Display Technology

Table of contents

Abstract

Introduction

• History of displays technology
• Display systems
• Types of displays and their use and applications
• Development and trends in displays

Merits and demerits of applied displays

Conclusion

Abstract

A consequence of the evolution of information technology is the diversified forms that information assumes. In this view, technological and electronic devices play the role of output equipment in numerous applications. The utilization and advancement noted in information and communication technologies in the last part of the twentieth century; it has led to essential improvement of quality of life for a vast majority of humankind (Bai et al., 2015). The emergence of these electronic displays and the advancement in computer software hardware and graphics have contributed to making the evolution of modem technologies visualization possible. For the information computer technology (ICT) to be successful, it requires adequate and relevant data as well as other supporting technologies such as communication systems and computer and human-computer interface. With the noted advances in cloud computing and wireless networks, many individuals are getting increasingly surrounded by a variety of displays – rich electronic devices; Phone, Pad, TV, Notebook, and other wearable or portable devices (Gurski & Quach, 2005). All these electronic devices put high expectations and demand for the quality of the visual interface. This paper will discuss the components of display technologies. It will also look at the background history of displays technologies and also progress in providing an overview discussion on the importance, the current use, and the applications of this display technologies. The paper will finalize by providing a brief discussion on the trend and the future application of these components of displays technologies. The paper provides great knowledge of these display technologies and devices, which is so important to any individual reading it. This is to familiarize and caught up with the existing and high rates of advancing technology.

Keywords: Information Technology (IT), Information Computer technology (ICT), Liquid Crystal Display, and Flat Panel Displays (FPDs).

1.0 Introduction

With the rapid advancement of high-speed cloud computing and wireless communication, it introduces us to an era of ubiquitous networks. Keeping up with the evolution pace of information technology, the progress of digital image technologies, and the growing speed of communication infrastructures, video display equipment have gained importance as the core of human-machine interfaces. Display technology plays a vital role in how information and data are conveyed. As a picture is known to depict a thousand words, the use of display technologies simplifies information sharing. Competition is considered the strongest driver in creating better and better technologies. Any technological merit translates into a market advantage that can make or break the manufacturing companies and their associated brands. Due to this fact, marketing and application requirements have led to enhanced specifications such as size, resolutions, and a contrast ratio of flat panel displays (FPD). Display devices for video display equipment are transmitted from the cathode ray tube (CRT) to flat panel displays such as plasma display panel (PDP), liquid crystal display (LCD), and still at the same time the progress is achieved on display devices and the technologies that process the image supports the use of a larger screen and higher resolutions as well.

Impressive advancement has taken place in the manufacture and design of display systems in the twentieth century. From the time of discovery in 1897, cathode ray tube technology (CRT) has dominated the display industry. However, the emergence of new trends such as the desire for mobile electronics has greatly increased the demands for displays the surpass and rival cathode ray tube technology in areas such as size, quality, and power consumption (Sharan et al., 2019). Some of the latest devices that have outdone CRT are liquid crystal display (LCD) due to their capability to lightweight, compact design, and lower operating power. Initially, the LCDs were created for handheld and for portable devices and other purposes, but they have expanded onto areas that are monopolized by CRTs such as televisions, computers, and monitors. Other related types of display technologies are DLP technology, light-emitting diode (LED) organic light emitted diodes (OLEDs), organic EL, Field emitter displays (FED), Plasma displays panels (PDP), electronic paper and others.

2.0 History of Display Technologies

Despite periods of huge technological advancement in the computing industry, we remain wedded to the electronic display screen as the principal channel for the transfer of information from machines to persons. The history of recent and most modern displays can be traced back to the discovery of a cathode ray tube. CRT was demonstrated in 1897 and was invented by Karl Ferdinand Braun. This technology was later commercialized in 1922. CRT technology was produced by Karl to enable the very first televisions to be built and later lead to the creation of an industry that has greatly advanced in leaps and bounds from its humble beginnings. CRTs had kept their predominant for so long due to their good image quality and relatively low costs. Ohshima (2014) argues that due to their heavyweight, bulky thickness, and high power consumption, the CRT limited its purpose and functionality mostly for stationary monitors. For instance, CRTs could not support televisions clinched on the wall, not only to mention a mobile device.  This drove many engineers to study new technological devices that would replace the heavy and bulky CRTs.

As engineers concentrated on improving on the negativity of CRT, it led to the second major breakthrough that came ten years after Karl Ferdinand Braun discovering CRTs. Henry Joseph Rounds discovered electroluminescence in 1907. Electroluminescence was a naturally occurring phenomenon, which later provided breakthroughs and foundations for the discovery of LED technology and a much more efficient way to produce light compared to incandescent. The main problem experienced in electroluminescence was; limited in size and safety. In 1952, curved screen displays were developed. These displays were then installed in only a few movie theatres. Curved screen display was then not available for over fifty years to the consumer.

