Project Hub /Basic Analog & Power Electronics/Power Supplies & Voltage Regulators/Diptyx E-reader

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ESP32

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Diptyx E-reader

The Diptyx E-reader is a dual-screen, ESP32-powered e-reader designed to display EPUB files using two e-ink screens for a book-like reading experience.

Originally published on Hackaday.io

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

ESP32-C3 Development Board with Berg Pins - Unsoldered Rs. 390.00
LM2596 Step Down DC-DC Buck Converter Rs. 99.00
Cable for Arduino Nano (USB 2.0 A to USB 2.0 Mini B) 30cm Rs. 69.00
2-Slot 18650 Holder with Protective Cover and On/Off Switch – Case Rs. 109.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: E-Paper Display
LiPo Battery
SD / MicroSD Card

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How It Works

The Diptyx E-reader is powered by an ESP32S3 chip, which runs custom firmware based on Atomic14's EPUB reader to process and render electronic books. Text and images are sourced from files stored on a MicroSD card connected via the hardware's card slot. The device features two 648x480 E-ink screens operating simultaneously to deliver a dual-page, book-like reading interface. Font rendering is handled via hoard-of-bitfonts in the .yaff format, backed by Unifont to supply fallback characters for unsupported glyphs. Power management is anchored by a TPS6284 buck converter, which steps down and regulates voltage efficiently from dual 1500mAh LiPo batteries wired into the system. Users interact with the device and navigate through digital publications using a 3-way button alongside two dedicated navigation buttons. Recharging and potential data interactions are facilitated through a physical USB Type-C connector.

Why Build This

Design and assemble a custom, open-source dual-screen hardware platform capable of rendering EPUB files in a traditional book layout.

Implement efficient low-power DC-DC regulation using a step-down buck converter paired with dual lithium polymer power sources.

Integrate advanced embedded peripheral components like high-resolution E-ink displays, microSD storage, and multi-button navigation interfaces via custom firmware.

Real-World Application

Portable electronic book reading, note-taking, and open-source hardware publishing.

Skills You'll Learn

Embedded firmware development

E-ink display integration

DC-DC step-down power regulation

Lithium polymer power management

SPI/SD card interface implementation

Custom font rendering integration

User interface navigation routing

Safety Precautions

Standard lithium polymer battery handling precautions apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I load books onto the Diptyx E-reader?

EPUB files are stored on a MicroSD card, which is inserted directly into the device's MicroSD card slot for the firmware to read.

Why does the project use two batteries instead of one?

The dual 1500mAh LiPo batteries provide extended operational capacity to support the dual E-ink screens and the ESP32S3 processing demands during extended reading sessions.

Can I use standard fonts with the custom firmware?

The system utilizes hoard-of-bitfonts in the .yaff format along with Unifont for fallback characters, meaning fonts must match these supported software formats.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

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