DCI ACQUISITION CORPORATION AND USDC JOIN FORCES TO
ENHANCE MICRODISPLAY INSPECTION OPTICS
- DCI Acquisition Corporation (d.b.a. DisplayCheck) today announced it has been awarded a $286,720 contract from the U.S. Display Consortium (USDC), a public/private partnership chartered with developing the industry infrastructure needed for next-generation flat panel displays (FPDs). Under the project (which is a 50/50 cost-share between DisplayCheck and USDC) DisplayCheck will work toward enhancing the optical performance associated with its high-resolution, machine vision inspection systems for microdisplays.
The efforts to be performed under this contract will extend the industry-leading capabilities of DisplayCheck's microdisplay inspection systems. Microdisplays are used in next- generation devices such as rear-projection, high-definition televisions and front-projector systems in applications such as conference room and digital home theater projectors-as well as in near-to-eye applications including virtual-reality goggles and military head-mounted displays.
Commercialization of one such microdisplay technology, liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS), has been hampered due to the need for improvements in defect inspection. Currently, defects of a few microns in size can be found, but this needs to be improved since the optical magnification of projection systems can cause even the smallest defects to be very noticeable-impacting overall quality and performance.
"One of the gating factors impeding adoption of LCOS-based projection technology is the issue of defect inspection, in terms of both speed and accuracy," noted Bob Pinnel, chief technical officer for USDC. "These capability shortfalls impact both the cost and quality of the displays and must be improved for the LCOS market to reach maturity. Our contract with DCI signals USDC's support for projection display technology and its belief that they will establish a significant presence in the marketplace. We are delighted that DCI is applying its know-how and resources to address this challenge".
"I am pleased that DisplayCheck is receiving a USDC award. Displays are an integral part of communication systems, especially in micro-display platforms," noted Senator Jack Reed (D-RI). "It is good to see Rhode Island playing a leading role in this technology's development."
"These enhancements to the industry-leading DisplayCheck microdisplay systems will be a key enabler in the LCoS industry," stated Lewis Collier, President and CEO of DCI. "This technology will allow LCoS manufacturers to have a more cost-effective inspection solution".
The optics and algorithm enhancements are scheduled to be available in 2003 as a field upgrade to the DisplayCheck MDT-250LH microdisplay inspection systems.
For more information, please contact:
US Display Consortium
Heidi Hoffman
84 W. Santa Clara Street, Ste. 790
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 993-8111
heidi@usdc.org
DCI Acquisition Corp.
Lewis Collier
Phone: +1 (401) 392-1023
Fax: +1 (401) 397-9193
lcollier@displaycheck.com
About the U.S. Display Consortium
The U.S. Display Consortium is an industry-led public/private partnership providing a common platform for flat panel display and flexible microelectronics manufacturers and developers, FPD users, and the supplier base. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the consortium’s primary mission is to fund supply-chain projects and share the results with USDC member companies. The USDC also provides a communication channel among industry, government and the financial communities for display issues; sponsors workshops to broaden the impact of technological developments; and educates consumers on the importance of displays in providing access to information technology. More information about the USDC can be found at www.usdc.org
About DisplayCheck
DisplayCheck is a leading supplier of machine vision systems used for inspection of the digital microdisplays that are used in devices such as projectors, HDTV, and head-mounted displays. DisplayCheck delivered the first commercially viable automated display test system suitable for use on a volume liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) production line in April 2000. This technology has also been used to inspect other display technologies ranging from OLEDs to MEMS devices. Our mission is to provide the best possible service to our customers in the display industry so that they may deliver the highest-quality display devices. We shall accomplish this by designing, building, and supporting the most accurate, repeatable, and reliable display inspection solutions. For more information about DisplayCheck, visit our website at www.DisplayCheck.com. |
