E Ink and Himax Unveil Advanced Color ePaper Timing Controller ASIC T2000
E Ink and Himax Technologies have jointly unveiled the T2000, a next-generation color ePaper timing controller ASIC. This advanced TCON offers faster screen updates, lower power consumption, and supports a wide range of color ePaper technologies. Key features include:
1. Enhanced performance: Over 10x faster color rendering compared to the previous generation
2. Integrated handwriting function: Eliminates the need for a separate SoC
3. High resolution support: Up to 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) at 150Hz
4. Energy efficiency: Less than 300 mW in active mode, less than 2 mW in sleep mode
5. Versatile interfaces: MIPI-DSI, USB 3.0, and SPI with up to 1Gbps transmission speed
The T2000 is designed to improve user experience across various ePaper applications, including eReaders and digital signage.
E Ink e Himax Technologies hanno presentato congiuntamente il T2000, un controller ASIC per ePaper a colori di nuova generazione. Questo avanzato TCON offre aggiornamenti dello schermo pi霉 rapidi, minore consumo energetico e supporta un'ampia gamma di tecnologie ePaper a colori. Le caratteristiche principali includono:
1. Prestazioni migliorate: oltre 10 volte pi霉 veloce nel rendering dei colori rispetto alla generazione precedente
2. Funzione di scrittura integrata: elimina la necessit脿 di un SoC separato
3. Supporto ad alta risoluzione: fino a 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) a 150Hz
4. Efficienza energetica: meno di 300 mW in modalit脿 attiva, meno di 2 mW in modalit脿 di sospensione
5. Interfacce versatili: MIPI-DSI, USB 3.0 e SPI con velocit脿 di trasmissione fino a 1Gbps
Il T2000 猫 progettato per migliorare l'esperienza dell'utente in diverse applicazioni ePaper, tra cui eReader e cartellonistica digitale.
E Ink y Himax Technologies han presentado conjuntamente el T2000, un controlador ASIC de ePaper en color de pr贸xima generaci贸n. Este avanzado TCON ofrece actualizaciones de pantalla m谩s r谩pidas, menor consumo de energ铆a y es compatible con una amplia gama de tecnolog铆as de ePaper en color. Las caracter铆sticas clave incluyen:
1. Mejor rendimiento: M谩s de 10 veces m谩s r谩pido en la representaci贸n de color en comparaci贸n con la generaci贸n anterior
2. Funci贸n de escritura integrada: Elimina la necesidad de un SoC separado
3. Soporte de alta resoluci贸n: Hasta 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) a 150Hz
4. Eficiencia energ茅tica: Menos de 300 mW en modo activo, menos de 2 mW en modo de espera
5. Interfaces vers谩tiles: MIPI-DSI, USB 3.0 y SPI con velocidad de transmisi贸n de hasta 1Gbps
El T2000 est谩 dise帽ado para mejorar la experiencia del usuario en diversas aplicaciones de ePaper, incluyendo eReaders y se帽alizaci贸n digital.
E Ink鞕� Himax Technologies電� 彀劯雽� 旎煬 ePaper 韮�鞚措皪 旎姼搿る煬 ASIC鞚� T2000鞚� 瓿惦彊鞙茧 氚滍憸頄堨姷雼堧嫟. 鞚� 歆勲炒霅� TCON鞚� 雿� 牍犽ジ 頇旊┐ 鞐呺嵃鞚错姼, 雿� 雮潃 鞝勲牓 靻岆箘毳� 鞝滉车頃橂┌ 雼れ枒頃� 旎煬 ePaper 旮办垹鞚� 歆�鞗愴暕雼堧嫟. 欤检殧 旮半姤鞚� 雼れ潓瓿� 臧欖姷雼堧嫟:
1. 頄レ儊霅� 靹彪姤: 鞚挫爠 靹鸽寑鞕� 牍勱祼頃� 10氚� 鞚挫儊鞚� 牍犽ジ 靸夓儊 霠岆崝毵�
2. 雮挫灔 頃勱赴 旮半姤: 氤勲弰鞚� SoC 頃勳殧 鞐嗢潓
3. 瓿犿暣靸侂弰 歆�鞗�: 4K UHD(3840 x 2160)鞐愳劀 150Hz旯岇 歆�鞗�
4. 鞐愲剤歆� 須湪靹�: 頇滌劚 氇摐鞐愳劀 300mW 氙鸽, 鞝堨爠 氇摐鞐愳劀 2mW 氙鸽
5. 雼れ枒頃� 鞚疙劙韼橃澊鞀�: MIPI-DSI, USB 3.0 氚� 斓滊寑 1Gbps 鞝勳啞 靻嶋弰毳� 歆�鞗愴晿電� SPI
T2000鞚� eReader 氚� 霐旍韯� 靷澊雼堨鞕� 臧欖潃 雼れ枒頃� ePaper 鞎犿攲毽紑鞚挫厴鞐愳劀 靷毄鞛� 瓴巾棙鞚� 臧滌劆頃橂弰搿� 靹り硠霅橃棃鞀惦媹雼�.
