Overview
E-paper display, also known as electronic ink or e-ink / e-paper displays are the displays which mimic the ink on the paper-like surface.
There are a lot of advantages of e-paper display technology and has a few limitations as well, as still, we don’t see them used everywhere.
Before we talk about advantages and disadvantages, let us try to see how they look like, in what shape & size they are available and how these display actually work?
Types of e-paper display?
There are various types of e-paper displays available in the market based on color, shape, size, rigidness, like:
- Segmented / Graphic
- Monochrome/ single color, multicolor, full color
- Rigid and Flexible
- Rectangular, circular shape
- Small sizes like 1″, 1.54″ and bugger sizes like 15″ or so
How does e-paper display work?
Watch this 1.5-minute video and you will understand how e-paper display actually works from a high-level point of view.
Advantages
- They are very thin in size, available as flexible displays as well
- Very little power is required to drive them a couple of milliamps. Consumes zero power and the content can stay on the display for days and months without any power. That’s the reason they are popular in portable, low-power applications like watches, Electronic books like Kindle, Shelf-Labels and nowadays finding their way on Bus stop display boards, Shop MENUas well 🙂
- Easy to read under sunlight.
Disadvantages / Limitations
- They are still quite expensive, smallest display around 1 square inches size with around 150×150 pixels will cost you about 5$
- E-paper displays take time(a couple of seconds) to refresh the screen. This can be handled by changing partial display content. Some new displays are now coming which can refresh a couple of times per second but still, they are nowhere compared to other display technologies.
Applications of e-paper display
E-paper displays are a versatile technology with a wide range of applications. Here are some of the most common applications of e-paper displays:
E-readers: E-readers are the most well-known application of e-paper displays. They are used to read electronic books, newspapers, and magazines. E-readers are popular because they are lightweight, portable, and have long battery life.
Digital signage: E-paper displays are also used for digital signage. This includes applications such as advertising displays, wayfinding signage, and product information displays. E-paper displays are a good choice for digital signage because they are energy efficient, have a wide viewing angle, and are easy to read in bright sunlight.
Electronic shelf labels (ESLs): ESLs are used to display product prices and information on retail shelves. ESLs are a good choice for retailers because they are easy to update, reduce labor costs, and improve customer experience.
Smart cards: E-paper displays are used in smart cards to display information such as the cardholder’s name, photo, and account balance. E-paper displays are a good choice for smart cards because they are durable, low power, and easy to read.
Transportation: E-paper displays are used in a variety of transportation applications, such as bus stop signs, train timetables, and airport information displays. E-paper displays are a good choice for transportation applications because they are energy efficient, have a wide viewing angle, and are easy to read in bright sunlight.
Medical devices: E-paper displays could be used in a variety of medical devices, such as glucose meters, and blood pressure cuffs. E-paper displays are a good choice for medical devices because they are easy to read, low power, and durable.
Consumer electronics: E-paper displays are also used in a variety of consumer electronics, such as e-watches, fitness trackers, and smart home devices. E-paper displays are a good choice for consumer electronics because they are lightweight, portable, and have long battery life.
These are just a few of the many applications of e-paper displays. E-paper displays are a versatile technology with the potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries.
E-paper display suppliers
| E-paper Supplier | Country | Online Shop? | |
| 1. | Eink | Taiwan | Yes |
| 2. | BuyDisplay | China | Yes |
| 3. | Good Display | China | Yes |
| 4. | Pervasive Display | Taiwan | Yes |
| 5. | Microtips Technology | USA | Yes |
| 6. | Midas Displays | United Kingdom | Yes |
| 7. | Waveshare Electronics | China | Yes |
| 8. | Crystalfontz | USA | Yes |
| 9. | Plastic Logic | Germany | Yes |
| 10. | Flat Display Technology Corp | Taiwan | No |
| 11. | Unisystem | Poland | No |
| 12. | Shineworld Innovations | China | Yes (Alibaba) |
| 13. | Shenzhen Toppop Electronics | China | Yes (Alibaba) |
| 14. | Zhuhai Suny technology | China | Yes (Alibaba) |
| 15. | Chengdu Heltec Automation Technology | China | Yes (Alibaba) |
| 16. | TOPPAN Printing | Japan | No |
| 17. | DKE Co | China | Yes |
| 18. | ThingWell Electronics | China | No |
| 19. | Wuxi Weifeng Technology | China | No |
| 20. | Dalian Qiyun Electronics | China | No |
| 21. | Holita Technology | China | No |
So, have you ever used an e-paper display in any of your projects or are you planning to use one, let me know in the comments below?
If you are building low power embedded systems, this article will be very useful for you.
I hope you found the information useful.
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Read my other articles on embedded systems design.
Happy learning to you!
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