Abstract: In the plasma display panel of the present invention, a protective layer covers a dielectric layer covering electrodes in discharge cells and faces a discharge space filled with a discharge gas. Here, the discharge gas includes at least one selected from the group consisting of Xe and Kr. In the protective layer, an electron band including at least electrons having energy level of 4 eV or less below a vacuum level is formed within a forbidden band in energy bands.

Abstract: A plasma display panel has plural discharge cells between two opposing first and second substrates. Each of the discharge cells includes at least one pair of electrodes for generating a discharge for display, a discharge gas and a phosphor film for emitting visible light by being excited by ultraviolet rays produced by the discharge of the discharge gas. Laminated members are dispersed in a plane within each of the discharge cells inside the first substrate from which visible light for display is emitted, and each of the laminated members includes a light absorption layer disposed on a side of the first substrate on which ambient light is incident and a light reflection layer disposed on a phosphor-film side of the laminated members. A visible-light-reflection layer is disposed on a surface of the phosphor film on a side thereof opposite from a space in which the discharge is generated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma display panel. A plasma display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a front substrate and a rear substrate attached to each other with a predetermined distance therebetween, a plurality of barrier ribs disposed between the front and rear substrates creating a plurality of discharge cells, and a plurality of scan electrodes and a plurality of sustain electrodes which are alternately arranged in each discharge cell. The plasma display panel has the enhanced discharge efficiency and emission efficiency. Further, the plasma display panel can be manufacture at low cost.

Abstract: A plasma display panel and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The plasma display panel includes a first electrode formed on a first substrate, a barrier rib formed on the first substrate, and at least one second electrode formed on the barrier rib.

Abstract: A plasma display panel having a reduced number of address electrodes to decrease power consumption while maintaining the same resolution is disclosed. First and second address electrodes are assigned to a pixel comprising three sub-pixels which are near one another. The first address electrode is assigned to two of the three sub-pixels and the second address electrode is assigned to the remaining sub-pixel. As a result, address electrode capacitance is reduced, and accordingly, cross-talk, power consumption, instantaneous power, and heat generation decrease significantly while maintaining the same display resolution.

Abstract: A display device including a display portion and a peripheral circuit portion is provided. The display portion includes a plurality of electrodes, and the peripheral circuit portion includes a plurality of bus electrodes and a plurality of traces. One end of each of the plurality of bus electrodes is electrically connected to a portion of the plurality of electrodes, and the other end of each of the plurality of bus electrodes is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of traces, so as to reduce the problem due to crowded current on one of the plurality of traces and prevent the cracking on the panel during signal transmission to the plurality of electrodes by the plurality of traces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conductive composition for a plasma display panel (hereinafter called PDP). More particularly, the conductive composition of the present invention relates to a conductive composition which has high durability for an etching liquid and is suitable for forming ribs from rib material by chemical etching.

Abstract: Provided is paste composition that includes inorganic particles, an organic solvent, and a phosphate ester dispersant having a hydrophilic moiety with an alkylene group. The dispersant has good dispersibility and strong viscosity decreasing ability, so that contains more inorganic particles than a conventional paste composition at the same viscosity. Thus, a display device prepared using the paste composition has a better packing density.

Abstract: A lamp, a method of driving the lamp, a backlight assembly having the lamp, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) device having the backlight assembly are disclosed. The lamp includes a tube that contains gas and first through fourth electrodes. The first and second electrodes are disposed in the tube adjacent to first and second ends of the tube. The third and fourth electrodes are disposed at the first and second ends of the tube. Voltages applied to the electrodes are sufficient for light to be emitted throughout the lamp. The first and second voltages, third and fourth voltages, first and third voltages, and second and fourth voltages have different polarities while the first and fourth voltages and the second and third voltages have the same polarity.

Abstract: A lamp comprising an arc envelope and a molybdenum-rhenium end structure coupled to the arc envelope.

Abstract: A lamp comprising an arc envelope and a niobium end structure coupled to the arc envelope, and wherein the end structure is shielded from a dosing material disposed within the arc envelope.

Abstract: A lamp having a ceramic arc envelope, an end structure coupled to the ceramic arc envelope and extending across an opening in the ceramic arc envelope, where the end structure comprises a passageway communicative with an interior chamber of the ceramic arc envelope is provided. The lamp further includes a molybdenum-rhenium electrode lead extending through and sealed with the passageway. The molybdenum-rhenium electrode lead includes a molybdenum-rhenium alloy. Furthermore, the lamp includes an arc electrode tip coupled to the electrode lead inside the interior chamber.

