Mobile Display Components


  • for a mobile device, the display panel is only a single layer within the screen assembly
    • Several other display components make up the whole screen

Digitizer Functions

  • touch screen can also be referred to as a digitizer because of the way it converts analog touch input to digital software instructions
    • sandwiched between a layer of protective glass and the display panel
    • analog signals are detected by a grid of sensors when you tap or swipe the surface of the screen
    • information from the sensors is sent through the digitizer cable to a circuit that converts the analog signal to a digital signal
  • Modern mobile devices use capacitive digitizers
    • support multitouch
      • gestures such as “sweeping” or “pinching” the screen can be interpreted as events and responded to by software in a particular way
    • Newer devices are also starting to provide haptic feedback making virtual key presses or gestures feel more real to the user
      • aka touch responsiveness
  • touchscreen is covered by a thin layer of scratch-resistant, shock-resistant tempered glass
    • such as Corning’s Gorilla Glass

Rotating and Removable Screens

  • accelerometers and gyroscopes can detect when the device changes position and adjust the screen orientation appropriately
    • can be used as a control mechanism
      • E.g., a driving game could allow the tablet itself to function as a steering wheel
  • Some laptops are based on tablet hybrid form factors
    • touch screen can be flipped or rotated
    • keyboard part of the laptop can be detached to turn into laptop
      • E.g., Microsoft Surface