E Ink et Himax Technologies ont d茅voil茅 conjointement le T2000, un contr么leur ASIC pour ePaper couleur de nouvelle g茅n茅ration. Ce TCON avanc茅 offre des mises 脿 jour d'茅cran plus rapides, une r茅duction de la consommation d'茅nergie et prend en charge une large gamme de technologies ePaper couleur. Les principales caract茅ristiques sont :
1. Performance am茅lior茅e : Plus de 10 fois plus rapide dans le rendu des couleurs par rapport 脿 la g茅n茅ration pr茅c茅dente
2. Fonction d'茅criture int茅gr茅e : 脡limine le besoin d'un SoC s茅par茅
3. Support haute r茅solution : Jusqu'脿 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) 脿 150 Hz
4. Efficacit茅 茅nerg茅tique : Moins de 300 mW en mode actif, moins de 2 mW en mode veille
5. Interfaces polyvalentes : MIPI-DSI, USB 3.0 et SPI avec des vitesses de transmission allant jusqu'脿 1 Gbps
Le T2000 est con莽u pour am茅liorer l'exp茅rience utilisateur dans diverses applications ePaper, y compris les eReaders et la signalisation num茅rique.
E Ink und Himax Technologies haben gemeinsam den T2000 vorgestellt, einen Controller ASIC f眉r farbiges ePaper der n盲chsten Generation. Dieser fortschrittliche TCON bietet schnellere Bildschirmaktualisierungen, geringereren Energieverbrauch und unterst眉tzt eine breite Palette von Farb-ePaper-Technologien. Zu den Hauptmerkmalen geh枚ren:
1. Verbesserte Leistung: 脺ber 10-mal schnelleres Rendern von Farben im Vergleich zur vorherigen Generation
2. Integrierte Handwriting-Funktion: Entf盲llt die Notwendigkeit eines separaten SoC
3. Unterst眉tzung von hoher Aufl枚sung: Bis zu 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) bei 150Hz
4. Energieeffizienz: Weniger als 300 mW im aktiven Modus, weniger als 2 mW im Schlafmodus
5. Vielseitige Schnittstellen: MIPI-DSI, USB 3.0 und SPI mit 脺bertragungsgeschwindigkeiten von bis zu 1Gbps
Der T2000 ist darauf ausgelegt, das Benutzererlebnis in verschiedenen ePaper-Anwendungen zu verbessern, darunter eReader und digitale Beschilderung.
- Joint development of advanced color ePaper TCON (T2000) by E Ink and Himax
- T2000 processes color rendering more than 10 times faster than previous generation
- Integrated handwriting function eliminates need for separate SoC, simplifying development
- Supports high resolutions up to 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) and frame rates up to 150Hz
- Low power consumption: <300 mW in active mode, <2 mW in sleep mode
- Enhanced MIPI interface with maximum transmission speed of 1Gbps
- None.
Insights
The unveiling of the T2000 color ePaper timing controller ASIC by E Ink and Himax represents a significant leap forward in ePaper technology. This collaboration brings several key advancements:
- Over 10x faster color rendering compared to the previous generation
- Support for up to 4K UHD resolution and 150Hz frame rates
- Enhanced MIPI interface with 1Gbps transmission speed
- Integrated handwriting processing unit, eliminating the need for a separate SoC
- Ultra-low power consumption: <
300 mW in active mode, <2 mW in sleep mode
These improvements could potentially expand the application scope of ePaper technology beyond eReaders into digital signage and other fields. The focus on energy efficiency aligns with the growing demand for sustainable tech solutions, potentially increasing E Ink's market share in the display industry.
