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Have you ever noticed a little “surprise” on your e-paper display (EPD): even after switching to a new image, you can still faintly see traces of the previous one? This phenomenon is like the e-paper experiencing “motion sickness,” leaving behind “ghost images.” Don’t worry—Advantech is helping EPD panels regain their crisp clarity with an innovative automatic ghosting removal mechanism! Today, let’s take a look at this technological breakthrough and see how we protect the outstanding performance of every e-paper display.
A New Era for E-Paper: Color Displays, Endless Possibilities #
E-paper displays (EPD) were primarily black and white in the early days, but with technological advancements, there are now panels supporting red and even six-color e-ink (such as Spectra 6), enabling vibrant images on e-paper. This technology not only diversifies applications like electronic labels, signage, and smart retail, but also greatly enhances the visual experience.
However, while color e-paper is visually appealing, it introduces a new challenge: ghosting issues. When display content changes frequently, the e-ink particles sometimes have a “good memory,” leaving shadows of the previous image on the screen. If these ghost images cannot be eliminated, they can eventually become permanent “burn-in,” requiring factory repairs—definitely not something we want to see!
How Is Ghosting Produced? A Simple Science Explainer #
The display principle of EPD is quite fascinating—it relies on the movement of tiny e-ink particles to show different colors (like arranging colored magnets on a whiteboard). But if the same image is displayed for a long time, or if the refresh frequency is too low, these particles develop “inertia” and are reluctant to return to their original white state, resulting in what we call “ghosting.”
According to E-Ink’s official recommendations, to prevent ghosting:
- Interval between two images should be at least 150 seconds
- Refresh the image at least once a day
- Before switching to a new image, display an all-white image first, then the new image
In reality, however, it’s hard to expect users to perform such manual operations so diligently. That’s when the “automatic ghosting removal mechanism” comes into play!
Advantech’s Automatic Ghosting Removal Mechanism: Let Displays Maintain Themselves! #
Our engineering team, following E-Ink’s official guidelines, has designed an intelligent automatic ghosting removal mechanism that enables EPD displays to automatically monitor their own status 24/7, ensuring consistently crisp images and a longer lifespan!
The Logic Is Super Simple: #
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Record a timestamp every time an image is changed
The system automatically logs the time of every image refresh. -
What if no new image is displayed within 24 hours?
The system automatically triggers an “all-white refresh,” resetting all e-ink particles. After 10 seconds, it restores the original image—without affecting the user’s viewing experience! -
A new image within 24 hours?
Simple—the system updates the timestamp and resets the timer.
This way, it’s like giving your e-paper display an automatic maintenance assistant—worry-free and reliable!
Visual Workflow—Instant Understanding! #
Experimental Results: Visible Effectiveness of Automatic Ghosting Removal! #
In our experiments, when EPD panels experienced ghosting (as shown below), the automatic ghosting removal mechanism effectively eliminated ghost images and protected the panel from permanent “burn-in.” This not only aligns with E-Ink’s official recommendations but also significantly extends panel lifespan, saving customers from maintenance concerns.
Application Highlights: Automation, Peace of Mind, Stable Quality #
- Automatically Protect Panel Lifespan and Reduce Maintenance Risks
No extra actions required from users—the display maintains itself in optimal condition! - Consistently New-Looking Display Quality
Even during long-term operation, images remain clear and vibrant, ideal for high-quality scenarios like smart retail, electronic signage, and medical equipment. - Showcasing Advantech’s Technological Leadership and Innovation
We don’t just follow e-ink technology; we integrate our own R&D to proactively solve customer pain points, demonstrating continuous progress and strength!
Future Outlook: Intelligent Displays, Unstoppable Innovation #
E-paper applications are rapidly expanding—from smart cities to retail, healthcare, and transportation, the demand for high-quality displays is only increasing. Advantech will continue to optimize its automatic ghosting removal technology and explore more intelligent maintenance and automation management solutions, ensuring our products remain ahead in the global market and making us your most trusted partner!
Want to know more about our innovations in e-paper and intelligent displays? Stay tuned to Advantech’s blog for more exciting updates!