PaperBack EPaper Display

PaperBack is a modular, internet connected OR VGA EPaper Display. It consists of a breakout board for a 39 pin ePaper display and an ESP32 in one mode. In the other, remove the ESP32 and attach a VGA Conversion board and use regular VGA input to drive the display!

PaperBack is an entry in the 2017 Hackaday Prize, you can see a more complete (and verbose!) writeup here.

Hardware Overview

Currently, PaperBack works both driven by an ESP32 Development Board, or directly via VGA with the attached second PCB.

Hardware Overview:

Espressif ESP32 Dev Board
ED060SC4 // LB060S01 // LB060S04 6" ePaper Display
800x600 Resolution
16 Color (Greyscale) Support / 4-Bit Grey

Software/Firmware Overview

Remember, choose one at a time! You can use the ESP32 breakout board with the ESP32 dev board, or remove the dev board and attach the VGA converter.

VGA Driven

Unplug any ESP32 from the socket and attach both boards, then attach power (see below). When the board detects a signal it will start to refresh.

All firmware is in the /firmware_VGA/FPGA and /firmware_VGA/Microcontroller directories.

The user switches change color depth (read: shades of gray. 2 color is black & white.) and refresh speed: Switch 3 (Furthest from Microcontroller) Switch 2 Switch 1 (Closest to Microcontroller)

On On On - 16 color, ~10 seconds between frames
On On Off - 16 color, ~5 seconds between frames
On Off On - 4 color, ~10 seconds between frames
On Off Off - 4 color, ~5 seconds between frames
Off On On - 4 color, ~1 frame per second
Off On Off - 2 color, ~10 seconds between frames
Off Off On - 2 color, ~5 seconds between frames
Off Off Off - 2 color, ~1 frame per second

ESP32 Dev Board Driven

Remove the second PCB if attached, then add the ESP32. There are easy ways to add power (there are pins exposed too, but these are easiest). Unless using Lithium and the DC adapter, only use one at a time!

The board supports a single cell lithium ion battery with JST connector, and can charge it through the DC adapter hookup. Polarity is marker.
The board can take a 2.1mm jack DC adapter, center positive. Aim for between 4.8 and 7 volts (don't create too much heat with something more).
Disconnect all other supplies if you do this, but you can power it over USB from the ESP32. Connect the jumper labeled 'JP2' for this option.

Demos:

The Python utility convert.py in /software/image_converter automatically converts images which are compatible with Paperback's basic image demo. The image demo is in /firmware_ESP32/Paperback_Greyscale_Static_Image.

Licensing and Other