TouchSystems grows its executive line of touch displays, the X Series, with a 40-inch touch screen.
TouchSystems has integrated the NEC X401S display with Dispersive Signal Technology (DST). The interactive display enlarges the X Series, which previously consisted of large-format touchscreens ranging from 46 to 55 inches. The new display widens the range to 40 to 55 inches.
When asked about the new display, Carol Nordin, president of TouchSystems, said, “The X Series is our top-level line of displays. Our sales team often refers to it as the ‘Cadillac’ line because of the series’ features. We’ve wanted to grow the series for some time, so we’re happy to add the 40-inch display. We think our customers will be happy with the addition, too.”
Swedish multi-touch pioneer FlatFrog officially announced today that their Planar Scatter Detection technology (PSD) is further developed to detect pressure. It’s the first multi-touch display technology to offer pressure detection, which can be used in a number of ways to help users better interact with content in multi-touch interfaces.
Thanks to further development of FlatFrog’s patented multi-touch technology, Planar Scatter Detection, it can now detect up to 1000 levels of pressure for 40 individual touches.
“This is another major breakthrough for us at FlatFrog, and it opens up exciting new possibilities for multi-touch input” says Ola Wassvik, CTO and Co-founder of FlatFrog.
Education the focus as company unveils exciting solutions
As a founding ISE exhibitor, Christie® will again occupy a large, and intuitive multi-zone site at ISE 2013. Marking the exhibition’s tenth anniversary the Christie production ‘village’ will combine stands H40, H46 and H50 inside Hall 1 into an explosive, ergonomically presented product showcase. A must-see display, it boasts a brand new projection mapping façade created especially for the show.
Network Expansion Powered by Park Media’s Sign Center Software Platform and Android Media Player
Agency 225, LLC, a leading digital out-of-home network operator, today announced that it has secured agreements with two major retailers and will expand by more than 300 locations within the year, including launching a new network. Agency 225 focuses on operating in-store networks at the point of sale, with the primary goal being sales-lift for the retailer.
Advanced Interactive Media Solutions (AIMS), the GCC market leader in digital signage solutions, today announced its attendance at the 10th Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), the world’s best-attended tradeshow for the professional audio, video (AV) and electronic systems industry that will run from January 29 to 31, 2013, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The company’s attendance in major international industry events such as ISE is part of its continuing efforts to capitalise on the latest trends and investment opportunities in the global digital signage industry.
Winter Wonders 2012 (Plaisirs D’hiver) festival was one of the major attractions in the centre of Brussels this Christmas. Thousands of people took leisurely strolls along the festive route between Place Saint-Jean and Marché au Poissons in a welcoming, dazzling and magical atmosphere typical of festivals at this time of year. The illuminated and sound-filled setting featured a wide range of fun activities (including street theatre, ice skating, music bands, and puppets etc.), as well as several large digital signage solutions.
Transparent displays have been around for some time, with panel makers showcasing prototypes for years. Despite their longstanding presence, they still manage to capture attention with their futuristic aesthetics and diverse applications. This article delves into the technology behind transparent displays, provides an overview of leading manufacturers, and explores innovative use cases across various industries.
How Transparent Displays Work
Transparent displays are built using transparent thin-film transistor (TFT) electrons and pixels. However, the technology requires overcoming a major challenge: the traditional color filter used in most displays isn’t transparent. Typically, an LCD’s color filter comprises red, green, and blue (RGB) pixels and a black matrix, both of which block light. Similarly, the backlight unit, which comprises optical films like brightness enhancement sheets, prism sheets, and reflectors, is inherently non-transparent.
To achieve transparency, manufacturers eliminate the backlight unit and reduce the size of the RGB color pixels and the black matrix. While this transformation compromises color gamut and resolution, transparency is prioritized over image quality. In many cases, the color filter is entirely removed, resulting in monochrome displays. This means that transparent displays are essentially open cell panels without a backlight assembly, making them simpler and potentially more affordable to manufacture.
