Colorado MicroDisplay Introduces QVGA Microdisplay Viewfinder Module for Mobile Digital Imaging Products.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers COLOGNE, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 2000 PHOTOKINA CONFERENCE Module Offers Many Times the Capability and Performance of Existing Viewfinders and LCD Displays -- These Include: Better Image Quality, Larger Image Size, Lower Power, Compact Size, and Low-Cost High-Volume Production Colorado MicroDisplay, Inc. (CMD CMD cerebromacular degeneration. ) today introduced the CMD3X2A QVGA (Quarter VGA) A screen resolution of 320x240 pixels, which is used on handheld devices. Although 320x240 seems half the 640x480 VGA resolution, the "quarter" comes from the total number of pixels, which is one fourth the number (320 times 240=76800; 640 times 480=307200). microdisplay electro-optic viewfinder The preview window on a camera that is used to frame, focus and take the picture. On analog cameras, the viewfinder is an eye-sized window that must be pressed against the face. Point-and-shoot digital cameras use small LCD screens that are viewed several inches from the eyes. module for the next generation of mobile digital imaging products. This small full-color, full-motion video Video transmission that changes the image 30 frames per second (30 fps). Motion pictures are run at 24 fps, which is the minimum frequency required to eliminate the perception of moving frames and make the images appear visually fluid to the eye. viewfinder module enables digital cameras and camcorders to deliver very high image quality preview capabilities for accurate viewfinding as well as stunning image review capabilities. CMD will market its solution under a new campaign called the "X-factor" due to the improved performance over current direct-view LCD display technology in digital still cameras. Features of the viewfinder module include: -- 3X more pixels than direct-view displays delivering stunning image quality through CMD's patent-pending reflective display architecture -- 3X better fill factor per pixel for smoother nonpixelated images (93% versus 33% fill factor per pixel) -- 5X larger effective image area than direct-view displays (image area is 13.88" diagonal vs. 1.8" diagonal via a 20-degree diagonal field of view lens) -- 100X WYSIWIG electronic viewfinder experience versus optical viewfinders (especially well suited for zoom requirements) -- Up to 2X longer battery life than direct-view displays -- Up to 30X greater contrast ratio compared to direct-view displays (up to 100:1 versus 3:1) -- 5X smaller mechanical dimensions -- Nonproprietary flexible optical, electronic, and mechanical configurations to suit a variety of OEM design capabilities Comprising the electro-optic module are the display, illumination, electronics, optical and mechanical sub-components. Display The CMD3X2A QVGA microdisplay operates on a meager mea·ger also mea·gre adj. 1. Deficient in quantity, fullness, or extent; scanty. 2. Deficient in richness, fertility, or vigor; feeble: the meager soil of an eroded plain. 3. power budget of under 15 mW (display only) and delivers unlimited color depth Same as bit depth. (16.7+ million colors). The CMD3X2A display utilizes CMD's patent-pending Dynamic Nematic The stage between a crystal and a liquid that has a threadlike nature; for example, a liquid crystal. See crystalline and LCD. Liquid Crystal on Silicon Liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS or LCoS) is a "micro-projection" or "micro-display" technology typically applied in projection televisions. It is a reflective technology similar to DLP projectors; however, it uses liquid crystals instead of individual mirrors. (TM) technology to deliver refresh rates of up to 120 Hz (360 color fields per second) for rock-solid still images and support for full-motion video. Its reflective pixels (93% fill factor) overcome the pixelation This article is about the graphics artifact. For the stop motion animation technique, see pixilation. For the censorship method, see pixelization. In computer graphics, pixelation , high power consumption, and low optical efficiency found in transmissive microdisplays and LCDs -- thereby delivering end users with virtually seamless images while consuming less power. Illumination Included in the CMD3X2A viewfinder module is a state-of-the-art, high-image-fidelity illumination system. The system is comprised of a light mixer, LED assembly, and CMD's second-generation illumination controller, the CMD3XLB XLB Xiaolongbao (Shanghainese soup dumpling) . Tight integration of these components deliver extremely high performance, high efficiency, and generous electro-optic performance, such as 100:1 contrast ratio and brightness exceeding 30 fL (foot lamberts). Electronics An analog interface is supported between the image processing ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) Pronounced "a-sick." A chip that is custom designed for a specific application rather than a general-purpose chip such as a microprocessor. and the module. Power consumption of the module is 75 mW, which includes the display, illumination, and drivers. Interconnection of the CMD QVGA microdisplay to system electronics is achieved through an industry standard ZIF-compatible connector. Optics The CMD3X2A module is a configurable optical reference design platform that contains the complete set of optical elements required to deliver exceptional image quality to