E ink公司在軟性顯示器的技術、專利佈局及事業發展策略之研究

Abstract

依據PROCEEDINGS OF THE IEEE對於軟性電子（Flexible Electronics）的定義，軟性電子是一種建置在薄塑膠片或金屬薄片之軟性或可彎曲基板上的元件與材料技術。相較於傳統的電子元件，其具備”可彎曲性”、“輕”、“薄”及”省電”等特性，且具有整合優勢，並可用以製造不同形狀的電子產品，相當具有發展潛力。 在軟電領域中，美國E ink Corpoartion在技術、產業聯盟程度及產品化程度上皆居於領先的地位。因此，本研究探討E ink公司的軟性顯示器技術、專利佈局概況及事業發展的策略，藉以瞭解競爭力的來源與強弱之所在，以供我國未來軟電產業發展規劃參考。

According the Proceedings of the IEEE, Flexible electronics encompasses a rather diverse range of device and materials technologies that are built on flexible and conformal substrates. Flexible electronics possesses characteristics such as 'pliable', 'light weight' and 'thin'. It combines the advantages for integrating optics, electricity and senor. And it can be used to make electronic products of different forms, thus having a high potential. In the field of flexible displays, E ink Corporation has the leading status on technology, intellectual properties and commercialization. This research is mainly to investigate E ink’s business development strategy, by studying its paper-like display technologies, patent planning and industry alliance, aiming at understanding origins of its competitiveness, strength and weakness. This case study may be a good reference for development of flexible electronics in Taiwan.