e-Ink (e-Paper) Display Module
e-Ink, also known as e-Paper (or electronic paper) display, is one of the most fascinating display modules I've come across. You write text or images to the display using a microcontroller, then unplug it-and the display continues to show whatever you sent without needing a power source. Seriously, no wires, no batteries, nothing! Yes, you heard that right. It feels like a magic.
Where is the e-Ink displays Used?
You may have seen an e-ink display before without even realizing it. Start looking-you might spot them everywhere around you!
e-Ink is most famously used in e-readers like the Amazon Kindle, where its paper-like display offers a comfortable reading experience and extended battery life. In retail stores, paper tags are being replaced by e-Ink displays, making updates much more efficient. You'll also find e-Ink in bus stop schedules, airport signs, room signs, smart home devices, indoor digital signs, menu boards, and patient door and care signs.
Meet the hardware
There are many variants available that differ in display size and supported colors. Some displays are black and white, while others offer tri-color or multi-color options.
We will use a Waveshare 1.54-inch e-Ink display module that uses an SPI interface. The display has a resolution of 200 x 200 and shows images in black and white.
For this project, we recommend purchasing the 1.54-inch black and white display module (v2.1). This version is the most affordable, making it accessible to everyone, and it also boasts a faster refresh rate compared to color variants. Following along will be easier if you use the exact variant.
That said, you're welcome to choose any size or color display if preferred-the core concepts will remain similar.