In the world of display technology, there are some milestones that shape entire industries. This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of them: the granting of the patent for super-twisted nematic (STN) technology in 1984. The person behind this patent is Dieter Heimgartner, co-inventor of STN technology and founder of DMB Technics AG in Hünenberg, Switzerland. With his expertise and innovative spirit, he laid the foundations for the success of this groundbreaking technology and his company.
The beginnings: from a bicycle workshop to Research Institution
Dieter Heimgartner was born in 1961, the youngest of five siblings. His father ran a bicycle and motorcycle workshop, where Dieter learned about technology at an early age. This hands-on experience, combined with his curiosity about technical concepts, led him to start an appren-ticeship as a physics laboratory technician at the renowned Swiss company BBC in 1977. Dieter was introduced to the emerging field of LCD technology in the first few months of his training. He discovered his passion for displays while working at the company LCD-Fabrik Videlec AG in Lenzburg – an interest that would shape his entire career.
The breakthrough: the STN-LCD patent
In 1983, Dieter Heimgartner began working at the research centre of BBC (now ABB), where there was a strong focus on the development of display technologies. Together with a team of five researchers, he achieved a major breakthrough: the development of STN technology, which was patented in 1984. This new technology made it possible to create high-resolution graphic LCD displays that could be controlled with what is known as the time-division multiplexing method.
STN technology was revolutionary, as it had steeper electro-optical characteristics than traditional twisted-nematic (TN) technology. This meant that even small voltage changes caused large contrast variations, allowing for more precise and efficient display control. This technology quickly became the standard for high-resolution LCDs and paved the way for modern displays such as those found in today’s computers and mobile phones, for example.
The birth of DMB Technics AG: from inventor to entrepreneur
Following the success of the STN patent, Dieter Heimgartner decided to start a company to leverage his extensive expertise in display technology. He founded DMB Technics AG in 2005 together with two colleagues. From the outset, the company focused on the development and production of custom displays.
Thanks to Dieter’s experience, DMB Technics AG has evolved into a leading provider in the industry. The company is known for its innovative solutions and its ability to execute complex display projects for a variety of industrial applications. Close collaboration with Asian production partners and a deep understanding of the entire supply chain have been key factors in DMB Technics AG’s ability to consistently supply products and services of the highest standard.
The importance of the STN patent for the future
The STN patent, which was granted 40 years ago, has had a lasting impact on display technology. The ability to efficiently control high-resolution graphic displays was a pivotal step in the development of modern electronics. BBC was able to generate substantial royalty revenues worldwide by licensing STN technology, which has been used in a wide variety of devices, from watches to computers.
Even today, four decades later, the principles of STN technology are still relevant. Dieter Heimgartner and the team at DMB Technics AG use their extensive knowledge to develop innovative solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow. With its expertise in emerging technologies such as micro-LED and AMOLED, DMB Technics AG is perfectly equipped and positioned to remain at the forefront of display innovation for years to come.
A milestone in display technology: 40 years of the STN-LCD patent and the vision of Dieter Heimgartner
The 40th anniversary of the STN-LCD patent is not only an important milestone in the history of display technology, but also a testimony to Dieter Heimgartner’s tireless dedication and visionary thinking. His work has laid the foundations for the modern display industry. By founding DMB Technics AG, he created a specialist company that has remained synonymous with innovation and quality to this day. DMB Technics AG will continue to play a leading role in the development and production of advanced display technologies.
In the world of display technology, there are some milestones that shape entire industries. This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of them: the granting of the patent for super-twisted nematic (STN) technology in 1984. The person behind this patent is Dieter Heimgartner, co-inventor of STN technology and founder of DMB Technics AG in Hünenberg, Switzerland. With his expertise and innovative spirit, he laid the foundations for the success of this groundbreaking technology and his company.
The beginnings: from a bicycle workshop to Research Institution
Dieter Heimgartner was born in 1961, the youngest of five siblings. His father ran a bicycle and motorcycle workshop, where Dieter learned about technology at an early age. This hands-on experience, combined with his curiosity about technical concepts, led him to start an appren-ticeship as a physics laboratory technician at the renowned Swiss company BBC in 1977. Dieter was introduced to the emerging field of LCD technology in the first few months of his training. He discovered his passion for displays while working at the company LCD-Fabrik Videlec AG in Lenzburg – an interest that would shape his entire career.
The breakthrough: the STN-LCD patent
In 1983, Dieter Heimgartner began working at the research centre of BBC (now ABB), where there was a strong focus on the development of display technologies. Together with a team of five researchers, he achieved a major breakthrough: the development of STN technology, which was patented in 1984. This new technology made it possible to create high-resolution graphic LCD displays that could be controlled with what is known as the time-division multiplexing method.
STN technology was revolutionary, as it had steeper electro-optical characteristics than traditional twisted-nematic (TN) technology. This meant that even small voltage changes caused large contrast variations, allowing for more precise and efficient display control. This technology quickly became the standard for high-resolution LCDs and paved the way for modern displays such as those found in today’s computers and mobile phones, for example.
The birth of DMB Technics AG: from inventor to entrepreneur
Following the success of the STN patent, Dieter Heimgartner decided to start a company to leverage his extensive expertise in display technology. He founded DMB Technics AG in 2005 together with two colleagues. From the outset, the company focused on the development and production of custom displays.
Thanks to Dieter’s experience, DMB Technics AG has evolved into a leading provider in the industry. The company is known for its innovative solutions and its ability to execute complex display projects for a variety of industrial applications. Close collaboration with Asian production partners and a deep understanding of the entire supply chain have been key factors in DMB Technics AG’s ability to consistently supply products and services of the highest standard.
The importance of the STN patent for the future
The STN patent, which was granted 40 years ago, has had a lasting impact on display technology. The ability to efficiently control high-resolution graphic displays was a pivotal step in the development of modern electronics. BBC was able to generate substantial royalty revenues worldwide by licensing STN technology, which has been used in a wide variety of devices, from watches to computers.
Even today, four decades later, the principles of STN technology are still relevant. Dieter Heimgartner and the team at DMB Technics AG use their extensive knowledge to develop innovative solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow. With its expertise in emerging technologies such as micro-LED and AMOLED, DMB Technics AG is perfectly equipped and positioned to remain at the forefront of display innovation for years to come.
A milestone in display technology: 40 years of the STN-LCD patent and the vision of Dieter Heimgartner
The 40th anniversary of the STN-LCD patent is not only an important milestone in the history of display technology, but also a testimony to Dieter Heimgartner’s tireless dedication and visionary thinking. His work has laid the foundations for the modern display industry. By founding DMB Technics AG, he created a specialist company that has remained synonymous with innovation and quality to this day. DMB Technics AG will continue to play a leading role in the development and production of advanced display technologies.