Abstract: An illumination device has a light-transmitting member formed in the shape of a toroid having a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface, the light-transmitting member defining a central axis, a light source located along the light-transmitting member central axis, and a light-directing housing for guiding light from the light source into the light-receiving surface of the light-transmitting member. The light-transmitting member may have optical waveguide and light-scattering characteristics, whereby the light-transmitting member emits light having a substantially uniform intensity along the light-emitting surface. The light-directing housing has a top reflector member and a bottom reflector member positioned on opposing side of the light source and cooperating with the light-transmitting member such that light is emitted only through the light-transmitting member.

Abstract: A dielectric waveguide integrated plasma lamp (DWIPL) with a body consisting essentially of at least one dielectric material having a dielectric constant greater than approximately 2, and having a shape and dimensions such that the body resonates in at least one resonant mode when microwave energy of an appropriate frequency is coupled into the body. A bulb positioned in at least one lamp chamber in the body contains a gas-fill which when receiving energy from the resonating body forms a light-emitting plasma.

Abstract: An electron emission device and a method of driving the electron emission device are capable of preventing the deterioration of luminance in displaying moving images by inhibiting the emission delay. The electron emission device includes cathode electrodes, gate electrodes formed over the cathode electrodes, and an insulating layer disposed between the cathode electrodes and the gate electrodes. Electron emission regions are formed on the cathode electrodes to emit electrons under the application of electric fields generated due to a difference between voltages applied to the cathode electrodes and the gate electrodes. A driving unit applies voltages to the cathode electrodes and the gate electrodes. An anode electrode receives a positive voltage to accelerate the electrons emitted from the electron emission regions. A first voltage Vc applied to the cathode electrodes and a second voltage Vg applied to the gate electrodes satisfy the following condition: 0.4?Vc/Vg<0.8.

Abstract: An energy storage system for powering electric user devices of a vehicle, the energy storage system having a battery; a capacitive element connected parallel to the terminals of the battery; and an inductive element connected in series to the battery, between the battery and the capacitive element; to effectively regulate power/energy flow between the battery and the capacitive element during transients, the ratio between the capacity of the battery measured in (Ah) and the capacitance of the capacitive element measured in (F) is less than 1, and the ratio between the capacity of the battery measured in (Ah) and the inductance of the inductive element measured in (?H) is less than 1.

Abstract: An electronics enclosure has a mains input and a lamp output. A power factor correction circuit is installed in the enclosure, to provide a DC output voltage. An inverter is also installed in the enclosure. Control electronics is also installed in the enclosure to control the inverter, and to receive a selection of lamp load type made manually by a user via a user interface on an outside face of the enclosure. The same lamp output can thus alternatively drive, for example, a high pressure sodium lamp and a metal halide lamp, as indicated by the selection. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A backlight driving apparatus comprises a rectifying-smoothing part to convert an AC voltage supplied from a common power source into a DC voltage, a power factor correction circuit part to boost the DC voltage converted from the rectifying-smoothing part, and a DC/AC converter to convert the boosted DC voltage from the power factor correction circuit part into a boosted AC voltage such that the boosted AC voltage drives a backlight.

Abstract: Provided is a load driving device controlling a drive of a load including a driver for periodically turning on/off a current according to a switching clock signal and supplying a average driving current to the load. Further provided is a dimming controller for controlling the driver to turn on/off the drive of the load based on a dimming step. Also provided is a controller for controlling at least one of the driver and the dimming controller so as to make a step interval of the dimming step and a switching clock period of the switching clock signal the same. A load driving device is provided that is capable of stably controlling the dimming of a drive of a load, by improving a linear response characteristic of a driving current according to a dimming control.

Abstract: Provided is a display apparatus that includes a light source, that further includes a current generator for outputting a predetermined driving current. Further provided is a first path for supplying the driving current output by the current generator to the light source and a second path for intercepting the driving current supplied to the light source. In addition, a switch is provided for supplying the driving current output by the current generator either to the first path or to the second path and a controller is provided for controlling the switch to supply the driving current output by the current generator to the first path while the light source is turned on, and to supply the driving current to the second path while the light source is turned off. Thus, the present invention provides a display apparatus which improves a response time of electrical current when a light source is turned on and off, and thereby improves display quality.

Abstract: The invention describes a multiple lamp balance transformer and a drive circuit. The multiple lamp balance transformer has two magnetic cores with a closed magnetic flux path and two coils wound around the closed magnetic flux path. The two coils have the same number of windings. The impedance property of the coil and Lenz's Law are used to balance the operating current of the lamps connected to the coils. The drive circuit has a multiple lamp balance transformer connected to several lamps, and a boost transformer uses a controller to supply the current and voltage to the lamps. A current detect/protect circuit connected to the coils and the controller detects the current passing through the coils and converts the operating current of the lamp into a voltage to be sent to the controller, so that the controller controls and provides sufficient power to the lamps.

