How are e-ink screens adjusted? Is there a potentiometer?

Sunspark · 12-07-2009, 12:12 AM

I am wondering how the factory "adjusts" their screens prior to shipping.. is there a potentiometer on the back that you adjust with a very fine screwdriver affecting the charge and hence the contrast?

On a disassembled unit that is.

pauli · 12-07-2009, 03:29 AM

Sony uses a potentiometer on their mainboard to adjust the Vcom (common voltage) setting. This is an additional voltage that must be applied to the display to compensate for a residual charge on the glass caused by addressing the display. The value for this is determined in the display factory and printed on it. During assembly they must adjust this setting manually.

However, adjusting the setting of the potentiometer yourself will only result in worse screen performance. You might be able to make black more black, but then your white will become darker.

The visual performance of the display is mainly determined by the quality of the E-ink material.

Spectrum · 12-07-2009, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauli

Sony uses a potentiometer on their mainboard to adjust the Vcom (common voltage) setting. This is an additional voltage that must be applied to the display to compensate for a residual charge on the glass caused by addressing the display. The value for this is determined in the display factory and printed on it. During assembly they must adjust this setting manually.

However, adjusting the setting of the potentiometer yourself will only result in worse screen performance. You might be able to make black more black, but then your white will become darker.

The visual performance of the display is mainly determined by the quality of the E-ink material.

Very informative! Thanks.

IS the E-ink display getting any better over the time?

pauli · 12-07-2009, 07:57 AM

E-ink is working an making the material faster. Vizplex is faster than the first generation materials.
Optical performance has also increased, but progress is slow.

New players like AUO/Sipix may give an extra impulse to new developments.

And of course we all want to have colour... but that's years away, especially for a device at a reasonable price level. E-ink is working on that too.

taglines · 12-07-2009, 07:58 AM

PVI, Prime View International, in Taiwan, is very close to owning the E-Ink technology very soon, I think the contract will be signed this month between CEO Scott Liu in Taiwan and the E-Ink people in Boston. One thing I found in researching PVI is that it is part of an old Taiwan paper company called The Yuen Fong Yu Group, that started ops in 1935 during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan island (1895-1945). The founders were Taiwanese and the owners still are. Yuen Fong Yu means "Forever Wealth Remnants" in a loose translation of the three Mandarin words, and the company name might mean something like "Remnants of Infinite Prosperity." E-Ink will be in good hands in Taiwan, and PVI looks poised to hit the bigtime globally, since 90 percent of all e-readers use the E-Ink technology.

The parent company used to make toilet paper, and still does I believe. If you google the parent name "Yuen Fong Yu Group" you can see their website in English and Chinese.

m-reader · 12-07-2009, 08:03 AM

Interesting stuff, thanks guys!

12-07-2009, 12:12 AM	#1
Sunspark Zealot Posts: 122 Karma: 2600 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: EZ Reader Pocket PRO	How are e-ink screens adjusted? Is there a potentiometer? I am wondering how the factory "adjusts" their screens prior to shipping.. is there a potentiometer on the back that you adjust with a very fine screwdriver affecting the charge and hence the contrast? On a disassembled unit that is.

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12-07-2009, 03:29 AM	#2
pauli Groupie Posts: 185 Karma: 119824 Join Date: Feb 2008 Device: iLiad, DR1000S, HTC Hero, DR800SG	Sony uses a potentiometer on their mainboard to adjust the Vcom (common voltage) setting. This is an additional voltage that must be applied to the display to compensate for a residual charge on the glass caused by addressing the display. The value for this is determined in the display factory and printed on it. During assembly they must adjust this setting manually. However, adjusting the setting of the potentiometer yourself will only result in worse screen performance. You might be able to make black more black, but then your white will become darker. The visual performance of the display is mainly determined by the quality of the E-ink material.

12-07-2009, 07:57 AM	#4
pauli Groupie Posts: 185 Karma: 119824 Join Date: Feb 2008 Device: iLiad, DR1000S, HTC Hero, DR800SG	E-ink is working an making the material faster. Vizplex is faster than the first generation materials. Optical performance has also increased, but progress is slow. New players like AUO/Sipix may give an extra impulse to new developments. And of course we all want to have colour... but that's years away, especially for a device at a reasonable price level. E-ink is working on that too.

12-07-2009, 07:58 AM	#5
taglines Banned Posts: 96 Karma: 334 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: nook	PVI, Prime View International, in Taiwan, is very close to owning the E-Ink technology very soon, I think the contract will be signed this month between CEO Scott Liu in Taiwan and the E-Ink people in Boston. One thing I found in researching PVI is that it is part of an old Taiwan paper company called The Yuen Fong Yu Group, that started ops in 1935 during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan island (1895-1945). The founders were Taiwanese and the owners still are. Yuen Fong Yu means "Forever Wealth Remnants" in a loose translation of the three Mandarin words, and the company name might mean something like "Remnants of Infinite Prosperity." E-Ink will be in good hands in Taiwan, and PVI looks poised to hit the bigtime globally, since 90 percent of all e-readers use the E-Ink technology. The parent company used to make toilet paper, and still does I believe. If you google the parent name "Yuen Fong Yu Group" you can see their website in English and Chinese.

12-07-2009, 08:03 AM	#6
m-reader Guru Posts: 785 Karma: 100000 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS-300. PRS-650, PRS-900, iPad2, Iconia A500, Irex Iliad (sold)	Interesting stuff, thanks guys!

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