Scott Callon, Chairman, CEO, & Representative Executive Officer Back when the novel coronavirus was first discovered in patients, people all over the world were being warned of avoiding human touch. When it started spreading at neck-break speeds, the world acknowledged the need for non-contact input devices in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and any existing or future infectious viruses. Throughout the world, medical facilities and food processing plants were trying to achieve even stricter hygiene due to touch operations. During this time, Japan Display Inc. (JDI), proficient in the sensor technology arena, was making headway with the development of hover sensor technology that makes non-contact input possible. JDI aimed for this new technology to be ideal for input devices used in medical, industrial, and public facilities applications such as automatic check-in machines, automatic ticket dispensers, vending machines, ATMs, and elevators.
With the hover sensor technology, the company combined its algorithm and sensor boasting proprietary structure from the display-integrated in-cell touch sensor Pixel Eyes™, based on low temperature polycrystalline silicon technology. This provides high transparency and makes it possible to detect fingers up to 5 cm from the sensor. As such, operations similar to traditional touch panel input can be used even if the panel is not touched and it can be applied to gesture operations based on movement of the finger, palm, or combination of both. The sensor also identifies false touches while monitoring its changing ambient surroundings. JDI incorporated all these features into a minimized mechanical design that does not require a larger surrounding area.
As the first year of COVID-19 drew to a close, JDI was able to announce their successful development of an external glass-based hover sensor that makes it possible to detect fingers with high precision up to about 5 cm from the transparent sensor surface.
NEXT GEN SENSOR TECHNOLOGY
Prominent globally as a manufacturer of small- and medium-sized display panels, JDI constitutes the world’s largest manufacturing capacity for LTPS LCD panels. The company develops, designs and manufactures displays that provide high resolution, low power consumption and an ultra-thin structure for application in smartphones, tablets, automotive electronics, digital cameras, medical equipment and other electronic devices. Formed through the consolidation of the display panel businesses of Sony, Hitachi and Toshiba, JDI’s major customers include leading consumer electronics manufacturers and other well-known global companies.
“We are a display manufacturer with advanced technological capabilities, supplying to our customers globally displays for smartphones, automobiles, consumer products, and medical and industrial equipment,” says Scott Callon, Chairman, CEO, and Representative Executive Officer at Japan Display Inc.
We are a display manufacturer with advanced technological capabilities, supplying to our customers globally displays for smartphones, automobiles, consumer products, and medical and industrial equipment
JDI has developed transparent fingerprint sensors utilizing the LTPS (low-temperature polysilicon) backplane technology and touch panel technology for smartphones. The company has revolutionized the next generation of fingerprint sensor devices, for large screen sensors, transparent sensors and flexible sensors, that would not be possible with silicon-based fingerprint sensors. JDI has also developed a thin image sensor that facilitates both high-speed readout and high-resolution imaging. They integrated LTPS thin-film transistors with high mobility and high-sensitivity organic photo detectors to create a single sensor that measures both pulse wave distribution that requires high-speed readout, and biometric information such as fingerprints and veins, which require high-resolution imaging.
ACHIEVING BOTH HIGH DEFINITION AND LOW POWER CONSUMPTION
JDI’s technical strength lies in the integration of LTPS (Low- Temperature Polysilicon) transistors on glass. Using this technology, the company has achieved high definition and low power consumption creating new devices such as displays and sensors.
For almost a decade, JDI has created new products by utilizing their advanced technical strength, manufacturing capacity, and quality in the automotive, medical, and industrial fields, as well as personal devices including smartphones, tablets, and wearables. The company offers LCD modules for automotive applications, such as car navigation, instrument panel, and rear seat monitor. Their products are designed to be reliable and durable in temperature, vibration, and other conditions required by automotive environments.“We are a global leader in automotive displays due to our high reliability and functionality and long track record of secure product delivery to our customers,” says Callon.
With their application of sensor technology cultivated over many years, JDI has provided the interface for reliable healthcare at anytime and anywhere. Using LTPS & IPS technology, the company offers a user-friendly lineup of products with high performance and low power consumption with support for custom development. Their high-performance devices that have been in use for display and diagnosis in a range of areas in the medical field include mammography, PACS, surgical monitor, ultrasonography and X-ray sensitivity sensors. With high resolution display and VR system, JDI’s devices are suitable for laparoscopic surgery, endoscopic surgery and surgery training. The company has continuously provided high-reliability devices to encourage safe and reliable treatments that satisfy the requirements of medical fields.
In the age of mobile applications, JDI’s wide variety of LCD modules support mobile display technologies with their thin structure, narrow bezel, high resolution, low power, customized shape, and enhanced optical performance. They also offer color reflective LCD modules for a vast range of wearable applications including sports watches, healthcare equipment, and action cameras. JDI’s ultra-high-definition VR displays and low power consumption wearable device displays consistently receive high customer acclaim. The company has also equipped a line of their color reflective LCDs with memory in pixel (MIP) function to accommodate a plethora of IoT products and application, including outdoor sports gears, medical and healthcare devices, remote controllers, and portable devices. JDI’s low power consumption technology contributes to along battery life for the devices.
Through the use of their LCD development test line, JDI offers fabrication service and R&D support to customers. The company also offers comprehensive support services including design, prototyping, analysis and evaluation. JDI offers customized prototypes that cater to their customer’s requests including design, processing, evaluation and analysis. If a customer requests for new applications, the company also supports them by evaluating novel materials or structures. By adopting the idea of open innovation, the company provides support to enable the formation and fulfillment of a customer’s idea. For the protection of sensitive prototypes and information, JDI prepares a non-disclosure agreement as and when necessary.
DESIGNED FOR THE FUTURE
Now a step closer to realizing their goal to contribute to the creation of a hygienic society, JDI continues to focus on the development of highly precise hover sensors that utilize non-touch sensing technology. They are committed to contributing to a sustainable society and a safe and secure post-COVID new normal. Expanding on their technological capabilities, the company is also moving forward with the development of an in-cell hover sensor with an integrated display that has a non-contact input function. This would provide thinner and lighter weight modules.
As JDI grows, the company will continue to anticipate the latest requirements and pursue innovative solutions. Their goal is to become a developer of game-changing technologies and one-of-a-kind products rooted in the company’s rich intellectual property resources. The company is empowering each and every one of their members globally to welcome challenge, bring fresh perspectives to solving customer problems, and drive world-changing technological innovation. “At JDI we want to create a better world, one rich in opportunity for all,” concludes Callon
