NKK Switches focuses on cutting-edge multifunction switches incorporating organic electroluminescent displays

NKK Switches (Nihon Kaiheiki Ind. Co., Ltd.) makes available a full lineup of switches in over 3 million configurations for a wide range of fields including satellite equipment through to computers, broadcast audio equipment, and mobile communications equipment. At Inter BEE, the company exhibited its cutting-edge Color IS multifunction pushbutton switches and display modules incorporating organic EL displays. As the company celebrates its 55th year of establishment, NKK Switches is proud to be able to exhibit a large number of new products under one roof, garnering much attention from visitors to Inter BEE.

Pioneered by NKK Switches, these multifunction pushbutton switches and Color IS display modules incorporate the world's smallest class of organic EL displays. Despite their relatively compact screens, these products achieve a high-resolution 64 x 48 dot size for the switch and a 52 x 36 dot size for the display module, in addition to high-color (16-bit color, 65,536 colors) display capabilities. A wider viewing angle of approximately 180 degrees is also made possible ― with a more than 50x increase in contrast over previous NKK Switches, products ― and this means that the small screen can be clearly viewed from a wide range of angles.

Ario Mitsumoto, Chief of the Sales Promotion Group, Sales Promotion Department, Global Sales Division, says that, "The broadcasting industry has diverse needs for switches in fields such as digital video switchers, and iSigma products have shown proven performance in broadcasting. Switches incorporating organic EL displays that allow direct confirmation of switch functionality have now been added to the lineup, and we hope this means that the use of iSigma switches in fields ranging from conventional switcher applications, through to dealing machines, medical equipment, and even consumer equipment will be expanded."

Also at their booth, there were reference exhibits of Rocker IS multifunction composite switches that incorporate monochrome organic EL displays. This product uses 0.92 inch monochromatic organic EL displays for the display area, and is a new concept in selector switches that enables easy selection of options. With switches on both sides as well as in the middle, the user can select conditions using a tree-structured search while watching the display screen. Text, images and symbols can also be displayed, enabling easy operation even by children and the elderly. This product is scheduled for release in January 2009.

In addition to these products, other innovations such as the High-resolution IS and High-resolution Compact IS liquid-crystal display multifunction pushbutton switches and modules with 64 x 32 bit resolution were on display. Other products exhibited included the NP01 series rubber-type pushbutton switches using 2 color switching display buttons that employ a new rubber structure to achieve a softer operating feel and the YB2 Series of thin, flat-button type waterproof illuminated pushbutton switches. The booth also had demonstration exhibits in which visitors could experience hands-on operation of the switches. In particular, the beautiful performance of Color IS that can display high-resolution color images and video on its ultra-compact organic EL display stopped many visitors passing by the booth in their tracks.


[Inter BEE News Center]
Photo 1: Color IS multifunction pushbutton switches and display modules incorporating organic EL displays.
Photo 2: Reference exhibits of Rocker IS multifunction composite switches that incorporate monochrome organic EL displays.