Recently, NEC LCD, one of the world’s leading providers of high-quality, innovative, active-matrix liquid crystal displays, demonstrated new electronic paper (e-paper) displays at the Flat Panel Display (FPD) International exhibition in Japan. The screens were developed by its NEC LCD Technologies subsidiary and are the equivalent size to A3 (297mm by 420mm) and A4 (210mm by 297mm) sheets of paper.
Active Matrix Backplane
The prototype screens use Vizplex Imaging Film based on the microcapsule electrophoresis system developed by E Ink and include an NEC-developed Thin Film Transistor (TFT) active matrix. Involved in research and development of e-paper since 2003, NEC LT focuses on TFT technologies, used in the development of LCD modules, to drive the advancement of active matrix e-paper. The reason for this is that active matrix e-paper capitalizes on high definition and multiple tone technologies to deliver high resolution, large screen displays. Rather than monochrome screens, the latest prototypes feature 16-tone (greyscale) displays that can be combined with as many as eight screens. It also features white reflectivity of 43% and a contrast ratio of 10:1.
Furthermore, 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 using multi-tiling. This is done by combining up to eight modules, which incorporate the company’s original multi-tiling controller.
According to NEC, e-paper drew considerable attention during the exhibition. The overall quality and functionality of the product, with particular focus on its high resolution, 16-tone / tiling display, became a base for widespread discussion on specific business possibilities. Because of the nature of FPD International, NEC used two A3-size panels to demonstrate multi-tiling features, and then displayed a Japanese newspaper in its actual size for comparison.
Targeting Larger Displays
However, NEC LCD does not view private newspaper browsing as the primary use of e-paper, nor does it generally regard e-newspapers are the best use of e-paper. “Not only is the same content featured in the printed media, users may also access the same material through the Internet,” said Joseph Jasper, NEC Corporate Communications Division. “Furthermore, PCs are more durable than e-paper, and their screen size is large enough for comfortable reading.” Continuing, he noted that although e-paper demonstrates several advantages over the PC (it consumes less power, remains easy to view when exposed to outside light, users’ eyes are less likely to become fatigued) the advantages of PCs (image refresh speed, range of colors, price) still remain much stronger.
According to NEC, the prototype was developed as a marketing tool in order to measure market demand and applications. FPD International confirmed the company’s belief that its large scale, multi tiling e-paper is well differentiated from existing e-paper products, and that it may be used to cultivate a wide variety of business, including publicly displayed e-bulletin boards, advertising and more. Thus, rather than focusing on private consumers, NEC LT is seeking to develop commercial and industrial business for e-paper.
Although it has not gone into mass production, the company believes the technology’s reliability is suitable for commercial use. Although not set in stone, NEC aims to launch business within the 2009 fiscal year.
By Linda M. Casatelli
