Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method of gamma correction, and more particularly, an apparatus and method for varying a gamma curve according to a brightness level of a detected image signal to adaptively perform gamma correction, in a digital image processor. The gamma correction apparatus in the digital image processor includes a brightness level detector detecting a brightness level from an image signal generated by capturing an image, a gamma curve calculator moving a start point and/or an end point of an existing gamma curve for correcting an input brightness level to a predetermined output brightness level, according to the detected brightness level, and calculating a new gamma curve, and a gamma corrector correcting an input brightness level of the image signal using the new gamma curve, and outputting the corrected brightness level.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display that is subject to pixel-high defects due to manufacturing anomalies is provided with programmable repair means for each pixel electrode. In one embodiment, a transistor-array substrate is provided with plural gate lines that are separated from each other by a first interval, plural data lines that are insulated from the gate lines while crossing the gate lines, and separated from each other by a second interval larger than the first interval, thereby defining plural pixel areas. Each pixel area has a corresponding pixel unit comprising a switching device, pixel electrode, and repair electrode. The repair electrode branches from a neighboring gate line and extends such that the repair electrode is in overlapping spaced-apart relation with the pixel electrode and selectively connectable to the pixel electrode.

Abstract: A thin film transistor substrate, wherein the moving area of electrons between source and drain electrodes of a thin film transistor (TFT) is minimized, the moving distance of electrons is increased, and the sizes of capacitors defined by a gate electrode together with the respective source and drain electrodes are identical to each other so that an off current generated when the TFT is off can be minimized; a method of manufacturing the thin film transistor substrate; and a mask for manufacturing the thin film transistor substrate. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize an off current induced due to a phenomenon of electron trapping by light.

Abstract: An image format conversion apparatus including a 3:2 pull-down detection part determining whether a current field out of plural fields continuous in time is an image of a 3:2 pull-down format produced by a 3:2 pull-down process; a scroll text/graphic data detection part determining whether scroll motions exist on the current field; a 3:2 pull-down compensation part calculating interpolation values for pixels of the current field to be interpolated by using a 3:2 pull-down interpolation method; an IPC part calculating interpolation values for pixels of the current field to be interpolated by using a second interpolation method; and an output selection part for selectively outputting either the interpolation values of the 3:2 pull-down compensation part or the interpolation values of the IPC part based on results of the determinations of the scroll text/graphic detection part and the 3:2 pull-down detection part.

Abstract: A shift register includes a plurality of stages connected to one another to sequentially generate output signals. Each of the stages has a plurality of output terminals, and each of the output terminals is connected to at least two gate lines and outputs a first output voltage alternately to the at least two gate lines to turn on thin film transistors.

Abstract: A thermistor, which is to be mounted on a PCB, for protecting other circuit elements is disclosed. Electrode patterns separately formed on both surfaces of a film resistance element are respectively shaped into two parts which are engaged to each other with a non-conductive gap interposed therebetween. Thus, a Tombstone phenomenon caused by asymmetric structure may be fundamentally prevented. Grooves are formed in both sides of the thermistor, and connection portions for electrically connecting the electrodes formed on both surfaces of the thermistor are formed through the inside of the grooves or through the sides except the grooves. Thus, though a crack arises in the connection portion, it is possible to prevent the crack from being propagated to the entire connection portion along the side of the thermistor.

Abstract: A wearable display apparatus adjusting image display positions fit for an interpupillary distance of a user. The wearable display apparatus has a main control unit outputting view display position adjustment information corresponding to inputted interpupillary distance setting information and display units display-processing image information inputted to an area within a display region which is smaller than an entire view display area corresponding to the view display position adjustment information. With the wearable display apparatus, simplification in structure and convenience in use, are provided since image display positions may be adjusted to fit an interpupillary distance of a user without movements of optic systems.

Abstract: The hydrocarbon-assisted, selective catalytic reduction of NOx constituents in lean-bum engine exhaust is benefited by passage of the exhaust over a staged catalyst bed comprising a first stage of an alumina-supported silver catalyst for oxidation of NO to NO2 and partial oxidation of added hydrocarbon to an aldehyde. Downstream of the silver catalyst is a second catalyst selected for the reaction of hydrocarbon and aldehyde species with NO2 to reduce it to nitrogen. Gamma-alumina and BaY zeolite are examples of suitable second stage catalysts.

Abstract: A thermistor, which is to be mounted on a PCB, for protecting other circuit elements is disclosed. Electrode patterns separately formed on both surfaces of a film resistance element are respectively shaped into two parts which are engaged to each other with a non-conductive gap interposed therebetween. Thus, a Tombstone phenomenon caused by asymmetric structure may be fundamentally prevented. Grooves are formed in both sides of the thermistor, and connection portions for electrically connecting the electrodes formed on both surfaces of the thermistor are formed through the inside of the grooves or through the sides except the grooves. Thus, though a crack arises in the connection portion, it is possible to prevent the crack from being propagated to the entire connection portion along the side of the thermistor.

Abstract: A thermistor of which resistance is changed depending on temperature and a secondary battery to which the thermistor is attached are disclosed. The thermistor is attached to an object via a lead which is made of different kinds of materials. The lead is configured so that a part of the lead to be united to the thermistor electrode is mainly made of the same material as the electrode and a part of the lead to be united to the object is mainly made of the same material as the surface of the object. Thus, the thermistor may be simply attached to the object only using the ultrasonic welding, thereby remarkably reducing junction inferiorities.

