Archive for the ‘LED’ Category
Luminus Devices USD 72 Million Infusion
On March 19, 2008, Luminous Devices raised USD 72 million in a new round of financing. The company will expand its Phlatlight LED chipsets into the general lighting applications such as medical, entertainment and homeland security. The participating companies in this funding round were Boston-based Braemar Energy Ventures, San Francisco-based CMEA Ventures and DC-based Paladin Capital Group in addition to all of the previously investing companies.
AUO to Manufacture LED In-Houseㅁ
AU Optronics (AUO) recently announced the formation of an LED Project Office, which will be led by Senior Vice President Dr. David Su. It is rumored that AUO has purchased metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) equipment, which is required to manufacture LEDs. The exact number of MOCVD equipment is unknown but speculation ranges from five to 100.
Young Optics to Ship Pico Projector
Young Optics Incorporated (YOI) announced shipment of its pico projector by Q2′08 – Q3′08. YOI’s pico projector TI’s DLP chip and RGB LED as the light source. The pico projector is rated to consume less than 1 watt with a brightness of 7 lumens, according to the company. YOI expects the pico projector to comprise 3% of the company’s revenues for 2008. On the other hand, YOI is decreasing its emphasis on RPTV optical modules and instead focus on high-end optical engines for video walls.
Pico projectors solve the problem of small screens that are attached to mobile phones. But, and this is a big but, pico projectors require some sort of surface for the projected image. For instance, if you are on a subway and want to view your YouTube video via the pico projector that is built-in, how would you go about setting it up? Or, if you’re in a business meeting and want to share your presentation that you smartly stored on your mobile phone, would you force three or more corporate officers to crowd around a tiny screen?
Maybe there are other, more useful, purposes for the pico projector, but I am having a difficult time figuring out what that could be.
Source: DigiTimes
Explay oio Companion: Laser & LED Nano-Projector
During SID 2007, I was given a demonstration of Explay’s oio, a laser & LED-based hybrid nano-projector. The picture quality was surprisingly good despite being generated from a projector the size of a deck of cards. Engadget just posted a blog stating that Explay’s oio Companion will be showcased at the Mobile World Congress that will be held next week, Feb. 11 through 14, in Barcelona.
The laser & LED hybrid structure allows the picture to be in focus all the time. I am quite certain the prototype that I saw last year was battery powered and it should be since the oio Companion will be used mostly in on-the-go and mobile office situations. Those who are in sales that need to make frequent presentations and often in not-so-large meeting rooms would find something like Explay’s oio Companion a lifesaver. In addition to having a diminuative size and being lightweight, the nano-projector allows the business traveler to forgo larger notebook PCs and simply carry the smallest and lightest (with a usable keyboard).
MacBook Air: LCD
According to iFixit’s teardown of the MacBook Air, some juicy information has been revealed regarding the LCD:
Display assembly weight: 465g (34% less than on the MacBook)
LCD panel thickness: 3mm, thanks to the LED lightsource.
Inverter board: None needed due to the use of DC-powered LEDs.
Cable: Just one that provides both data and power to the display.
Apple and its display supplier(s) have done a tremendous job of thinning down and simplifying the design. I have also been told the glass used to manufacture the LCD is just 0.25mm thick.
Source: iFixit
