water level by using an output signal from the microphone amplifier.

Abstract: A new single-stage, single-switch, input-current-shaping technique which combines the boost-like input-current shaper with a continuous-conduction-mode dc/dc output stage is described. Due to the ability to keep a relatively low voltage (<450 Vdc) on the energy-storage capacitor, this technique is suitable for the universal line-voltage applications. The voltage on the energy-storage capacitor is kept within the desirable range by the addition of two transformer windings. One winding appears in series with the boost inductor during the on time, whereas the other winding appears in series with the same inductor during the off time. By connecting the windings so that the voltages across them when they conduct the inductor current are in opposition to the input voltage, the volt-second balance of the boost-inductor core is achieved at a substantially lower voltage of the energy-storage capacitor compared to the other known approaches.

Abstract: A pad for providing an electrical connection to a liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a first indium tin oxide (ITO) layer provided on a surface of an insulative substrate. At least one metal layer is provided on the first ITO layer and a second ITO layer, in turn, is disposed on the metal layer so that the metal layer is effectively embedded in ITO material. The metal layer is thus shielded from humidity effects and the resulting pad has improved conductivity and reduced signal propagation delay. A recessed portion may be provided in a top surface of the pad so that a spherical conductor spreading during a subsequent bonding process is prevented. The metal layer may be fabricated in the same step that the gate layer of a TFT is formed, and the second ITO layer may be formed concurrently with a pixel electrode of the LCD.

Abstract: A magnet assembly for a CRT, installed in the outer periphery of a neck portion incorporating an electron gun for emitting R, G and B electron beams for converging the electron beams on the center of a screen is disclosed. The magnet assembly includes a magnet support inserted into the outer periphery of the neck portion, a pair of two-, four- and six-pole magnet rings rotatably installed in the outer periphery of the magnet support, spacers inserted between the each pair of magnet rings, and a magnet fixing means rotatably coupled in the outer periphery of the magnet support for fixing the magnet support on the neck portion and preventing the magnet rings and the spacer from being fluctuated on the magnet support.

Abstract: A speed control method for a brushless DC (BLDC) motor capable of solving the phases distortion problem generated between an applied voltage and a winding current of the motor during a high speed rotation of the motor. According to the method, the present revolution per minute (RPM) of the motor is detected, and an output control wave of a new pattern is obtained utilizing a value of an advance phase angle determined according to the detected RPM of the motor. Accordingly, the rotation of the motor is controlled by the new pattern control wave in response to the motor rotation of a high, intermediate or low speed, and thus the phase distortion generated between the applied voltage and the winding current of the motor can be prevented, resulting in the improvement of the motor efficiency. The method may be applied to a typical sensorless BLDC motor.

Abstract: An optical pickup is disclosed including a light source, a light incidence part having a first light focusing unit for focusing the light output from the light source, a perpendicular prism having a total reflecting side placed parallel to a writing side of an optical writing medium, a photodetector detecting light reflected from the total reflecting side of the perpendicular prism by a second light focusing means and the photodetecting unit, a first supporting member supporting the light incidence part, the perpendicular prism and the photodetector, and a second supporting member controlling horizontal and vertical positions of the first supporting member to maintain the horizontal and vertical intervals between the perpendicular prism and the optical writing medium.

Abstract: A press for transferring images from pictures or substrates to other objects, such as mugs or other cylindrical objects. The press comprises a flexible band or jacket type clamp lined with suitable compressible material and capable of being clamped tightly against a generally cylindrical outer surface of an object, with the image to be transferred against such outer surface. The image is urged into intimate contact with the outer cylindrical surface by the clamping pressure transferred through the compressible material. An adjustable clamp permits ease of placement of the band type press onto the object to which the image is to be transferred.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, in which a TFT array, color filters and a black matrix are provided on a single glass substrate. As a result, the second substrate of the LCD can be made thinner, thereby reducing the overall weight of the device. In addition, the LCD in accordance with the claimed invention has an improved aperture ratio. Further, less stress can be placed on the glass substrate, thereby improving yield.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a plurality of picture-in-picture/picture-out-picture (PIP/POP) screens, capable of achieving a fast tuning for a plurality of channels. In accordance with the invention, automatic gain control data associated with each channel is stored in a tuning memory upon an initialization thereof. Video data stored in a buffer video memory is displayed and stored in a main video memory. Write and read operations of these video memory are controlled in a handshake fashion using a flag. Upon a channel change, previously stored automatic gain control data and tuning frequency are used, thereby achieving a fast tuning. The apparatus of the invention can provide fast quasi-moving PIP/POP screens.