The collaboration between E Ink and Himax on the T2000 ASIC could have significant market implications:
- The eReader market has seen substantial growth, with an estimated
130% million devices in use over the past five years - Enhanced color rendering and handwriting capabilities could expand ePaper's appeal in the education and professional sectors
- Improved energy efficiency may attract environmentally conscious consumers and businesses
- The potential for 4K UHD resolution could open new markets in high-end digital signage
However, it's important to note that while ePaper technology has unique advantages, it still faces stiff competition from traditional LCD and OLED displays in many applications. The success of this new ASIC will largely depend on how effectively E Ink and its partners can market these improvements and penetrate new market segments.
From a financial perspective, the T2000 ASIC development presents interesting opportunities and challenges for both E Ink (8069.TWO) and Himax (NASDAQ: HIMX):
- The expanded capabilities could drive increased adoption of ePaper technology, potentially boosting revenues for both companies
- Himax's involvement in this niche but growing market could diversify its revenue streams, reducing dependence on traditional display drivers
- E Ink's continued innovation may strengthen its market position and potentially lead to higher margins on premium products
However, investors should consider that:
- The ePaper market is still relatively small compared to the overall display market
- Significant R&D investments may be required to maintain technological leadership
- Market adoption rates for new ePaper applications remain uncertain
While this development is promising, its financial impact may take time to materialize. Investors should monitor adoption rates in key markets and any shifts in the competitive landscape.
HSINCHU and TAINAN, Taiwan, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- E Ink Holdings Inc. (8069.TWO) (鈥淓 Ink"), an originator, pioneer and commercial leader in ePaper technology and Himax Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HIMX) (鈥淗imax鈥�), a leading supplier and fabless manufacturer of display drivers and other semiconductor products, today announced the joint debut of next generation color ePaper timing controller ASIC (鈥淭CON鈥�), the T2000. The new TCON design drives screen updates at a faster speed with lower power consumption, supporting a broad spectrum of color ePaper technology platforms aimed at eReaders, digital signages, and other ePaper platforms. The T2000 eNote handwriting function eliminates the need for a system-on-chip (鈥淪oC鈥�), simplifying the development process and significantly enhancing screen refresh speed to provide a smooth writing experience.
E Ink and Himax Unveil Advanced Color ePaper Timing Controller ASIC T2000 (Image courtesy of E Ink)
鈥淭he latest T2000 is optimized for color ePaper, significantly enhancing the display performance to deliver a superb user experience. The advancements enhance screen transitions and optimize system power consumption, while offering a handwriting feature that boosts the operational experience of ePaper products,鈥� said JM Hung, Vice President of Business Center at E Ink. 鈥淲e are grateful for the unwavering support of our long-term partner, Himax, in supporting E Ink's commitment to advancing color ePaper technology by delivering high-quality ASICs. The synergy created from E Ink鈥檚 advanced color ePaper and the T2000 maximizes the potential of color ePaper across diverse applications and significantly enhances user interactions,鈥� concluded JM.
The T2000 represents a significant advancement in TCON technology compared to E Ink's predecessor TCON, the T1000, which was introduced in 2019. The T2000 integrates E Ink鈥檚 proprietary color imaging algorithm, which supports E Ink鈥檚 latest full color ePaper display technologies, including E Ink Kaleido鈩� 3, E Ink Gallery鈩� 3, and E Ink Spectra鈩� 6. In addition to delivering high-quality image colors, the T2000 processes color rendering more than ten times faster compared to the previous generation.
The jointly-engineered T2000 incorporates E Ink鈥檚 exclusive handwriting processing unit, enabling seamless handwriting on eNotes without requiring a SoC. This innovation streamlines system development, boosts prompt display responsiveness by leveraging Himax's distinctive pipeline accelerator technology, and results in a nearly lag-free handwriting experience on ePaper displays.
鈥淲e are delighted to engage in yet another collaboration with E Ink drawing on our decades of expertise in image display processing and TCON design to jointly create a new milestone in the color ePaper field,鈥� said Pen Hsin Chen, Vice President of Image Processing SoC Operation Unit at Himax. 鈥淭he chip architecture of T2000 is meticulously designed and customized specifically for E Ink鈥檚 color ePaper technology, delivering unparalleled performance and power efficiency. This opens up new possibilities for applications in eReaders, digital signages, and more, further demonstrating Himax鈥檚 commitment to pioneering advancements and offering state-of-the-art display technologies and solutions,鈥� concluded Pen Hsin.
