Inkace iPhone: HD Full-color EPD phonecase for Apple iPhone
in 2017, Chivotech debuted the world’s first NFC passive e-paper phone case, designed for the Moto Z phone. As the pioneer of passive e-paper phone cases, Chivotech’s passive NFC technology boasts industry-leading advancements and maturity. In terms of the core energy harvesting capability, Chivotech’s solution scored more than five times ahead of the industry average.
Key Product Features
- Supports various 3″-4″ e-paper screens;
- Supports various multi-color e-paper screens (Acep n-color Spectra);
- The only lossless display solution on the market, 1:1 image display, 1:1 pixel mapping;
- Passive NFC driving, stable performance, guaranteeing ~100% screen refresh success rate;
- One-stop PCBA + antenna + screen solution, no technical risks;
- Exclusive hybrid Apple communication technology breaks through the NFC time limit of iOS system;
- Each PCBA is independently calibrated before leaving the factory to ensure consistent performance across batches;
- Integrated LED indicator function;
- SDK available to clients, supporting customized apps;
- Leading product quality, continuously supplying large state-owned enterprises in bulk;
Supports High-resolution, Multi-color Screens
The HD version, with its higher output power compared to the standard version, supports high-dpi and multi-color screens, significantly improving display quality.
The image above shows a comparison of the same image displayed on a 3-color screen (left), a high-definition 4-color screen (middle), and a high-definition 6-color screen(right). High-definition multi-color screens, with their denser and higher amount of pixels, render smooth, photo-realistic images.
Due to the inherent limitations of e-paper screens, such as color reproducing error, low saturation, and inconsistent brightness, achieving accurate color reproduction on multi-color screens is very difficult. Based on its years of research in e-paper imaging algorithms, Chivotech has developed a precise image rendering algorithm for multi-color e-paper, enabling high-precision color reproduction.
Lossless Image Transmission/Screen Driver
Chivotech’s TurboNFC technology boasts powerful energy harvesting and stable data transmission, supporting lossless transmission and display of complex images. Currently, only Chivotech’s passive display solution can achieve lossless high-definition display. The image below is a screen refresh test image, with each square representing one pixel.
The following is a comparison of the display effects of different Apple phone cases:
f the three solutions, only the TurboNFC solution (far right) faithfuly reproduced the original image. The remaining two solutions, due to insufficient power and low transmission stability, could only operate by using lossy compression to reduce data volume which loses image details.
NFC Transmission Time Restriction on iOS
Apple’s iOS currently has a 20-second NFC activation time limit. However, many e-paper screens have a normal refresh time of over 20 seconds. Competitors are currently using a forced high-temperature refresh waveform to compress the refresh time, allowing transmission and refresh to be completed within 20 seconds. However, this method sacrifices display quality, especially when the temperature is below 15 degrees Celsius.
Chivotech’s TurboNFC technology supports direct manipulation of the NFC physical layer, bypassing Apple’s 20-second time limit through physical layer information encoding. Using a solution with the TN21 chip, it supports NFC transmissions of any duration.
The Pinnacle of NFC Energy Harvesting
Chivotech’s TurboNFC technology represents the industrial pinnacle for NFC energy harvesting technology worldwide, with an average output power more than 5 times higher than competitors. Chivotech’s solution supports various screens suitable for phone cases, including 3-color, 4-color, 6-color, and 7-color screens, as well as standard and high-definition screens of various resolutions. It requires no complex workarounds, is simple, direct, stable, and efficient.
Another advantage of high power is that complex images can be rendered losslessly. The power consumption of e-paper is not constant; the more complex the image, the higher the power consumption, with a difference of up to 10 times between the highest and lowest. Chivotech’s solution can achieve lossless 1:1 display. Competitors, due to power limitations, can only reduce image complexity and power consumption through methods such as skin smoothing, and even then, normal screen refresh cannot be guaranteed in extreme cases.
Automatic NFC Function Switch
Chivotech’s proprietary NFC interference-free technology enables NFC functionality only when the screen refreshes. This avoids interfering with the phone’s normal NFC functions, such as access control and public transportation payments, and also prevents the long-term impact of using NFC-enabled phone cases on the phone’s battery. Chivotech guarantees zero impact on battery life and zero impact on NFC functionality when using its solution.
Competitors’ NFC functions cannot be turned off, maintaining high-power operation (i.e., continuous NFC communication). This renders the phone’s NFC function unusable, causes rapid battery drain, and results in continuous overheating.
Comprehensive SDK and Development Support
Chivotech provides a well-maintained SDK for customers to develop their own apps. The SDK encapsulates all NFC transmission control implementations and provides interfaces for secondary development and customization. Customers only need to implement UI and image pre-processing and stylization. Customers can also choose to use Chivotech’s complete app without any customer-side development.
For phone cases, Chivotech offers standard Inkace products, customized Inkace products, or design consultant services. Chivotech ensures that every customer will achieve optimal product performance.
Firm Quality Control
Chivotech’s TN21 chip incorporates complex calibration functions. Combined with automated testing equipment, each product is individually calibrated, providing industry-leading product consistency. Chivotech’s factory has adopted Apple’s quality control management system to ensure reliable product quality.
Currently Mass-Produced Models
- iPhone 13/14/15/16/17 (4-color/4-color HD/6-color HD);
- iPhone 14/15/16 Pro（4-color HD/6-color HD);
- iPhone 14/15/16 Promax（4-color HD/6-color HD);
- iPhone 17 Pro/Promax（4-color HD/6-color HD);
Services and Products Offered Now
- Fully assembled phone cases for specified phone models, providing frontpanel and TPU bezel customization services;
- Standard PCBA boards + screens, with technical support;
- Customized PCBA boards + screens, with customizable shapes and functions;
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