Abstract: A shift register includes a plurality of first to n-numbered stages, where n is a positive integer. Each stage includes a node controller controlling respective voltages of a first node and a second node in accordance with an output signal from the (i?j1)-numbered stage and an output signal from the (i+j2)-numbered stage, wherein i is a positive integer from 1 to n, j1 is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, and j2 is a positive integer equal to or different from j1; and an output unit outputting one of a plurality of clock signals in accordance with the respective voltages of the first and second nodes.

Abstract: A shift register which is capable of performing bidirectional scanning is disclosed. The shift register includes first and second voltage input lines to which first and second voltages are input, respectively with the phases of the first and second voltages being opposite to each other; a plurality of stages dependently connected to a plurality of clock signal input lines which input a plurality of clock signals whose phases are sequentially delayed, wherein each stage includes: a scan direction controller to selectively output the first and second voltages thereto, according to first and second start pulses, and for controlling scan direction, a node controller to control voltages of first and second nodes according to a signal output from the scan direction controller, and an output unit to output a clock signal from one of the plurality of clock signal input lines thereto according to the voltage of each of the first and second nodes.

Abstract: In a power supply device whose safety is improved, a backlight assembly and a display apparatus having thereof, the power supply device includes a printed circuit board, a transformer and a securing cover. The transformer is disposed on the printed circuit board to change a first input voltage into a second voltage, and outputs the second voltage. The securing cover covers a portion where the second voltage is outputted. Accordingly, when a securing cover covers a portion where the high voltage is outputted, the safety of the power supply can be enhanced.

Abstract: A gate driver, comprises a plurality of shift registers configured to output signals sequentially such that an Nth shift register is reset by an output signal of an (N+2)th shift register, wherein last, second last and third last shift registers are reset by a last output signal of the last shift register.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a light assembly with fewer peripheral devices than is currently required is presented. The apparatus of the invention includes a lamp unit, a current restricting unit coupled to the lamp unit, and a current sensing unit that is coupled to the current restricting unit. Upon detecting a current output exceeding a predetermined magnitude for at least a predetermined time period, the current restricting unit increases the load on one of the lamps. The current sensing unit senses the output from each of the lamps as modified by the current restricting unit, and sums the outputs to determine a total current flow through the lamps. A current control unit that is coupled to the current sensing unit uses the total current flow to adjust the current input to the lamps.

Abstract: A device to fix a substrate for a thin film sputter, includes a mask, a mask pressing plate, a magnetic body, and a driving unit. The mask having patterns is positioned under the substrate so as to form the patterns on the substrate. The mask pressing plate is positioned over the substrate and moves toward and contacts a back surface of the substrate at a predetermined pressure. The magnetic body is placed over the mask pressing plate and moves toward the mask pressing plate so as to have the mask adhere closely to the substrate by a magnetic force of the magnetic body. The driving unit applies a driving force to move the magnetic body. Where the mask pressing plate descends, the mask pressing plate adheres closely to the substrate. Thereafter, the magnetic body descends toward the back surface of the substrate which is supported by the mask pressing plate. The mask underneath the substrate adheres closely to a front surface of the substrate by the magnetic force of the magnetic body.

Abstract: An apparatus of driving a light source for a display device is provided. The apparatus includes a temperature sensor (940) sensing a temperature and generating an output voltage based on the sensed temperature, a buffer (950) generating an output signal having a state depending on the output voltage of the temperature sensor (940), an oscillator (931) generating an oscillating signal having a frequency depending on the state of the output signal of the buffer, and an inverter (920) performing a switching operation in response to the oscillating signal from the oscillator (931). Therefore, the inverter (920) increases the voltage applied to the light source when the temperature near the light source is lower than a predetermined temperature since the frequency of the oscillating signal is increased.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a bottom chassis, a flat fluorescent lamp, a frame and a reflecting member. The flat fluorescent lamp is supported in the bottom chassis, and the flat fluorescent lamp includes a plurality of discharge spaces to generate light. The frame is combined with the bottom chassis to hold the flat fluorescent lamp. The reflecting member in one embodiment is coupled to the frame to cover an edge portion of the flat fluorescent lamp. In another embodiment, the reflecting member is integral with the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus of driving a lamp for a display device is provided. The driving apparatus includes an inverter (920), a lamp current sensor (940), and an inverter controller (930). The lamp current sensor (940)senses a current flowing in the lamp and output a feedback signal having a magnitude depending on the sensed current. The inverter controller (930) compares a dimming control signal from an external device with the feedback signal and controls the inverter (920) based on the comparison. The inverter (920) includes a transformer (T1) for applying a lamp drive voltage to a lamp for turning on or off the lamp and a voltage sensor (928) sensing the lamp drive voltage. The inverter (920) adjusts a turns ratio of the transformer in accordance with the sensed lamp drive voltage.

