Fuji Television demonstrates visible light communications system

It's not like visible light communications is the new kid on the block or anything, but Fuji Television was busy showcasing a new flavor of the technology at Inter BEE 2007 that could assist deaf / hearing impaired individuals when watching TV. In the demonstration, a LED-backlit LCD TV displayed content while simultaneously beaming out information sans wires to a nearby PDA; the handheld was able to receive the textual data and display words to accompany the on-screen action. Not surprisingly, the communications system was developed by NEC, and it even supported selective distribution in order to transmit the correct information to the appropriate individual. No mention was made of an expected commercialization date, but feel free to check out a couple more shots of the setup after the break.

[Eric Cotton @ Nov 23rd 2007 7:27AM]

Please, please me!

[Jagannath A @ Nov 23rd 2007 8:03AM]

NO

[Eric Cotton @ Nov 23rd 2007 8:32AM]

My bad. This was supposed to be a reply to the Black Friday Giveaway #6. I should've followed my own rule of never posting when drunk or without my first cup of coffee (or both as the case may be). Happy Black Friday!

[Joachim Bengtsson @ Nov 23rd 2007 7:51AM]

WTF? What's wrong with on-screen subtitles (e g through teletext)? And how are you supposed to follow the content on both the TV screen and PDA screen simultaneously?

[DarkLightConnection @ Nov 23rd 2007 2:05PM]

Implant a chip that makes you read this thing like it was your natural language? Anyone?

[LegalDoer @ Nov 23rd 2007 11:50AM]

Very nice.

[Magallanes @ Nov 23rd 2007 12:11PM]

OBEY
MARRY AND REPRODUCE
THIS IS YOUR GOD

:-P

[Kahm @ Nov 23rd 2007 1:59PM]

Nice. I was not expecting to see a Sharp Zaurus (SLC-1000, I think) on Engadget today. Too bad for their research that it's discontinued.

[LostOneTR @ Nov 24th 2007 6:21AM]

The selective distribution sounds pretty cool. Could have some very good uses if implemented properly.

[paul-engadget @ Nov 25th 2007 6:00PM]

whilst Sharp said at the beginning of the year they were discontinuing manufacture of the Zaurus, a large European seller (Trisoft) say they are still able to buy them AND the devices are still fresh off production line - last batch in August or September I believe.

[paul-engadget @ Nov 25th 2007 6:02PM]

p.s. as far as I am aware, all three Zaurus models are still being made - the C1000 and C3200 clamshells, and the 6000L slab/slider.