How do eInk displays work inside Linux?

[librico]

tldr: I want to connect an eInk brand EPD to a Linux embedded system. Do eInk provide the necessary software to show as a Linux framebuffer or any other similar way to output graphics to a display?

Hi! Maybe this isn't the appropriate place in this forum to ask, if so I can move it elsewhere.

I'm working in a side project which I want to use a touch B&W EPD of at least 6".

After lots of googling, I didn't find many providers that offer something like that, at least that are easy to acquire via Mouser, Digikey or even Aliexpress.

According to this table, almost every single commercial eReader rely on EPD from this company called eInk.

As it's common practice among electronic component designers, I assume they won't send me any documentation without singing a NDA or document. I just want to know alternatives before making any purchase...

So I want to ask you folks. Have any of you worked/tinkered with this kind of display? Is it easy to output graphics via framebuffer, like X11 does? Do they provide a Linux module or any kind of program to make this easier?

I would be thankful if you know about any documentation or forum thread that might be related to this brand.

Thanks!

[j.p.s]

Adafruit has an arduino library for eink

https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_EPD

[DNSB]

There are several Raspberry Pi projects using an eInk display. One friend of mine is using a Waveshare 10.3" eInk display with a Pi 5: ( https://www.waveshare.com/product/raspberry-pi/displays/e-paper/10.3inch-e-paper-hat.htm ).

[librico]

Sorry if I misunderstood both of you, but I think there was a little confusion, by eInk I mean the brand called eInk. The name is misleading.
That's why I'm calling the technology of the display, independently of the brand, as Electronic Paper Display (EPD).

Originally Posted by j.p.s

Adafruit has an arduino library for eink

https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_EPD

Thanks, this library is for a different brand so it doesn't apply to eInk, but I can take it as reference when I write code for EPDs.

Originally Posted by DNSB

There are several Raspberry Pi projects using an eInk display. One friend of mine is using a Waveshare 10.3" eInk display with a Pi 5: ( https://www.waveshare.com/product/raspberry-pi/displays/e-paper/10.3inch-e-paper-hat.htm ).

The product you linked has really nice docs I can take as reference, thanks, but I already checked Waveshare and they don't have any touch EPD display of at least 6", the biggest I found is this 2.9" EPD.