Flex Lighting illuminates e-reader displays with built-in film (video)

[Penforhire]

There are plenty of places where I need a book light to read. I use a LED-on-a-stalk case now. This would, possibly, be a better solution (less glare, more even lighting). If you NEVER need a book light now then of course you don't "get" why this is a big deal.

I tried a plastic wedge-light over an E-ink reader years ago. The big issue was poor light uniformity, even more than the slight loss of contrast. So this could be a sweet lighting technique to me.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Kevin8or

I use an eReader for the same mix of reasons most do. Why do you use a eReader?

I think you missed my point... sorry.

My point was, an ereader is DIFFERENT from a book. It allows for different use cases. A page of a book can't inheriently lit so people use lamps, or book light, or some use the lightwedge.

So, providing an alternative way to light the "page" is welcomed... as long as it does not distract from the other use cases. For example, the PRS 700 lighted touch screen really impacted the clarity of the letters which is why it failed.

BOb

[Kevin8or]

Yes, I see now that built-in lighting could be convenient at times, if it can be done w/o decreasing clarity or increasing eye strain. I wasn't against it; I just didn't comprehend a need for it. I'm damned happy with my e-reader as it is. I'm sure that colors my thinking on the subject.

[rleguillow]

I would be all over that! For those commenting about having a chair and a reading lamp - yes but... I don't put my book down when I leave that comfy chair and good lighting. Down the dark hall - need to turn on light or light the stick on thingy. Onto the porch in the early morning with my cuppa - light the stick on thingy - that external battery operated insufficient light. Waiting for the movie to begin... ditto. Sitting in the car waiting for the doors to open... ditto. Unable to sleep and want to read a page or two - if I don't have the little reading light with me, then I even need to get out of bed to turn on a light, and again to turn it off again when I think I can sleep. Oh, yes, lots of reasons for light as part of the reader.
Yes, I could get one of the LCD readers - then I deal with eyestrain due to flicker.
An eink device with decent lighting? Yep - all over it.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Kevin8or

I don't understand the desire for an e-ink display to have its own lighting. E-ink has (roughly) the same light-reflecting properties as paper. Why would my lighting need to be any dfferent than it is for a paperback book?

(I mostly read on my bed, which has poor lighting, but a reading lamp remedies the problem.)

I bought a lamp from Ikea that clips onto the headboard. It means I can use that light to read when I am in bed.



http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10214208/

[toddos]

Originally Posted by rleguillow

Yes, I could get one of the LCD readers - then I deal with eyestrain due to flicker.

Nope. Modern LED-lit LCD screens don't flicker on static text. Old CCFL-lit LCD screens will flicker at the cycle rate of the light (60Hz, usually) and obviously images in motion will flicker (because that's how motion is generated), but non-moving text on an LED-lit LCD has. no. flicker.

[blue_skies]

I would love this and hope manufacturers find a way to implement it ASAP!

[ProDigit]

Originally Posted by toddos

Nope. Modern LED-lit LCD screens don't flicker on static text. Old CCFL-lit LCD screens will flicker at the cycle rate of the light (60Hz, usually) and obviously images in motion will flicker (because that's how motion is generated), but non-moving text on an LED-lit LCD has. no. flicker.

I think he means the flicker of backlight.
Though the newer screens have no flicker. The old LCD screens used mini versions of tube lights, the newer use LEDs, which operate at a 'constant' DC voltage.

===
JSWolf
A small led lamp like yours will also be nice, something that is powered by the mini USB port on the device might actually work on almost all readers.

However, if they created the e-ink device with UV reflective pigment, and added a blacklight, you'd probably have the best effect for reading at night!
Blacklight does not reflect well on dark colors, and the white background would stand out more!

I wonder if there's research been done in this field?

My Sony PRS-505's screen does not reflect UV/black light very well.

[rleguillow]

Originally Posted by toddos

Nope. Modern LED-lit LCD screens don't flicker on static text. Old CCFL-lit LCD screens will flicker at the cycle rate of the light (60Hz, usually) and obviously images in motion will flicker (because that's how motion is generated), but non-moving text on an LED-lit LCD has. no. flicker.

Perhaps that is so. I don't know. I just know that something makes my eyes very tired and burn after reading on an LED-lit LCD. I don't feel that with e-ink. I'll stick with e-ink. YMMV.

[Ekaros]

I think this one is interesting. I hope they allow mirroring of text like with old Palms at least on V it was possible to mirror black and white which worked rather nicely. Would be nice to see that option too with this kind of lighthing...

[humandroid]

If I can control the brightness level and it does not obscure the text I will love this.
If not, I will not like this too much.

[LesRS]

Originally Posted by Prepper

Put this on a Nook Simple Touch and it's instant upgrade for me and my wife.

Totally agree on this one!!!!!

[RainingLemur]

Originally Posted by humandroid

If I can control the brightness level and it does not obscure the text I will love this.
If not, I will not like this too much.

From what I've read, I don't think it'd obscure much.

I'm still looking forward to the possibility of seeing one of these in action.