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New LCD Flatscreen Concept: A Wedge of Plastic

Posted by samzenpus on from the screen-of-the-week dept.

SimianOverlord writes "The Register reports on an innovation in the field of flat panel LCD screens that promises cheaper screens with the same quality using existing manufacturing technology. A Flat Projection Display is created by bouncing light into a thin wedge of plastic from the bottom of the screen, at just the correct angle to allow the rebounded light to escape at the correct pixel. "We have to play around with the image to make sure that the pixels don't bunch up" explained Prof. Travis, the inventor. "If you don't do that the image can appear a little like an image reflected off water" The new technology has already attracted interest from a major TV maker, but don't expect them in your laptop until projector minaturization catches up."

5 of 94 comments (clear)

  1. HUD / glasses by old_unicorn · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I wonder if this could work with HUD or for display injection into a pair of glasses? That would be neat - to have the image in your glasses / windscreen!

    --
    ***You learn something Every day. And then you die.***
  2. If I had a dime... by OpenSourced · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If I had a dime for every new display technology (or other kind of cool technologies) that gets in the papers, I could go to the same clubs of Warren Buffet. But if I had it for the technologies that actually reach me as a consumer, I could barely buy a film ticket, depending on city.

    I don't know exactly why it is but it's a fact. I'm thinking of making a list. It may make for funny reading ten years from now.

    --
    Rome taught me patience and assiduous application to detail. Virtues which temper the boldness of great, general views.
  3. another term might be handy... by ecalkin · · Score: 5, Interesting

    You might call this a prism. The concept of bouncing light off of the inside edge of a prism is what happens in the pentaprism mirror inside a slr camera.

    The big advantage that I can see with this is that a reasonable quality plastic wedge/prism should be much cheaper to replace when it gets damaged. I'm sure the initial cost will still be high, but the expensive stuff can be a little more protected.

    eric

  4. HUD on fighter aircraft by mikewas · · Score: 5, Interesting
    This sounds like the HUD on some fighter aircraft -- some have mirrors but others use a high quality chunk of optical glass. It sounds like this approach takes a low tech chunk of plastic and corrects for the abberations in the electronics.

    Cheap silicon wins again -- it's been supplanting copper, now optics.

    --

    "Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever." --Napoleon Bonaparte
  5. In other news.... by Viceice · · Score: 5, Funny

    A prominent female fashion guru has just announced his new master piece, a dress made with 'Flat Projection Display' as it's only fabric.

    "With it, ladies all over may customise their clothing with any pattern or picture they want", beamed the millionaire dressmaker.

    However, he declined comment on what would happen to the otherwise transparent dress after it's power supply, rated for 23 minutes of use, failed.

    --
    Sometimes I wish I was a plumber, then I'd know how to deal with other people's shit.