Abstract: An LCD controlling apparatus wherein a horizontal filter and a vertical filter, which are digital filters, are independently constructed, which can improve a resolution by horizontally and vertically processing input image data to enhance the edge portion thereof, includes a main block for synthesizing or generating clocks necessary for internal operation and wholly controlling the internal operation, an image edge processing block for receiving image data from the main block and horizontally processing pixels of to-be-processed-image data and their horizontally adjacent pixels, receiving the horizontally processed image data and vertically processing pixels of to-be-processed image data and their vertically adjacent pixels, and an LCD interface block for rearranging pixels of image data horizontally and vertically processed in the image edge processing block to be suitable for pixel structure, linearly processing light transmission characteristics of the rearranged pixels and performing compensation accordin

Abstract: An improved driving force transmitting apparatus for a headphone stereo mechanism capable of reducing the number of parts necessary for transmitting the driving force is disclosed. The apparatus provides an idler engaged to a motor-side gear for increasing a driving force efficiency. The apparatus includes a motor having a drive gear disposed at a central shaft thereof and disposed at the lower surface of a main base, an idler gear intermeshed with the drive gear and having an idler pulley, and a reverse capstan pulley and a forward capstan pulley rotatable by a belt directly connected to the idler pulley of the idler gear.

Abstract: A program representative packetized datastream is generated from an input packetized datastream representing a plurality of programs. Program content packets comprising a desired program selected from the plurality of programs are identified. Condensed program specific information (CPSI) suitable for use in identifying and assembling the identified packets is formed. The resulting CPSI and the identified packets are formed into a datastream. Program specific information packets and program content packets are also extracted from a packetized datastream and stored on a storage medium.

Abstract: A battery charging apparatus anticipates usage and thus provides a charged battery available for use. In addition the charging regimen employed substantially eliminates memory effects in NICAD batteries. The battery charging apparatus comprises a power supply for generating a controllable battery charging current which is responsive to battery status. A plurality of calendars, stored in PROM, are user selectable to form a custom calendar. User specific event dates may be added to produce a composite calendar. A microprocessor maintains a real time clock calendar and executes a calendar algorithm. Upon the occurrence of a composite calendar event date, the microprocessor generates a control signal for initiating the battery charging current. The microprocessor also produces a status message display. Message data is stored in PROM and is used to generate a video signal for monitor display. The video signal is also coupled to an RF modulator for TV receiver display.

Abstract: Portable electronic equipment is disclosed which includes a source of power and operational circuitry. A load device, which may be internal or external to the equipment, is coupleable to the operational circuitry. A switch is coupled between the power source and the operational circuitry and connects the power source to the operating circuitry only when the load device is coupled to the operational circuitry. In portable audio equipment, for example, the switch connects the power source to the operational circuitry only if an external or the internal speaker is coupled to the operational circuitry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating a memory in a Compact Disc changer. Information identifying discs stored in a CD changer is stored in a memory. The memory is updated when a CD is loaded which does not have identifying features which are recognized by the CD changer. Updating is carried out via a modem connection to a remote database. The database can be stored locally in a local database residing in a personal computer where the database can be queried to locate desired tracks and can be used to facilitate control of the compact disc changer by providing a simplified interface for building a play list and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capstan phase control method for a video cassette tape recorder (VCR), and an improved capstan phase control method for a VCR capable of reducing a phase locking time by detecting a new capstan phase in cooperation with a reproducing control signal and a speed detection signal whenever the speed detection signal is inputted. By adopting the detected capstan phase as a phase control information, the time required for the mode of the system to be changed from the stop mode to the reproducing mode or from the searching mode to the reproducing mode, namely while the mode of the system is changed from the speed variation mode to a normal speed mode is reduced, so that it is possible to obtain a more stable reproducing operation at a high speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically synchronizing a plurality of streams of temporally related data generate compression time information regarding the time required to compression a first stream of data. The compression time information is transmitted together with the first and other compressed streams of data, and is utilized to delay at least one decompressed compressed stream of data to thereby synchronize such decompressed stream with a decompressed compressed first stream of data. The decompression time information is determined by selecting, from a look-up table, a delay time corresponding to the compression time information.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement in a color picture tube 10 of a type that has a glass envelope 11 with a substantially rectangular faceplate panel 12, a funnel 16 and a neck 14. The glass envelope 11 has three orthogonal axes, a major axis, X--X, substantially parallel to a wider dimension of the faceplate panel 12, a minor axis, Y--Y, substantially parallel to a narrower dimension of the faceplate panel 12, and a longitudinal axis, Z--Z, extending through the center of the neck 14 and the center of the faceplate panel 12. The funnel 16 has a main body portion 30 and a yoke region 32 which is sealed to the neck 14. The weight of the funnel 16 is reduced by reducing the thickness of a sidewall 31 within the main body portion 30.