AU Optronics Unveils Curved LCD
New display technologies often precede innovations like the iPhone, Microsoft's Surface and other new toys. With that in mind, it's worth noting that AU Optronics has unv
eiled a curved LCD display.
On Monday, AU Optronics, a leading LCD component manufacturer based in Taiwan, said it will showcase a curved display (right) that could be used in watches and dashboards. As for the technical details, here is what AU Optronics said in a statement:
The world's first Curved Display is developed and produced by AUO with TFT-LCD process on glass substrate. The curved radius is 100mm, and therefore requires a special thinning technology. The specially designed curved backlight unit maintains uniformity in brightness and contrast on the curved surface. Unlike the existing e-paper on a flexible substrate, AUO's new curved display technology can bring TFT-LCD technology into play in terms of both color performance and image quality.That's a touch over my head, but these curved screens could have some interesting applications.
Among other items on AU Optronics' agenda at the Society of Information Display Week in Los Angeles later this week:
- Thin 1.9 inch TFT-LCD displays for mobile devices (right). The thickness is 0.63 mm, down from AUO's 0.69 mm a year ago. The display is light, slim and sunlight readable. The importance: What innovative mobile device doesn't start out with a leading edge display?
- In-cell multi-touch technology will go into mass production in the second quarter. The general idea is that AU Optronics will integrate touch panel technologies as it manufactures the LCD.
- The company also has a grease free feature to improve touch screen accuracy. By eliminating "smudges and grease" from the display accuracy is improved. It also makes you realize how germ-infested those touch screens must be. Maybe AU Optronics can invent a auto-sanitized LCD. This is not a small issue since I have to get a NYC subway Metrocard in a few minutes.
Credit: ZDNet