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New Substrate Tech Creates System LCDs

Posted by timothy on from the just-toss-the-cpu-in-there-too dept.

smartalix writes "Sharp Microelectronics has recently developed a new LCD substrate technology called Continuous-Grain Silicon (CG-Silicon), that enables device integration on a scale previously impossible. The technology enables the creation of System LCDs that integrate all driver and operation circuitry -- including digital logic, LCD driver, power supply, I/O interfaces, and signal-processing circuitry -- onto the glass itself. Eventually even the device's CPU will be included on the substrate. A key SLCD feature is the ability to dynamically control the resolution and color depth, providing output in multiple-resolution modes while lowering overall power consumption. A 3.7-in. SLCD created with CG-Silicon had a power consumption of 14 mW for color VGA, 8 mW for color QVGA, and 2 mW for monochrome QVGA. The first commercially available product that incorporates the System LCD architecture is Sharp's Zaurus SL-C700 PDA, recently released in Japan."

7 of 129 comments (clear)

  1. That's nice. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    18mW for VGA, but you still need 6-7W at least for the backlight, nuuu???

  2. So does this mean... by ZaMoose · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So then, what happens when I crack the screen? Time for an all-new Zaurus?

    Wait a tick... that's bloody brilliant on Sharp's part!

    I'm going to work on getting Sony and Nintendo to start integrating processing functionality into their controllers. Then, when somebody gets pissed and breaks one, they'll have to buy a whole new console!

    I'm off to the USPTO, suckers!

    --
    I wish I had a kryptonite cross, because then you could keep Dracula and Superman away.
    1. Re:So does this mean... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      So then, what happens when I crack the screen? Time for an all-new Zaurus?

      Wait a tick... that's bloody brilliant on Sharp's part!

      And this would be different from the current tech how?

    2. Re:So does this mean... by jandrese · · Score: 5, Insightful

      As opposed to current PDA technology that still works great after you crack the screen???

      The big difference I can see is the opportunity to make really thin electronics, since you don't have to have the circut board behind the display anymore (just the batteries).

      --

      I read the internet for the articles.
  3. Re:QVGA? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Wait a minute, most math (after about the 6th grade) is done with letters of various types (you know, like x = y), and when you use up all the letters in your own alphabet, they start throwing in letters from other alphabets. If you stay with math long enough, they just make up symbols.

  4. I wonder... by wazzzup · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This technology combined with technology derived from Apple's new patent application, I wonder if we could have iPod's where the case itself displays the funky visualizations?

    Just a thought.

  5. No, more like Enterprise D (NCC1701-D) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    These will be the large display/touch screens like what were plastered all over every control panel, console, and corridor wall in the Enterprise D of ST:TNG