E Ink FAQ Design Guidelines

E Ink FAQ Design Guidelines

E Ink Technology Ink in Motion Displays

ü FAQs ü Design Guidelines ü Development Process

(310) 323-3697 | www.americhip.com | [email protected]

What is E Ink?

• A non emissive electronic ink technology that dynamically enhances traditional print. E Ink technology animates pre-programmed content by “lighting up” images and/or text.

How does E Ink work?

• Pre-programmed E Ink panel illuminates images or text • There are two colored states: Gray (on) and Black (off) • The printed overlay adds a transparent colored background or static image.

Programmed Panel

Gray/On State

Printed Overlay: Translucent color background for ink to show through.

Black/Off State

Printed Overlay: Intended lighted static image is translucent for E Ink to show through.

How is it powered?

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E Ink is powered by embedded button cell batteries

• Typical battery life is 6-12 months, depending on the animation sequence and panel size. • Traditional LED displays use emissive technology. E Ink is a non emissive display. As such, E Ink is not as bright as LED or LCD displays, however it requires far less power and flashes for a much longer period of time.

What is the battery life?

Brightness?

What type of animations are possible with E Ink?

Flashing Text: Multiple messages that flash

• • •

1-3 messages can flash within the same area Position of multiple text/images is critical

No overlapping of text/images

• To create a colored background, apply a translucent light color overlay • Custom flashing pattern can be programmed to create a more attractive/captivating sign

FLASHING TEXT

GIF OF STARBUCKS

Programmed E Ink Panel

Animated GIF

Printed Overlay

Production Sample

What type of animations are possible with E Ink?

Flashing Text: Overlapping Multiple messages that flash

• • •

1-3 messages can flash within the same area Position of multiple text/images is critical Minimize any overlapping of text/images

• No color overlay to create a colored background, raw E Ink panel exposed • Custom flashing pattern can be programmed to create a more attractive/captivating sign

FLASHING TEXT Overlapping Text

Programmed E Ink Panel

Animated GIF

Printed Overlay

Production Sample

What type of animations are possible with E Ink?

Flashing Image: Bring to life a static image with flashing patterns.

• Program panel to flash behind a static image • The intended static lighted image is translucent in the printed layer so the E Ink technology can show through • In the light state the static image is illuminated • In the dark state the static image is darkened • Combined flashing text with static flashing images • Must use a light colored background • Custom flashing pattern can be programmed to create a more attractive/captivating sign

FLASHING IMAGES & REVEAL TEXT

Animated GIF

Programmed E Ink Panel

Printed Overlay

Production Sample

What type of animations are possible with E Ink?

• Program panel to flash behind a static image or static text • The intended static lighted image is translucent in the printed layer so the E Ink technology can show through Flashing Image: Bring to life a static image with flashing patterns.

• In the light state the static image is illuminated • In the dark state the static image is darken • Custom flashing pattern can be programmed to create a more attractive/captivating sign

FLASHING IMAGES & BACK LIT TEXT

Animated GIF

Programmed E Ink Panel

Printed Overlay

Production Sample

Flashing Image: Segment the lighting effect to simulate motion behind a static image

What type of animations are possible with E Ink?

•

Create motion within a static printed image

• Segment the lighted areas in the panel to create motion • Custom flashing pattern can be programmed to create a more attractive/captivating sign

FLASHING IMAGES SIMULATING MOTION

Programmed E Ink Panel

Animated GIF

Printed Overlay

Production Sample

What design guidelines should I follow when creating E Ink animations?

• Minimum thickness of text/images = 0.5mm • Minimum space between images or text = 0.5mm • Overall color tones • Contrasting color tones work best • For backlighting images, static background color should be dark in tone. The image being back lit should be light in tone.

DESIGN GUIDELINES

What design guidelines should I follow when creating E Ink animations?

• Overlapping text – Overlapping text is possible. However, the positioning of the copy is critical and will require Americhip to review and approve if it is possible. If you have multiple messages you want to show in a small area, you want to minimize any overlapping. The more messages you have, the more challenging the placement will be. Below is an example of a project that had 6 messages that sat directly on top of each other. When all layers are turned on you can see all the overlapping segments. This design was not possible as is. Americhip worked with the client and provided alternative options.

DESIGN GUIDELINES

What design guidelines should I follow when creating E Ink animations?

The left column are examples of what is not possible. The right column shows two options of what is possible.

DESIGN GUIDELINES

Option 1: The number of messages were reduced to 3 messages. Each message flashed up one at a time.

Option 2: The message “NEW” was removed. The other messages were spaced out to minimize any overlapping. Each message flashed up on at a time.

Is E Ink the right technology for my project?

ü Key objective is to grab a person's attention at the POS with long term flashing effect. ü Low power consumption = long battery life = easy ongoing maintenance ü Key design elements to create the most impactful lighted sequence: ü Minimal overlapping images/text ü Highlights one or two large images.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND ABOUT E INK

What is the standard process to produce E Ink?

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Client to provide graphic assets with GIF or written description of desired animation

AMC to study and create a few options (GIFs) for client to select from

Client selects and approves animated GIF. If changes are needed AMC will provide revised GIF.

AMC produces prototype for client to review and approve for animation and effect.

Once prototype is approved, production can begin.

DEVELOPMENT PROCESS