Leading Manufacturers and Products
Major TFT LCD panel makers like Samsung, LG Display, AUO, and Innolux have been experimenting with transparent displays for years, producing models with various specifications and sizes. Below is a snapshot of their offerings:
Panel Maker
Size
Resolution
Color Gamut
AUO
65”
FHD (1920 × 1080)
72%
Innolux Corp
55”
FHD (1920 × 1080)
72%
LG Display
26” to 47”
HD to FHD
68% to 72%
Samsung
22” to 55”
WSXGA to FHD
5% to 72%
The diversity in size and resolution enables manufacturers to cater to a range of applications, from small retail displays to large-scale digital signage.
Applications of Transparent Displays
Transparent displays can be utilized in numerous settings, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and functionality. Some of the most popular applications include:
Retail Shop Windows: Transparent displays allow retailers to show promotional content or product details while simultaneously letting customers see the actual items behind the screen. This dual functionality creates an engaging shopping experience.
Games and Slot Machines: Transparent displays bring a new level of excitement and visual appeal to the gaming industry by overlaying information or effects onto physical game components.
Vending Machines: Perhaps the most promising market, transparent displays can be integrated into vending machines to showcase product information, prices, and promotions without obstructing the view of the actual products. This application can also be combined with touch panels for interactive user experiences.
Refrigerator Displays: Transparent screens on refrigerator doors can serve dual purposes, such as displaying menus, health information, or even recipes while letting users see inside without opening the door.
Corporate and Museum Exhibits: Interactive exhibits can utilize transparent displays to present digital content layered over physical artifacts, creating a visually compelling experience.
Examples of Transparent Display Innovations
Several companies have showcased innovative products that demonstrate the potential of transparent display technology:
RS Transparent Displays: The Japanese company RS introduced a lineup of transparent display products at the 2012 FPD International Exhibit. They offered displays ranging from 10.2” to 42” in size, suitable for retail boxes and vending machines.
Planar’s LookThru Box: Planar’s LookThru Box features a 32” transparent display that allows consumers to view a product inside a display box while receiving digital information on the screen. This application is ideal for retail merchandising, museums, and trade show exhibits.
AUO’s Smart Cafeteria: AUO has proposed using transparent displays for a smart cafeteria concept. Displays could show menus, take orders, and provide health information, making dining more interactive and convenient.
Future Prospects and Market Potential
As transparent display technology continues to evolve, new applications will likely emerge in areas such as automotive displays, smart home devices, and architectural installations. The integration of touch capabilities, combined with transparency, opens the door to interactive solutions for a wide range of industries.
Manufacturers are also exploring ways to enhance the color saturation and resolution of transparent displays, making them more versatile without sacrificing transparency. However, for now, the focus remains on delivering visually compelling products that combine transparency with basic display functionalities.
Conclusion
Transparent display technology, while not new, is still in the early stages of commercial adoption. As manufacturers fine-tune the technology and costs decrease, we can expect to see transparent displays become more widespread in retail, gaming, and beyond. For now, the allure of seeing information seemingly float in midair continues to captivate, showcasing a glimpse into the future of display innovation.
UK based digital media agency Eclipse Digital Media have partnered with ONELAN for ISE 2013. Together, on stand Q130 in Hall 10, they will be showcasing cost-effective dynamic digital menu boards powered by ONELAN’s Data Collection Engine (DCE). DCE allows users to completely control their digital menu boards via Excel.
BenQ America Corp., an internationally renowned provider of digital lifestyle innovations, today announced a significant expansion to its U.S. network by partnering with SYNNEX Corporation, a leading distributor of IT and consumer electronics products, and value-added integration services. Effective immediately, SYNNEX VISUALSolv Group and its consumer electronics division, New Age Electronics carry BenQ’s entire product line including projectors, monitors, and interactive flat panel displays (IFPs), ranging in size from 42- to 65-inches.
“BenQ’s distribution agreement with SYNNEX brings together two leading companies, combines the strengths of our joint solutions, and delivers the benefits of the collaboration to a customer base that is rapidly growing across the U.S.,” said Eric Hass, Director, IT Distribution, BenQ America Corp. “Our products utilize SYNNEX’s renowned comprehensive solutions, accelerating BenQ’s market penetration via access to a vast distribution network. We are pleased to extend our reach to both existing and new customers, and to further cement our leadership position in product design and innovation.”
