E INK has developed a new technology called Ripple, which introduces wave-like transitions to minimize flicker during page turns. By leveraging the newly developed waveform driving architecture, E Ink enhances color mixing for its E Ink Spectra products by using the existing color particles to create new color options.
In addition to E Ink Ripple, E Ink has created a new waveform architecture that, combined with an upgraded integrated chipset system to 3-bit processing, expands the current color display system for E Ink Spectra 6 to include eight primary colors for enhanced visual details. Industry partners within the E-Ink ecosystem, including Fitipower, Solomon Systech, Himax Technologies, Novatek, Integrated Solutions Technology, and UltraChip, have begun supplying chips compatible with the new waveform architecture. The color possibilities can be further expanded with the standalone T2000 controller.
For E Ink Spectra 3100 Plus, the new E Ink Ripple Waveform architecture builds upon the existing black, white, red, yellow, and orange color palette by adding dark gray and light gray, resulting in seven display colors. Previously, the bright colors red, orange, and yellow were widely used in retail to highlight promotional messages. Adding two grayscale shades and black and white forms a four-level grayscale range, improving text clarity and smoother edges in character rendering.
With the T2000 chip, E Ink Spectra 6 expands from its original six-color display to include cyan, light green, and orange, providing a more refined image with a larger color gamut. The expanded color range enriches shadow details, skin tones, and other nuanced imagery. Gradient colors are rendered with greater precision, reducing graininess and enhancing object edges, providing a more comfortable viewing experience.
Moreover, the breakthrough in E Ink Ripple waveform architecture contributes to a smoother transition effect. Large digital signage displays can utilize the E Ink Ripple animation for a more natural and seamless page refresh, creating a softer visual experience and significantly improving page transition quality on ePaper screens.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.