E-paper that enables large screen displays with multi-tiling

NEC LCD Technologies has successfully developed A3 and A4 sized electronic paper using the microcapsule electrophoretic system.

Developed by E Ink Corporation (USA), the electrophoretics system contains white pigment particles electrified with positive electrodes, and black pigment particles electrified with negative electrodes. Each pigment particle is contained in a clear microcapsule that is moved by applying voltage, which thereby creates a visible display. The prototype uses E Ink's "Vizplex Imaging Film."

The new e-paper modules leverage NEC LCD Technologies and advancements with TFT active matrix to secure 16 step grayscale, white reflectivity of 43% and a contrast ratio of 10:1 - giving higher visibility and gradation when compared to general newspapers.

By combining up to eight modules, which incorporate the company's original multi-tiling controller, the e-paper modules can be used to form large screen displays. The A3 e-paper module is composed of especially narrow frames, with two sides measuring just 1mm, which enables the creation of large screens that feature effective multi-tiling.

The displays reduce strain on the eyes by utilizing reflected light and paper which enables wide viewing angles and high visibility under direct sunlight. Power is kept to a minimum by using reduced electricity when displaying information and only a limited amount of energy is required to perform screen rewriting.

The A3 and A4 modules have drawn particular attention due to consumer's existing daily use of similarly sized paper - the slim light-weight design makes it an ideal portable electronic device for the avid newspaper reader and business manager.

The company say they will continue to promote the research and development of e-paper modules and will aim for large-scale production of new applications that address a wide range of uses spanning many different fields.

Samsung Exhibits Bend-resistant Flexible E-paper

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd exhibited a flexible color electronic paper display that uses carbon nanotubes (CNT) for the common electrodes at FPD International 2008.

The 14.3-inch display is 0.3mm thick and has a resolution of 1060 x 750.

The company employed CNT to prevent the performance degradation of the electrodes after the flexible e-paper is repeatedly bent. The resistance of existing transparent electrodes made of IZO and other materials increases after the display is repeatedly bent. On the other hand, the resistance of the CNT-based transparent electrodes "hardly increases even after the display is bent 100 times," a Samsung staffer said.

The CNT transparent electrode, which was developed based on Unidym Inc's technology, has a transmittance of 90% or higher and a conductivity of 1,700S/cm, according to the company.

For the drive circuit, Samsung used an amorphous Si TFT that was formed on a plastic substrate by utilizing a low temperature growth process below 130°C. The company combined the drive circuit with E Ink Corp's e-paper film.

The display has a reflectivity of 40%, a contrast ratio of 10:1 and a color gamut of 5% NTSC.

Sharp showcases memory LCDs to compete with e-paper

Sharp is apparently looking to take a slice out of the dawning e-paper market by showcasing LCD displays that can keep their last shown images even when power is disconnected from them.

These memory type LCD panels were displayed at the FPD International 2008 and featured both 8-color and monochrome panels. The panels ranged in size from 1.7-inches to 14.1-inches and were said to use a cholosteric LCD material in order to pull off the memory function. Sharp, however, was silent on further specifications on how these LCD panels worked, but did remark that the power needed in order to imprint the data on the LCD panels was, “relatively large.”

Sharp explained that these memory LCD displays could be used for inventory tags, restaurant menus, and public signage, according to reports. In fact, Sharp is testing 2.4-inch and 1.7-inch monochrome LCDs in supermarkets in Osaka, Japan to display prices on products.

Additionally, Sharp did comment that these memory LCD displays are limited to indoor use only due to operational issues in hot or cold environments. It was also mentioned these new LCD panels with memory will be initially more expensive than standard LCD panels due to additional materials used in the manufacturing process.

Read more at Tech On! via SlashGear.

Hanvon Introduces World's First Five-Inch Electronic Book using Electrophoretic Technology

BEIJING, Nov 03, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Hanvon the leader in handwriting recognition products is pleased to announce the introduction of the world's first 5" Electronic Book series, based on the revolutionary E Ink Vizplex Display. This pioneering effort combines the best of electromagnetic pen input and electronic paper display into an ultra portable electronic book aimed as mass markets.
Hanvon's electronic book development team reports that the N510 consumes very little power, has a paper like appearance, offers 180 degrees viewing and is only 11mm thick. The Hanvon N510 Supports TXT, HTML, PNG, JPG, PDF, XEB, CEB, MP3, MTXT formats on its 167 PPI, SVGA (800 x 600 pixels) electronic paper display. The eBook also features a 1GB SD card and a mini USB port.
"The Hanvon N510 allows you to carry an entire library in your pocket," said Mr. Wang Bangjiang, General Manager for Hanvon. "We are honored and proud that our eBook was used in space during the historic Shenzhou-7 space mission this month. This speaks volumes about the quality of our N510 eBook."
Designed for outdoor use, the N510 features a sunlight readable electronic paper display in a rugged yet slim package. The high definition display not only has a paper like appearance, it has no EMI generating backlight/inverter making it ideally suited for hours of reading.
The Hanvon E-book series is designed to allow the user to not only read books but also input notes, edit and even paint electronically using Hanvon's advanced digital input technologies. The device also features audio listening capability with MP3 support.
Priced at about 2000RMB ($295 approx), the Hanvon N510 is aimed at users that want the flexibility and convenience of having hundreds of books and documents at their finger tips, at a reasonable price. Finally, the Hanvon N510 eBook is an environmentally responsible alternative to ordinary paper.
About Hanwang:
Hanwang Technology Co. Ltd., founded in 1998, is a leader in the fields of research, development, and manufacture of diverse intelligent pattern recognition technologies and products. We are headquartered in Beijing, China, and have about 500 employees, housed in a 23,000-square meter building. Following our strategy of globalization, we have set up a competitive system that is made up of our efficient design and research network, purchasing network, manufacturing network, sales and service network. Today, Hanwang owns one manufacturing campus, four advanced design centers, and over 5800 sales channels across the country.
SOURCE: Hanwang Technology Co. Ltd.

NEC Develops E-Paper That Enables Large Displays with Multi-Tiling

NEC LCD Technologies has developed multiple sizes (A3 and A4 equivalent) of electronic paper (e-paper) modules using the microcapsule electrophoresis system.

Developed by E Ink Corp (USA), the electrophoresis system contains white pigment particles electrified with positive electrodes, and black pigment particles electrified with negative electrodes. Each pigment particle is contained in a clear microcapsule that is moved by applying voltage, which thereby creates a visible display. The prototype uses E Ink's Vizplex Imaging Film.

The e-paper modules are said to boast higher visibility and gradation when compared to general newspapers, and leverage NEC LCD Technologies' experience and proprietary advancements with TFT active matrix to secure 16 step grayscale, white reflectivity of 43% and a contrast ratio of 10:1.

Additionally, e-paper modules can be used to form large screen displays by combining up to eight modules, which incorporate the company's original multi-tiling controller. The A3 e-paper module is composed of especially narrow frames, with two sides measuring just 1mm, which enables the creation of large screens that feature effective multi-tiling.

E-paper's display utilizes reflected light and paper to produce wide viewing angles, provide high visibility under direct sunlight and reduce strain on the eyes of viewers. Moreover, e-paper minimizes electricity needs by maintaining display information without using power, and requires only low power to perform screen rewriting. The slim profile and light weight of the e-paper modules makes them suitable for portable equipment.