- Computer Graphics - Home
- Computer Graphics Basics
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- Linear Interpolation
- Computer Graphics Devices
- Cathode Ray Tube
- Raster Scan Display
- Random Scan Device
- Phosphorescence Color CRT
- Flat Panel Displays
- 3D Viewing Devices
- Images Pixels and Geometry
- Color Models
- Line Generation
- Line Generation Algorithm
- DDA Algorithm
- Bresenham's Line Generation Algorithm
- Mid-point Line Generation Algorithm
- Circle Generation
- Circle Generation Algorithm
- Bresenham's Circle Generation Algorithm
- Mid-point Circle Generation Algorithm
- Ellipse Generation Algorithm
- Polygon Filling
- Polygon Filling Algorithm
- Scan Line Algorithm
- Flood Filling Algorithm
- Boundary Fill Algorithm
- 4 and 8 Connected Polygon
- Inside Outside Test
- 2D Transformation
- 2D Transformation
- Transformation Between Coordinate System
- Affine Transformation
- Raster Methods Transformation
- 2D Viewing
- Viewing Pipeline and Reference Frame
- Window Viewport Coordinate Transformation
- Viewing & Clipping
- Point Clipping Algorithm
- Cohen-Sutherland Line Clipping
- Cyrus-Beck Line Clipping Algorithm
- Polygon Clipping Sutherland–Hodgman Algorithm
- Text Clipping
- Clipping Techniques
- Bitmap Graphics
- 3D Viewing Transformation
- 3D Computer Graphics
- Parallel Projection
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- Rotation with Quaternions
- Modelling and Coordinate Systems
- Back-face Culling
- Lighting in 3D Graphics
- Shadowing in 3D Graphics
- 3D Object Representation
- Represnting Polygons
- Computer Graphics Surfaces
- Visible Surface Detection
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- Computer Graphics Curves
- Computer Graphics Curves
- Types of Curves
- Bezier Curves and Surfaces
- B-Spline Curves and Surfaces
- Data Structures For Graphics
- Triangle Meshes
- Scene Graphs
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- Binary Space Partitioning
- Tiling Multidimensional Arrays
- Color Theory
- Colorimetry
- Chromatic Adaptation
- Color Appearance
- Antialiasing
- Ray Tracing
- Ray Tracing Algorithm
- Perspective Ray Tracing
- Computing Viewing Rays
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- Shading in Ray Tracing
- Transparency and Refraction
- Constructive Solid Geometry
- Texture Mapping
- Texture Values
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- Antialiasing Texture Lookups
- Procedural 3D Textures
- Reflection Models
- Real-World Materials
- Implementing Reflection Models
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- Smooth-Layered Model
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- Surface Shading
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- Artistic Shading
- Computer Animation
- Computer Animation
- Keyframe Animation
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- Character Animation
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- Computer Graphics Fractals
Flat Panel Displays in Computer Graphics
In the last few chapters, we covered the concept of CRT and raster scan with random scan displays. These displays are large and power-consuming bulky vacuum tubes. In this chapter, we will discuss the lightweight power efficient portable devices known as flat panel displays.
Flat panel displays have become an integral part of modern technology. These displays are used in everything from televisions to smartphones etc. Here we will see the basics of flat panel displays, explain their various types, in a little detail.
Flat Panel Display
From the name itself, we can understand the idea of flat panel displays. A flat panel display is a type of video display that is lighter, thinner, and more efficient compared to traditional cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitors. These are useful for their slim structure, which makes it more convenient. Unlike bulky CRTs, flat panel displays do not rely on vacuum tubes and electron guns. Instead, they use advanced technologies such as liquid crystals, plasma, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to display images.
Flat panel displays are used in several devices including: Televisions, Computer monitors, Smartphones, Digital cameras, Industrial displays, and many more. Let us now look at the different types of flat panel displays.
Types of Flat Panel Displays
Flat panel displays can be categorized into two main types −
- Emissive Displays
- Non-Emissive Displays
Emissive Displays
Emissive displays generate light directly from the pixels. They do not require a backlight as the image is produced by the pixel elements themselves.
