Cambridge, MA and Tokyo, Japan (PRWEB) October 20, 2004 –
E Ink Corporation, the worlds leading developer and marketer of electronic paper display technology and TOPPAN Printing Co., Ltd. a leader in the global printing industry, today announced an agreement for TOPPAN to manufacture and market segmented electronic paper displays modules for use in public signs. Under the terms of the agreement, TOPPAN will utilize E Ink Imaging Film products in the manufacture and assembly of these display modules.
In contrast to traditional display technologies on the market today, E Inks reflective paper-like display technology enables displays that are extremely easy-to-read at virtually any angle and under any lighting condition – including direct sunlight. Ultra-low power consumption and low heat dissipation have the potential to eliminate the need for noisy, power consuming fans; thus making quiet, battery-operation possible for certain applications. The thin, light form of these electronic paper displays offers a wide range of sign installation options for customers which are currently constrained by existing heavy display products. TOPPAN is targeting the sale of these display modules to system integrators of public and transportation signs in fiscal 2005.
Starting in 2001, the two companies entered a strategic alliance to develop, manufacture and sell E Ink Imaging Film products for electronic paper displays. With this current agreement, TOPPAN plans to enter the business of manufacturing and selling segmented display modules. To manufacture an electronic paper display module, TOPPAN laminates the E Ink Imaging Film to a printed circuit board and then adds additional display electronics to produce electronic display tiles. The current controller can drive up to 90 of these tiles to make large area signs.
A prototype will be displayed at the E Ink booth #266 at FPD International 2004 (Produced by Nikkei BP, October 20 to 22, at Pacifico Yokohama Exhibit Hall). This prototype is the result of a cooperative development between TOPPAN Printing Co., Ltd., NEC TOPPAN Circuit Solutions, Inc., TOPPAN Technical Design Center Co., Ltd. and E Ink Corporation.
About E Ink
E Ink Corporation is the leading developer of electronic paper display (EPD) technologies. Products made with E Ink’s revolutionary electronic ink technology possess a paper-like high contrast appearance, ultra-low power consumption, and a thin, light form. E Ink’s technology is ideal for many consumer and industrial applications spanning handheld devices, watches, clocks, and public information and promotional signs. Future technology developments will enable many new applications through ultra-thin, lightweight, rugged, flexible, full color displays. E Ink is a private corporation that includes among its investors and strategic partners TOPPAN Printing Company, Royal Philips Electronics, The Hearst Corporation, CNI Ventures, a division of Gannett Co., Inc, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Vossloh Information Technologies, and Motorola, Inc. E Ink news can be found at: http://www.eink.com/news
About TOPPAN
Formed in 1900, TOPPAN Printing Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan is a leader in the global printing industry. With its consolidated subsidiaries, TOPPAN had net sales of 1,252 Billion Yen (10.4 Billion US$ ) with 33,292 employees in fiscal 2003. TOPPAN applies the expertise it has gained from printing in diverse industry sectors that include securities & cards, commercial printing, publications printing, packaging materials, industrial materials, electronics, business forms and multimedia. For more information, please visit TOPPAN’s website at http://www.toppan.co.jp/english/
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