Display screens are a relatively new invention, with new technologies emerging all the time. The television offered one of the first widely used display screens. With the invention of the cathode ray tube, it was possible to create moving images in black and white. In time, they developed color television, movie screens, computer monitors, and many other display screens. Today, these technologies are being developed at an unprecedented rate, and sold worldwide on a large scale. We now see new kinds of screens being developed which allow for novel product designs. Here are the descriptions of some of the common display screen technologies used currently.
Light-emitting Diode (LED) Display
A light-emitting diode is a type of light source produced by encouraging electrons to release controlled energy in the form of photons. These tiny lights are arranged into LED panels, which can act as a small display screen or as a component of a larger display. Red, green, and blue diodes are arranged in clusters to produce color images. LED displays are commonly used outdoors. They are often used on store signs or billboards, for example. Indoor LED screen technology is slightly different. The diodes are set very close together, and mounted on a board, reducing the maximum viewing distance.
Organic LED Display (OLED)
OLED technology follows the same general principles as the LED displays. However, the luminescent layer is comprised of organic compounds, which are electrified to produce light. This technology works well in computer monitors, television screens, cell phones, and watches. The OLED is able to function without a backlight, unlike the traditional LED displays. This means that that OLEDs are able to display dark colors better. Also, since there are fewer components, the physical screens can be less bulky. One drawback of this technology is that it is particular susceptible to water damage. The biggest issue is that of the lifetime of the organic components. These screens have color fading faster than other designs due to this degradation.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
LCDs work by utilizing electric fields to manipulate liquid crystals within these screens. The orientation of these crystal molecules changes the way light moves through them. This property is harnessed to develop images. This technology is far ranging, found in everything from televisions and computers to digital clocks and calculators. It is popular because it allows screens to be thinner and more energy-efficient than some other technologies.
Plasma Display Panel (PDP)
This technology is commonly seen in flat screen televisions. The image is created when gases trapped between glass plates are excited with electricity. The gas turns to plasma and emits ultraviolet light, which in turn excites phosphors to emit the colors that you see. It is able to create high quality pictures with good color reproduction. Plasma screens are also able to handle video displays with a lot of fast action, since they have a high refresh rate. The more power the screen draws, the brighter it will be. However, older models are susceptible to becoming duller as they age, although newer ones have mainly corrected this problem.
Video projector
A typical video projector displays a video signal input on a screen using lenses and lights. Modern projectors are able to improve the displayed image with manual settings that eliminate blurriness and inconsistencies. Video projectors are very useful in a classroom setting as they make material large enough for the entire class to view easily. They’re also commonly used in other types of presentations, and within home theater systems. Cathode ray tube systems utilize red, green, and blue tubes to produce the image. Other projectors use LCD lights, which allow for a less expensive system. LED projectors are similar, but they use light-emitting diodes.
Touch screen
A touch screen is an electronic display that can be manipulated through pressure by using a finger or other object. This technology eliminates the need to use a mouse or touch pad to interact with the displayed information. More and more, it is being integrated into PDAs, cell phones, video games and computers. A common way to design touch screens is by using resistive information. The outermost layer is made of polyester with a metallic coating on the bottom. Next, there is an adhesive spacer. The third layer contains another conductive metal coating. When someone touches the screen, there is electrical activity between the metal coatings. These changes are then recorded by the system, and used as the basis for programming the interaction.
Electronic paper
E-paper or electronic paper is designed to mimic real ink and paper. It does not illuminate pixels from the back, and is able to display images for a long period of time without requiring electricity. There are several different technologies that contribute to electronic paper design. Electrophoretic displays create images by manipulating particles with electric fields. In an extension of that, electrowetting applies voltage to an oil/water interface to produce a display. There are endless possible uses for this technology. It can be used to read books and newspapers, and may even replace paper in schools eventually.