Abstract: The balance transformer with an auxiliary winding connecting to two CCFLs comprises a magnetic core that acts as a path for magnetic flux. The magnetic core is wound with a first coil, a second coil and an auxiliary coil. The winding direction of the first coil and the second coil are opposite. When the currents passing through the coils are balanced, there is no reaction voltage at the two ends of the auxiliary coil. When the currents of CCFLs are imbalanced or abnormal, the auxiliary coil produces a reaction voltage to act as a feedback signal for protecting the CCFLs.

Abstract: The apparatus signals when a high intensity discharge lamp is nearing the end of its operational life. The apparatus includes a lamp drive signal source that provides a drive signal to the high intensity discharge lamp. The lamp drive signal source has a measurable drive parameter. A controller controls the operation of the high intensity discharge lamp. The controller is capable of delaying activation of the lamp drive signal source in response to a measured value of the operating voltage of the high intensity discharge lamp.

Abstract: A power supply and method for operating a power supply for a short arc lamp are provided herein. The power supply and method can operate to provide to a number of advantageous operations. One aspect herein provides a power supply which utilizes a constant power mode type of operation. However, the constant power mode is modified to allow for some variation in power in order to provide for a more constant light output by the lamp. A second aspect herein provides for controlling the operation of a boost voltage applied to the lamp at start up. This control allows for adjusting the applied boost voltage to accommodate the changing characteristics of the lamp itself, and these adjustments can allow for extended life of the lamp.

Abstract: An LED driving circuit of a backlight unit includes a switch connected between an input of direct voltage and a ground to switch the direct voltage according to a switching pulse; a rectifying diode connected between a connecting node and one terminal of the LED array to rectify driving voltage supplied according to switching operation of the switch; a smoothing capacitor having one terminal connected to a cathode of the rectifying diode and the other terminal connected to a ground; a voltage detecting resistor connected between the other terminal of the LED array connected to the ground and the other end of the smoothing capacitor to detect voltage from the current flowing to the ground; and a PWM controlling part for controlling on/off status of the switching according to the switching pulse, wherein the switching pulse has a duty ratio determined according to a preset internal reference voltage and the voltage detected by the voltage detecting resistor.

Abstract: A backlight unit includes at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp arranged at a lower end of a bottom cover, external electrode fluorescent lamps arranged on the bottom cover above the cold cathode fluorescent lamp, and inverters disposed on a rear side of the bottom cover for driving the at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp and the external electrode fluorescent lamps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protection means for a driving circuit which drives a set of external electrode fluorescent lamps (EEFL). The driving circuit with protection function for driving a set of EEFLs consistent with the present invention includes: a transformer connected to the set of EEFLs; a switching network connected to the transformer which delivers power to the transformer; a sensing circuit connected to the set of EEFLs which detects disconnection if one light source is disconnected; and a controller connected to the switching network which controls the switching network to reduce the total current supplied to the EEFLs which remain connected, if the sensing circuit detects that one EEFL is disconnected. Appropriate protection can therefore be implemented when the EEFL is disconnected on one end or both ends.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a specific example is provided in the shape of a rectangular box constructed with a front cover, a decorative cover, a box, one or multiple light sources and a sensor module. A first connecting point with a docking bay is electrically provided on one pre-determined position of the apparatus, and a second connecting point with a docking bay is electrically provided on another pre-determined position of the apparatus. The sensor module is electrically connected to one connecting point with the docking bay while the other connecting point with the docking bay is closed off by a plug means whence the lighting apparatus is mounted in any one selected mounting orientation. The sensor module is always disposed at the bottom side of the apparatus. The integral detector-lighting apparatus can assume an orthogonal shape such as rectangular or oblong shape, an oval shape, a circular shape or triangular shape.

Abstract: A traction control system for controlling an electric traction motor drivingly coupled to a wheel of a tractive vehicle. The traction control system includes means for determining speed of the wheel, means for determining tractive effort of the wheel and a control circuitry for controlling drive signals to the motor based upon the wheel speed and tractive effort.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electric motor movement controlling method, where the electric motor is fed by a total voltage proportional to the network voltage. The method comprises steps of making a first measurement of level of the network voltage at a first moment of measurement and making a second measurement of level of the network voltage; at a second moment of measurement, calculating the value of the derivative of the values of voltage measured in function of the first and second moments of measurement, to obtain a value of a proportional network voltage, and altering the value of the total voltage fed to the motor, proportionally to the value of the proportional network. A system that will implement the steps of the method of the present invention, as well as a compressor comprising the system of the present invention are foreseen.

