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Kodak Announces Innovative Image Sensors for Mass-Market Devices

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Eastman Kodak Company has reached another milestone in its digital growth strategy with the announcement of innovative new image sensors for mass-market products such as camera phones and digital still cameras. The company has also announced important new alliances that will extend its reach in the market for image sensors. Kodak's new image sensors, the KODAK KAC-3100 and KAC-5000, are targeted to camera phone and consumer DSC and DVC applications, and offer improved image quality, higher performance, and more features than other CMOS-based image sensors on the market.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kodak has announced the availability of the first CMOS image sensor (CIS) devices to arise from its manufacturing alliance with IBM, as well as development of a reference design that incorporates these new image sensors with multimedia processors from Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI).
  • The new image sensors, the KAC-3100 and KAC-5000, are manufactured at IBM's Burlington, VT, plant as part of the manufacturing collaboration announced last year between Kodak and IBM.
  • The KAC-3100 and KAC-5000 incorporate KODAK PIXELUX technology, a proprietary design that offers manufacturers of consumer digital imaging devices improved image quality, higher performance, and more features than other CMOS-based image sensors on the market.
  • Kodak has also announced an agreement to license key CIS manufacturing technologies to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), the world's largest dedicated semiconductor foundry.
  • The manufacturing process licensed under this agreement will be utilized by Kodak as well as other sensor design firms under the terms of the agreement.
  • Kodak's new three- and five-megapixel CIS devices are targeted to camera phone and consumer DSC and DVC applications.
  • The new image sensors are a critical component in any digital imaging device, converting light into electric charges to begin the capture process.
  • Kodak has announced an agreement with TSMC that licenses key KODAK technologies used in the manufacture of high-quality CIS devices.
  • The ultimate winner in this technology is the consumer, who can look forward to new devices that take advantage of this compelling technology.

Statistics:

  • Kodak's sales in 2004 were $13.5 billion.
  • The company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on the following businesses: Health, Graphic Communications, Digital & Film Imaging Systems, and Display & Components.
  • The manufacturing collaboration between Kodak and IBM was announced last year.
  • The KAC-3100 and KAC-5000 image sensors offer improved image quality, higher performance, and more features than other CMOS-based image sensors on the market.
  • The image sensors are manufactured at IBM's Burlington, VT, plant.

Sources:

  • Eastman Kodak Company press release
  • IBM press release
  • Texas Instruments Incorporated press release
  • Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited press release
  • Kodak's 2004 annual report

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