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Building a simple e-ink display from scratch

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Re: Building a simple e-ink display from scratch

#11
post #10

Does anyone know what device is used to change image on e-ink pricetags? I know that there are some wireless ones, but I imagine that wired should be cheaper and better for hacking. Those pricetags are pretty cheap. And on Ali Express they sell those 3 color ones. Maybe it would be possible to use them to make some fun keyboard?

There's some 2011 info here: https://hackaday.com/2011/04/07/hacking-electronic-price-tag... See also the 2014 presentation linked to in the comments.

Re: Building a simple e-ink display from scratch

#12
Recently, I tried to contact E-Ink, hoping to get information for an architectural use of some of their supposed products. I couldn't get any real information, conceptual pricing, development kit, summary of capabilities, or anything useful out of their sales staff. I repeatedly explained, I am a well capitalized entrepreneur wanting to incorporate some of their tech into my properties at scale, and that I have a development and construction team ready to work to design and integrate a product for various uses. I my mind, I should be a good potential tech development partner, ready to waste money on their tech. I couldn't get anything useful out of them. I am now convinced that outside of the very basic amazon kindle reader screen type displays, that the technology does not exist as promised or marketed.

Re: Building a simple e-ink display from scratch

#14

Recently, I tried to contact E-Ink, hoping to get information for an architectural use of some of their supposed products. I couldn't get any real information, conceptual pricing, development kit, summary of capabilities, or anything useful out of their sales staff. I repeatedly explained, I am a well capitalized entrepreneur wanting to incorporate some of their tech into my properties at scale, and that I have a dev…

It's been awhile, but I have seen some basic e-ink displays for sale on DigiKey.

That said, I agree that it's silly and frustrating that you couldn't get anything out of someone whose job is sales for the company.

EDIT: Nevermind, all they offer currently are segmented displays (think calculator LCD style displays). That's crap.

Re: Building a simple e-ink display from scratch

#15

Recently, I tried to contact E-Ink, hoping to get information for an architectural use of some of their supposed products. I couldn't get any real information, conceptual pricing, development kit, summary of capabilities, or anything useful out of their sales staff. I repeatedly explained, I am a well capitalized entrepreneur wanting to incorporate some of their tech into my properties at scale, and that I have a dev…

If black/white isn't a core requirement look into BluBoard (bluboard.io). They are a Cleveland-based hardware startup that specializes in 18" epaper displays and related content management systems.

Sources:

[1] CES News Story - https://bluboard.io/news/bluboard-at-ces-2017-with-fellow-cw...

[2] BluBoard Chooses Multitech - http://www.multitech.com/news-and-events/press-releases/lork...

[3] Local News Segment - http://www.cleveland19.com/story/34321031/cleveland-start-up...

Disclaimer: I am the Director of Architecture at BluBoard

Re: Building a simple e-ink display from scratch

#16
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Very interesting, indeed. I thought that patent issues were a roadblock. Kudos to Trekstor to stand up for a fight, and thanks for the link. On the other hand, taken from the article: "overall quality of the screen wasn’t quite as good as E Ink, but it wasn’t very far off either".

> Kudos to Trekstor to stand up for a fight, and thanks for the link. I fear you may have misinterpreted that result. Trekstor doesn't make panels. They buy panels from OED Tech based in Shenzhen. OED Tech is actually a company started by former E Ink engineers who left Boston and moved to China. They were sued by E Ink because those guys just stole the chemical formulas and production processes. OED Tech even approa…

Competition is good but I kind of prefer genuine competition.

Except in the industries and product areas where IP is being used for land-grabs, rent-collection, little-to-none innovation and roadblocking any and all competition. In those cases (as E-Ink), I am glad there are still places in this world where people can continue to push the envelope and innovate to create better products for our species. IP be damned.

Re: Building a simple e-ink display from scratch

#17

Recently, I tried to contact E-Ink, hoping to get information for an architectural use of some of their supposed products. I couldn't get any real information, conceptual pricing, development kit, summary of capabilities, or anything useful out of their sales staff. I repeatedly explained, I am a well capitalized entrepreneur wanting to incorporate some of their tech into my properties at scale, and that I have a dev…

reMarkable[0] was mentioned here a few days ago. Do you think they are vaporware?

[0] https://getremarkable.com/

Re: Building a simple e-ink display from scratch

#19

Recently, I tried to contact E-Ink, hoping to get information for an architectural use of some of their supposed products. I couldn't get any real information, conceptual pricing, development kit, summary of capabilities, or anything useful out of their sales staff. I repeatedly explained, I am a well capitalized entrepreneur wanting to incorporate some of their tech into my properties at scale, and that I have a dev…

It's not e-ink but we have a pretty cool (imho) "alternative" display that might be worth a look for one of your projects: https://breakfastny.com/flip-disc/

Re: Building a simple e-ink display from scratch

#20

Recently, I tried to contact E-Ink, hoping to get information for an architectural use of some of their supposed products. I couldn't get any real information, conceptual pricing, development kit, summary of capabilities, or anything useful out of their sales staff. I repeatedly explained, I am a well capitalized entrepreneur wanting to incorporate some of their tech into my properties at scale, and that I have a dev…

It's been awhile, but I have seen some basic e-ink displays for sale on DigiKey. That said, I agree that it's silly and frustrating that you couldn't get anything out of someone whose job is sales for the company. EDIT: Nevermind, all they offer currently are segmented displays (think calculator LCD style displays). That's crap.

I've had good experiences with a 10" eInk dev kit from Pervasive Displays, purchased from DigiKey. Looks like it's out of stock right now, but they've got a 7.4" and a 4.4" form factor in stock:

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/pervasive-displays... https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/pervasive-displays... https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/pervasive-displays...

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