A step closer to making digital signage wireless: Digital View has introduced a 13,3 inch e-paper display, the first one on the market that uses Wi-Charge’s infrared technology.
Digital View, a silicon valley company, is launching the first full-color e-paper display that can be powered wirelessly via infrared. This technology, developed by the Israeli startup Wi-Charge, has been available for some years but has been only really used in a few LCD-based shelf-edge displays from Wi-Charge itself. The integration of infrared charging in e-paper displays opens up the possibilities for more wireless digital signage applications, such as room booking systems and various point-of-sale (POS) installations.
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E-paper displays show only static content and consume energy only when the image changes, so they can often run on battery power alone without needing a cable. With Wi-Charge technology, however, battery changes are no longer necessary. An infrared transmitter, located up to 10 meters away, continuously supplies power to the display.
Wi-Charge has been developing wireless displays for some time, with their own shelf-edge models available in 5 and 7-inch formats, and a 10-inch version reportedly in the works. According to Wi-Charge CEO Ori Mor, infrared power supply could technically also be applied to larger LCD displays. However, he believes it unlikely that wireless large-format displays (LFDs) will be economically viable in the near future.
E-paper displays are different: they consume so little energy that it is perfectly possible to operate several displays simultaneously with a single infrared transmitter. This also applies to larger formats. Digital View and Wi-Charge are initially starting with a 13.3-inch model, which is ideal for digital signage applications in the retail media sector, in offices, or in museums. Or wherever several smaller displays are required.
Wi-Charge has intended to work with hardware partners for some time, as noted in a report by invidis content partner Sixteen-Nine. Moving forward, Wi-Charge plans to focus exclusively on advancing its power supply technology.
The Digital View full-color e-paper display, like most on the market, uses E Ink’s Spectra-6 technology. The display’s electronics are developed by Digital View.
