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That was the era of the elecroluminescent backlight. This technology required a high-voltage (~100V) squarewave across the mostly-capacitive EL panel. This sq
by markrages 4y ago
That was the era of the elecroluminescent backlight.
This technology required a high-voltage (~100V) squarewave across the mostly-capacitive EL panel. This squarewave was at audio frequencies.
The panel also happened to function as a piezo tweeter, depending on mounting.
I worked for a cell phone company at the time. I have two memories of this technology:
1. Using the prototype phone out of its case and touching the 100 V squarewave to my ear. That's some tender skin...
2. Using a primary transformer in reverse as an audio transformer, to play the lab stereo over EL panel. It turns out the panel color changes a little bit with frequency.
- causality0 4y agoSo why didn't pocket pcs or non-Palm PalmOS devices have the same problem? All of the Palm units in my collection have the buzz but none of the Clies do.
- omgwtfusb 4y agoThey mostly used LCDs with LED backlights (not sure what they used the some early WinCE laptop style handhelds with color displays)
- causality0 4y agoYet another sad story. I wanted to love those but I couldn't put up with the passive-matrix display.