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New Epson Image Enhancement IC Balances Energy Savings and Colorful Images


WEBWIRE

– Automatically controls LCD panel backlighting –

TOKYO, Japan - Seiko Epson Corporation (“Epson,” TSE: 6724) has announced the development of the S2D13782F, an image enhancement IC for use in medium- and small-size liquid crystal display (LCD) panels. Adopting Epson’s original image enhancement technology, the new IC effectively reduces the level of power consumption in LCD panels, while simultaneously correcting the picture to realize richly colorful screen displays. Sample shipments will commence on September 6.

“LCD panel backlighting accounts for a large percentage of the overall power consumed by LCDs,” said Ryuhei Miyagawa, Deputy COO of Epson’s Microdevices Operations Division. “We created this product to answer customer needs for an LCD that curbs backlight current, but which maintains the brightness and expression of the panel.”

With over 20 million units shipped to market, Epson has acquired significant experience and expertise in creating LCD controller ICs. It achieved the latest milestone with its AME2EX (Auto Movie Enhancement 2 Extended) image enhancement technology, which it mobilized to reduce power consumption by 30 to 50%* by controlling backlighting in real-time to an appropriate level.
The IC at the same time corrects input images to optimal brightness, contrast, gamma curve*1 and saturation to achieve richly colorful images with fine contrast. Customers can determine the input data for exercising control over backlighting by selecting either the display image or natural light sensor control signal.
Epson also facilitates greater visibility in subtitles and other text data by applying its Adaptive Sharpness technology, which automatically distinguishes text and visual domains from input images, and subjects each domain to optimal edge reinforcement processing.

With highly stable performance across a wide range of fields, Epson’s new product exhibits the reliability required for automotive applications. Going forward, the company will continue to leverage its signatory compact, energy saving and high-precision technologies to provide electronic devices and other products that exceed the vision of customers worldwide.

* 30~50% are measured values according to Epson evaluations. Power consumption reduction rates vary by the brightness of input images.

Product features

1. Lower power consumption in LCD panels
Display images and natural light are subjected to automatic analysis, with controls exercised over the backlighting LED driver using PWM*2 to enable power consumption to be reduced by 30 to 50%* from conventional levels. (AME2EX - Optimizer technology)

2. Improved visual expression in LCD panels
o Linked to the backlighting control, saturation, contrast and brightness are automatically adjusted to the images being displayed, realizing optimal picture quality. (AME2EX - Optimizer technology)
o The ability to freely adjust color hue, saturation and other parameters eliminates dependence on LCD panel characteristics. (AME2EX Color Converter Engine technology)
o Reductions are achieved in gradation noise occurring due to data omission during data transfer, as well as in the block noise typical of one-segment broadcasting or other digital input images, expressing the picture in smooth and natural fashion. (Noise Canceller and Color Expander technology)
o Automatic discrimination between text and visual domains from input images, with each domain subjected to optimal edge reinforcement processing to provide greater visibility for subtitles and other text data. (Adaptive Sharpness technology)

Image expression enhancement examples

• Epson uses AME2EX - Optimizer technology to effectively lower backlighting power consumption, while enhancing the texture and brightness of dark picture areas.

• Epson uses Noise Canceller and Color Expander technology to reduce block noise; and Adaptive Sharpness technology to enhance text data visibility.

Glossary

*1 Gamma Curve
Graph curve expressing picture gradation response characteristics.

*2 PWM (pulse width modulation)
Mode used to lengthen or shorten pulse signal output time (pulse width), to exercise control over electrical current and voltage.

See the following site for more detailed information about this product:
http://www.epson.jp/device/semicon_e/product/lcd_controllers/

** See Source for Specifications. **

About Epson
Epson is a global imaging and innovation leader that is dedicated to exceeding the vision of customers worldwide through its compact, energy-saving, high-precision technologies, with a product lineup ranging from printers and 3LCD projectors for business and the home, to electronic and crystal devices.
Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises nearly 75,000 employees in 100 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and the communities in which it operates.
http://global.epson.com/



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