Las Vegas — The Digital Place-based Advertising Association (DPAA) is set to sponsor its fourth annual DPb Media Summit at the Digital Signage Expo® (DSE) in Las Vegas on February 26, 2013. This all-day event aims to equip brand marketers and agencies with the knowledge and strategies to leverage opportunities in the burgeoning digital place-based media sector.
Event Details:
Date: February 26, 2013
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center
Registration: Available at Digital Signage Expo
The DPb Advertising Summit will feature seven insightful sessions covering a range of topics such as creative campaigns, navigating digital distractions, media metrics, sector growth, and planning and buying strategies. Susan Danaher, President & CEO of DPAA, and Bob Martin, Founding Partner of Bob Martin Media, will moderate the sessions.
Keynote and Session Highlights
Luncheon Keynote: David Kepron, owner of Retail (r)Evolution LLC, will deliver a keynote on the intersection of neuroscience, social media, and emerging digital technologies, exploring how these elements influence brand-customer connections and enhance the purchase journey.
Session Highlights:
“Who Buys Digital Place-based and Emerging Networks”:
Patti Foley, Director of Marketing Communications & Merchandising, Jack in the Box
Jill Nickerson, Vice President/Director Out-of-Home, Horizon Media
“State of the Global Digital Place-based Network Industry”:
Patrick Quinn, CEO, PQ Media
“SoLoMo Meets Digital Place-based: New Tools for Consumer Engagement”:
Jeremy Lockhorn, Vice President, Emerging Media, Razorfish (Moderator)
Chris Beauchamp, CEO, Monster Media
Ian Dallimore, Digital Out-of-Home Strategist, Lamar Advertising
Garrett Dodge, Co-Founder & CEO, Roqbot
“Digital Place-Based Marketplace Demand and Direction”:
David Matera, CEO & Co-Founder, OOH Pitch
Jack Sullivan, SVP Out-of-Home Activation Director, Starcom USA
Daniel Wilkins, President, n2
Rick Robinson, Managing Director, West Coast, MacDonald Media
Rocky Gunderson, Principal, SierraRock
“Creative Campaigns”:
Anne Judge, Principal, The Judge Group
Anne White, Principal, HypeHouse, Inc.
Additional speakers will be announced leading up to the event.
About Digital Signage Expo (DSE)
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, DSE is the world’s largest and longest-running trade show dedicated to digital signage, interactive technology, and digital out-of-home (DOOH) industries. Held annually at the Las Vegas Convention Center, DSE features close to 180 exhibitors showcasing global technology and services, including hardware, software, network delivery, and content solutions.
DSE offers an extensive educational program with more than 100 educators, 16 pre- and post-show events, 32 seminars, 40 industry-specific discussion groups, and over 42 free presentations in on-floor theaters. The event attracts decision-makers from various sectors such as retail, healthcare, education, and hospitality.
About DPAA
Founded in 2006, the Digital Place-based Advertising Association (DPAA) represents leading digital place-based networks and the advertising community engaged in the planning, buying, and evaluating the effectiveness of this medium. DPAA fosters collaboration between agencies and networks, establishes industry standards and best practices, and promotes the effectiveness of digital place-based advertising.
ClearOne today announced a partnership with HospitalityVision to offer two different levels of turn-key digital signage background packages. This content creation service addresses the needs of smaller companies without internal design or marketing resources to create specialized digital signage content. Customers will order directly from HospitalityVision and engage with a designer to create their own customized content.
“You have only a few seconds to make a good first impression; but it takes forever to change a bad one,” said Tom Searcy , Vice President of ClearOne’s Signage Business. “ClearOne and HospitalityVision are working together to help organizations make a positive first impression by delivering branded, eye-catching, personalized content backgrounds for their digital signage products. The HospitalityVision content packages are like hiring a full-time marketer and salesperson at an unbelievably affordable rate; your high-quality digital signage content is always selling for you, without the cost of internal resources.”