The T2000 TCON is a crucial component for color ePaper displays, responsible for generating and managing timing signals to drive the display and controlling the timing and duration of voltages for optimal display performance. Specifically designed for E Ink鈥檚 ePaper technologies, the T2000 features temperature compensation, ensuring precise color and image display under different environmental conditions. T2000鈥檚 supported interfaces include MIPI-DSI, USB 3.0, and SPI, enabling Color ePaper devices to efficiently handle content data streams. Sequentially, using embedded hardware-accelerated image codec processing unit of T2000, the data streams are converted into mLVDS or TTL signal formats. This capacity allows the T2000 to support ePaper displays with resolutions up to 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) and frame rates up to 150Hz. Additionally, its MIPI interface has been enhanced to achieve a maximum transmission speed of 1Gbps, greatly expanding its application coverage.
ePaper is one of the most energy-efficient display technologies in the industry, consuming power only when updating the display. In devices incorporating ePaper displays, only a small amount of power is consumed from the semiconductor components. The T2000 ASIC deploys Himax鈥檚 tailed low-power chip design structures and utilizes advanced semiconductor process to create an ultralow energy chip. Additionally, the T2000 integrates a Himax DRAM controller that interfaces with LPDDR (Low Power Double Data Rate) for high-performance and low-power data transmission. These advantages result in system power consumption being less than 300 mW in active mode and less than 2 mW in sleep mode, significantly extending the battery life of ePaper products.
According to E Ink's estimation, in the past five years, approximately 130 million eReader devices have been used worldwide, rapidly shifting consumer behavior from purchasing and reading printed books to digital alternatives. If each eReader downloads an average of ten books per year, using these devices significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions compared to printed books, by a factor of 100,000, and LCD tablets, by a factor of 50.
About E Ink
E Ink Holdings Inc. (8069.TWO), based on technology from MIT's Media Lab, provides an ideal display medium for applications spanning eReaders and eNotes, retail, home, hospital, transportation, logistics, and more, enabling customers to put displays in locations previously impossible. E Ink's electrophoretic display products make it the worldwide leader for ePaper. Its low power displays enable customers to reach their sustainability goals, and E Ink has pledged using
About Himax Technologies, Inc.
Himax Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: HIMX) is a leading global fabless semiconductor solution provider dedicated to display imaging processing technologies. The Company鈥檚 display driver ICs and timing controllers have been adopted at scale across multiple industries worldwide including TVs, PC monitors, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, automotive, ePaper devices, industrial displays, among others. As the global market share leader in automotive display technology, the Company offers innovative and comprehensive automotive IC solutions, including traditional driver ICs, advanced in-cell Touch and Display Driver Integration (TDDI), local dimming timing controllers (Local Dimming Tcon), Large Touch and Display Driver Integration (LTDI) and OLED display technologies. Himax is also a pioneer in tinyML visual-AI and optical technology related fields. The Company鈥檚 industry-leading WiseEyeTM Ultralow Power AI Sensing technology which incorporates Himax proprietary ultralow power AI processor, always-on CMOS image sensor, and CNN-based AI algorithm has been widely deployed in consumer electronics and AIoT related applications. While Himax optics technologies, such as diffractive wafer level optics, LCoS microdisplays and 3D sensing solutions, are critical for facilitating emerging AR/VR/metaverse technologies. Additionally, Himax designs and provides touch controllers, OLED ICs, LED ICs, EPD ICs, power management ICs, and CMOS image sensors for diverse display application coverage. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Tainan, Taiwan, Himax currently employs around 2,200 people from three Taiwan-based offices in Tainan, Hsinchu and Taipei and country offices in China, Korea, Japan, Germany, and the US. Himax has 2,727 patents granted and 399 patents pending approval worldwide as of June 30, 2024.
E Ink Contacts:
Rachel Levy
Tel: +1 617-426-2222
Email:
Himax Contacts:
Eric Li, Chief IR/PR Officer
Himax Technologies, Inc.
Tel: +886-6-505-0880
Fax: +886-2-2314-0877
Email:
Karen Tiao, Investor Relations
Himax Technologies, Inc.
Tel: +886-2-2370-3999
Fax: +886-2-2314-0877
Email:
Mark Schwalenberg, Director
Investor Relations - US Representative
MZ North America
Tel: +1-312-261-6430
Email:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
FAQ
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