Abstract: The conversion of NOx to nitrogen in the exhaust of a lean burn engine using a hydrocarbon assisted-selective catalytic reduction system is benefited by a two-stage oxidation catalyst-reduction catalyst SCR reactor. The character and quantity of the oxidation catalyst is managed to just activate the hydrocarbon reductant at low temperatures (but not fully burn it at high temperatures) to increase its NOx reduction efficiency as the exhaust then contacts the larger reduction catalyst stage of the two-stage reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a display device in which gate lines and a main gate driver can be repaired. The display device includes a plurality of pixels respectively including a switching element, a gate line connected to the switching element, and first and second gate drivers respectively including a plurality of stages that are interconnected and sequentially generate output signals. Any one of the stages of the first gate driver and any one of the stages of the second gate driver are connected to the same gate line. In this manner, gate drivers that generate the same output are disposed in one gate line on the left and right sides. It is therefore possible to repair disconnected gate lines without using a laser.

Abstract: A thermistor is disclosed, which comprises a resistance element having upper and lower surfaces and showing a resistance varying characteristics according to the change of temperature; first and second conductive layers formed on the upper surface of the resistance element and engaged to each other with a non-conductive gap interposed therebetween; first and second electrodes formed on the lower surface of the resistance element and electrically separated from each other; a first connector for electrically connecting the first conductive layer to the first electrode; and a second connector for electrically connecting the second conductive layer to the second electrode. Thus, the thermistor has a structurally point-symmetric shape, so it is possible to prevent the Tombstone phenomenon, caused by an asymmetric structure.

Abstract: A shift register invention includes a plurality of stages outputting a plurality of output signals, in sequence. Each of the stages includes a driving part and a discharging part. The driving part includes a driving transistor. The driving transistor has a control electrode, a first electrode, a second electrode and a channel layer. The control electrode receives one of a start signal or an output signal of a previous stage. The first electrode receives a clock signal. The second electrode outputs an output signal of a present stage. The channel layer has a different length from a channel layer of a driving transistor of the previous stage. The discharging part discharges the output signal of the present stage based on an output signal of a next stage, therefore improving the electrical characteristics of the shift register.

Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling a digital image processing apparatus that displays a histogram showing a number of display cells for each gradation of a displayed image according to the needs of a user. The method includes: displaying a partial area window of a shape selected by a user; moving the partial area window or changing a size of the partial area window according to a manipulation by the user; and displaying the histogram for an entire area of the displayed image and expressing an average brightness value of an area of a current partial area window in the histogram if a confirmation signal for the partial area window is input from by user.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of reducing nitrogen oxides in an oxygen containing exhaust stream using ethanol as a reductant for plasma-assisted selective catalytic reduction. The exhaust gas, generated from a diesel engine or other lean-burn power source, comprises nitrogen oxides, especially NO. Ozone generated from a plasma reactor is injected into the exhaust stream to convert NO to NO2 and the plasma injection is followed by the addition of ethanol. The NO2 is then reduced by contacting the exhaust stream with a dual-bed catalytic reactor comprising BaY (or NaY) and CuY zeolite catalysts in the presence of ethanol as the reductant. The plasma power density and the molar ratio of ethanol to NOx fed to the catalytic reactor are controlled as a function of the catalyst temperature for the best performance of the plasma-catalyst system. An average conversion of NOx to N2 of at least 90% is achieved over the temperature range of 200–400° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) current limiting device, which limits a current using PTC characteristics. The device includes a PTC element having the PTC characteristics; and upper and lower contact electrodes arranged to face each other with the PTC element being interposed therebetween, wherein, assuming that a distance from an end of the upper contact electrode to an end of the PTC element is a1, a distance from an end of the lower contact electrode to the end of the PTC element is a2, a thickness of the PTC element is b, and L=a1+a2+b, the following equations are satisfied: V/L<10 and V/b<50, where V is a rated voltage of the PTC current limiting device, a unit for a1, a2 and b is mm, and a unit for V is volt. This PTC current limiting device may prevent generation of flashover between electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing fixed pattern noise in a digital image processing apparatus are provided. The apparatus includes a controlling unit adjusting a number of image frames of a same image photographed by an imaging device and an exposure time of a shutter, and controlling a movement direction of the imaging device, which photographs the image; and a signal processing unit which median-combines the image frames of the same image photographed by the imaging device during the adjusted exposure time after moving the imaging device. The total photographing time is reduced by skipping a process of photographing a dark image and fixed pattern noise can be effectively removed by median-combining the image frames photographed while physically moving the imaging device between the photographing of consecutive image frames to remove the fixed pattern noise.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing fixed pattern noise in a digital camera are provided. The apparatus includes a signal processing unit that calculates location information of the fixed pattern noise from a dark image photographed using an ISO and exposure time that are different from an ISO and exposure time used to photograph a general image, and removes the fixed pattern noise from the general image using the location information. The fixed pattern noise can be effectively removed while reducing the total photographing time in comparison to conventional apparatuses and methods.

Abstract: The conversion of NOx to nitrogen in the exhaust of a lean burn engine using a hydrocarbon assisted-selective catalytic reduction system is benefited by a two-stage oxidation catalyst-reduction catalyst SCR reactor. The character and quantity of the oxidation catalyst is managed to just activate the hydrocarbon reductant at low temperatures (but not fully burn it at high temperatures) to increase its NOx reduction efficiency as the exhaust then contacts the larger reduction catalyst stage of the two-stage reactor.