The HospitalityVision “starter” content packages offer users an affordable option with 5 digital signage backgrounds; including the ability to customize text and graphics. The custom backgrounds are created specifically for each business; incorporating colors, logos, and overall business messages, providing a solid foundation for businesses to easily create signage without using cookie-cutter solutions. Deluxe packages include more dynamic options, such as custom animation.
About HosptialityVision
HospitalityVision helps hotels and resorts become eco-friendly and green while providing their guests with the best possible service through a 24/7 in-room concierge. The company works with over 50 hotel and resort properties to design, update, and maintain digital hotel concierge content and presentation to best brand and showcase a property’s unique attributes and amenities. More information can be found at www.hospitalityvision.net.
About ClearOne
ClearOne is a global company that designs, develops and sells conferencing, collaboration, streaming and digital signage solutions for audio visual communications. The performance and simplicity of its advanced comprehensive solutions enhance the quality of life. ClearOne products offer unprecedented levels of functionality, reliability and scalability. More information about the company can be found at www.clearone.com.
AMX integrators and software developers now invited to download free module from Matrox website
Matrox Graphics Inc. announced today that its flagship Matrox Mura™ MPX Series video wall controller boards are compatible with NetLinx® Integrated Controller systems from automation solutions provider AMX. With the development of a free Mura MPX-specific module for the NetLinx® user interface programming language, AV integrators are now able to easily integrate Mura MPX boards with AMX systems and create custom video walls for use within a wide range of industries spanning such sectors as retail, government, and process control.
Pump It Up has integrated EyeClick technology into ten of its franchise locations. This virtual interactive playground takes children’s birthday parties to the next level.
The national leader in children’s entertainment, Pump It Up, has integrated EyeClick technology into ten of its locations across the country. This interactive environment for children has been appropriately named Motion Mania™. The innovative motion activated system is geared towards children ages 2 and up. Exciting animated graphics are projected directly onto the floor of Pump It Up’s indoor playground.
Motion Mania™ is based on EyeClick’s EyePlay system, which has won various awards including the 15th annual IIDA/HD Product Design Competition. This state of the art interactive playground provides a stimulating environment where children can engage their entire bodies and simultaneously cooperate with their peers. The Motion Mania™ customized playlist includes a wide variety of games including Balloons, Super Soccer, Ball Pit, Piano and Disco Floor.
Pump It Up and EyeClick are a natural fit as both companies recognize and understand the importance of improving children’s playtime through imaginative play. Just as Pump It Up revolutionized the outdoor inflatable bounce-house industry by moving it indoors, combining the Pump It Up environment with EyeClick’s industry-leading technology will provide a revolutionary and innovative playtime experience for all to enjoy. Director of Safety & Site Development, Randy Baker, added “We take a lot of pride in the play experience we offer our guests. Our new Motion Mania, powered by EyeClick, will offer children and adults a unique, fun and safe experience unlike anything else they’ve ever seen at Pump It Up. We are very proud to have partnered with EyeClick to bring this experience to life, and look forward to working with them on future experiences over the coming years.”
Pump It Up customers can now experience Motion Mania™ in ten locations across the country including McAllen, TX; Oakland, CA; Pleasanton, CA; Sunnyvale, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Plainview, NY;; Secaucus, NJ; Shawnee Mission, KS; Tacoma, WA; and Shrewsbury, MA.
About EyeClick:
EyeClick specializes in creating inventive products that transform designated spaces into magical experiences. The company’s EyePlay, EyeStep and EyeWall products open up a world of possibilities to engage audiences in out-of-home locations. EyeClick has helped leading brands, from Burger King and NASA to Namco and GattiTown, transform their floors, walls and window areas into spectacular interactive displays that leave a long-lasting impression on visitors. EyeClick gives designers, hospitals, event planners, retailers, media companies, family entertainment centers, restaurants, and other organizations the ability to showcase rich interactive digital content in public spaces. More information about EyeClick can be found at http://www.eyeclick.com.
