Abstract: A lead holding apparatus is provided. The lead holding apparatus includes two brackets. The brackets form a receiving space so that leads can be received and held therein. Further, an opening is defined between top portions of the brackets. Opposing sides of the top portions of the brackets at the opening are smooth wavelike curves. An oblique maximum uniform width between the sides is slightly greater than a diameter of a lead, so that the lead can be passed through the opening and received into the receiving space conveniently. A non-oblique minimum uniform width between the sides is slightly less than the diameter of the lead, so that the lead can be held in the receiving space without escaping out through the opening.

Abstract: A system for testing Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs), includes: a controlling computer, an encoder, an IR transmitter, an IR receiver, and a decoder. The controlling computer is for transmitting a test instruction. The encoder is for receiving the test instruction via a port, and encoding the test instruction into an infrared (IR) signal. The IR transmitter is for transmitting the IR signal. The IR receiver is for receiving the IR signal. The decoder is for decoding the IR signal into a Visual Graphic Array (VGA) signal, and transmitting the VGA signal via a VGA port. A related method for testing LCDs is also provided.

Abstract: A starting voltage adjustment circuit (70), which can vary starting voltages to CCFLs (40) according to variations in the temperature of the immediate environment, is employed in an apparatus for driving CCFLs. The starting voltage adjustment circuit includes a zener diode (710), a thermal resistor (720), and a voltage dividing resistor (730) connected in series between a buck converter, a resonant boost converter, and ground. The starting voltage adjustment circuit also includes a control chip (740) which includes pins, of which one is connected between the thermal resistor and the voltage dividing resistor and outputs a constant voltage, and another is connected between the voltage dividing resistor and ground. The thermal resistor has a voltage drop thereacross varying with the temperature. The starting voltage adjustment circuit adjusts an input voltage to the resonant boost converter, thereby adjusting the starting voltage to the CCFLs according to variations in temperature.

Abstract: A method for enabling the manipulation of a plurality of items in a graphic user interface (GUI) is provided. One embodiment of the method includes steps of: dividing the plurality of items to a plurality of groups, each group and item are represented by a graphic image; arranging the plurality of groups in the form of a rotatable ellipse, wherein the plurality of groups are each movable into and out of an active area in the rotatable ellipse as an active group, and items of the active group are arranged in the form of a rotatable cylinder, each being movable into and out of a selectable area in the rotatable cylinder as a desired item; increasing in size as a graphic image moves toward and into the active area or the selectable area, attaining its largest size in the active area or the selectable area. A related system is also provided.

Abstract: A switching power supply with clamping circuit includes a clamping circuit between a slave output terminal and a master output terminal thereof, to prevent voltage drift at the slave output terminal. The clamping circuit includes a switching circuit connected between the slave output terminal and the master output terminal, and a voltage stabilizing circuit connected between the slave output terminal and the switching circuit. When the output voltage at the slave output terminal steps up to a certain level, the voltage stabilizing circuit functions and enables the switching circuit, and therefore prevents the output voltage from climbing higher than the load requires.

Abstract: A display device includes a main body, an interface unit, and a detachable housing. The interface unit interconnects the detachable housing with the main body. The detachable housing includes an on screen display (OSD) unit for storing a plurality of OSD data, and a command input unit for generating command signals in response to operations of a user. The main body receives the command signals through the interface unit, identifies the command signals, and if required, performing predetermined functions to obtain OSD data from the OSD unit through the interface unit, to display an OSD menu corresponding to the obtained OSD data, and adjust any parameters of the OSD menu according to the corresponding command signals.

Abstract: A display device includes a detachable housing, a main body, and an interface unit. The interface unit electrically connects the detachable housing with the main body. The detachable housing includes an OSD unit for storing a plurality of OSD data; a command input unit for generating and sending signals in response to operations of a user; a processing unit for identifying operations of the user, and, if required by the operations, performing predetermined function to obtain OSD data, generating a corresponding control signal, and transmitting the OSD data and the control signal to the main body through the interface unit. The main body displays an OSD menu corresponding to the OSD data and adjusts the parameters of the display device, corresponding to the control signals.

