Add experimental e-ink display section to hardware docs

Documents e-ink options for testing:
- Modos Paper (75Hz, open-source FPGA) - ships Jan 2026
- DASUNG Paperlike 253 (33Hz, frontlight)
- Waveshare development boards
- Industrial/outdoor options (SEEKINK, Geniatech)

Includes honest assessment of trade-offs and recommended
use cases (outdoor, solar-powered, idle signage).

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
This commit is contained in:
Patrick Mulligan 2026-01-22 15:12:15 -05:00
commit e55f11ab3a

View file

@ -281,6 +281,91 @@ github.com/fujitsu-atm/f53-python
- VESA mount compatible
- USB touch, HDMI video
### Experimental: E-Ink Displays
> [!warning] Experimental - Testing Only
> E-ink displays have significant trade-offs for interactive kiosk use. Document for evaluation purposes.
**Potential Benefits:**
- Perfect sunlight readability (reflective, no glare)
- Ultra-low power (~90% less than LCD)
- No eye strain, no flicker
- Unique aesthetic differentiator
- Solar-powered remote deployment possible
**Limitations:**
- Slow refresh rates (even 33-75Hz feels choppy)
- Limited touch options on large panels
- High cost for frontlit panels
- Color (Kaleido 3) only 150 PPI, washed out
- Ghosting requires periodic full refresh
#### High-Refresh E-Ink Options
| Display | Size | Resolution | Refresh | Frontlight | Price |
|---------|------|------------|---------|------------|-------|
| **Modos Paper** | 13.3" | 1600×1200 | 75Hz | No | ~$400 |
| **Modos Paper** | 6" | 1448×1072 | 75Hz | No | ~$199 |
| DASUNG Paperlike 253 | 25.3" | 3200×1800 | 33Hz | Yes | ~$2,250 |
| DASUNG Paperlike Color | 25.3" | Kaleido 3 | ~15Hz | Yes | ~$3,000+ |
#### Open Source: Modos Paper Monitor
> [!tip] Best Option for Testing
> Open-source FPGA controller with 75Hz refresh - ships January 2026.
- **Repository:** github.com/nickatnight/caster (FPGA controller)
- **Refresh:** 75Hz with sub-100ms latency
- **Power:** ~1.5W continuous
- **Controller:** AMD Spartan-6 FPGA with pixel-level management
- **Connectivity:** HDMI, USB-C
- **Limitation:** Monochrome only, no built-in touch
**Touch Integration:**
Pair with capacitive touch overlay (e.g., ILITEK controller) for touch input.
#### Development Boards
| Board | Size | Resolution | Interface | Price |
|-------|------|------------|-----------|-------|
| Waveshare 10.3" HAT | 10.3" | 1872×1404 | SPI/USB | ~$200 |
| Waveshare 7.8" HAT | 7.8" | 1872×1404 | SPI | ~$120 |
| GooDisplay GDEY042T81 | 4.2" | 400×300 | SPI | ~$25 |
#### Industrial/Outdoor E-Ink
For outdoor signage or secondary display:
| Vendor | Sizes | Features |
|--------|-------|----------|
| SEEKINK | 13.3" - 32" | IP65, -25°C to 65°C, solar option |
| Geniatech | 10" - 75" | CMS/API built-in, outdoor rated |
| E Ink Marquee | Various | Full color outdoor signage |
#### Recommended Use Cases
| Scenario | E-Ink Suitable? | Notes |
|----------|-----------------|-------|
| Outdoor/direct sunlight | Yes | Primary advantage |
| Solar-powered remote ATM | Yes | Ultra-low power |
| Standard indoor kiosk | No | LCD better for interaction |
| High-interaction UI | No | Refresh too slow |
| Idle-mode signage | Yes | Static content while waiting |
| Secondary info display | Yes | Rates, fees, location info |
#### Hybrid Approach
Consider dual-display architecture:
- **Primary:** Standard LCD for transactions
- **Secondary:** E-ink for idle advertising, static info, outdoor-facing
**References:**
- [Modos Paper - Crowd Supply](https://www.crowdsupply.com/modos-tech/modos-paper-monitor)
- [E-Paper 75Hz - IEEE Spectrum](https://spectrum.ieee.org/e-paper-display-modos)
- [DASUNG Paperlike 253](https://shop.dasung.com/products/dasung-25-3-e-ink-monitor-paperlike-253)
- [Waveshare E-Paper](https://www.waveshare.com/product/raspberry-pi/displays/e-paper.htm)
- [SEEKINK Outdoor](https://www.seekink.com/outdoor-e-ink-display/)
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## Thermal Printers