Abstract: If a manipulator of a robot falls in local minima when expanding a node to generate a path, the manipulator may efficiently escape from local minima by any one of a random escaping method and a goal function changing method or a combination thereof to generate the path. When the solution of inverse kinematics is not obtained due to local minima or when the solution of inverse kinematics is not obtained due to an inaccurate goal function, an optimal motion path to avoid an obstacle may be efficiently searched for. The speed to obtain the solution may be increased and thus the time consumed to search for the optimal motion path may be shortened.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a path planning apparatus and a method for a robot to plan an optimal path along which a manipulator of a robot moves to a goal point from a start point. An obstacle within a prescribed angle on a straight line connecting a start point and a goal point is recognized as a middle point in a configuration space and arbitrary points separated from the middle point by a prescribed distance are selected. Among the selected points, arbitrary points which can directly connect the start point and the goal point without passing the obstacle are selected as waypoints to map a new middle node. A path is extended via the middle node and extension of a tree in a wrong direction is minimized so that the manipulator is not struck at local minima without depending greatly on a goal score, thereby improving the performance of path planning and rapidly searching for a path.

Abstract: Disclosed are a path planning apparatus of a robot, which generates a path plan to control movements of the robot, and a method thereof. An improved RRT algorithm is employed, when a tree is extended in a configuration space so as to satisfy a constraint, and thus steeply bent or roundabout portions of the tree are reduced.

Abstract: An exemplary external electrode fluorescent lamp includes a tube filled with a discharge gas, and a first external electrode on an outer surface of the tube, the first external electrode having a line-like shape. Thus, the exemplary external electrode fluorescent lamp has a reduced non-fluorescent region and an enlarged fluorescent region.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display contains one or more external electrode fluorescent lamps (EEFL). Each EEFL has a tube filled with a discharge gas. Opposing first and second electrodes are disposed on an outer surface of the tube. Each of the first and second electrodes includes a cap electrode at one end of the tube and a first line electrode along a length direction of the tube; and a second electrode on the outer surface, the second electrode including a second cap electrode at the other end of the tube and a second line electrode along the length direction of the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a backlight unit and an LCD device having the same. The backlight unit comprises a plurality of light sources for generating light, a light guide plate for converting linear light generated from the light source into planar light and irradiating the light onto an LCD panel, a plurality of optical patterns formed on the light guide plate, wherein the optical patterns have different sizes for uniformly applying light incident onto the LCD panel to the entire LCD panel, and a diffusion sheet for transmitting light emitted from the light guide plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the LCD panel.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes a tube filled with a discharge gas and a fluorescent material, a first external electrode covering an outer edge of the tube, the first external electrode having a tetragonal cap-like shape, and a second external electrode on an outer surface of the tube, the second external electrode contacting the first external electrode.

Abstract: A direct type back light includes a case holding a plurality of lamps. The lamps may be “U” shaped and have curves arranged at a centerline of the case to face each other with a gap there between. A reflecting plate is positioned below the plurality of lamps. A luminance control sheet is provided above the reflecting plate and below the lamps in several of, or all of, the gaps. The luminance control sheet may have a lower reflectivity or a higher reflectivity than the reflecting plate to remove a bright line or a dark line in the center of the display, respectively.

Abstract: A backlight assembly for a liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of first light sources at a first distance from an optical sheet, a plurality of second light sources at a second distance from the optical sheet, and a reflecting sheet disposed behind the first and second light sources, in which the first distance and the second distance are substantially different.

Abstract: A backlight assembly for a liquid crystal display device is disclosed with high efficiency and high brightness. The backlight assembly includes a light source in which a first light emitting diode and a second light emitting diode are combined, a board where the light source is mounted, and optical sheets arranged in front of the light source. By alternately arranging a front emitting type LED and a side emitting type LED in various structures, high efficiency and high brightness may be obtained using a small number of light emitting diodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of locating a moving robot are disclosed. The apparatus includes a storage unit storing information on straight lines of wall on a map, a state quantity detection unit detecting quantity of state of the robot running along the wall, and a control unit estimating an interior position of the robot by obtaining straight line information based on the detected state quantity and matching the obtained straight line information with the stored straight line information.

Abstract: A backlight assembly and liquid crystal display device having the same is provided. The backlight assembly includes a plurality of U-type external electrode fluorescent lamps (EEFLs) connected to common electrode parts to reduce the occurrence of short circuits. The a backlight assembly includes a first common electrode part, a second common electrode part arranged parallel to the first common electrode with a predetermined distance in-between, and a plurality of external electrode fluorescent lamps, each having a bent shape and electrically connected to the first and second common electrode parts and a liquid crystal display panel displaying an image according to transmissivity of light supplied from the backlight assembly.

Abstract: There are provided a liquid crystal display (LCD) to which infrared rays (IR) light sources are applied and a multi-touch system using the same. The LCD to which IR light sources are applied includes a back light in which a plurality of lamp light sources and a plurality of IR light sources are repeatedly arranged in column and row directions, a diffusion plate and a plurality of optical sheets arranged on the back light, and an LCD panel provided on the back light to display an image using light incident from the back light.

Abstract: A backlight assembly for a liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of first light sources at a first distance from an optical sheet, a plurality of second light sources at a second distance from the optical sheet, and a reflecting sheet disposed behind the first and second light sources, in which the first distance and the second distance are substantially different.

Abstract: Disclosed is a backlight unit and an LCD device having the same. The backlight unit comprises a plurality of light sources for generating light, a light guide plate for converting linear light generated from the light source into planar light and irradiating the light onto an LCD panel, a plurality of optical patterns formed on the light guide plate, wherein the optical patterns have different sizes for uniformly applying light incident onto the LCD panel to the entire LCD panel, and a diffusion sheet for transmitting light emitted from the light guide plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the LCD panel.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display contains one or more external electrode fluorescent lamps (EEFL). Each EEFL has a tube filled with a discharge gas. Opposing first and second electrodes are disposed on an outer surface of the tube. Each of the first and second electrodes includes a cap electrode at one end of the tube and a first line electrode along a length direction of the tube; and a second electrode on the outer surface, the second electrode including a second cap electrode at the other end of the tube and a second line electrode along the length direction of the tube.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes a tube filled with a discharge gas and a fluorescent material, a first external electrode covering an outer edge of the tube, the first external electrode having a tetragonal cap-like shape, and a second external electrode on an outer surface of the tube, the second external electrode contacting the first external electrode.

Abstract: An exemplary external electrode fluorescent lamp includes a tube filled with a discharge gas, and a first external electrode on an outer surface of the tube, the first external electrode having a line-like shape. Thus, the exemplary external electrode fluorescent lamp has a reduced non-fluorescent region and an enlarged fluorescent region.

Abstract: A backlight unit is disclosed which improves picture quality by preventing a bright line or a dark line from being visible in the center of the display area. The backlight unit includes a plurality of U-shaped lamps arranged in two columns, wherein curved portions of the two opposite U-shaped lamps are symmetrically positioned in the center of a display area. Each of the curved portions of the U-shaped lamps has a non-luminous part so that light is not emitted by the curved portions of the U-shaped lamps. Optical sheets are provided above the U-shaped lamps, and a reflective sheet is provided below the U-shaped lamps.