Abstract: A display device includes a main body and a housing. The main body includes a control unit. The housing includes a command input unit associated with the housing. The command input is replaceable piece of equipment. The command input unit includes a plurality of pins for generating the control signals in response to operations of a user, each of the pins being designated with an identifier. The number of pins is dependent on the particular command input unit selected by a user. The control unit identifies the control signals and performs the corresponding functions through the identifiers. The functions include turning on the display device, turning off the display device, obtaining corresponding OSD data, displaying an OSD menu, and adjusting parameters of the display device.

Abstract: A method for processing information includes steps of: classifying a plurality of files into a plurality of groups, and each group is represented by one or more displayable images; designating each group according to a hierarchy of the groups; displaying images of one or more groups in a same level of the hierarchy in the form of a first virtual ellipse; locating centers of the displayed first virtual ellipses along a path of a second virtual ellipse; wherein a selected one of the groups in the same level of the hierarchy has its first virtual ellipse displayed in a size larger than that of any other displayed first virtual ellipse, a selected one of the images of the first virtual ellipse of the selected group is displayed in an active area of the first virtual ellipse of the selected group.

Abstract: A system for controlling volume includes: a key input unit (1) for receiving user operations, and generating a corresponding controlling signal according to each operation; an MCU (Microprogrammed Control Unit) (2) for comparing an elapsed time of the user continuously operating the key input unit with a preset time, and generating PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) pulses according to the comparison result; and a volume effect IC (Integrated Circuit) (3) for adjusting volume by 1 unit according to the PWM pulses if the elapsed time is less than or equal to the preset time, and setting volume as mute or adjusting volume by 10 units if the elapsed time is greater than the preset time according to a predefined system status during which the user presses the key input unit. The MCU includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)(20), a timer (22), and a memory (23). A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for prolonging lamp lifetime by reducing luminance of a least one lamp (5) in phases includes an image signal outputting unit (1), a scaler (2), and a Microprogrammed Control Unit (MCU) (4). The MCU further includes a CPU (41), a timer (42), and a memory (43). The image signal outputting unit outputs image signals to the scaler. The MCU detects in real-time statuses of the image signals being input to the scaler. The timer records each elapsed time “Tn” during which no image signal is input to the scaler. The CPU compares the elapsed time “Tn” with preset times stored in the memory, and sends a control signal to the scaler according to the comparison result. The scaler generates PWM waves with a corresponding duty cycle according to the control signal, in order to control the luminance of the lamp. A related method for prolonging lamp lifetime is also provided.

Abstract: A system for previewing and switching to favorite channels is employed to divide a screen (10) such as a TV screen into a main window (11) and a plurality of sub-windows (12, 13, 14) to display contents of programs of different channels. The sub-windows are used to display the contents of preset favorite channels, while the main window is used to display a content of a program of a current channel. The system includes a tuner (21), a decoder (22), an audio processor (23), an SOC (24), an EEPROM (25), a speaker (26), a display (27), a remote controller (28) and an infrared receiver (29). The SOC respectively connects with the tuner, the decoder, the audio processor, the EEPROM, the display and the infrared receiver. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A display device (20) with USB connectivity connects with one or more USB devices (30) via one or more USB ports (207). The display device includes a power module (201), a display controller (202), a switching circuit (203), and an OR gate circuit (204). The display controller connects to a host (10), and is used to control the switching circuit according to a current status of the host. When the host is in a power-saving mode or a power off mode, the display controller controls the switching circuit to be on. Accordingly, the OR gate circuit electrically couples the power module to the USB ports. The display device thus powers the USB devices. If the host is in a normal mode, the display controller controls the switching circuit to be off. Accordingly, the OR gate circuit electrically couples the host to the USB ports. The host thus powers the USB devices.

