Getting Started:

Segment E-Paper Display Kit Guide

We always try to make it easy to learn more about our displays and their benefits. Please watch the video below for step-by-step instructions, and do not hesitate to contact support@ynvisible.com if there are any questions.

Please note: If you purchased displays before February 28th 2022, please follow this guide instead.

Detailed Driver Instructions

Table of contents

Introduction

We’re really happy that you’re interested in our ultra-low-power, thin, and flexible e-paper displays. The kits have been developed for testing and rapid prototyping purposes. This guide contains all instructions needed to get started and to learn more about our Segment Displays.

The standard Segment Display Kit contains the following items:

1. Ynvisible Segment Displays
‍Segmented e-paper displays with different layouts, shapes, and symbols, suitable for testing and evaluation.

  • 3 single-digit display
  • 1 double-digit display
  • 5 single-segment/icon displays
  • 4 progress bars (7-segment and 3-segment)
Ynvisible Segment Display Kit display sheet

2. Manual Display Clicker
Manual display controller for ON/OFF operations

3. Display Driver and Software Library
‍Dedicated display driver with I2C communication interface. Compatible with Arduino and other easy-to-use development boards.

‍4. Flexible Display Adapter
‍For convenient connection of the flexible displays on a plastic substrate to rigid electronics (such as development boards), using a FFC/FPC connector.

Ynvisible Segment Display Kit complementary electronic components

Where to start?

We recommend to start with the Clicker to get a feeling for how the displays behave when a positive, negative, or no voltage is applied. You can also activate the display and disconnect it from the Clicker to observe the image memory effect.

An optional starting point is to read about the fundamentals of electrochromic e-paper displays to understand what an electrochromic display is and how it works.

1. Clicker

No matter your level of expertise you will be able to use this device.

Ynvisible Display Kit - Clicker

‍Step 1: Insert the display in the ZIF Connector

  1. Open the locking bar (use your finger nail to open it 90 degrees)
  2. Insert the display connector tail into the ZIF connector.
  3. Close the locking bar

Step 2: Drive the display

  1. Press the button on the right to turn the display on (hold for ≈1 second)
  2. Press the button on the left to turn the display off (hold for ≈1 second)

‍

Caution: Stop applying a voltage when no more color change can be observed. Excessive activation or deactivation may cause damage to the displays.

2. Driver

The display driver is simple and intuitive tool to operate the display. By connecting it to a development board such as an Arduino you can implement it directly into your prototype. With our software library you will be up and running in no time.

Ynvisible Display Kit - Driver

Required Hardware

  1. Ynvisible 2x7-segment display (or another design if you prefer)
  2. Ynvisible Display Driver
  3. Arduino Uno (or other Arduino with I2C interface)
  4. Four jumper wires (male-female)

Required Software

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Connecting the components

  1. Connect the Arduino to the driver board with the jumper wires.
  2. SDA to A4 (On Uno) or SDA pin
  3. SCL to A5 (On Uno) or SCL pin
  4. VCC to 3.3V
  5. GND to GND
  6. Insert the display in the connector on the driver board. Make sure that the display electrodes are well aligned with the connector electrodes. The leftmost display electrode must be connected to the leftmost electrode in the connector.
How to use the driver in Ynvisible Display Kit

Add the library to the Arduino IDE

  1. Install and open Arduino IDE
  2. Click "Sketch"/"Include Library"/"Add .ZIP Library..." in the main menu
  3. Go to your downloads folder and choose Ynvisible_Driver_4.2-1.0.0.zip

Upload your first code

  1. Connect the Arduino to your computer with a USB cable
  2. Create a new file in the Arduino IDE
  3. Replace the code in the editor with the code below:
#include <Ynvisible_Driver_4.2-1.0.0.h>

int i2c_address = 43;         //The i2c address of driver board 4.1
int number_of_segments = 15;  //Number of segments on display (1-15)

YNV_ECD ECD(i2c_address, number_of_segments); //ECD Object

void setup() {
}

void loop() {
  for(int i=-99; i<100; i++){ //Counting from -99 to 99.
    ECD.setNumber2x7(i);      //Set display to number i
    delay(2000);             //Delay before refresh to make sure that driver is ready for next I2C command
    ECD.refresh();            //refreshes unused segments
    delay(3000);             //Total 5 seconds delay between update
  }
}
  1. Click "upload" (the right arrow on the upper left in the Arduino IDE)
  2. Congratulations! Your display should now count from -99 to 99.
  3. For more information about the Arduino library, read the documentation here.

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Please don't hesitate to contact sales@ynvisible.com if there are questions or comments.

3. Adapter

The adapter enables you to delve deeper into the possibilities of driving the display and connect it to your existing system with little or no additional components. Our display can be connected directly to most microcontrollers.

Ynvisible Adapter

Explore driving protocols and other important information in the datasheet.

Connect the Display to the Adapter

  1. Insert the display in the ZIF connector, ensuring that the electrodes are aligned. The leftmost display electrode should be aligned with the leftmost pin on the ZIF.
  2. For customized displays not adhering to Ynvisible standard connector recommendations: If the displays do not fit to a connector, simply use a pair of scissors to cut the electrodes and/or excessive plastic into a suitable size and shape.

Software and Hardware Implementation

There are multiple ways to implement the software and hardware solution for the display driver. Several factors determine the optimal display driving solution:

  • Number of display segments
  • Operating scenario, lifetime, and environment
  • Existing system architecture
  • Cost

There are several suggestions regarding both software implementation and driver circuit implementations described in the datasheet. Do not hesitate to contact support@ynvisible.com for additional help.