HP's MicroLED Monitors Stack Together Like Legos (digitaltrends.com) 25
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Digital Trends: HP researchers have published a paper detailing a new modular monitor design they call "composable microLED monitors." Using advancing microLED tech to make smaller screens with no bezels, they imagine a Lego-like system that allows customers to buy different monitor modules and slot them together at home. In the paper, diagrams show "core units" with a direct connection to the host computer being expanded both horizontally and vertically with multiple extensions. The idea is that by choosing from flat or curved extension pieces and connecting them to the core unit, you can make a monitor in whatever size or shape you want. To keep assembly simple and effective, the design uses jigsaw-like connections alongside magnets to ensure each module automatically aligns correctly. And to prevent the number of possible configurations from getting out of hand, the design only allows extensions to attach to the sides or bottom of the square-shaped core unit. Once your strangely shaped monitor is complete, you would be able to choose how your operating system treats each part -- either as an extension of the core unit or as a separate screen. These settings would be controlled with physical switches on the modules that you could change whenever you wanted.
As for the sizes of the modules, HP proposes a range of different possibilities, some more complicated than others. In an ideal situation, customers would be able to choose from either flat or curved core units and add flat or curved extensions of varying sizes. If that proved too difficult, curved monitor elements could be taken out of the picture completely, and customers would just add flat extensions to a flat core unit. As cool as this all sounds, there is a glaring problem -- how would the seams between each module look? Thanks to the bezel-less design, there at least wouldn't be a thick black divider between each part. However, a thin line or visible distortion would be inevitable. One approach HP proposes is minimizing the gap between each panel as much as possible and just accepting the thin line it creates. Alternatives include complicated techniques to disguise the joints using hardware or software solutions that modify the display of edge pixels to minimize visual joints. HP would have to find a balance between technical viability, cost, and customer feedback to determine the best overall solution.
As for the sizes of the modules, HP proposes a range of different possibilities, some more complicated than others. In an ideal situation, customers would be able to choose from either flat or curved core units and add flat or curved extensions of varying sizes. If that proved too difficult, curved monitor elements could be taken out of the picture completely, and customers would just add flat extensions to a flat core unit. As cool as this all sounds, there is a glaring problem -- how would the seams between each module look? Thanks to the bezel-less design, there at least wouldn't be a thick black divider between each part. However, a thin line or visible distortion would be inevitable. One approach HP proposes is minimizing the gap between each panel as much as possible and just accepting the thin line it creates. Alternatives include complicated techniques to disguise the joints using hardware or software solutions that modify the display of edge pixels to minimize visual joints. HP would have to find a balance between technical viability, cost, and customer feedback to determine the best overall solution.
HP Sales will make sure this never happens (Score:5, Insightful)
Legos? (Score:1)
Using the word "Legos" on a nerd site?
I'm thinking it's deliberate, flamebait intended to create engagement.
Re: Legos? (Score:3)
Or it's a metaphor used to communicate a concept.
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Or it's a metaphor used to communicate a concept.
Using the word "Lego" with an "s" at the end of it is a well known nerd trigger. At this point, with even a nationally televised Lego competition show correcting people when they say "Legos" instead of "Lego?" This is intentional trolling. Someone should report them to the Lego Mafia and Will Arnette.
The Legend of Un LEGO. (Score:2)
Using the word "Legos" on a nerd site? I'm thinking it's deliberate, flamebait intended to create engagement.
There I was. Innocently celebrating my Black Friday win. Got a “couple sets of Legos” I said to the guy outside.
Suddenly, a gaggle of Un LEGO gang members came from behind the Toys R Us dumpster to teach me a lesson in plurality and respect. Doc says I still have the LEGO in my ass. Yes I do mean more than one, spank you for wondering.
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At least your doctor wasn't an Un LEGO gang member, or else he would be telling you that you still have the LEGO(TM) brand bricks in your ass.
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It won't work, at least not how you want it to. They will not be able to get the edges to line up well enough for even high definition pixels, let alone 4k. There will be a visible gap and misalignment.
That is acceptable for larger displays like video walls, seen from a distance. Not for most consumer applications though.
