Solar keychains

	This solar-powered LCD keychain from mainland China's Lemi has a 52x20mm screen and a changeable image display.

The latest releases from mainland China display split-screen graphics, while Taiwan's versions work as miniature digital photo frames.

LCD keychain suppliers in mainland China and Taiwan are focusing on image-display performance under efforts to strengthen the product's usefulness as an advertising and marketing tool.

Thanks to advancements in LCD technology, mainland companies can now develop models that show two or more digital graphics, logos and slogans on a split screen. Designs that flash different images on each side of the keychain are offered as well. Previous units could display only one image at a time.

In Taiwan, suppliers are moving upmarket to edge out their mainland counterparts. While low-end models still constitute the bulk of exports, many companies on the island are launching high-end versions with the capability of miniature digital photo frames. Integrated with OLED or TFT screens and 4, 8 or 16MB built-in memory, these designs can store as many as 80 images. Photos can even be presented on a slideshow.

To enrich their value further, the latest models from both sides of the Taiwan Strait are integrated with practical add-ons. These can work as an alarm clock, flashlight, compass or calendar.

Releases that run on solar energy are likewise gaining momentum. By using the sunlight as a power source, products become more energy-efficient and can have a life span of up to 10 years.

	Taiwan's Chi Sam offers model KC140A, an LCD keychain with a 1.4-inch CSTN screen, 8MB built-in memory and slideshow mode.

Most mainland makers, including Lemi Technology Development Co. Ltd and Pacific Star Electronics Co. Ltd, rely on overseas suppliers for their LCD sourcing. Designs from both companies boast changeable image displays and are solar-powered.

Similarly, Shenzhen Q-ying Gifts & Toys Co. Ltd's latest models are fitted with 35x19mm screens and can flash alternating photos.

Others purchase the material within the mainland, particularly in Shenzhen, to save on cost. This city in Guangdong province is home to about 15 LCD specialists that are backed by South Korea or Taiwan investors.

Some manufacturers, however, are using recycled LCDs that have been in stock for a certain period of time, or disassembled from mobile phones and GPS devices. This is done only on request or when the order is too small to merit procurement of brand-new panels.

But whether the LCDs are imported, locally sourced, unused or recycled, mainland suppliers are implementing QC measures to ensure high performance and durability.

At Shenzhen Acever Group, all outsourced LCDs are subjected to aging tests, in which components are kept working in a 40 C environment for 24 hours. The company specializes in models that double as a USB flash drive.

Visual inspections for the presence of dots and lines on the screens are likewise done at most factories.

In Taiwan, several makers are utilizing OLED and TFT LCDs that boast higher resolution than CSTN versions, which are found in many previous units. The use of these high-performance screens enables the keychains to function as miniature digital photo frames. Products also have built-in memory capable of storing 50 to 100 images. Typical models bear the CE and FCC marks.

Chi Sam Electronic Enterprise Co. Ltd's latest designs, for instance, are fitted with 1.4 or 1.5-inch OLED or CSTN screens. These have up to 8MB internal memory that can save 55 to 63 images. Photos can be viewed on a slideshow presentation. Some units come with software that resizes the images for a perfect fit on the frame. Compressed pictures also make room for extra photo storage.

Chi Sam, one of the major suppliers of OLED-fitted LCD keychains in Taiwan, plans to release larger versions with 1.8 to 2.4-inch displays.

The company's models are in sleek metal housings, which can be engraved with logos and patterns. Colorful designs can double as necklace pendants. Bigger units with slots may serve as business card holders.

Upcoming products from Georgia Technology Corp. will have 1.5-inch TFT LCDs. Currently, the company's models utilize CSTN screens that measure 1.1 inches. These can support Microsoft Windows and Apple operating systems, and store up to 70 digital photos.

Georgia's 15-member R&D team has recently come up with LCD keychains featuring built-in electronic games. Designs in heart, square and round plastic casings are available.

For brighter images and a wider viewing angle, Ultmost Technology Corp. has developed models with 1.5-inch OLED or TFT screens. Previous versions only had 1.1-inch panels.

Further, the company's products have a protected, low standby current as an energy-saving feature. Presently, most releases from Taiwan run on rechargeable Li-ion batteries or a 5V USB power supply.

Vanprasth Corp.'s CE- and FCC-certified products are made at a facility in the mainland. The company specializes in digital photo frames, and has expanded its range to include LCD keychains.