Face it, folks -- the days of windows being just windows are behind us. Before long, our panes will double as widget displays or makeshift televisions, and AIST has the prototype to prove it. The demonstration seems to utilize technology that's far different than that seen in Samsung's iceTouch PMP, but it's certainly no less exciting. According to DigInfo, AIST is developing florescent glass suitable for excitation by near-UV LEDs, and by combining this [borosilicate] glass with LEDs, it's possible to obtain transparent, flat light sources." Better still, we're told that the prevailing thought is that this here technology could be used to develop see-through displays as well as "light sources and displays that use solar cells without modification." Anxious to see what a transparent LCD could do for you? Hop on past the break, mash play and let your imagination run absolutely wild.
@Pedobear well pedobear. you shouldnt be into that kind of stuff int he first place and i like this! this is very unique and original design im rpetty sure noone will sue this company for this designe!
Yeah, it would be pretty annoying to have as the display for a laptop, but maybe it's best potential is in some sort of HUD? I'm not sure, but that's what would make most sense to me.
There was a scene in caprica where they were watching TV on a giant set of windows. When the show finished, they went back to being windows. If this leads to that type of thing, that would be cool. I also like the idea of being able to touch the screen and have it go instantly opaque
True and similar to "Total Recall." Once they perfect this, imagine having windows that look out to anything you want, like an ocean view, tropical rainforest, mountains, waterfall, outerspace, snowscape, a sunrise and sunset ... even if you live in the city where buildings are all around you.
@AstroSeven That technology is already available. There are 3 different technologies which allow for this: Electrochromic (EC), Liquid Crystal (LC), and Suspended Particle Device (SPD)
Holiday decorations to the Nth level of annoyance. Every house on the street with Halloween animations in each window. The streets cast in orange, the glow, viewable from space enabling even larger animations viewable only by astronauts.
The easy solution to making see through displays usable when you have lots of light or movement behind the display is to have a secondary layer of Liquid crystal that can turn solid black. This could be a single giant pixel for the whole panel or a similar or lower resolution compared to the OLED panel. If you had levels of greyscale for this too you could effectively have translucency too, but controlling it in software would be much more complex.
I can certainly see the advantages of something like this, and the tech looks v. sound in terms of scalability. That said are we really going to see innovation from a company that uses badly cut cork board, selotape and plumbing tape to display this? Surely they could have used a little more presentational skills to let the world know?
@liamdevlin It's called "tact" and "charm." You really should try it - not only do you get to see what's under those clothes, you get to touch it. Amazing, I know...
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
posted February 25th 2010 8:38PM
see through display... this could not bode well for me in public :(
@Pedobear
That's because the things you do make Jesus cry.
@Pedobear well pedobear. you shouldnt be into that kind of stuff int he first place and i like this! this is very unique and original design im rpetty sure noone will sue this company for this designe!
@jon
well said
@jon
well said
@emopoops
well said
/s
@allofyouaboveme
IM SORRY; I CANT HELP MYSELF :*(
@Pedobear
It's not your fault, you were drawn that way.
Leave my windows alone! After all it's not the glass that's the interesting part of the window, it's what's on the other side.
@photoguy622 Of course the glass isn't the interesting part. It doesn't do anything... Yet
It's flashy, but what's the purpose?
Am I the only one thinking it'll be pretty annoying to have a transparent display?
Honest question
@AlexSanchez
Yeah, it would be pretty annoying to have as the display for a laptop, but maybe it's best potential is in some sort of HUD? I'm not sure, but that's what would make most sense to me.
@AlexSanchez
I guess it can be useful if used as a car windshield. Just think: using Google Maps streetview while driving down that street. =P
@AlexSanchez
Imagine having a Webcam behind it.
People will actually look you in the eyes.
There was a scene in caprica where they were watching TV on a giant set of windows. When the show finished, they went back to being windows. If this leads to that type of thing, that would be cool. I also like the idea of being able to touch the screen and have it go instantly opaque
@AstroSeven
True and similar to "Total Recall." Once they perfect this, imagine having windows that look out to anything you want, like an ocean view, tropical rainforest, mountains, waterfall, outerspace, snowscape, a sunrise and sunset ... even if you live in the city where buildings are all around you.
@Meekermoloko How would that be different from just having regular monitors made to look like windows?
@AstroSeven
That technology is already available. There are 3 different technologies which allow for this: Electrochromic (EC), Liquid Crystal (LC), and Suspended Particle Device (SPD)
geeks everywhere will install these into thier glasses.
I'm scared by what my imagination is showing me.
Holiday decorations to the Nth level of annoyance. Every house on the street with Halloween animations in each window. The streets cast in orange, the glow, viewable from space enabling even larger animations viewable only by astronauts.
The easy solution to making see through displays usable when you have lots of light or movement behind the display is to have a secondary layer of Liquid crystal that can turn solid black. This could be a single giant pixel for the whole panel or a similar or lower resolution compared to the OLED panel. If you had levels of greyscale for this too you could effectively have translucency too, but controlling it in software would be much more complex.
I can certainly see the advantages of something like this, and the tech looks v. sound in terms of scalability. That said are we really going to see innovation from a company that uses badly cut cork board, selotape and plumbing tape to display this? Surely they could have used a little more presentational skills to let the world know?
That tiny display didn't look the least bit transparent.
@ColonelKernel
I agree. It look more like they placed a GameBoy Color inside a brick.
This could be fun when those little trick or treaters are walking up to my front door.
When did Steven Hawkings get a sex change?
@(Unverified) Stephen even.
@(Unverified)
Seriously, I thought I was listening to a robot at first.
Screw the screen, Ill take that broken plywood encasement for my next PDA.
I must remember not to through rocks now. I can see myself living in a glass house in the future.
@DDragon Yes, it would be a very bad idea to through rocks throw the walls.
Ehhh...screw all this. I just want something that lets me see through girl's clothes. :P
@liamdevlin It's called "tact" and "charm." You really should try it - not only do you get to see what's under those clothes, you get to touch it. Amazing, I know...
How about a HUD for my Sienna??
How about showing the display being ... transparent.
Yo dawg, we heard you liked windows, so we put Windows in your windows so you can... Ok, I can't come up with a good ending for that.
I'm with HAVOKK.
Any company willing to display their product in a broken plywood encasement is all about quality and attention to detail.
Inspiring.