Abstract: A protocol conversion and arbitration circuit may include: a protocol conversion circuit to receive signals complying with a second protocol used by a master, and to convert the received signals into signals complying with an intermediary protocol used by an internal bus of a slave; and a transform circuit to receive, from the protocol conversion circuit, and to convert the once-converted signals into signals complying with a first protocol used by the slave.

Abstract: In a display apparatus, a light generating part generates a first light in response to a driving signal, and a first driving part outputs a panel driving signal. A display panel receives the first light from the light generating part and a second light externally provided, and displays an image in response to the panel driving signal. A light sensing part is disposed in the display panel so as to output a sensing signal corresponding a light amount of the second light. A second driving part compares the sensing signal with a predetermined reference value, and outputs a driving signal in accordance with the compared result. Thus, the display apparatus may reduce an electrical power consumed to drive the display apparatus.

Abstract: An optical sensing apparatus and method includes calculating an accurate motion vector coordinate value of a current preprocessed image by partial-searching a particular coordinate axis corresponding to a predetermined direction determining coefficient, a predetermined speed determining coefficient, and/or a predetermined direction and/or speed determining coefficient according to a history of a motion vector coordinate values with respect to a past preprocessed image, calculating the motion vector coordinate value of a future according to a history of a motion vector coordinate value of the current preprocessed image, and performing a position navigation with respect to current or future preprocessed image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mode-filtering and mode-selecting method in a multi-mode waveguide, and a waveguide amplifier, a semiconductor laser, and a VCSEL using the method. These optical elements include a cladding region that has a periodically changed refractive-index structure, thereby obtaining a mode-filtering or mode-selecting function, which in turn allows only a single mode in the transverse direction to propagate along the waveguide. By forming the periodic index-variation structure, the EDF, the semiconductor laser, and the VCSEL achieve a single mode operation although the cross-sectional area is much larger than that of the prior art, consequently realizing a high-performance or high-power single-mode amplifier and laser.

Abstract: Disclosed is an LCD having an adaptive luminance intensifying function and driving method thereof. A timing controller checks features of externally provided image data, and when they are found to be moving pictures, it determines a luminance level required from the image data and outputs a luminance level control signal, and when they are found to be still images, outputs a predetermined luminance signal. A backlight driver outputs a high-potential backlight driving voltage to the backlight unit when a luminance control signal of high-luminance level driving is provided by the timing controller, and outputs a constant level luminance signal when a constant luminance signal is input.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having a capacitor is disclosed. The capacitor includes a bottom capacitor surface formed of a silicon-germanium single crystalline layer or a dual layer in which a silicon-germanium single crystalline layer covers a silicon single crystalline layer. The bottom capacitor surface is uneven and is conventionally formed by an epitaxial method. The silicon germanium single crystalline layer is approximately 5 to 50 percent germanium content by weight. The method of fabricating the semiconductor memory device comprises: selectively exposing the surface of a single crystalline silicon substrate at the region where the capacitor bottom electrode is formed; supplying a source gas to grow a silicon germanium single crystalline layer at the surface of the selectively exposed silicon substrate; stacking a dielectric layer over the silicon germanium single crystalline layer; and stacking a conductive layer over the dielectric layer to form a capacitor top electrode.

Abstract: An impulsive driving LCD is provided, which includes: a plurality of groups of gate lines transmitting a gate-on voltage; a plurality of data lines alternately transmitting normal data voltages and an impulsive data voltage; a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and including switching elements that are connected to the gate lines and the data lines and turn on in response to the gate-on voltage to transmit the data voltages; a plurality of gate driving circuits connected to respective groups of gate lines and sequentially applying the gate-on voltage to the gate lines; a data driver applying the data voltages to the data lines; and a signal controller controlling the gate driver and the data driver. Each pixel is supplied with the normal data voltages at least twice and with the impulsive data voltage at least once, and the application of the normal voltages are continuously performed without interrupt.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes an array pixel including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. The plurality of pixels include a set of pixels including a pair of center pixels adjacent to each other, and a pair of first-color pixels and a pair of second-color pixels obliquely facing each other across the center pixels. Each pixel includes a pixel electrode and a thin film transistor. The liquid crystal display further includes a plurality of gate lines extending in a row direction for transmitting a gate signal to the pixels, and a plurality of data lines extending in a column direction for transmitting data signals to the pixels. The pixels are subject to polarity inversion.

Abstract: A system wherein a mobile terminal can control the operation of an external communication device using wire/wireless local-area communication. The mobile terminal includes a local-area wireless communication module, and acts to perform the local-area wireless communication using the local-area wireless communication module. The communication device accesses an Internet communication network in response to an Internet access command input thereto to perform wire Internet communication.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided, which includes: a plurality of pixel row groups, each pixel row group including at least one pixel row that includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and including switching elements; a plurality of gate lines connected to the switching elements and transmitting a gate-on voltage for turning on the switching elements; and a plurality of data lines connected to the switching elements and transmitting data voltages, wherein the switching elements in adjacent pixel row groups are connected to the data lines at opposite sides.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided, which includes: groups of gate lines transmitting a gate-on voltage; data lines alternately transmitting normal data voltages and an impulsive data voltage; pixels arranged in a matrix and including switching elements that are connected to the gate lines and the data lines and turn on in response to the gate-on voltage to transmit the data voltages; gate driving circuits connected to respective groups of gate lines and sequentially applying the gate-on voltage to the gate lines; a data driver applying the data voltages to the data lines; a duty ratio selector outputting a duty ratio selection signal informing a selected duty ratio; and a signal controller controlling the gate driver and the data driver based on the duty ratio selection signal, wherein the signal controller determines a time for the application of the impulsive data voltage based on the duty ratio selection signal.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent device, including a substrate, a first electrode layer formed on the substrate, and a second electrode layer formed on the first electrode layer. An organic layer, having a light-emitting layer, is interposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and a transparent layer is formed on the second electrode layer. Damage to the organic layer may be prevented while maintaining a transmittance of the second electrode layer.