About Pump It Up
A clear, national leader in the children’s entertainment category, Pump It Up is a 150-unit franchise specializing in safe, indoor private birthday parties that include large-scale inflatable rides. Also available to children are indoor arenas where they can play every day during Pop-In Playtime™ – an ‘open jump’ time offered for kids to engage in active play in a safe and controlled indoor environment. Various locations throughout the country host weekly special events including fundraisers, field trips, exercises and seasonal events. Known by most parents as their “kids’ favorite place,” Pump It Up prides itself on offering a trained, safety-oriented staff committed to serving families in a fun, stress-free environment. To locate the Pump It Up location nearest you visit www.pumpitupparty.com.
NEXCOM digital signage player NDiS B322 is designed to offer excellent value for money to independent retailers and small and medium enterprises. The B322 features impressive graphical performance, a low maintenance fanless design, accelerated content and system management, and support for a wide variety of operating systems. The B322 can therefore help cost-sensitive users display compelling advertisements while reducing costs of system procurement and maintenance.
The B322 is based on Intel® Celeron® Processor 847 integrated with Intel® HD Graphics and supports up to 8GB system memory. The B322 has exceptional responsiveness for high definition multimedia playback and can drive two displays via HDMI and VGA ports without the need of separate graphics card.
Control experts target specialist opportunities via Midwich sales divisions
True Colours Distribution, a division of Midwich Group specialising in technical AV solutions for complex AV installations, has announced a UK distribution deal with market-leading developer of control products, AMX.
A world leader in the manufacture of control systems for audiovisual equipment, AMX is now able to deliver its products through key Midwich sales divisions including Midwich home and Midwich Security. Specifiers who depend on Midwich for the latest and highest quality products will discover even greater flexibility while being able to offer their clients unbeatable choice.
Since Troy University of Troy, Ala., recently opened their doors to the new Trojan Arena, those in attendance have been amazed by the facility which has replaced Sartain Hall as home to the university’s basketball, volleyball and track programs. Daktronics (Nasdaq – DAKT) of Brookings, S.D., designed, manufactured and installed an integrated light emitting diode (LED) video and scoring system which included two displays that are the largest endwall installations Daktronics has produced for an indoor college facility.
“The Daktronics video displays and ribbon boards are a significant part of the ‘Wow Factor’ in our new Trojan Arena,” said John Hartwell, Director of Athletics. “Their clarity and size provide our fans an outstanding game-day atmosphere. We are appreciative of our partnership with Daktronics in helping deliver one of the finest basketball venues in the country.”
New interactive touch display innovations making European debut
MultiTouch Ltd has today announced details of its stand at ISE 2013. A world leader in interactive, multitouch display systems, the company will be demonstrating latest innovations, including Ultra-thin Bezel displays, Enriched Reality™, Windows 8, Hybrid Tracking, a prototype of an Android touch display, and MultiTaction Site Manager – across a total of 17 large-screen displays. As usual, ISE takes place at the Amsterdam RAI, from 29–31 January; MultiTouch is located in Hall 11, Stand N53.
MultiTouch’s showcase of the world’s first and only ultra-thin bezel multi-touch display will highlight the unique features of MultiTaction technology. The gap from pixel to pixel is reduced to less than 6mm, making stacked configurations with minimal bezel intrusion possible. Consisting of six MultiTaction 55” UTB displays running a custom-made MultiTaction Experience application, the demonstration will show MultiTouch’s simultaneous touch, IR pen and object recognition, 200+fps tracking and Enriched Reality™.
TouchSystems grows its executive line of touch displays, the X Series, with a 40-inch touch screen.
Education the focus as company unveils exciting solutions
Advanced Interactive Media Solutions (AIMS), the GCC market leader in digital signage solutions, today announced its attendance at the 10th Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), the world’s best-attended tradeshow for the professional audio, video (AV) and electronic systems industry that will run from January 29 to 31, 2013, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The company’s attendance in major international industry events such as ISE is part of its continuing efforts to capitalise on the latest trends and investment opportunities in the global digital signage industry.
About Pump It Up
