Arduino library for all-in-one e-paper display Inkplate 6 can be found in this repo. Inkplate 6 is a powerful, Wi-Fi enabled ESP32 based six-inch e-paper display – recycled from a Kindle e-reader. Its main feature is simplicity. Just plug in a USB cable, open Arduino IDE, and change the contents of the screen with few lines of code. Learn more about Inkplate 6 on [Crowd Supply](https://www.crowdsupply.com/e-radionica/inkplate-6).
In order to get a head start with Inkplate 6, follow these steps:
1. [Install Inkplate 6 board definition](https://e-radionica.com/en/blog/add-inkplate-6-to-arduino-ide/) - add Inkplate 6 as a board into your Arduino IDE. Follow the instructions on the [link](https://e-radionica.com/en/blog/add-inkplate-6-to-arduino-ide/).
2. Install CH340 drivers (if you don't have them yet) - instructions [here](https://e-radionica.com/en/blog/ch340-driver-installation-croduino-basic3-nova2/)
3. Install Inkplate 6 Arduino library - install the library from this repo into your Arduino IDE. If you don't know how, check our [tutorial](https://e-radionica.com/en/blog/arduino-library/#Kako%20instaliraty%20library?).
Optional: if you are planning to use the SD card funcionality, install [custom SdFat library](https://github.com/e-radionicacom/Inkplate-6-SDFat-Arduino-Library) into your Arduino IDE.
As promised in an [early update](https://www.crowdsupply.com/e-radionica/inkplate-6/updates/successfully-funded-also-third-party-master-controllers-and-partial-updates), Inkplate 6's screen contents can be updated using 3rd controller (such as Raspberry Pi or another microcontroller). The "Slave Mode" (unpopular name right now, we are aware and will change) enables this. All brand new Inkplates come pre-programmed with slave mode and can be used right away.
It is based on UART (serial) communication - connect the Inkplate to "master" board either via USB cable or directly via ESP32 RX and TX pins. Using standard UART at 115200 baud, you can send commands to change screen contents. For example, send *#H(000,000,"/img.bmp")** to show image img.bmp from SD card on the screen. Find very basic documentation for using it [here](https://github.com/e-radionicacom/Inkplate-6-Arduino-library/blob/master/examples/4.%20Others/1-Inkplate_Slave_Mode/Inkplate_slave_mode_documentation.txt).
Inkplate 6 has two options for powering it. First one is obvious - USB port at side of the board. Just plug any micro USB cable and you are good to go. Second option is battery. Supported batteries are standard Li-Ion/Li-Poly batteries with 3.7V nominal voltage. Connector for the battery is standard 2.00mm pitch JST connector. The onboard charger will charge the battery with 500mA when USB is plugged at the same time. You can use battery of any size or capacity if you don't have a enclosure. If you are using our enclosure, battery size shouldn't exceed 90mm x 50mm (3.5 x 1.95 inch) and 5.5mm (0.2 inch) in height.
### Micropython
If you are looking for micropython support, it is still work in progress - we are new with it! :) When it's ready, we will let you know with new project update.
This repo uses the source code from Adafruit libraries: [MCP23018](https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-MCP23017-Arduino-Library), [Adafruit GFX](https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-GFX-Library).
Inkplate 6 is open-source. If you are looking for hardware design of the board, check the [Hardware repo](https://github.com/e-radionicacom/Inkplate-6-hardware). You will find 3D printable [enclosure](https://github.com/e-radionicacom/Inkplate-6-hardware/tree/master/3D%20printable%20case) there, as well as [detailed dimensions](https://github.com/e-radionicacom/Inkplate-6-hardware/tree/master/Technical%20drawings). In this repo you will find code for driving the ED060SC7 e-paper display used by Inkplate.
For all questions and issues, please contact us via [temporary e-mail address](mailto:inkplate@e-radionica.com). As soon as forum has been set up, e-mail support will be discontinued.
