IoT SIG - 2019-05-26

MattJ, have you any more information about the e-ink picture frame? This sounds interesting!

debacle: I'll probably do some write-up when it is properly finished, but it's a waveshare eink module connected to an ESP8266

The ESP8266 isn't capable enough to render text how I wanted (nice fonts, word wrapping, etc.)

So I have a server component that generates the image from a random quote selected from a text file/API and streams it pixel-by-pixel with RLE

The ESP connects to the server over WiFi, and streams the data to the display module, refreshes it and then goes to deep sleep for hours, then repeats

Open items are: it currently runs off the microUSB, but I want to port it to battery power and hang it on the wall

And I want to be able to manage the quotes on the server more easily, e.g. adding new ones via an XMPP bot, or forcing certain messages on certain days (birthdays/etc.)

MattJ, doing the rendering on a different, powerful machine makes a lot of sense, e.g. one can grab images from the net and do dithering etc.

looking forward to see your write-up! (will it be on https://hackaday.io/?)

Maybe!

MattJ, what size has your e-ink display (both in pixels and mm, more or less)? and how deep does it cut into my financial flesh?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VV5IMN0/ref=pe_1909131_77697001_tnp_email_TE_AMZLdp_1

I got this one, though it may not be the best option these days, it fitted my requirements and budget a couple of years back ✏

For the frame I used a deep one I found at a local craft supplies place, but to be honest it's a tight fit

MattJ, looks fine to me, both size and prize

MattJ, we have a project at our universtity which is about e-ink frames for room plans. We even have potential founding and a fablab to produce a small batch, but AFAIK there is still some work to get the transition from the prototype to a small batch unit

I'm glad e-ink finally seems to be getting somewhere

Displays are more readily available, and they are improving resolution and response times, and even some basic colour now