Abstract: A CCFL (cold-cathode fluorescent lamp) driving system for multiple CCFL loads includes a transformer, a CCFL circuit, and a controlling circuit coupled between the transformer and the CCFL circuit. The CCFL circuit includes multiple CCFL loads. The transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding, with the primary winding coupled to a voltage source and the secondary winding coupled to the CCFL loads. The controlling circuit includes a part for generating a predetermined voltage signal to power the CCFL loads during a warm-up stage and another part for generating a modulation signal. With such circuit arrangement, each of the multiple CCFL loads is powered from an off state to an operationally-on state.

Abstract: A sound outputting apparatus having compensation characteristics for improving the timbre of output sound is provided herein. The apparatus (10) includes at least one speaker (12) and a memory unit (14). The speaker has real characteristics per se and used to transform audio signals into sounds. The memory unit stores compensation parameters for the speaker, each of which is built according to the corresponding real characteristics of the speaker, and is adapted to minimize or even eliminate deviations between outputs of the speaker due to the corresponding real characteristics of the speaker. A compensation system (20) which is used to build the compensation parameters for the speaker, and a sound outputting system having compensation characteristics which adapts the sound outputting apparatus to output sounds, are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling sounds and images includes: a first memory (11) for storing songs and MMHL (Multi Media Hyper Link) files, each MMHL file including timeline information, lyrics, pictures and videos of a corresponding song, the timeline information including a plurality of time slices and related actions of each time slice; a second memory (13) for storing read songs and MMHL fifes matched with the songs; a third memory (12) for storing one or more controlling programs; and a Central Processing Unit (CPU) (10) for reading a song, obtaining an MMHL file matched with the song, and controlling simultaneous output of the song and the MMHL file according to the timeline information, via the controlling programs. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for controlling luminance of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp includes an MCU (3), an LED circuit (4), an LED lamp (5), and a display (6). The MCU controls the LED circuit to adjust a luminance value of the LED lamp. The MCU includes: a CPU (31) for monitoring a status of the associated display, generating a corresponding PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) pulse when the system operates in different working phases, and transmitting the corresponding PWM pulse to the LED circuit via a PWM pin (32); a timer (33) for recording a duration of a user operating a control button (61); and a memory (34) for storing control programs. The LED circuit sets a luminance value of the LED lamp according to the PWM pulses. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A display device testing system includes a video signal outputting apparatus (10), a remote controller (20), a back board (30) and a display device (40). The video outputting apparatus outputs video signals which contain one or more testing samples provided for testing the display device to the display device. The remote controller generates control signals to control the display device to display the testing samples. The back board includes an interface. The interface receives the control signals from the controller, combines the control signals with the video signals into mixed signals, and transmits the mixed signals to the display device to obtain a test result. The test result is sent back to the remote controller via the back board for evaluating the performances of the display device. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying and controlling a symmetry-type OSD (on-screen display) menu in an image display device includes a key input unit (10), a control unit (11), an OSD menu generation unit (12), a storage unit (13), an image signal output unit (14), a pre-amplifier (15), an image output unit (16), and an image display device (17). The key input unit is for pressing to output command signals for displaying and controlling function control targets in the symmetry-type OSD menu. The control unit is for outputting control signals and control data to display and control the symmetry-type OSD menu according to the command signals. Each function control target includes related optional items, and can be expanded into its related optional items at an active area of the image display device. Further, each function control target can be displayed in a different size according to its display position.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying and controlling an annularity-type OSD menu in an image display device includes a key input unit (10), a control unit (11), an OSD menu generation unit (12), a storage unit (13), an image signal output unit (14), a pre-amplifier (15), an image output unit (16), and an image display device (17). The key input unit is for pressing or rotating to output command signals for displaying and controlling function control targets in the annularity-type OSD menu. The control unit is for outputting control signals and control data to display and control the annularity-type OSD menu according to the command signals. Each function control target includes related optional items, and can be expanded into its related optional items at an active area of the image display device. Further, each function control target can be displayed in a different size according to its display position.