Common examples of emissive displays include the following −
- Plasma Displays − These use small cells containing electrically charged ionized gases (plasma) to produce images. Plasma displays are known for producing contrasting colors and deep blacks. This makes them suitable for high-quality television displays.
- Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) − OLED screens are composed of organic compounds that emit light when an electric current is applied. They offer vibrant color reproduction and high contrast. OLED displays are thinner, more flexible, and provide better picture quality than other display types.
Non-Emissive Displays
Non-emissive displays rely on external light sources, usually a backlight, to illuminate the screen. Examples include −
- Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) − LCD is perhaps the most commonly used flat panel technology. It consists of liquid crystals in between two layers of glass. These crystals do not emit light but rather manipulate light from a backlight to create images. LCD displays are energy-efficient and widely used in smartphones, computer monitors, and TVs.
- Light Emitting Diode (LED) − While LEDs are used to create backlighting in modern LCD displays, they can also act as the source of light in certain designs. LED displays are brighter and more energy-efficient compared to traditional LCDs. These displays are common in outdoor digital displays and newer flat-screen televisions.
Advantages of Flat Panel Displays
Flat Panel Displays have several applications including −
- Space-Saving − Their slim structure takes up less space compared to older CRT models.
- Energy Efficiency − Flat panel displays, particularly LCD and LED models, consume significantly less power than CRTs. Which makes them cost savings and environmentally sustainable.
- High-Resolution Imaging − These displays offer high-definition picture quality, providing sharp and clear images.
- Wide Viewing Angles − Modern flat panel displays provide wider viewing angles, making it easier to see content clearly from different perspectives.
- Lightweight − They are much lighter compared to traditional monitors, making transportation and mounting easier.
Applications of Flat Panel Displays
Flat panel displays are used in a variety of applications; some everyday uses are listed below.
- Television and Monitors − A flat panel display is the mainstream for both TV and computer monitors. Be it multiple options, including an OLED, LED or LCD display, with such a beautiful HD picture and slim design, they are just right for home entertainment and professional use.
- Smartphones and Tablets − Flat panel displays are a must-have technology for mobile devices. Now, OLED and LCD screens are the most widely used technologies in the making of most of the smartphones and tablets, respectively, because they are thin and have a good picture quality. Further, with the trend of bezel-less displays, it has been tilting more towards using OLED displays because there is more space for screen when made smaller in devices.
- Digital Signage − LED flat panel displays find wide use in digital signage. These display units are found in indoor malls and on outdoor billboards where screens of the flat panel displays can be changed to present dynamic visual content like advertising, video or public service announcements. Being bright and having good clarity.
- Industrial Use − Flat panel displays are also installed at industrial companies. For instance, they are mounted on machines used in factories and control systems for overseeing particular processes. LCD displays are preferred for such environments over others due to their durability and clarity in bright light.
- Automotive Displays − Today's cars have flat-panel displays and infotainment systems with digital dashboards. In such cases, the information that is being displayed has to include navigational details like speed and other diagnostics of the vehicle. For an automotive application, either OLED or LED is used by considering very high brightness and high response time aspects.
Challenges in Flat Panel Display Technology
Despite their advantages, flat panel displays do have some challenges −
- Cost − Advanced display technologies like OLED and MicroLED are more expensive to produce compared to traditional LCD displays, which can increase the overall cost of devices.
- Durability − Some flat panel displays, particularly OLED screens, are more susceptible to burn-in, where static images leave a permanent mark on the screen.
- Limited Lifespan − The lifespan of certain flat panel technologies, especially OLED, can be shorter than that of LCDs due to organic compounds degrading over time.
Conclusion
In this chapter, we explained the basics of flat panel displays, including their types, advantages, and applications. We discussed emissive and non-emissive technologies such as OLED, plasma, LCD, and LED.
We also covered how flat panel displays are used in various devices like televisions, smartphones, and industrial systems. Finally, we discussed on recent developments and challenges in the display industry.