Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) has developed a "Luminescent Poster" which combines a high-intensity white light emitting inorganic Electro-Luminescent (EL) (*1) panel with an organic panel which displays scrolling text data.
DNP will, with the cooperation of Rakuten Baseball Inc., display the "Luminescent Poster" at the exhibition space of the Rakuten Eagles baseball team in Aoba-ku, Sendai City during the baseball season from April 7 to mid-November.
DNP focused on the characteristics of EL which emit light when energized, and has been involved in the development of bendable, paper-thin EL panels displaying a variety of information, aiming to apply these in areas using printing technology and know-how. To date there have been no examples of products combining inorganic and organic EL. Hence, the development by DNP of a "Luminescent Poster," which successfully fuses the functions of high-intensity inorganic EL that can be used at relatively low cost over large areas, with those of organic EL, capable of displaying variable information, is a noteworthy event. By taking the high-intensity illumination of inorganic EL, and applying this to the rear of color printed images in a segment format (*2,) it is not only possible to make those images stand out much like animation, text information, such as announcements, can be displayed in monochromatic light on the organic EL panel. The panels can be attached to curved surfaces, and DNP will commercialize this innovation as a poster with a high consumer focus effect.
With EL it is not necessary to apply light, such as a backlight, and as the EL becomes a self-emitting device upon being energized, it is possible to create a display which saves more energy, and is thinner and lighter than Liquid Crystal Displays. And as it is possible to process the EL on soft materials, such as plastic, it is also possible to create a bendable, flexible panel, which can be attached to curved surfaces such as columns. As these displays maintain a broader viewing angle than LCDs, it is also possible for multiple consumers to simultaneously view information on these panels from a variety of angles.
As the displays are thin and maintain a broad viewing angle, they are a most suitable for use as posters used in open spaces viewed at the same time by many people.
Resilient in the face of vibration and shock, and capable of emitting light even when bent, it is possible to attach the posters to curved surfaces.As the posters are light, they are easy to attach and/or exchange.
As inorganic EL has a maximum life of 20,000 hours, this also leads to a reduction in maintenance burdens.
As the electricity consumption of inorganic EL is equivalent to approximately 60 percent of fluorescent lighting, lower operating cots can also be expected.
Inorganic EL does not emit heat when in use, and as such are safe to touch.
As the images are printed in full color, it is possible to display a clear image quality
It is possible to freely design posters with regards to size or shape.
The exhibition operation is being carried out by two DNP subsidiaries, DNP Tohoku Co., Ltd., responsible for sales and manufacturing in the north eastern area of Japan, and DNP Media Create Co., Ltd, which plans and produces corporate sales promotion tools. The "Luminescent Poster" used on this occasion has been printed with images of the Kleenex Stadium Miyagi, home to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles baseball team, the team's logo, balloons and illuminations. The logo, balloons and illuminations appear to light up at random via the use of the inorganic EL segment format light emitter, creating an effect similar to that seen with animation. Meanwhile, elongate organic EL panels, attached to two points in the upper portion of the poster, display scrolling text data. This text data can be changed as desired.
- Display Period: April 7~Mid-November (Until the end of the present baseball season)
- Display Location: The exhibition space of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles baseball team in 3-7-1, Kokubun-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai City. (The display automatically switches off at night.)
- Size: 728mm x 515mm
DNP will conduct commercialization tests through the medium of this exhibition, aiming to launch sales in April 2010. Structures for distributing text data for organic EL via the network are planned, along with versions with added audio capabilities.
DNP will propose the "Luminescent Poster," as one facet of total sales promotion measures, in a package combining such media as pamphlets, in-store POP and digital signage.
(*1) EL: Refers to a phenomenon whereby a luminous body emits light as a result of being charged with a voltage, and devices which make use of this phenomenon. In instances where the luminous body is in an inorganic compound, this is referred to as an inorganic EL and as an organic EL when the underlying compound is organic.
(*2) Segment format: A format for displaying patterns involving multiple display parts which flicker on and off.