Kopin Corporation

The Kopin Corporation (NASDAQ: KOPN) is a Taunton, Massachusetts-based electronics manufacturer, best known for its display devices for mobile electronics.

Microdisplays

President John C.C. Fan describes the company's growth strategy as being based on expanding the range of applications for microdisplays.[1]

Kopin has attempted to combat the trend of digital cameras being released without viewfinders through the development of tiny electronic displays, aimed at inclusion in higher-end cameras rather than budget models.[2] Kopin's first CyberDisplay product debuted in 1999 in a JVC digital camera; it featured a 320x240 pixel display with a 0.24 inches (0.61 cm) diagonal measurement.[3] In 2007, the Olympus Corporation chose a Kopin CyberDisplay with QVGA-level resolution for inclusion as a viewfinder in its SP-550 UZ model.[4] In 2012, the company's newest CyberDisplay model had a diagonal measurement of 0.27 inches (0.69 cm) with VGA-level resolution of 640x480 pixels.[2]

Outside of the consumer market, Kopin's microdisplays have also been used in electronics devices aimed at the military and law enforcement officers. In 2008, the United States Army awarded Kopin with the first phase of a $4.2 million program aimed at producing microdisplays more quickly and improving their performance, with the aim of incorporating them in night vision devices.[5] In 2009, Kopin introduced its Golden-i headset computer, aimed at firefighters and security professionals.[6] NBC reporter Monica J. Vila named the 2013 version of the Golden-i it as one of her favorite devices introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show that year, even though it was not aimed at the consumer market.[7] Later that year there was speculation that Kopin might enter into a deal with Microsoft or Apple to provide components for any optical head-mounted display product those companies might manufacture to compete with Google Glass, after Google chose Kopin's competitor Himax to supply components for Google Glass; however, analyst Karl Guttag stated to Seeking Alpha that he saw this as unlikely.[8]

Other products

Kopin also manufactures heterojunction bipolar transistors. Among its customers for this product line is Woburn, Massachusetts-based Skyworks Solutions.[9]

Acquisitions

In January 2011, Kopin acquired British optoelectronics company Forth Dimension Displays (FDD) for £7 million in cash. Kopin's president John Fan indicated in media comments that Kopin was especially interested in FDD's ultra-high resolution reflective microdisplays and time domain imaging technology.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Perspective: Kopin Looks to Broaden Uses for its Microdisplays". Nikkei Electronics Asia. 2006-11-16. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tomkins, Mike (2012-06-05). "Electronic viewfinders without the bulk: Kopin shrinks the microdisplay". Imaging Resource. Retrieved 2014-02-16.
  3. ↑ "JVC brings Kopin CyberDisplay to market!". Imaging Resources. 1999-07-30. Retrieved 2014-02-16.
  4. ↑ "Olympus selects Kopin's electronic viewfinder for SP-550 UZ". ePhotoZine. 2007-03-29. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
  5. ↑ "Kopin wins microdisplay deal for Army night-vision program". Boston Business Journal. 2008-04-22. Retrieved 2014-02-16.
  6. ↑ Szondy, David (2013-02-12). "Golden-i wearable handsfree computer interface". Gizmag. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  7. ↑ "CES: Best in Show". NBC Latino. 2013-01-13. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  8. ↑ "Will Kopin Benefit From The Glass Wars?". Seeking Alpha. 2013-03-24. Retrieved 2014-02-16.
  9. ↑ "Kopin extends supplier deal with Skyworks". Boston Business Journal. 2008-04-15. Retrieved 2014-02-16.
  10. ↑ Cameron, Greig (2011-01-12). "Forth Dimensions Displays bought by US giant". Business Insider. Retrieved 2014-02-15.

External links