Abstract: A positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided. The positive active material comprises a lithiated intercalation compound and a coating layer formed on the lithiated intercalation compound. The coating layer comprises a solid-solution compound and an oxide compound having at least two coating elements, the oxide compound represented by the following Formula 1: MpM?qOr??(1) wherein M and M? are not the same and are each independently at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Al, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ni, Co, Ti, Sn, Mn, Cr, Fe, and V; 0<p<1; 0<q<1; and 1<r?2, where r is determined based upon p and q. The solid-solution compound is prepared by reacting the lithiated intercalation compound with the oxide compound. The coating layer has a fracture toughness of at least 3.5 MPam1/2. A method of making the positive active material is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a photographing lens containing, in order from an object side: a first lens having a positive refractive power and a convex surface facing the object side; a second lens having a negative refractive power; a third lens having a positive refractive power; and a fourth lens having a negative refractive power and at least one aspheric surface, the photographing lens satisfying the following conditional expressions: L T f ? 1.2 0.5 ? f 3 f ? 1.0 where LT denotes the distance on the optical axis between the object side of the first lens and the image side of the fourth lens; f denotes the total focal length of the photographing lens; and f3 denotes the focal length of the third lens.

Abstract: A washing machine in which the laundry of poor heat-resistance is sufficiently wet so that a water curtain layers are formed at the laundry, thereby preventing the laundry from being stained and damaged when the laundry contacts the steam. According to the present invention, cold water is supplied simultaneously with injection of the steam so that the real temperature of the steam contacting the surfaces of the laundry is lowered, thereby preventing the laundry from being stained and damaged when the laundry contacts the steam.

Abstract: A washing machine and a control method thereof in which laundry is washed in a state of being directly heated by steam. The washing machine includes a microcomputer for controlling the overall operation of the washing machine to wash laundry by using steam. The microcomputer controls operations of wetting laundry with a small amount of water prior to generation of steam, uniformly spraying detergent over the wet laundry, and injecting steam onto the laundry. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve a reduction in the amount of water to be used and a reduction in wash time while preventing the laundry from being stained or damaged during the wash operation using steam.

Abstract: A fuse area of a semiconductor device capable of preventing moisture-absorption and a method for manufacturing the fuse area are provided. When forming a guard ring for preventing permeation of moisture through the sidewall of an exposed fuse opening portion, an etch stop layer is formed over a fuse line. A guard ring opening portion is formed using the etch stop layer. The guard ring opening portion is filled with a material for forming the uppermost wiring of multi-level interconnect wirings or the material of a passivation layer, thereby forming the guard ring concurrently with the uppermost interconnect wiring or the passivation layer. Accordingly, permeation of moisture through an interlayer insulating layer or the interface between interlayer insulating layers around the fuse opening portion can be efficiently prevented by a simple process.

Abstract: A method for forming a plug of a semiconductor device according to a preferred embodiment includes forming a metal wiring on a semiconductor substrate, forming an interlayer dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate having the metal wiring, forming a contact hole for partially exposing the metal wiring by selectively etching the interlayer dielectric layer, annealing the semiconductor substrate having the contact hole using NH3 gas, plasma processing the annealed semiconductor substrate using the NH3, and forming a barrier layer on the interlayer dielectric layer having the contact hole.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating semiconductor devices are disclosed. A disclosed semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate, a source region and a drain region. A gate electrode is formed on the silicon substrate. Also, a metal silicide layer is formed on each of the gate electrode, the source region, and the drain region. The metal silicide layer has a thickness uniformity of about 1˜20%. A disclosed fabrication method includes forming a metal layer on a silicon substrate having a gate electrode, a source region, and a drain region; performing a plasma treatment on the metal layer; forming a protective layer on the metal layer; and heat treating the silicon substrate on which the protective layer is formed to thereby form a metal silicide layer. A gas that includes nitrogen is used as a plasma gas during the plasma treatment.

Abstract: A method of controlling the backlight assembly of a display apparatus according to the ambient light level is presented. When there is sufficient ambient light to achieve a desired level of brightness in a display apparatus, the backlight assembly is turned off to conserve power. On the other hand, when the amount of ambient light is insufficient for achieving the desired brightness level, the backlight assembly is turned on to supplement the ambient light so that the display apparatus will provide the desired brightness level regardless of the amount of ambient light. In some embodiments, the intensity of the light emitted by the backlight assembly is adjusted according to the ambient light level. Optionally, the display apparatus is switched between transmissive mode and reflective mode depending on the ambient light level. The voltage applied to the display panel is adjusted depending on the operational mode.