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If you included sensors on the mating surfaces of the display modules(for which there are fairly cost-effective and precise options; you can get a pretty precise optical absolute linear enco
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It already works, people use multiple monitors and stack them. New (HP) monitors are already designed to have very thin edges. HP just got the idea to add small latches to help the monitors align. Maybe the software stack (OS level or OSD) helps align them collectively. There certainly will be a thin gap, but again, this is an improvement over the existing situation for people using multiple monitors.
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It won't work, at least not how you want it to. They will not be able to get the edges to line up well enough for even high definition pixels, let alone 4k. There will be a visible gap and misalignment.
That is acceptable for larger displays like video walls, seen from a distance. Not for most consumer applications though.
You bring good points, but it appears the HP marketing is targeting the “home” user.
Personally, I see these as an excellent tool for business applications. I don’t need seamless perfect 4K in that environment, but I certainly have found endless uses for multiple monitors. Ironically, this use case also tends to confirm the parents point. HP would likely prefer to rent/lease that concept to business, than sell it.
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It's a defect. I ignore it. In exactly the same way that I ignore the thumb-print in the side of the TV screen, form when I was retrieving a book from behind it.
Solutions ... I suspect
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From the series title, it sounds almost exactly the opposite : "Technical Disclosure Commons \n Defensive Publications Series". They're publishing enough "prior art" that anyone else's "prior art claim is likely to be very easily challengable. I infer that various things they've developed, which they haven't published, are very definitely less obvious. For example, the document's sections on options for modifying screen edges to be in- (or less-) visible read to
How much is the subscription? (Score:2)
Could be good; probably won't be. (Score:2)
Spreading things out between multiple enclosures that require both mechanical connectors with quite tight tolerances and high speed data connections is going to add a fair amount of cost; so it seems unlikely that this would beat "just buy larger monitor" on price until you get to arra
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It's overkill, to me. I just want a lineup of monitors that:
1. All support DP MST
2. Provides a quality KVM with lots of USB output (at least 6 ports), 2x USB-C/TB input with 3rd HDMI/USB combo input
3. VESA mountable
4. Multiple resolution and size options that, and this is the big one, all use the exact same DPI. This should include some 3:2 displays, as well as some novel form factors like LG's vertical monitors
Great idea... we'll see about the implementation (Score:2)
So, I'd love the additional screen real estate without much trouble. If the noticeable line between the two screens can be reduced to a reasonable minimum, I'd be ok with it.
Having only one connector to a central unit and then attaching additional units to the side would be great. It's even better the idea allows for automatic alignment of the monitors.
I would love to see a new standard for this. I'm curious how monitors with different refresh rates and/or resolutions are going to connect to one another.
Too much (Score:2)
The subscription to replenish the color is probably going to cost way too much.
Silicon Valley reference (Score:2)
Sorry, but that paper reads like Bigheadâ(TM)s pitch for Hooli neural impulse earbuds. âoeThatâ(TM)s great! How soon?âoe âoevery soon. Definitely within our lifetime!â
Color matching the sections will be fun. (Score:2)
It might work to configure a setup when all new, but after some use mixing in other pieces for either replacement or expansion will result in a checkerboard screen.
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I'd look to the after-market for non-glossy filters with, about 1% (2%, 5% as options ; stackable) density, and possibly a very fine R, G or B tint too. But probably HP's software driver would be able to control each module separately. Both would work.
Yeah, you'd have to do some fiddling to handle this (potential) effect. [Shrug]. I dismantle and clean my microscope's optical surfaces at least once per week, and carry a kilogramme of colour reference charts with me to work. Another routine cali
Like the old microtiles.. (Score:2)
Reminds me of Christie MicroTiles, which I think were discontinued in 2019. Tnink a bunch of little boxes with a DLP projector in the back and glass front, they line up perfectly (I think there were magnets but maybe just to stick the front on..) and would stack in any shape for signage. Christie themselves are a giant projector / video wall company but also do LED walls. Those tiles were very cool but super expensive IIRC. Anyway I'm kind of doubting this will get off the ground, unless people have a hell
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They seem to have an LED version now for sale: https://www.christiedigital.co... [christiedigital.com]