The toughest high tech problem I have!!!

[chavenor]

I'm looking for a visual display that must display high resolution pictures. The display must be able to be viewed from many viewing angels without experiencing 'dark out' (what happens when you look a LCD from an angle). The cover over the display must be a touch screen.
This piece of hardware unit must be oval.
Its intended use is for an executive board room table, so the screen also must be scratch resistant and able to withstand the weight of 'limbs'.
I understand that this will cost a ton and I’m ok with that.
Company referrals are welcome!

Thank you so much!
Have a happy Easter.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

You'll need to provide more details...size of table, size/number of screens, etc. I can't honestly believe you want the entire top to be one large display...not only are you going to have an impossible time finding a display that large, you'll also have an impossible time making it oval.

This is either a complete joke, or you don't yet have a complete grasp on the problem.

 

[Heydave]

It sounds as if you need a custom implementation of a DLP based rear projection. Depending on size, you may also want to sectionalize to keep the depth under control and maintain sharpness and resolution. Assuming there is some border around the table, the tapered edge you can get from projection should not be a problem. LCD, Plasma etc. all have electrical interconnect to the screen and that does not lend itself well to an oval. Projection can be seamless between sections where all the flat screen technologies cannot. There are several touch technologies possible. The oval shape should not cause serious problems as most schemes require a calibration anyway. Keep in mind that technology is affordable because of volume and this is not a volume application. It will require mechanical, electrical, and software engineering effort. The idea does sound awsome. If this is a real need, I have contacts involved with DLP and other consultants you would need.

http://www.inventgineering.com/

 

[chavenor]

This is the real deal.
The entire table surface must be a display. I can foresee a boarder around the perimeter of the screen.

It is to my understanding that LCD screens can be made to a custom size and shape. About $50,000 for a screen.
OVAL - 82"L x 42"W
We are building "1" table.

DPL? How deep would the screen have to sit to do this type of projection? Does it create a lot of heat? I still need space underneath the display for the computer. The display must be connected to computer video card.

Thanks for all of the help so far.

Casey Havenor

 

[IRstuff]

Plasma?

TTFN

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Maybe you guys know contacts I don't, but I just can't imagine an LCD screen the size of 82" x 42", particularly an odd shape such as an oval, can be made (especially in single quanitites) for $50k. A simple quality 52" plasma screen alone will be $8k, and that price is in bulk. Projection seems like the only cost effective method to chase, but I didn't get the impression from the original posting this would be acceptable.

I wish you luck...

 

[Heydave]

DLP is a projection technique using micromirrors to steer and focus light for display. Projectors for use with computers in presentations are available now for under a few thousand. A few large movie theaters use the technology instead of film and the picture is quite a bit better than the typical 70mm in both resolution and brightness. Resolution should not be a problem. Since typical table height is about 30", this effects the angle of incedence for the light beam. Two projectors may be needed to divide the oval into two 42" x 41" areas. It should be possible to support this with a single PC. The table top could probably be a single heavy etched plate glass. Content development should be reasonable for such a system and the projectors can be off the shelf items. Heat is not a major problem and could be delt with using a vent system possibly using a through the floor outlet.

The touch screen may be the more difficult issue. Since this is a table, such a system should tolorate static items. This begs the question of what the users will have with them to place on the table. It might be possible to use a heat based video camera system placed near the projectors to detect a hand or finger and ignor static objects. Only if contact is made with the table surface will there be a defined edge detectable through the etched glass. Systems that use transparent contact switches like to be rectangular and cannot deal well with multiple contacts such as static objects like a book. Another possible system uses IR light beams or curtains but they require a raised edge.

What about a teleconferencing capability? Currently, speakerphone boxes sit on top of conference tables. This would block some of the screen and potentially cause problems with a touch screen. A signal processing system with microphones built into the table could deal with this but this is yet another development issue.

I feel $50k will easily get you the display table and some decent border trim but I suspect it will fall short of getting you a touch screen capability or audio conferencing.

 

[chavenor]

Heydave! Wow that is some impressive info, however with this new info I have new questions.

This device will be left on for many hours at a time.
How often will I have to replace the bulbs? (DLP) I'd be looking for a display that I could let it run for a year and not have to worry about it.

Excluding DLP, will the other displays 'burn' an image if left for extended periods of times? Do I need a screen saver?

For the touch components, is it possible to install multiple touch capable rectangles around the perimeter of the oval? If so…
How do I hook them all up to one system?
Get them to comunicate with each other?
Does any current technology like this exist?

Thank you everyone!

Casey Havenor

 

[nbucska]

For touch would a light-pen_like ultrasonic generator acceptable?

I think one surface of the glass must be covered with
hemispherical beads to disperse the light properly -
simply matte my be too bright in the direction of the
light.


<nbucska@pcperipherals.com>

 

[chavenor]

nubska expand on that light-pen idea?
How does it work?
The element of light in this devices environment would be controlled.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[chavenor]

IRstuff (Aerospace) Apr 8, 2004
Plasma? I like this idea.

How do I control the heat?
Can they customize plasma screens?

I'd like to thank everyone that has helped thus far.

Sincerely,

Casey Havenor

 

[IRstuff]

Sadly, I would assume that you would have equal difficulty with customizing plasma as you would with LCD.

While it might be cute to get an oval display, I would think that an oval black glass table top with a central rectangle of clear glass over the display would still be quite striking.

While a touch screen might be interesting, might I further suggest something like Seiko's InkLink or SmartPad setup. It uses an optical sensor to detect the x-y position of a pointer and the pointer has up to 5 hot buttons it can use for various functions. It was designed for a Palmpilot to allow the user to capture notes and drawings into the Palm. Obviously more cumbersome that a touch screen, but it'll do better on drawings and notations.

TTFN

 

[nbucska]

It would be a pen-shaped device with an US generator driving
the tip. The phase of the US would be sensed at min. two
sides and from this the touched location can be calculated.


<nbucska@pcperipherals.com>

 

[chavenor]

IRStuff those are some sweet ideas!
However the table interface will only have to accommodate buttons (menus), and menus.

Does anyone have any contacts for a custom plasma design?

Thanks everyone,

Casey Havenor