French government funds e-paper project

Nemoptic SA, a developer of electronic paper applications said the French government is backing its SYLEN mobile e-reader project. SYLEN (SYstème de LEcture Nomade) aims to develop a more user-friendly multi format e-paper reading device for mobile applications, such as e-newspapers and electronic textbooks, thus supporting the development of this market segment in France.

The French Ministry of Industry, along with Paris regional councils, will fund nearly 40 per cent of the Euro 5.4 million SYLEN project. The overall aim is to stimulate and build a new French industry for digital publishing and content distribution on mobile e-reader devices.

SYLEN aims to overcome ergonomic and cost issues in e-newspapers and e-books, which need to be improved before the market can take off. These include

• Rich media content: developing larger e-paper displays that will be more compatible for news content and images;
• Ease of use and intuitive communication functions: this will enable the downloading, refreshing and reading of e-newspapers and e-books when used in transit;
• Improved cost/performance to enable mass market distribution;
• Integration of digital standards: compatibility with operating systems and the Internet; and
• Digital rights management for paid content.

E-paper display technology has attributes of paper, plus the advantage that content can be displayed and erased electronically. Nemoptic produces e-paper displays based on its proprietary bistable nematic liquid crystal display technology which is noted for its similarity to ink on paper, its zero power consumption and its price important criteria for the commercial viability of e-paper display devices.

“We and our partners are excited about the French government recognising the innovativeness and potential of our mobile e-reader project,” said Jacques Angelé, VP of Technology and Programmes and co-founder of Nemoptic. “The SYLEN project will bring practical e-paper solutions to the digital media and electronic textbook markets that are emerging, which should stimulate the creation of thousands of new jobs over the next five years.”

The SYLEN project consists of two phases. Phase I involves several milestones that will result in mock-ups that explore various technical options in order to satisfy the user-friendly low-cost market criteria. Nemoptic expects to be able to provide tailor-made displays that fit into new e-paper reading systems adapted to market needs.

Phase II involves field testing a digital multimedia content supply and distribution channel to help French newspaper and magazine industries switch from an industrial business model to one of value-added services, and adjust its production to satisfy client expectations, in an increasingly digital environment.

Nemoptic will leads a team of private and public sector players in the project. These include Le Monde Intéractif, the leading French online daily news publication, the Bibliothèque Publique d'Information du Centre Pompidou, a national public library that will provide content for users; four research laboratories (Lutin User lab, Cognition & Usage lab, the Laboratory of Computer Sciences, and the Lyon Research Centre for Images and Intelligent Information Systems) which will work to optimise functions and ergonomics and develop specific software; Booken, which produces the e-reader Cybook Gen3, one of the world's first open multiformat e-book readers; iCodex, a pioneer in the design of the digital reading tablet, Optinnova technology consultants; and TES Electronic Solutions, an electronics company, which will work on consumer electronic design, packaging and manufacturing.