Modos Paper Monitor is an open-hardware 13.3-inch, 1600 x 1200 e-ink monitor with a fast 60 Hz refresh rate, low latency, multiple image modes and dithering options, and flexible screen update control. It can be connected using HDMI and USB, works on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and will come inside an enclosure for plug-and-play use anywhere.

Prototype of the 13.3-inch Paper Monitor

Aimed at developers and tinkerers, the Modos Development Kit uses the same display controller that powers our Paper Monitor with your choice of e-ink screen. It is available with 6-inch and 13.3-inch monochrome or color panels. With this version, the monitor enclosure is not included, making it simpler to integrate into custom display projects.

Calm Your Eyes and Get Inspired

With its controller board and open-source FPGA gateware, the Modos Paper Monitor can be used on its own or integrated into devices of your own creation.

The Modos Paper Monitor can be used as an extra display for a more focused, calmer workspace:

• Minimize eye strain while editing text, coding, or just browsing the web
• The low glare screen works in all lighting conditions, even outdoors!
• Optional full-color panel enables rich, color-coded annotation

Do you have an idea for a new gadget? For the makers and DIYers out there, our Development Kit is an excellent starting point for prototyping & building unique e-paper experiences, as it works with your existing computer without extra software. For instance:

• Ambient information dashboard (weather, headlines, alarm)
• Minimalist writing setup
• Low power color picture frame

Or anything else you can imagine!

Features & Specifications

Driver Board Hardware:

• Xilinx Spartan-6 LX16 FPGA running Caster gateware
• DDR3-800 framebuffer memory
• Video input supporting:
  • USB Type-C DisplayPort Alt-Mode with on-board PTN3460 decoder
  • DVI (via microHDMI connector) video input with on-board ADV7611 decoder
• E-paper power supply with up to 1 A peak current on +/-15 V rail supporting large panels sizes
• VCOM kick-back voltage measurement support.
• On-board Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller for USB communication and firmware upgrades
• Up to 133 MP/s processing rate with dithering enabled, >200 MP/s when disabled

Caster FPGA Gateware:

• Supports electrophoretic display panels with parallel I/F (Eink, SiPix, and DES)
• Supports both monochrome and color-filter-array based screens
• Extremely low processing delay of <20 µs
• Supports binary, 4-level grayscale, and 16-level grayscale output modes
• Latency-optimized binary and 4-level grayscale driving modes
• Hybrid automatic binary and 16-level grayscale driving mode
• Host software runtime controllable regional update and mode switching
• Hardware bayer dithering, blue-noise dithering, and error-diffusion dithering with no additional latency

During the campaign, we will offer a number of compatible 6.0- and 13.3-inch panels for backers to choose from, including EC133UJ1 and ED133UT2 from Eink. Other compatible panels are listed on our GitHub page.

Open Source

Modos is an open hardware and open-source company. You can find our Paper Monitor hardware design files and our FPGA gateware source code on GitHub.

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