Mobile Devices Panel

August 6, 2013, Emerging Display Technologies Conference, San Jose, CA-Richard Shim from NPD DisplaySearch moderated a panel on mobility issues. Panel members were David Moon from AMS and Brian Gally from Qualcomm.

Moon talked about the abilities of analog and opto-electrical components in mobile devices. Now, interfaces with i2c are offering easy integration into systems while providing useful sensor inputs for parameters like color, proximity, ambient light, and others.

Together with some software, the capabilities are there to use mobile devices as barcode displays. Previously, the challenge was to get a reader to see any images on the phone, since the IR barcode scanner was looking for a change in reflectivity and the cover glass reflected everything. The result is the barcode scanner read nothing.

By using an IR detector to initiate the process, the mobile device can use an IR emitter to spoof the reader into thinking it is getting reflected signals. This process allows any properly equipped smart phone to be a barcode display without needing any changes in the installed base of scanners. They have partnered with Mobeam to enable Galaxy S4 phones to hold virtual barcodes with a simple app and to get into more savings with a Savingstar app.

Gally described the trends and changes in consumer expectations for more functions and bigger and brighter displays. Now that the smart phones are 5-years old, we now have changes in content presentation and consumption. The increases in applications and functions calls for higher performance.

The apps are a vehicle for content personalization, but are battery limited. Data volumes are expected to grow 1000x by ’20, so the mobile devices have to improve even more. One of the most used functions on a smart phone is to check time, and this check happens on average about 150 times a day according to some sources.

The smart phone is now a life and data hub, and will facilitate the markets for wearable devices that will change the user interface and experience. All devices will be connected to support glanceable content.

Target audiences?
Moon answered that smart phones will encourage more mobile commerce, and new user interfaces like gestures on the phone or in the air will become more prevalent. The market will create more features through partnerships and complete developer ecosystems. Some types of programs, like coupons will go from a 6-month development cycle to 2-3 days.

Smart phones using MEMS technologies?
Gally responded that the Mirasol display uses MEMS for a reflective display that changes color with displacement , which is a function of driving voltage.

Battery technologies and wearables?
Gally suggested that the designs will have to be very low power to enable a 1-week operating time. Mirasol is a direct view display, and its abiltyto be on non-planar substrates allows for the display to land in many places. Consumers are becoming addicted to high resolution displays, a trend that will continue with wearables.

Supply and demand for data, leading to spectrum data squeezes?
Gally commented tht the demand for more data continues to grow, and is consumer driven.

Difference in resolutions, monitors are 150 ppi and mobile devices are over 200?
Shim noted that the metrics are changing with the advent of the Retina display. The benefits of higher ppi are questionable, but the tablets under 9-inches for their displays are increasing market share due to their capability to show full HD.