Abstract: A driving device has a magnetostrictive actuator that drives a load member based on a driving signal, a sensor that detects an action of the load member, and a compensation unit that performs feedback compensation on the driving signal which the magnetostrictive actuator receives, based on a detection signal that is received from the sensor.

Abstract: A back electromotive force detection circuit 12 incorporates an A/D conversion circuit 14 that converts the output from a differential amplifier circuit A2 into a digital signal and an offset calculation circuit 15 that sets the resistance value of a variable resistor R2 according to the output from the AID conversion circuit 14. Based on the difference between the output from the AID conversion circuit 14 as obtained when the drive current fed to a motor coil L equals zero and the output from the A/D conversion circuit 14 as obtained when the drive current fed to a motor coil L equals a predetermined value, the offset calculation circuit 15 sets the resistance value of the variable resistor R2.

Abstract: A switching frequency multiplier inverter for low inductance machines that uses parallel connection of switches and each switch is independently controlled according to a pulse width modulation scheme. The effective switching frequency is multiplied by the number of switches connected in parallel while each individual switch operates within its limit of switching frequency. This technique can also be used for other power converters such as DC/DC, AC/DC converters.

Abstract: A bi-directional single-phase motor includes a stator, a rotor and a control circuit. The rotor is coupled to the stator and rotates along a first direction or a second direction. The control circuit is disposed in the stator and has a first inductive element and a second inductive element. When the first inductive element is on and the second inductive element is off, the rotor rotates along the first direction. When the first inductive element is off and the second inductive element is on, the rotor rotates along the second direction.

Abstract: A motor drive system for a sensorless motor includes a catch start sequencer that controls the motor drive system to robustly start the motor in the event the motor rotor is rotating in forward or reverse direction prior to activating the motor drive system. In particular, the catch start sequencer causes the motor drive system to initially find and track the rotor position, and then determines the speed and possibly the direction of rotation of the rotor. If the rotor is rotating in the reverse direction, the catch start sequencer controls the motor drive system to slow the speed of rotation and to then start the rotor rotating in the forward direction.

Abstract: The torque of a motor operated by an inverter circuit is controlled to allow maximum torque in the motor when the motor is stalled or at low rotation speeds. Control is accomplished by providing a switching frequency to the motor at a first switching frequency, detecting a rotation speed of the motor, and switching the current to the motor to a second switching frequency when the rotation speed of the motor drops to a predetermined slow rotation speed. The second switching frequency is less than the first switching frequency.

Abstract: A barrier operator includes a drive motor and a controller for causing the motor to move the barrier between open and closed positions and for monitoring parameters related to forces acting on the barrier during movement thereof. If no external entrapment device is connected to the controller, the controller automatically sets maximum control limit values which will effect stopping or reversing of the motor if an obstruction is encountered by the barrier. If an external entrapment device is connected to the controller, the controller requires a user to set the control limit values at least for movement of the barrier from an open position to a closed position. Audio or visual signal indicators associated with the controller alert the user to the requirement to set the control limits before the operator will effect movement of the barrier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for calibrating and teaching a robot to accurately work within a work environment are described. The present invention preferably provides one or more vibration sensor devices operatively coupled with a robot. In one aspect of the present invention a method comprises the steps of providing a vibration sensitive detector on a robot end effector, causing the end effector to contact an object, generating a signal indicative of the position of the contact with respect to the end effector, and using information comprising the generated signal to teach the robot the location of the contact in the work environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for a digital servo system with pre-processing old control states to shorten processing delay, which improves the stability of the control loop and/or allow a fast servo signal processing, which improve the overall servo control performance. The digital signal processor of the servo system stores previously calculated control filter states for a calculation of a digital signal processor output value from a current input value and provides the digital signal processor output value before calculating control filter states based on said current input value. The invention is e.g. applicable for a fast digital servo system in an optical disc drive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for a digital servo system with moving average filter, which is used as an input filter for a digital signal processor of the servo system to shorten processing delay, which improves the stability of the control loop and/or allow a fast servo signal processing, which improve the overall servo control performance. Said input filter provides average values of samples provided from an analog digital converter at a frequeny corresponding to a sample frequency of the analog digital converter and has an adjustable filter length, which is determined according to a quality of detector signals indicating a deviation from a target of servo means of the servo system. The invention is e.g. applicable for a fast digital servo system in an optical disc drive.

