3M and Himax show mobile projector concept

by Max Wang

Following US-based 3M and Taiwan's Himax Technologies' announcement of a strategic alliance to commercialize liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) mobile projectors on January 7, the two companies recently demonstrated a concept model in Taiwan.

The mobile projector will hit the market as early as the second quarter, said Himax. The technology could be widely use in handsets, mobile TV devices, digital cameras as well as notebooks, according to the company.

Under the alliance, 3M will develop and provide a miniature LED projection engine that incorporates the single-panel color filter type LCOS module of Himax Display (a subsidiary of Himax). In addition, Himax will provide a complete set of driver circuits and related electronics.

Mark Colin, president of 3M's front projector business, said that 3M will continue to strengthen the partnership with Himax, and, besides product development, the two will cooperate to also expand their customer base and to grow market share together.

The product the two companies are developing uses a single white LED backlight and is able to project a VGA resolution image, according to Jordan Wu, CEO of Himax.