In a technical disclosure revealed this month, HP explored a Micro LED monitor idea that will allow shoppers to simply use varied multi-monitor configurations by means of the usage of “Lego-like constructing blocks.” HP has no speedy plans to make what it has known as “composable Micro LED displays,” however its dialogue explores a possible approach to simplify multitasking with quite a few shows.
HP’s paper [PDF], written by HP scientists and technical architects, discusses a theoretical monitor that helps the simple addition of extra flat or curved screens on its left, proper, or backside sides (the authors famous that prime extensions may be potential however they had been “making an attempt to maintain the variety of configurations manageable”). The setup would use one 12×12-inch “core” monitor that has a cable to the linked system. The pc’s working system (OS) would be capable to view the show setup as one, two, or a number of displays, and bodily switches would let customers rapidly disable shows.
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The illustration exhibits a monitor made from a core unit and two extension panels seen as three displays (left), two displays (center), and two displays with totally different orientations (proper).
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This illustration exhibits two core models and two extensions used to make twin, triple, and quadruple-display setups.
Not an actual product
HP’s paper is just a technical disclosure, which corporations typically publish in an effort to assist potential patent filings. So it is potential that we’ll by no means see HP launch “composable Micro LED displays” as described. An HP spokesperson advised me:
HP engineering groups are always exploring new methods to leverage the most recent applied sciences. The composable Micro LED displays inside the technical disclosure are conceptual, however HP has turned previous ideas like this into commercially viable merchandise and options.
There’s additionally rising curiosity in making multi-monitor workspaces simpler to arrange and navigate, together with by speedier connectivity, enhanced port choice, improved docks, and thinner shows. In January, Samsung teased an idea known as The Hyperlink that confirmed skinny, 32-inch, 4K LED displays daisy-chained collectively “and not using a separate cable.” Samsung initially mentioned the displays would join by way of pogo pins however later redacted that.
As you may see, there’s much more that will should be labored out than what’s in HP’s idea in an effort to make an actual product.
Adjustable multi-monitor setups
HP’s paper goes deeper into how displays, linked by way of pogo pins or RFID readers and tags, may allow totally different single and multi-monitor setups relying on the consumer’s want.
HP’s idea connects extensions to the core displays “in an analogous approach to a jigsaw” and likewise makes use of magnets to assist alignment. The authors clarify:
The core-to-extension connection contains {an electrical} connection, permitting seamless connectivity to the core unit. They are going to solely bodily join in methods that may perform appropriately as shows. The magnets within the passive connection covers and extension edges are sturdy sufficient to carry adjoining shows collectively, however not sturdy sufficient to assist the burden of an extension.
The authors present varied examples of how customers may be capable to assemble totally different sized displays with totally different panels. Steered customers embody a video editor who may use an even bigger display for video with a smaller one for enhancing instruments. The paper additionally touches on additional potential improvements, like utilizing various kinds of tech, comparable to eInk, for extension shows.
Like with any multi-monitor setup, bezels or seen seams the place the shows join might distract customers. The paper suggests a perfect resolution as one which makes use of “rays originating from pixels close to the boundary between adjoining panels” to “propagate throughout the boundary with none distortion attributable to reflection or refraction.”