The next huge step forward innovation for the display technologies was the invention of the discovery of the first LED bulb. Gary Pittman and Robert Biard discovered this technology in 1961. Earlier in 1960, engineers studied new flat panel display (FPD) technologies that could replace CRTs. Engineers’ study resulted at the end of the CRT era due to the introduction of FPD such as TFT LCDs, and PDPs which emerged as the PC monitors and TVs in the mid-1990s. Still in 1961, Holonyack Nick managed to produce the light-emitting diode (LED). This LED was visible to the human eye, and this invention made him to be entitled the “father of LED.” Ever since then, LED has made significant advancement and development up to date. On the other hand, there was still a significant improvement in PDP that was invented in the 1960s. The outmost purpose for the PDP was to replace the CRT due to their weight and size. PDP provided an advantage in not only thinness but also in screen size. Commercialization of PDP televisions succeeded in the mid-1990s.

In 1964-display technology took another leap with the discovery of Plasma, and Fergason, James discovered LCD screens. LCD worked its effects through controlling the transmission between the light scattering state and the transmission state of the liquid crystal (LC) electrically (McFadden, 2019). LCDs came to dominate due to mass production, and plasma displays were limited due to their lack of size scale and higher weight. Ever since then, numerous discoveries were made, among them was like the PLED of 1087, LCD of 2007, AMOLED of 2008, and the rise of the eReader of 2012.

3.0 Display Systems

The display screens and its associated drivers’ electronics are considered to be part of the information system. When referring to electronics, it has become customary to associates with the display system to which the electronic entails, such as avionic displays, television displays, military displays, medical displays, gaming displays, and such kind. Each kind of this electronic is associated with a typical segment and has its own needs that are based on the environment it is operating, the data content, and more so the man-machine interface requirements. The feature of the display system specifies to computers, TV, and cell phones. Some display systems are designed to provide a full range of displays with enhanced industrial touch monitors, display kits, configures monitors, and digital signage displays.

3.1 Display System: Computer Monitor

Computers are regarded as the workhorse of the ongoing information technology (IT) revolutions. Computer monitors provide instant feedback by revealing the graphic and text images as you work or play. In most cases, desktops displays use cathode ray tube and liquid crystal display technologies. Other models of computers, such as laptops, incorporate LCD technology. In several cases, computer systems do not involve long-distance transmissions between the computer hardware that drives it and the displays. Therefore, cases of demodulating and modulating of the signal between the monitor and the computer are not needed. To evaluate this, the signals sent out of the computer device are inherently digital, but the display system based on CRT is inherently analog. In order to tackle this situation, the interfaces for translating the digital format to the analog display format have been integrated into the panel (the same is achieved for displaying the DTV signal on the analog TV). Nevertheless, with the existence of flat panel matrix formats, especially based on LCD, these interfaces are not necessary.

3.2 Display System: Television (TV)

The idea of TV appeared around 1935 using CRT of Braun. The basic concept of television is having a radio with pictures. In other words, when radio signals are being transmitted (the information being broadcast) through the magnetic waves in the air, televisions are to send pictures as well. Television is described as a three-part invention. The first being the TV camera – it turns pictures and sounds into a signal. The second is the TV transmitter – it is responsible for sending the signals through the radio waves, and the final part is the TV receiver that captures the signals and transforms the signals into sound and picture.

Televisions are classified into two – analog and digital. Analogue TV is a set of classical televisions that involve analogue video signals that are uniquely made to compact to the scanner associated with the CRT. Digital TVs are associated with having high technology resolutions of pictures that have evolved to bring about close reality (Sharan et al., 2019). The operation of both analogue and digital televisions requires a combination of an audio and a video signal recorded in a studio, modulated over a carrier through analogue modulation schemes, including amplitude modulation.

2.3 Display System: Cell phones

The cell phone today have significantly developed, resulting in them to acquire higher resolutions that can perceive multicolor displays capable of revealing moving images (Anderson, 2015). Initially, cell phone displays were made up of the simple monochrome alphanumeric display. Its main purpose was only to display caller identity and show the text messages, commonly referred to as short message service (SMS). New features were to be incorporated when manufacturing cell phones; this is due to under demands as well as due to manufactures wanted to promote and have a market advantage over other competitors. Some of the display technologies incorporated in cell phones are; LCDs, OLED displays, Touch screens, and Retina displays.

3.0 Current use of display technologies

There are wide ranges of electronic displays technologies that are available today. Smartphones, televisions, laptops, and even some advertisements like those found in shopping centers all incorporate the use of display technology. The basic purpose of all displays is the same – to deliver visual information to the user. However, different types of displays are fixed in various display systems to meet up the system functionalities – that means through which this is accomplished varies significantly among the various types and technologies of display devices (Myers, 2010). Display technology itself has a significant impact on the appearance of the image, and it is up to the designer of the complete display system to ensure that the appearance is satisfactory and meets the requirements of the application. Some of these display technologies and their functionalities are:

3.1 LCD (liquid crystal display)

LCDs are often used for computer monitors and televisions screens. They are composed of multiple layers; a liquid crystal layer is squeezed between a sheet of the glass substrate with transparent pixel and TFTs and a substratum surface with a color filter and a clear counter electrode. LCD technology does not produce light but instead absorbs light to create an image on the projector, and they need a backlight source.

References

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McFadden, C. (2019). The World At Your Fingertips: A Brief History of Mobile Display Technology. Interesting Engineering, 2, 1-9. Retrieved from https://interestingengineering.com/the-world-at-your-fingertips-a-brief-history-of-mobile-display-technology

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