Abstract: A dry etching apparatus may include a dry etching chamber and a door chamber. The apparatus may further include a load lock chamber configured to connect the dry etching chamber and the door chamber in a vacuum state. A gas injector and an ionizer may be configured inside the door chamber or the load lock chamber. A gas supplying source may be disposed out of the chambers to supply a determined gas to the gas injector and the ionizer. A method of fabricating a phase shift mask using the dry etching apparatus may include removing particles attached to the surface of a mask in the door chamber or the load lock chamber during an etch process by the gas injector and the ionizer configured inside the door chamber or the load lock chamber of the etching apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates to a shift register that is adaptive for preventing malfunction and damage, and a driving method thereof.

Abstract: In a backlight assembly that provides improved luminance uniformity and a LCD device having the same, the backlight assembly includes a flat fluorescent lamp and a receiving container. The receiving container has a bottom plate and sidewalls to receive the surface light source. The bottom plate includes openings that overlap the outermost lateral discharge spaces located along the edges of the flat fluorescent lamp. The openings are formed at corner portions of the bottom plate and extend parallel to the discharge spaces of the lamp. The backlight assembly further includes a buffer member interposed between the flat fluorescent lamp and the receiving container to support the flat fluorescent lamp. The buffer member includes protrusions couplable to holes of the receiving container, allowing the buffer member to be firmly secured to the receiving container. The device decreases current leakage of the surface light source, thus improving luminance uniformity.

Abstract: A rapid immunoassay method and apparatus for detecting foot and mouth disease virus are disclosed. The method and test device permit pen-side testing of animals and provide test results within a relatively short time period. In a preferred embodiment, the method and apparatus provide a means for differentiating between FMDV-infected and FMDV-vaccinated animals.

Abstract: A hybrid circuit board includes a first circuit board and a second circuit boards. The first circuit board includes a first body having a slot, and a first circuit pattern formed on the first body and extended to the slot. The second circuit board includes a second body, a protruding portion, a second circuit pattern, and a separating member. The protruding portion extends from the second body. The protruding portion is inserted into the slot of the first circuit board to combine the second circuit board to the first circuit board. The second circuit pattern is formed on the second body to be extended to the protruding portion, so that the second circuit pattern is electrically connected to the first circuit pattern of the first circuit board. The separating member is disposed between the second body and the protruding portion to separate the protruding portion from the second body.

Abstract: A clip for a flat fluorescent lamp includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion and a connecting portion. The clip electrically connects first and second external electrodes that are on upper and lower surfaces of a lamp body of a flat fluorescent lamp. The first contact portion makes contact with the first external electrode. The first contact portion has a hole. The second contact portion makes contact with the second external electrode. The second contact portion may also have a hole. The connecting portion electrically connects the first contact portion to the second contact portion. The first external electrode is securely connected to the second external electrode, thereby improving reliability of the flat fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: In a backlight assembly and an LCD device having the same, a backlight assembly includes a main light source and an auxiliary light source. The main light source is under an LCD panel that displays an image. The main light source generates a main light. The auxiliary light source generates an auxiliary light. Therefore, luminance of the backlight assembly becomes more uniform, and an image display quality of the LCD device is improved.

Abstract: A driving device is provided, which includes: a switching unit directly connected to a first voltage from a source external to the driving device; a transforming unit indirectly connected to the switching unit for transforming the first voltage into a second voltage and applying the second voltage to a light source; a signal transmitting unit indirectly connected to the switching unit and transmitting a driving voltage for driving the switching unit based on a control signal; and an inverter controller outputting the control signal to the signal transmitting unit.

Abstract: A surface light source unit and an LCD device having the same having an improved structure to minimize a dark portion caused by an outer electrode portion. The surface light source unit of the LCD device includes a discharge portion formed between a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, a first outer electrode portion disposed on the first substrate inside the discharge portion to be supplied with power, a first frit disposed on the first substrate inside the discharge portion opposite the first outer electrode portion. The discharge portion performs a discharge according to the power supplied to the first outer electrode portion. Since the first frit increases the number of secondary emitting electrons, the dark portion can be minimized.