Electronic paper for shelf labels in Japanese stores

[Alexander Turcic]

Bridgestone Corp., the Japanese tyre giant, is surprisingly also into the electronic paper business. It has developed a bistable display called the "Quick Response Liquid Powder Display" which features quick response times similar to LCD displays (in contrast, Sony Librie owners will most likely tell you how slow their screen refreshes with current E-Ink technology). In Japan, retail store owners can now use this technology to power electronic price tags as part of a new billing system (called ESL).

The electronic display contains Bridgestone's Electro Liquid Powder, a 0.12mm thick substrate, which aims to generate greater brightness, faster responses, and a broader range of viewing angles than comparable LCDs.

Another company currently prototyping electronic paper and using it as shelf labels is US-based SiPix Imaging, the developer of Microcup Electrophoretic Displays (EPD). EPDs are non-emissive display devices based on charged particles in a colored fluid. Since being introduced in 1969, EPDs have received attention due to their bi-stability, low power consumption, and wide viewing angle.

Like E-Ink, Philips and others, SiPix is aiming to become a world leader in the e-paper display industry in the coming years.

Thanks to Jason for the tip!