Crowdfunding Project——Inkplate 4 TEMPERA

Inkplate 4 TEMPERA is an integrated e-paper device with a size of 3.8 inches and a resolution of 600x600 pixels. While compact and portable, it also features the following functions: front lighting, numerous sensors, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, built-in battery, and low-power operating modes.

E-paper technology can provide high contrast, daylight readability, and unparalleled energy efficiency. Additionally, the ED038TH2 E Ink display used in Inkplate 4 TEMPERA is sourced from the second-hand market, aiming to give old devices new life, which aligns with the sustainability principles advocated by the design team.

Limited Availability

Due to the discontinuation of the batch of electronic paper displays used in Inkplate 4 TEMPERA and their limited quantity, the production plan only includes 370 units with glass panels and 300 units without glass panels. There are currently no plans to resume production after this run.

There are two models of Inkplate 4 TEMPERA: one with a glass panel and one with a plastic cover.

Diversity of functions

Inkplate 4 TEMPERA is powered by an ESP32 microcontroller and includes all peripheral devices considered by the design team. Inside the casing, there is a 1200mAh battery and power management circuitry, allowing users to charge the device and accurately determine its remaining battery level. The real-time clock (RTC) in Inkplate 4 TEMPERA enables precise time measurement, and its microSD card slot allows users to store and display images and other applications. Additionally, it is equipped with various sensors such as a gyroscope, accelerometer, temperature, humidity, air quality, and gesture sensors. Furthermore, Inkplate 4 TEMPERA also features a built-in, frequency-adjustable buzzer, and various GPIO pins, which can support peripheral connectivity via GPIO extenders or the easyC ecosystem.

Simplicity

Simply connect Inkplate 4 TEMPERA to your computer using the provided USB cable to start using it. On the software side, TEMPERA supports Arduino and MicroPython out of the box, with community support for ESPHome. The corresponding Arduino library particularly includes numerous examples and project ideas, allowing users to change the content displayed on the screen with just a few lines of code. Finally, the Peripheral Mode allows users to modify the screen content by sending commands via UART. The Peripheral Mode firmware will be loaded onto all Inkplate devices before shipment.

Features & Specifications

Screen

• 3-bit grayscale: displays black, white, and six shades of gray. (A 1-bit, black-and-white mode is also available.)
• Resolution: 600 x 600 pixels
• Partial-refresh time: 0.18 seconds in 1-bit mode, meaning you don't have to reset the entire screen to add content
• Full-refresh time: 0.86-seconds in 1-bit and 3-bit modes, including cleanup, making it one of the fastest e-paper screens of this size
• Multi-point touchscreen: for interactivity
• Customizable LED frontlighting: fully programmable for optimal visibility in dimly lit environments
• Eco-friendly design: with e-paper screens sourced from recycled products

Other Key Electronic Components

• ESP32 microcontroller with 8MB of flash and 4MB of RAM
• USB-UART CH340 converter
• PCAL6416 GPIO expander

Connectivity

• Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE connectivity
• Hassle-free setup through a USB Type-C port that serves both programming and power needs
• Onboard microSD card slot for additional storage
• Peripheral connectivity facilitated by easyC (qwiic / STEMMA QT) connectors

Sensors

• BME688 sensor for comprehensive environmental monitoring, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and air quality
• Side-mounted APDS-9960 gesture sensor for interactive controls
• Built-in LSM6DS3 gyroscope and accelerometer for motion sensing
• PCF85063A real-time clock (RTC) for precise timekeeping (backed up by an auxiliary battery)
• Supplementary "Wake Up" user button
• Precise, frequency-adjustable buzzer for audio alerts

Power

• Extremely low power consumption at 18 µA in low-power mode
• Special e-paper power supply based on TPS65186
• Onboard MCP73831 battery charger
• Onboard BQ27441DRZR to track battery status, SoC, and more
• Comes with a pre-installed, 1200-mAh, Li-ion battery, housed within the enclosure

Physical

• Compact form factor measures just 3.54 x 3.27 x 0.94 inches (90 x 83 x 24 mm)
• Available in two variants: with or without a glass panel

This project is now crowdfunding on CrowdSupply, check Inkplate 4 TEMPERA for more info, and welcome to support it if you are interested.