Chennai-based developers patented the X View, the world's first back-to-back computer monitor technology.
The concept makes it possible for two or more users seated on either side of a notebook or desktop computer monitor to simultaneously view, share and digitally interact with the same content,including web content.
Further, incorporation of simple software features or as plug-ins in proprietary content enables partial masking of content, selective information display, and provides interactive tools and features on anyone side, respectively.
X View can also be switched off on one side, for single use.
Talks are on with national and international companies regarding mass manufacture of X View, said the developers in Chennai. Initially, there could be a demand for at least five lakh units within a few months, they said, adding that the first sets could be out in the market in two or three months time.
Interestingly, X View is a collaborative effort, the idea for which came from a cardiothoracic surgeon -- Chennai-based Dr D Janardhana Reddy of Vijaya Heart Foundation -- and has been developed by technocrat-inventor L Narayan, managing director of Silicon Labs Pvt. Ltd. - a Chennai-based bio-medical engineering company and his team of engineers. Incidentally, both Dr Reddy and Narayan have to their individual credit, other inventions in their respective fields of work.
On the technology behind the product, Narayan said, "X View compliments the genius of simplicity in the idea. Rather than a case of reinventing the wheel, we took existing TFT screens, put them back-to-back and figured a way to replicate content on both the back-to-back screens. The heart of the invention is a pair of display devices with the necessary drivers for the TFT screens. The second 'slave' display replicates content making it possible to simultaneously view, share and interact with the same content on both sides of the monitor." Narayan, however, added, "X View could lead to significant new designs of the motherboard for providing simultaneous interactive controls to users on either side of the monitor."
The future could be multi-screen -- using just one mother-keyboard and additional mouses for the cost of just one monitor.