Abstract: A controller for motor activation providing accurate and repeatable position changes by pressing and releasing a push button switch. Repeatable position changes are made in an advance direction by triggering a digital counter for a predetermined number of cycles of a reference clock signal. Backlash in retard motion of the motor is reduced by similarly asserting a retard motor input for an amount of time determined by another digital counter with a following advance correction made automatically after the retard signal is applied, by applying a predetermined retard-advance movement amount, as again counted by a digital counter. The advance binary amount, the retard binary amount and the retard-advance binary amount of set through binary switch inputs to respective counters to count the respective time periods (TG3, TG1, and TG2).

Abstract: A stepping motor control method including: supplying hold current for holding a rotor of a stepping motor at a prescribed angle to the stepping motor as required while the stepping motor stops; performing a phase change at a frequency lower than a maximum self-start frequency when the stepping motor is rotated, under a state that the hold current is not supplied to the stepping motor, from a stopping state; and then, performing an accelerating process.

Abstract: A method is described for determining an operating state on triggering a fan motor, the fan motor being operated with the aid of a switching device, the switching device being activated via a pulse-width-modulated triggering signal, a pulse duty factor of the triggering signal predefining a triggering state of the fan motor, a voltage potential at the node between fan motor and switching device or a motor current being measured as a measured variable, an operating state being determined on triggering the fan motor as a function of the measured variable and the pulse duty factor.

Abstract: A charger has two or more separate charging ports to which two or more rechargeable batteries can be coupled, respectively. Current from a single current source is allocated to the two or more separate charging ports so that the two or more rechargeable batteries will be fully charged at substantially the same time.

Abstract: A thin battery powered lighter, which has superior portability and usable as an advertising medium, is provided. The lighter includes a thin flat case (2); a sheet type battery (3) provided within the case (2); a heating element (4) connected to the battery (3); and a power switch (5) for establishing an electrical connection between the battery (3) and the heating element (4). The case (2) includes a slide member (6) for opening and closing an ignition window (21), which is provided at a position that the heating element faces (4), and an operating button (51) for operating the power switch (5). When the ignition window (21) is closed by the slide member (6), a portion of the slide member is interposed between contact points of the switch, precluding an operation of the operating button (51). The electrical connection is enabled by operating the operating button (51) in a state in which the ignition window (21) is open.

Abstract: The present invention relates to charging of rechargeable batteries built into electronic devices and is configured to constrain heat generation during the charging. A charging IC used for charging a rechargeable battery built into an electronic device is disclosed that comprises a power source unit which can be fed with power from an external power source with a drooping characteristic to pick up a constant current; and a control unit which applies a first constant current from the external power source to the rechargeable battery through a circuit element installed on a charging path of the rechargeable battery, the control unit applying a second constant current smaller than the first constant current from the power source unit to the rechargeable battery after the rechargeable battery is charged with the first constant current to a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A device for measuring a battery energy, in particular during charge/discharge of a battery, includes supply elements (3) apt to be connected to a battery (5) so as to make an electric current flow in/from the latter for one or more time intervals, and controlling and detecting elements (2), characterised in that the controlling and detecting elements (2) are apt to detect the energy stored in the battery (5) during a time period including at least one portion of the one or more time intervals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery charger for charging a battery. The present invention especially relates to a battery charger comprising a switching power supply controlled on the primary side and a charge monitoring circuit for monitoring the charge state of the battery. For providing an improved battery charger which allows a secure and reliable charging of batteries with a reduction of the circuit complexity, the costs for appliances and the construction size, the charge monitoring circuit is—according to the invention—disposed in the switching circuit on the primary side of the battery charger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for setting an initial SOC value, which initializes the SOC in consideration of not only the temperature change of the external environment of the battery but also the internal temperature change of the battery before the battery reaches a stable unloaded state, thereby enhancing the accuracy in the setup of the initial SOC value. The method includes: measuring internal temperatures of the battery and SOCs corresponding to voltages of the battery, which change according to the time passage after a loaded state is converted into an unloaded state, and constructing an SOC estimation table by using measured values, and storing the SOC estimation table; measuring the internal temperature and the voltage of the battery when estimation of an initial SOC value of the battery is required; and reading an SOC corresponding to the measured internal temperature and the voltage of the battery from the SOC estimation table.

Abstract: If a voltage of each of a plurality of capacitor cells forming a capacitor is lower than a system malfunction voltage V(1), and if the voltage of any one of the capacitor cells is higher than a cell charge inhibition voltage V(2) lower than the system malfunction voltage V(1), an ECU executes a program including a step of setting a limit value WIN(C) of electric power to be stored in the capacitor to be “0”.