Casio showed a prototype of a visible light communication system using smartphones at CES.

Visible light communication (VLC) transmits digital signals by flashing light in frequencies visible to the naked eye. VLC has potential applications in many fields including augmented reality (since it can use a wide range of light-producing sources including monitors, LED lighting and signage, and because it can be read from a distance without impacting people or electronic equipment).

Casio has been a member of the Visible Light Communications Consortium since it was initiated in 2004.

As ISE grows bigger, many exhibitors consider increasing their stands. While re-signing for 2013 ISE, Digital Projection increased its stand size almost 3X. Sony, Barco, Sennheiser, AVC Group, Sharp and Optoma also increased their floor space for 2013. But the real news is Samsung who will jump 25% to 1000 sq. m.

Exhibitors will now grow their stand footprints, in conjunction with an ISE priority system that ranks exhibitors so one with higher priority can choose its stand location and size before another. And this selection process will change the face of the show.

Which exhibitors at ISE 2012 took the most space? Click below and see...

Go ISE 2012 Top 10 in Floor Space

While Amsterdam registered record cold temperature (did it ever go above -5C?), the ISE show burned up the RAI breaking all records: exhibitors (up 15%), exhibition space (up 18%), pre-registration (up 21%), attendance (up 17%), and conference delegates (more than 2000).

The world’s largest Pro AV show rocked the RAI convention centre, packing 11 halls with 825 exhibitors who brought about 1000 new products and attracted nearly 41,000 attendees.

After two successful editions of AOpen Forum Europe, AOpen’s 3rd edition will be on Monday 30 January in the Dorint Hotel Amsterdam-Airport in Amsterdam.

From its legacy in embedded computing, AOpen makes digital signage solutions especially a unique small-form-factor media player calledDigital Engine.

This event brings together AOpen partners, as well as other distributors, alliances, system integrators and resellers. You can see new products and developments from the AOpen eco system in an exhibition area. Attendees learn from case studies and gain insights during an Ask the expert session.

At ISE, Advantech will present its latest digital signage technology including Intel Open Pluggable Specification (OPS) compliant media players, ION2 based advanced graphics digital signage platforms, scenario touch computers and more. They can be applied in various applications such as kiosk, POS, medical, home automation etc.

The highlight will be ARK-DS220 the OPS compliant digital signage media player powered by an Intel Atom D525 dual-core processor (fan-based) and Intel Atom N455 single-core processor (fanless) with integrated NVIDIA GT218 (ION2) graphic module for Full HD playback. Compliant with the Open Pluggable Specification (OPS) as implemented in Philips and NEC public displays, its slot-in module design effectively lowers deployment and field maintenance costs.

Go Advantech’s ARK -DS220

Cognition installs the first full-scale “Digital Mannequin”. The Mannequin is turning heads on Hanover Street in Edinburgh in a shop window of the new salon of beauty spa and skin clinic Zen Lifestyle.

The model, shot on a cinema-standard camera, now shows digitally across three large 42” Philips LCD screens. The wind blows through her hair as she moves slowly, showing off a light summery dress (reason enough to be noticed in Edinburgh this time of year.)

Graham Pow from Cognition says: “The client wanted to have a window display that would grab the attention of potential customers who may be unfamiliar with the Zen Lifestyle brand and the Digital Mannequin certainly does that.”

Digital Signage: It's all around us [Infographic] compliments of DigitalSignageToday.com

In America, rAVe reports Panasonic plans to eliminate the Sanyo brand by April 1st, 2012. rAVe learned Panasonic will absorb the Sanyo products that aren't redundant, so you'll see Sanyo's meeting room line of projectors take on the Panasonic badge in 2012. As most of Sanyo's sales and marketing channels become redundant, they will be eliminated. For the most part, Sanyo folks will need to find new jobs.

Recent record-losses at Panasonic suggest drastic measures are the order of the day. Panasonic had already been absorbing some of the Sanyo technology into their own products throughout 2012, and divesting unwanted Sanyo operations (like washing machines.).

But is this news only for the American market? We have contacted Panasonic and were told, “Panasonic will unify its brand names to Panasonic in April 2012.There may be, however, regions and products where Sanyo brand will remain for the time being from the customer relation and cost perspective.”