Abstract: A timing controller includes a data grouping part that generates a plurality of grayscale groups based on input image data, each grayscale group including n×m grayscales, a grayscale classifying part that generates a plurality of grayscale patterns respectively corresponding to the grayscale groups, a grayscale in the grayscale groups being classified in the grayscale patterns as a first grayscale if the grayscale is higher than a first reference grayscale or as a second grayscale if the grayscale is lower than a second reference grayscale, a pattern comparing part that compares each grayscale pattern with a first pattern including the n×m first and second grayscales, a pattern counter that counts a number of patterns of the grayscale patterns that are substantially the same as the first pattern, and a driving mode changing part that changes a driving mode of a display panel when the number is greater than a reference number.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a power switch and a switching controller. The power switch is repetitively turned on and off for generating an output DC voltage based on an input DC voltage. The switching controller controls operation of the power switch, and includes a slew rate controller to adjust a slew rate of a switch voltage of an electrode of the power switch to vary with time.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of present invention relate to an error detecting apparatus for a gate driver improving a reliability of a display apparatus, a display apparatus having the error detecting apparatus, and a method of detecting an error of the gate driver using the error detecting apparatus. An exemplary embodiment discloses an error detecting apparatus including an error detecting part configured to receive a gate signal of a gate driver and determine whether a status of the gate driver is in a normal status or an error status based on the gate signal, a memory configured to store the status of the gate driver, and a signal outputting part configured to selectively output a clock signal and an error signal based on the status of the gate driver stored in the memory.

Abstract: A timing controller includes a data grouping part that generates a plurality of grayscale groups based on input image data, each grayscale group including n×m grayscales, a grayscale classifying part that generates a plurality of grayscale patterns respectively corresponding to the grayscale groups, a grayscale in the grayscale groups being classified in the grayscale patterns as a first grayscale if the grayscale is higher than a first reference grayscale or as a second grayscale if the grayscale is lower than a second reference grayscale, a pattern comparing part that compares each grayscale pattern with a first pattern including the n×m first and second grayscales, a pattern counter that counts a number of patterns of the grayscale patterns that are substantially the same as the first pattern, and a driving mode changing part that changes a driving mode of a display panel when the number is greater than a reference number.

Abstract: A method of method of protecting a gate driver circuit configured to provide a gate line of a display panel with a gate signal includes generating a clock signal to drive the gate driver circuit, sensing an output current of the clock signal, detecting an overcurrent of the clock signal based on an overcurrent determining factor, determining whether the clock signal is in an overcurrent condition based on a count number of the overcurrent, generating a shutdown signal when the clock signal is in the overcurrent condition and blocking the clock signal from being applied to the gate driver circuit based on the shutdown signal.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a power switch and a switching controller. The power switch is repetitively turned on and off for generating an output DC voltage based on an input DC voltage. The switching controller controls operation of the power switch, and includes a slew rate controller to adjust a slew rate of a switch voltage of an electrode of the power switch to vary with time.

Abstract: A method of method of protecting a gate driver circuit configured to provide a gate line of a display panel with a gate signal includes generating a clock signal to drive the gate driver circuit, sensing an output current of the clock signal, detecting an overcurrent of the clock signal based on an overcurrent determining factor, determining whether the clock signal is in an overcurrent condition based on a count number of the overcurrent, generating a shutdown signal when the clock signal is in the overcurrent condition and blocking the clock signal from being applied to the gate driver circuit based on the shutdown signal.

Abstract: A power source circuit includes an inductor, a reservoir capacitor, and a switching control part that generates ON/OFF control signals to each of first and second switches. The first switch is connected between a first power voltage terminal and a first node to form a first current path between the first power voltage terminal and the first node in response to a driving signal of the switching control part. The second switch is connected between the first node and a second power voltage terminal to form a second current path between the first node and the second power voltage terminal in response to the driving signal. The inductor is connected to the first node to provide an average voltage between the first power voltage terminal and the second power voltage terminal. The capacitor is connected in parallel with the inductor to store the average voltage.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of present invention relate to an error detecting apparatus for a gate driver improving a reliability of a display apparatus, a display apparatus having the error detecting apparatus, and a method of detecting an error of the gate driver using the error detecting apparatus. An exemplary embodiment discloses an error detecting apparatus including an error detecting part configured to receive a gate signal of a gate driver and determine whether a status of the gate driver is in a normal status or an error status based on the gate signal, a memory configured to store the status of the gate driver, and a signal outputting part configured to selectively output a clock signal and an error signal based on the status of the gate driver stored in the memory.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel, a transformer disposed under the display panel and including a primary winding and a secondary winding which are separated from each other and an insulating section between the primary winding and the secondary winding, and a lower housing member on which the display panel is placed and to which the transformer is fixed. A first region corresponding to the insulating section of the transformer is defined in the lower housing member, and at least one hole is disposed in the first region of the lower housing member.

