Epson and E Ink partner on controller IC for e-paper displays

Epson and E Ink, two mainstays in the electronic paper realm, have pooled their resources in order to develop an all new display controller IC set to enable "faster navigation, multitasking and real-time pen / keyboard input." The S1D13521 chip is slated to be used in E Ink's Vizplex-enabled electronic paper displays (EPDs), and it'll also be making an appearance in said company's forthcoming AM300 Broadsheet prototype kit (pictured). In layman's terms, this device should speed up the user interface considerably, as it will enable the display to "perform up to 16 tasks in parallel and support smooth and responsive pen input devices for annotations and sketches." As for availability, we're seeing that samples ($18 apiece) should make their way out next month, while production quantities won't be able to scamper free until August.

[Thanks, Jack]

[davelogan77 @ Apr 15th 2008 9:58PM]

second, wahoo!!!!!!!

[Daren @ Apr 16th 2008 5:32PM]

about as useful as the first comment...
just sayin'

[The_Steven @ Apr 15th 2008 8:44PM]

$18.00 for samples?!?!? is that the controler /and/ display?!?!?!?! or just a chip on the controler board...

[JB87 @ Apr 15th 2008 9:44PM]

They're talking about the chip only.

[Hunter @ Apr 15th 2008 11:58PM]

Checked into it, price for a complete prototype-dev-kit is $3000-$4000 depending on the size of the screen etc.

[cowabungaCarl @ Apr 15th 2008 8:48PM]

I cant wait until they make laptop display which can switch between E-ink display and regular display (as they are now). That would be great. All of the notes and articles I have to read are available online, but it put alot of strain on my eyes to have to read off the computer for long periods of time. In that situation it would be nice to switch to an E-ink type display that is easier on the eyes. I wonder how far off that is, or if it would be commercially profitable.

[fergie @ Apr 15th 2008 9:24PM]

And because this is Epson, the E-ink in the display will run out after about a week and it will cost 4 times the cost of the controller/display to refill it...:)

[ayvegh @ Apr 15th 2008 9:49PM]

I'm trying to figure out what that sandisk card is doing in there- any ideas?

[Ryan Walker @ Apr 15th 2008 10:12PM]

data?

[ethana2 @ Apr 15th 2008 10:10PM]

..I like laptop displays, I just despise CRT's.
...hmm, a tablet with e-ink on the back of the led lit lcd?
....both sides touch sensitive?

Hmmmmmm

[bob @ Apr 15th 2008 10:55PM]

Interesting stuff. I can't wait till these are competitive with conventional methods. Should save on battery.

[RYANGee @ Apr 16th 2008 12:40PM]

Hmm. . i would think real-time response would kill e-ink battery life, since e-ink tech. battery life is based on amount of refreshes. (once its displaying something its not using battery anymore)