the consumer. Included in the optics package are polarizing films, diffusing films, illumination optics and imaging optics. The combination of these deliver an image size equivalent to an 11.1" H x 8.3" V at 1 meter, 20-degree diagonal field of view, exit pupil of 6 mm, and eye relief of 18 mm. Mechanical A fully configurable, light (14 g), compact (26 mm H x 22 mm W x 22.8 mm D), rugged and easily manufacturable mechanical housing has been designed to integrate the display, illumination, optics and electronic components. The housing is designed to be constructed of impact-resilient polycarbonate A category of plastic materials used to make a myriad of products, including CDs and CD-ROMs. material to ensure long-term durability. "Unlike competitive offerings, CMD's reference design has been partitioned to enable OEMs/ODMs to accept one, several or all of the elements for a complete turnkey viewfinder module. OEMs/ODMs are not locked into a proprietary system solution, rather each OEM/ODM can select the elements that best suit their development capabilities," said Jim St. Jean, Digital Imaging Market Manager at CMD. The CMD3X2A QVGA module reference design is now available and can be licensed from CMD via one of its worldwide distribution partners. Additional Key Features and Benefits of the CMD3X2A Microdisplay System -- Low power, rich-color depth and high refresh rate to match market requirements for the digital imaging market -- High refresh rate (up to 120 Hz or 360 colors/second) neutralizes color break-up, flicker, and motion artifacts artifacts see specimen artifacts. -- High fill-factor (93%) pixel pitch and pixel mirror size combination (12 micron x 12 micron/11.6 micron x 11.6 micron provides high optical efficiency and abrogates pixelation -- Flex-lead package with ZIF connector enables small form factor end-user products -- Low-power requirements (less than 15 mW display only, 75 mW with illumination and drivers) -- Rich-color depth (typically 24-bit) supports the full range of content, including text, still images and full-motion video CMD3X2A QVGA Microdisplay Chipset Evaluation Kit -- To assist OEMs in their design-in process, CMD offers the CMD3X2A Chipset Evaluation Kit. The kit includes everything necessary to evaluate and integrate the QVGA microdisplay solution, from the input side of the equation to the creation of images on the display. All of the necessary elements required to do both a qualitative and quantitative assessment are included in the evaluation system: -- Viewer - CMD3X2A QVGA microdisplay - CMD3XLB illumination controller - Red-Green-Blue (RGB (Red Green Blue) The computer's native color space, which is the color system for capturing and displaying images. RGB was derived from our own perception of color because human eyes are sensitive to red, green and blue (see trichromaticity). ) LED illumination system -- Image Sources - Flash memory for stored images - CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) Pronounced "c-moss." The most widely used integrated circuit design. It is found in almost every electronic product from handheld devices to mainframes. imager - Personal computer video graphics array See VGA. (hardware) Video Graphics Array - (VGA) A display standard for IBM PCs, with 640 x 480 pixels in 16 colours and a 4:3 aspect ratio. There is also a text mode with 720 x 400 pixels. (VGA (Video Graphics Array) The display standard for the PC. All PC display adapters support VGA, and Windows machines boot up in "VGA mode" before switching to higher resolutions. ) Interface - VGA loop-through output -- Windows(R) 95/98 and Windows NT-based display evaluation/prototyping software -- System documentation and cables Availability and Pricing -- QVGA Viewfinder Module - Reference design currently available for evaluation -- QVGA Microdisplay Chipset - CMD3X2A QVGA microdisplay samples shipping now - CMD3X2A volume production begins in Q1, 2001 - CMD3XLB Illumination Controller samples shipping now - CMD3X2A and CMD3XLB chipset price estimated at less than $25 in OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) The rebranding of equipment and selling it. The term initially referred to the company that made the products (the "original" manufacturer), but eventually became widely used to refer to the organization that buys the products and volumes -- CMD3X2A QVGA Microdisplay Chipset Evaluation Kit - General availability in Q4, 2000 - Evaluation kit price is $2,500 -- The chipset and Evaluation Kit are available through CMD and its worldwide distribution partners About CMD Colorado MicroDisplay, Inc. is a privately held technology development and marketing company whose mission is to develop and commercialize microdisplay technologies that enable "no compromise" display solutions for the next class of computing, entertainment, digital imaging, communication and projection products. Based in Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A., CMD was founded in 1996 by Chief Scientist Dr. Douglas McKnight; CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Mark Willner; and Chairman of the Board Dr. Robert Epstein. Additional information on the company can be found on http://www.comicro.com. Note to Editors: We Share Your Vision and Dynamic Nematic Liquid Crystal on Silicon (DNLCOS) are trademarks of Colorado MicroDisplay, Inc. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective holders. |
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