7 replies to this topic

[Alex (nedge2k)]

[teaser]

Why is this news? Well, not only will the image sensor allow for touch-input by actually seeing where the stylus is but it will also allow for movie-style fingerprint reading. That's right, biometrics baby! Those of you who've been around this scene for a few years will remember the old Smartphone app Biologin (pictured) which allowed you to "fool" your friends into thinking your phone had fingerprint recognition built into the screen? Well, that fiction could soon become a reality with the advent of Sharp's new screen! Oh yeah, this baby was developed in the UK too Some specs for the screen:

• 2.6"
  
• 640x480 (VGA) resolution
  
• 300ppi (pixels per inch)
  
• 30Hz image sensor refresh rate / frequency

As you'll see from the pictures below, at present the image sensor can only "see" in black and white but if that changed in the future, we could see mobile devices doubling as colour scanners! Imagine the possibilities

Pics after the jump...[/teaser]

[Source]

[bennish]

ohhh how sweet it *is* ! What's the range? Could this actually be used as... a camera? wouldn't that be ultra superriffic?

[Ingvarr]

You cant use it as a camera, since for camera you need a lens or some other kind of focusing technology (and it will exclude the ability to normally see the display )

But it can be potentially used as a scanner, thats quite cool too.

Not that I want to make my screen full of fingerprints , but scanning documents and photos would be neat

Edited by Ingvarr, 26 February 2007 - 09:21 AM.

[Shuflie]

Does this mean a possible PDA with a "touchscreen" that can be toughened up as much as a regular mobile phone? Now that would be nice, no more worrying about scratches or screens that break if you breathe on them.

[Alex (nedge2k)]

In theory, yes

[bennish]

ohhhh.... so it won't actually be pressure sensitive, but will actually work by seeing the stylus or finger... pretty cool!

[argh]

I've just realised - this could work around some of the Apple patents and provide multi touch to the PocketPC.

[Alex (nedge2k)]

That's a damn good point!