Paper-like displays were the focus of a technology partnership between Dialog Semiconductor and US display developer E Ink. The semiconductor firm has developed display drivers for consumer products using E Ink's paper-thin displays.
A recent market report identified paper-like displays as a high growth market which should be watched.
The two companies have also defined a specification for an electrophoretic display driver, incorporating power management in a low profile IC package. E Ink demonstrated a production-ready paper display last November.
"This collaboration is in line with our strategic focus of working with advanced display technology partners to create differentiated driver ICs," said Manoj Thanigasalam, general manager of the display driver business unit at Dialog Semiconductor.
Products using the Dialog chip will launch in high volume later in 2006. He added: "We are expecting many high volume consumer applications for E Ink's innovative displays using our display driver technology."
The paper-thin displays are enabled by an electrically addressable ink embedded in a polymer matrix, resulting in a reflective display technology which requires no front or backlight, is viewable under a wide range of lighting conditions, including direct sunlight, and requires no power to maintain an image - resulting in a significant increase in battery life.
A feature of the so-called electronic ink displays is high contrast appearance, ultra-low power consumption and a thin display format. They are to be used in eBooks and even mobile phone screens.