IPS

IPS improves off angle viewingIPS technology has significantly resolved the viewing angle issues of liquid crystals that had affected the contrast and color tone depending on the viewing angle, and delivers images that are "beautifully consistent”, even when viewed from an angle." The main benefits of IPS technology are:
-higher brightness
-excellent contrast
-deeper black levels
-wider viewing angles
 
The illustration indicates the improved viewing angles of IPS Pro comparedto alternative wide viewing angle technologies. In particular it is important to note the viewing angles achievable at 50% contrast level. This is known as the Half Contrast Angle (HCA) which is a more realistic measurement of wide angle performance. The maximum contrast ratio is experienced when looking perpendicular to the screen.

The basic technology was released by us (then HITACHI Display Group) in 1995 and commercialized in 1996. IPS technology, whereby liquid crystal molecules spin around on a plane parallel to a TFT substrate in the In-Plane-Switching mode where the movement of these molecules is very simple, features:

  • a wide viewing angle
  • excellent color reproducibility
  • high response speed in halftone processing.

IPS technology has significantly resolved the viewing angle issues of liquid crystals that had affected the general performance of displays and delivers images that are "beautifully consistent”, even when viewed from any angle.

IPS vs VA

Here is a short clip describing the advantages of the basic IPS technology against a competing technology called "VA". There are many such technologies out their competing with IPS. If you are looking at specs and see +/-85 degree viewing and it doesn't say IPS, check their HCA. Better yet, compare samples of both displays side by side and see how they measure up. For IPS, seeing is believing.

IPS from KOE

Even though we license the basic technology to other display makers we have not stopped development internally to improve our version of IPS. It has evolved from basic IPS through Super-IPS to Advanced-Super IPS, IPS-Pro and then to IPS-Pro (Prolleza). These constant strides have improved the ability be used with

  • higher dots per inch (DPI)
  • higher luminence
  • higher contrast
  • faster frame rates

IPS displays from KOE provide users with un-paralleled

  • user experience for the mobile devices and gaming markets

  • high speed performance and image reproduction for the broadcast and media editing markets

  • half tone and color precision for diagnostic accuracy in the medical markets.

IPS with touch panels

KOE provides panels with resistive touch (4&5 wire), capacitive touch, projected capacitive touch and on cell projected capacitive touch. Each of these technologies have advantages for the user and should be chosen with respect to the user's needs and market demands.

There is a lot of confusion about touch technology regarding gesturing and multi-touch and the underlying hardware. All of our touch technologies are capable of utilizing gestures, swipes and similar user inputs popularized in mobile devices. PCAP technology is the only one provided by KOE that provides "multi-touch" capability. For economical reason PCAP also comes in a single touch gesturing design., a multi-touch design for pinch and zoom applications, and "10 finger" for the applications yet to be discovered but the truth is that few applications use multi-touch and even fewer can use the 10 finger input in any practical applications.

4 wire resistive touch (4wt)

This is the least expensive technology but due to the ITO film, the panels are not completely transparent. This technology can accept a plastic overlay to protect the underlying touch input to improve durability. This can degrade the display's performance, especially for IPS.

5 wire resistive touch (5wt)

This is an alternative to 4 wire touch which still works when you cut or penetrate the outer layer. It too can accept a protective overlay. It has the same issues as 4 wire when used with IPS. This technology is slightly more expensive than 4wt.

Capacitive touch (SCAP)

This is a technology which has transparent input panel and can work well with IPS. It uses current conducted from a uses body so items such as gloves and styluses prevent the touch from functioning properly. This technology is durable but cannot accept a protective cover glass or plastic sheet and fails to function when wet so we discourage it's use for some industrial devices, unsupervised devices used by the general public or in areas unprotected from rain/mist/spray. This technology is a little more expensive than 5wt.

Projected capacitive touch (PCAP)

This is a technology which combines the benefits of resitive touch technology with that of capacitive touch. This technology is clear and provides excellent transmission of the display's performance underneath, especially when optically bonded to the display panel. This technology can receive a thin protective overlay to protect it from the elements or an unexpected scratch/impact. This technology is heavily in demand for mobile devices and many suppliers are finding themselves unprepared to supply all markets. This technology is one of the most expensive touch technologies which we provides but it is one of our most inquired about touch technologies.

On cell projected capacitive touch is a technology where the PCAP is incorporated into the display itself and does not require additional optical bonding. This technology is used mostly with our mobile device customers for light weight and size constraints. This is not recommended for large format and industrial customers at this time due to cost and availability since weight and size are not usually an issue.

IPS w/On Cell PCAP 

Here is a short clip describing the advantages of the on cell PCAP with IPS technology for mobile devices.

Multi-Touch

There is a lot of confusion about touch technology regarding gesturing and multi-touch and the underlying hardware. All of our touch technologies are capable of utilizing gestures, swipes and similar user inputs popularized in mobile devices. PCAP technology is the only one provided by KOE that provides "multi-touch" capability for pinch and zoom applications. For economical reasons PCAP also comes in a single touch gesturing design. For the applications yet to be discovered, PCAP is also available in 10 finger" input, but the truth is that few applications use multi-touch and even fewer can yet use the 10 finger input in any practical applications.