Toshiba Introduces New LCD Technology

Toshiba is preparing a new LCD technology geared towards mobile computing and telecommunications devices. The new LCDs will not require a backlit display, or separate supporting chips. The technology utilizes a color reflective LCD, which decreases power consumption, while offering the same high-contrast display as a conventional LCD screen.

By removing the need of backlighting, the average power consumption of the unit is cut by one third. This factor is important in devices that require batteries to operate. However, by removing backlighting on a conventional LCD display, viewing the screen is virtually impossible. Reflective LCDs use surrounding light sources to provide picture on the display.
In addition to the power savings, the removal of the backlight lessens the overall weight of the unit.

Toshiba Inc. revealed plans to begin commercial sales of a 4-inch color reflective unit in October. The unit will use a low-temperature polysilicon type thin-film transistor LCD panel. Low-temperature polysilicon displays contain the necessary support chips and circuitry on the glass substrate, rather than in separate components, thus requiring less space.

The new LCD panels are capable of displaying 260,000 colors, and consume about 0.4 watts of power in operation.