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21 Jul 2005
Sharp has come up with an LCD that lets viewers surf the web and watch movies at the same time.
An LCD that simultaneously displays different, full-screen images in two distinct viewing directions has been developed by Sharp Laboratories of Europe. By changing their orientation to the screen, viewers can use the single device to access different visual content.
For example, one viewer on the left can use the screen for browsing the internet, while another on the right enjoys video content such as a movie or television broadcast.
The unit features Sharp's parallax barrier technology, which is also found in its 3D displays. When superimposed on an ordinary TFT LCD, the parallax barrier channels backlighting along left or right directions to give different, viewing angle specific images.
"The ability to enjoy two functions in a single unit at full-screen size will contribute to the convergence of digital home electronics audio-visual and information technology," said a spokesperson for the company.
Taking the directional concept to its other extreme, Sharp has come up with a narrow angle LCD to help protect private information and prevent snooping. Designed for mobile phones and notebook PCs, the screen includes a switchable layer of liquid crystal material that blocks light emitted from the display at wide angles. Users can adjust the viewing angle depending on the nature of the content they are viewing.
According to the firm, both display units will enter production this month.
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