Posted on 05/13/2008 8:45:36 AM PDT by Reaganesque
Responsible for the first consumer application of an electronic paper display module when it teamed up with Sony to release the LIBRI e-Book reader in 2004, E Ink has now announced availability of its next generation segmented display cells (SDC). The new SDCs are 40% thinner with a wider operational temperature range and increased flexibility for repetitive 3-D bends or 2-D conformable solutions.
The SDC products are simple digit, icon and alpha-numeric displays, offering excellent readability in a paper-thin form factor that uses minimal battery power. The latest generation of E Ink SDCs offer three height levels, depending on backplane configuration: thin PET 330 microns, PET 380 microns, or PI 375 microns. PET options provide 200 micron design rules for the art work or space and trace of 8 mils by 8 mils. The finer pitch PI option uses 100 micron design rules for 4 mils by 4 mils. Increased temperature ranges with operations from -10°C to 60°C, and storage from –25°C to 75°C. Odd shapes are now also possible, meaning non-rectangular unique shapes including holes, curves, and other non-standard designs. Additionally, E Ink’s SDC platform provides viewable angle of nearly 180° and can be viewed under a variety of lighting conditions from direct sun to low-level ambient light. E Ink’s Vizplex based electronic paper solutions are bistable, reflective displays which enable the image to remain for over a year with zero power.
Applications for this next-gen technology include consumer electronics, PC-accessory, display smartcards, capacity indicators, electronic shelf labels, signage and communications applications. The SDC displays use the same E Ink Vizplex technology that is in popular electronic book devices such as the Amazon Kindle, SONY Reader and iRex iLiad. Watches are also able to utilize this technology - in December last year Art Technology launched its Phosphor branded luxury watches utilizing E Ink’s electronic paper for the displays.
I would think that a lot of businesses would want them for dynamic advertising displays that can operate off battery for months
There are full color E Ink displays. So, that is coming. Its just not as advanced as the black and white at this point.
Very cool! I sure like my Kindle and an even thinner reader would be great.
Kindle the Amazon Electronic Book?
How does it work for you?
I love my Kindle. If you read a lot, it will pay for itself. There are thousands of free books available for it.
Can you offload the books onto a computer and then burn them to a CD?
Yep. The Kindle shows up as a storage device when connected to a computer. The books you purchase have DRM, so they can’t be read on another device, but you can back them up. I just use a 2GB SD card in my Kindle for that though.
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