Philips patent application reveals furry display plans
By Donald Melanson 
posted Apr 23rd 2007 5:55PM
posted Apr 23rd 2007 5:55PM
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]
So what would you use to clean this "carpet TV"? A vacuum?
That'll make vacuuming more fun!
and to think my doggy doesn't already love the TV. *sighs*.
OMG THis is just what I needed. Best Gadget EVAR!
So i guess you could call this a "Magic Carpet"?
This has got to be a joke, right? Or a mis-translation? Something?
Damn, this will make my 70's porno collection a whole lot more realistic.
could be fun to shave a tv for once in awhile.
Anyone notice the concept image has a tetris block drawn on the carpet?
one of the coolest applications for that would be changing image displays on clothing.
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.
Looks like hairy tetris to me
This would feel... kinda funny under the feet... or the rump...
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/
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
I'm waiting for the companion Roomba model for this...
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?)
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.
That would go nicely with my computer:
http://www.zachrattner.com/computer/03.jpg
seeems like a DLP knock-off