Abstract
In the last few years, the application of e-paper displays has expanded from personal usage, such as e-book readers to include business applications such as e-paper advertising billboards. At the same time, e-paper display vendors are making their products larger, adopting flexible backplanes, and introducing color displays; some impressive breakthroughs have already been achieved. It can be anticipated that, as the commercial technologies grow more mature and as vendors develop a wider range of application products, e-paper displays will move from the early adopter stage to the growth stage of their product lifecycle. This report will analyze the current status and future development of Japanese e-paper display technologies and products.
Evolution Towards Color, Flexible, Large-Sized Design
When Matsushita and Sony began volume production of e-book readers in 2004, the devices had non-flexible, monochrome displays. However, the last two years have seen significant improvements in e-paper display technology. The three key trends in e-paper display development are as follows: development of color displays (exemplified by Fujitsu, Hitachi Display, and Bridgestone), the introduction of flexible backplanes (Toppan Printing and Bridgestone), and the evolution towards a larger size (Hitachi Display and TNCSi). These trends have made possible the emergence of new types of application products.
Focus on Both Personal and Business Applications
Personal Applications
Besides e-book readers such as the development by Matsushita and Sony, the new types of color and flexible display technology that will facilitate a wide range of new personal applications for e-paper displays. It is anticipated that such display panels will be used in electronic dictionaries, watches, A4-sized sheets of flexible electronic paper, e-newspapers, e-magazines, mobile phone sub-panels, digital camera, and GPS (Global Positioning System).
Business Applications
With displays developing towards large-sized, color, and flexible design, and given the possibility of integrating e-paper displays with RFID wireless transmission technology, in the future e-paper displays will be widely used as a medium for presenting advertisements and other types of information. Some of the potential applications include POP (Point of Purchase) posters, electronic noticeboards for indoor or outdoor use, traffic signs, and advertising billboards.
Appendix
List of Companies
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Matsushita |
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Citizen |
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E-Ink |
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Fuji Chimera Research Institute |
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Midori Mark |
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Mitsukoshi |
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NEC |
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SeikoEpson |
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Sony |
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TNCSi |
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Toppan Printing |
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