EPSON Debuts 71x LCD Controller Family Arriving In New Camera Enabled Cell Phone and PDAs.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 2002

Integrated Circuit Trilogy Projected Home Run for EPSON as Companies Worldwide Bring Talk, Point, Click & Send Products to Market

EPSON Research and Development Inc., the world leader in LCD controllers, announced it is bringing to market three different, single-chip LCD controllers designed for mobile communications products including camera enabled cellular phone and PDAs.

"To take a picture, trim, size, have your screen updated and then send the picture off to a friend, demands that the on-board LCD controller conduct next-generation multi-functionality -- today. That's the 71x family!" said George Lyons, director, Project Management for Epson Research and Development Inc.

Lyons continued, "These chips are anything but ordinary. The 71x LCD controllers expand the capabilities of the cell phone architecture by handling all the graphic intensive functions such as Video Streaming, JPEG Encode/Decode, image rotation, accelerated drawing functions, and display update all within an instant of the click of the picture. Our three LCD controllers are big resource savers, taking on many of the demands from an already overworked CPU."

Global Market Means Design Wins and Opportunities

Adopting early the new mobile phone camera were Japan and Europe, with America poised to join. Mobile phone manufacturers and silicon providers to cell phone manufacturers include some of the top names like: Nokia, Sony Ericsson, NEC, Toshiba, Agilent Technologies and Qualcomm. Many of these companies have or are designing-in and realizing the benefits of the new LCD controllers from EPSON.

On October 17, 2002, NTT Docomo introduced the n251i. This cell phone with camera is manufactured by NEC and is optimized through the use of EPSON's S1D13710.

On October 29, 2002, J-Phone introduced its J-T08 (see: http://www.j-phone.com/h-e/release/21029.html). This cellular phone with a camera, is manufactured by Toshiba, and is optimized through the use of EPSON's S1D13712.

Agilent Technologies, a Palo Alto, California-based company, is the world leader in CMOS image sensor technology and is one of the companies recommending EPSON controllers to its customers.

"Innovation and leadership in LCD controllers was the initial reason Agilent examined EPSON's solution. EPSON's new 71x LCD controllers coupled with Agilent's new series of ultra-miniature camera modules offer a high quality visual communication solution for cell phones and mobile appliances," said Mike Walters, mobile imaging program manager for Agilent's Sensor Solutions Division.

Designer's Dream, The Power of Choice

Addressing the various, and specific requirements of different markets and the designers', engineers' and purchasing managers' demands, EPSON is the first in the industry to announce and sample 3 single-chip LCD controller solutions.

-- S1D13710 -- EPSON LCD Camera Controller with JPEG Encoder/Decoder (Codec) with 224 Kbytes Embedded SRAM -- Optimal performance featuring an integrated dual port camera interface and hardware JPEG Codec. The `710' module provides connectivity to both V85E-based and 16-bit generic Asynchronous CPU. To provide support for the MMS Standard, the JPEG Codec provides both encode and decode capabilities while providing for programmable Quantization and Huffman tables allowing the user to select image quality vs. compression ratio. Two LCD panels can be supported through the 710. The chip enables all standard TFT panel screens and offers parallel and serial RAM integrated panels. High performance is provided by the Hardware Acceleration Engine which offers 2D BitBLT functions.

-- S1D13711 LCD Digital Video Controller with 160Kbytes Embedded SRAM -- On-chip features off-load the host processor from graphic intensive drawing functions as well as streaming video. Supporting an integrated camera and serial uWire interface, the `711' offers optimal integration, perfect for system designers. The Host interface operates like SRAM and requires no handshaking signals. Having 160 Kbytes of embedded SRAM works as the image and video buffer. 711 also supports up to two parallel, RAM integrated, LCD panels which are to be connected simultaneously.

-- S1D13712 LCD Digital Video Controller with JPEG Codec and 320Kbytes Embedded SRAM -- Offers all of the features of the `710' and the standard features that come with EPSON's new LCD controllers. Unique to the `712' is its extensive 320 KBytes of memory, providing greater quality and display clarity. The `712' provides connectivity to both V85E-based and 16-bit generic Asynchronous CPU, as well as indirect connectivity.

Standard in all three products are Picture-in-Picture plus, EPSON's proprietary SwivelView(TM) which rotates an image anywhere from 90 to 270 degrees, Hardware BitBLT Engine and embedded memory.

Capitalizing on EPSON's legacy to provide energy savings ICs, core and IO voltages are supported from 1.8 to 3.0-volt.

Pricing and Availability

Samples of EPSON's new LCD Controllers are available now with production quantities scheduled to make their debut in Q1'03. Negotiated pricing for each of the 710, 711 and 712 in large quantities of 100K can be obtained by contacting your local EPSON sales office.

For additional LCD controller product or sales information please visit EPSON's website at: http://www.eea.epson.com/.

Pictorial:

Pictures of the 71x family can be transmitted electronically upon request. Please contact Sharon Guibao at [e-mail].

Editors' Note:

EPSON invites editors attending Electronica 2002, November 12-15, to visit the EPSON booth in Hall A6 Stand 342. Experience first hand the latest in EPSON's LCD Controllers, Microcontrollers, ASICs, LCDs and Crystals. Be our special guest at our "Fit for Fun -- Party" on November 13, 2002 from 6-9 p.m.

About Epson Research and Development Inc.

EPSON Research and Development's Vancouver Design Center is a leader in the development of LCD controller related integrated circuits and software. As part of the EPSON family of companies, and in keeping with EPSON's emphasis and reputation as a quality supplier of low power semiconductors, the Vancouver Design Center's focus is on developing the world's best low power LCD graphics controller chips for customers designing mobile and embedded systems products.

For further information on Epson's LCD controller products, visit Epson Research and Development on the Web at http://www.erd.epson.com/. For sales information, visit Epson Electronics America on the Web at http://www.eea.epson.com/.

About EPSON Electronics America Inc.

EPSON Electronics America Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seiko EPSON Corporation in Japan that is chartered to market, sell and support EPSON's electronic devices in the Americas. These devices include semiconductors, silicon foundry, packaging and assembly services, quartz devices, and Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) and device-applied products. For sales information, visit EPSON Electronics America on the Web at http://www.eea.epson.com/.

All other products, services, or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only, and may be trademarked, registered, or copyrighted by their respective owners.