Abstract: An arc discharge detecting circuit includes; a voltage dividing part which divides a driving voltage provided to a light source, a detecting part which includes a loop-shaped wiring spaced apart from the voltage dividing part and which detects a current corresponding to an arc discharge flowing through the voltage dividing part using a coupling capacitance generated between the loop-shaped wiring of the detecting part and a wiring of the voltage dividing part, and an output part connected to the detecting part to output a detection voltage corresponding to the arc discharge. Accordingly, the arc discharge detecting circuit may improve a sensitivity of detecting an arc discharge as a current source type using the coupling capacitors, a design may be simplified, and manufacturing costs may be decreased.

Abstract: A method of driving a light source includes; converting an externally supplied direct current voltage into a first alternating current voltage, boosting the first alternating current voltage to a second alternating current voltage having a higher voltage than the first alternating current voltage, turning on the light source using the second alternating current voltage, detecting an arc noise detection voltage by adding arc noise generated from a high voltage terminal of the light source and arc noise generated from a low voltage terminal of the light source, and blocking the high voltage from being provided to the light source based on the detected arc noise detection voltage.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel, a transformer disposed under the display panel and including a primary winding and a secondary winding which are separated from each other and an insulating section between the primary winding and the secondary winding, and a lower housing member on which the display panel is placed and to which the transformer is fixed. A first region corresponding to the insulating section of the transformer is defined in the lower housing member, and at least one hole is disposed in the first region of the lower housing member.

Abstract: An arc discharge detecting circuit includes; a voltage dividing part which divides a driving voltage provided to a light source, a detecting part which includes a loop-shaped wiring spaced apart from the voltage dividing part and which detects a current corresponding to an arc discharge flowing through the voltage dividing part using a coupling capacitance generated between the loop-shaped wiring of the detecting part and a wiring of the voltage dividing part, and an output part connected to the detecting part to output a detection voltage corresponding to the arc discharge. Accordingly, the arc discharge detecting circuit may improve a sensitivity of detecting an arc discharge as a current source type using the coupling capacitors, a design may be simplified, and manufacturing costs may be decreased.

Abstract: A power source circuit includes an inductor, a reservoir capacitor, and a switching control part that generates ON/OFF control signals to each of first and second switches. The first switch is connected between a first power voltage terminal and a first node to form a first current path between the first power voltage terminal and the first node in response to a driving signal of the switching control part. The second switch is connected between the first node and a second power voltage terminal to form a second current path between the first node and the second power voltage terminal in response to the driving signal. The inductor is connected to the first node to provide an average voltage between the first power voltage terminal and the second power voltage terminal. The capacitor is connected in parallel with the inductor to store the average voltage.

Abstract: A light source power supply part generates a first output voltage close to a light source input voltage or a second output voltage close to a reference voltage by comparing the reference voltage and the light source input voltage in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A light source driving part may drive a light source based on the first output voltage or the second output voltage. Therefore, the light source may be driven with a stable voltage regardless of the level of the light source input voltage.

Abstract: A wafer drying method includes submerging a wafer in a cleaning solution in a dry chamber. An organic liquid vapor from an organic liquid is supplied into the dry chamber at a first volumetric supply rate to form an organic liquid layer on a surface of the cleaning solution, the organic liquid layer having at least a prescribed concentration of the organic liquid. The organic liquid vapor is supplied into the dry chamber at a second volumetric supply rate that is lower than the first volumetric supply rate. During and/or following the supplying of the organic liquid vapor into the dry chamber, at least a portion of the wafer is removed from the cleaning solution through the organic liquid layer.

Abstract: A wet processing apparatus includes a bath in which a plurality of semiconductor substrates are to be seated, and which bath has drain valves defining drain openings between a bottom wall and the lower portions of side walls of the bath. Each of the drain valves also includes a gate mounted on the lower portion of one of the side walls. The gates of the drain valves are movable to selectively open and close the drain openings. A plurality of substrates are transferred into the bath and are held under a body of liquid contained in a bath while the substrates are oriented vertically as disposed generally parallel to one another. In this state, the side walls of the baths face the peripheral edges of the substrates at both sides of the substrates. Thus, the substrates are prevented from moving toward and becoming stuck to one another when the liquid is drained from the bath.

Abstract: A wafer guide and a semiconductor wafer drying apparatus using the same are disclosed. The wafer guide includes a body and supporters formed on the body. The supporters present a plurality of grooves to engage and support a periphery of a wafer. A discharge structure, e.g., a discharging hole, promotes flow of a cleaning solution away from the grooves thereby more effectively drying the wafer by more readily discharging the cleaning solution by way of the discharging structure. The discharging structure reduces undesirable accumulation of the cleaning solution, such as deionized water, in the grooves during a wafer cleaning process. In some embodiments, a pump actively draws fluid away from the discharge structure.

Abstract: A wafer drying method includes submerging a wafer in a cleaning solution in a dry chamber. An organic liquid vapor from an organic liquid is supplied into the dry chamber at a first volumetric supply rate to form an organic liquid layer on a surface of the cleaning solution, the organic liquid layer having at least a prescribed concentration of the organic liquid. The organic liquid vapor is supplied into the dry chamber at a second volumetric supply rate that is lower than the first volumetric supply rate. During and/or following the supplying of the organic liquid vapor into the dry chamber, at least a portion of the wafer is removed from the cleaning solution through the organic liquid layer.