E-Paper display news from Japan

KDDI and Okinawa cellular has started production of a cell phone which is equipped with a silhouette e-paper screen on the back of a phone that can change into 95 different patterns automatically when responding to text messages, calls and alarms.

 

The phone available in 3 different colours weighing 135g and 5.1cm wide by 10.7cm tall is expected to be priced at around 35,000 Yen. KDDI ran a research campaign asking users about the phone - the response was that the most appealing part of the phone was the e-paper display.

E-ink demonstrated the new controller chip SID13521 designed specifically for their screens by Seiko Epson at the recent International flat panel display exhibition, and SID event. This drastically improves the screen update rate and simple video is achievable. Additionally, they showed a new VGA display with stylus, allowing the user to draw onto the screen. According to the Seiko Epson staff, they will begin mass production from August this year, with first products being a small memo pad and combined e-reader.

 

Hitachi previewed their first e-paper equipped cell phone - the W61h.

 

Bridgestone's technology also received a lot of interest - their e-paper QR-LPD powder and granular material enables a high level of visibility at low power consumption.

 

Bridgestone staff commented that the e-paper is now being used at supermarkets as shelf edge labels for prices - size starts from around 2cm. Bridgestone also previewed an e-paper terminal as a lower cost alternative panel to other displays used by factory workers. They are now developing consumer targetted e-paper readers.

 

For more attend Printed Electronics Asia 2008 in Tokyo this October.