Philips patent application reveals furry display plans

While other companies are out trying to make displays that are bigger, slimmer, and more expensive than anyone else's, Philips appears to have taken a slightly less conventional tact, setting out to corner the market on furry displays. According to a recent patent application, the company's so-called fabric display would make use of a series of "furs" that would effectively act as pixels, with each standing on end when given an electrostatic charge, revealing a different color underneath (as artfully illustrated above). So while Philips sees the displays potentially being incorporated into furniture and clothing, it doesn't look like they'll be quite capable enough for you to replace your big screen TV with a wall of shag carpeting anytime soon.

[Via NewScientist]

[Zeus the God @ Apr 23rd 2007 6:02PM]

So what would you use to clean this "carpet TV"? A vacuum?

[Richard Lai @ Apr 23rd 2007 6:07PM]

That'll make vacuuming more fun!

[kingofwale @ Apr 23rd 2007 6:12PM]

and to think my doggy doesn't already love the TV. *sighs*.

[Jeremy K. @ Apr 23rd 2007 6:13PM]

OMG THis is just what I needed. Best Gadget EVAR!

[NiGhTmArE @ Apr 23rd 2007 6:18PM]

So i guess you could call this a "Magic Carpet"?

[Anonymous @ Apr 23rd 2007 6:29PM]

This has got to be a joke, right? Or a mis-translation? Something?

[Hastings @ Apr 23rd 2007 6:37PM]

Damn, this will make my 70's porno collection a whole lot more realistic.

[StevO @ Apr 23rd 2007 7:17PM]

Anyone notice the concept image has a tetris block drawn on the carpet?

[n.p. @ Apr 23rd 2007 7:17PM]

one of the coolest applications for that would be changing image displays on clothing.

[darter9000 @ Apr 23rd 2007 9:00PM]

This would feel... kinda funny under the feet... or the rump...

[KillFelix @ Apr 23rd 2007 9:04PM]

Looks like hairy tetris to me

[singularitarian @ Apr 23rd 2007 9:24PM]

That's it!! I allways thought there would be a huge market leap for low-cost passive display technology for use in Wall-sized applications.. i.e. a digital low resolution wallpaper material (not ultra hires e-paper). But this is just great news.. I'd like to have large, interactive wall-art made of such martierial in 3 years! Philips just rocks anyway!

just check out:
www.business-sites.philips.com/3dsolutions/

[Goopy @ Apr 23rd 2007 9:29PM]

could be fun to shave a tv for once in awhile.

[TSD @ Apr 23rd 2007 9:43PM]

I see this working cool at football stadiums being used in areas of the turf. No more painting the lines on the field. Maybe huge advertisements in the grass areas at NASCAR races.

Could be cool.

-TSD

[cjrenaud @ Apr 23rd 2007 9:53PM]

I'm waiting for the companion Roomba model for this...

[tucker @ Apr 23rd 2007 9:54PM]

Multimedia wall and furniture coverings....wait till the advertisers get hold of this. Want a wall mural?...no prob.....just download from a huge selection.

[benjamin @ Apr 23rd 2007 9:59PM]

hey,, why dont they team up with the bubble bag, & take over the multi media bag market,,(coz we all want one of those, right?)

[Brian @ Apr 24th 2007 3:14AM]

disclaimer: i don't know anything about their patent application or the technology they intend to use, the following is only my best guess and interpretation.

i don't think the "hairs" or fibers or whatever on these individual "fur" pixels would be big enough to feel, let alone give the impression of a shag carpet or something similar. typical LCD pixels have pixel pitches on the order of .250mm, and if this drawing is at all representative of their idea, there would be many hairs per pixel, and they would necessarily be very small indeed. in fact, touching them with a hand would probably damage the pixel either through crushing the hairs or depositing skin oils which would interfere with the operation of the hairs. also, i'm guessing these pixels would have to be hermetically sealed to prevent moisture, dust, etc. from getting in and messing with the hairs. when you get down to micron-length scales, surface interactions such as electrostatic charges and organic/inorganic contaminants can have a huge impact on device performance.

[Zach @ Apr 24th 2007 8:45AM]

That would go nicely with my computer:
http://www.zachrattner.com/computer/03.jpg

[Nate @ Apr 24th 2007 10:13PM]

seeems like a DLP knock-off