Electronic paper and e-paper are display
devices that mimic the appearance of ordinary ink on paper.[1] Unlike
conventional backlit flat
panel displays that emit light, electronic paper displays reflect light
like paper. This may make them more comfortable to read, and provide a wider
viewing angle than most light-emitting displays. The contrast ratio in
electronic displays available as of 2008 approaches newspaper, and newly (2008)
developed displays are slightly better.[2] An
ideal e-paper display can be read in direct sunlight without the image
appearing to fade.
Many
electronic paper technologies hold static text and images indefinitely without
electricity. Flexible electronic paper uses plastic substrates and plastic electronics for the display
backplane. There is ongoing competition among manufacturers to provide
full-color ability.
Applications
of electronic visual displays include
electronic pricing labels in retail shops and digital signage,[3] time
tables at bus stations, electronic billboards,[4] mobile phone displays,
and e-readers able
to display digital versions of books and magazines.