Shayne WinterSystems Integration

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Project 06 / functional prototype

Functional prototype

Persistent digital signs that can update without becoming another always-on screen.

A family of working e-ink displays designed for information that should remain visible with very little power. The prototype combined remotely managed content, scannable QR codes, multiple display sizes, and flexible LoRa, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Use: Digital signage, status, identification, and wayfindingMy role: Product concept, prototype development, integration, failure modeling, and validationCurrent maturity: Functional multi-unit prototype

The opportunity

Put useful information where people can see and scan it—without the power draw of a conventional display.

Paper signs are inexpensive, but someone must replace them whenever information changes. Conventional digital screens update easily, but require continuous power and are often excessive for a room label, equipment status, pickup instruction, asset record, or temporary notice. E-ink sits between those choices: it keeps the last image visible without constant refresh and can present both human-readable information and a QR path to deeper content.

Where it could fit

One display platform can support many kinds of local signage.

Operational status

Show equipment condition, work state, queue position, inspection status, or the next action at the point of use.

Rooms, assets, and wayfinding

Keep names, schedules, directions, identifiers, or temporary notices visible without installing a full powered screen.

QR-connected information

Let a person scan from the persistent display to reach current instructions, records, forms, service information, or a longer digital experience.

What the prototype demonstrated

A practical family of signs with flexible communication and power choices.

Persistent displayThe last image remains visible without continuous display power, making the format useful for information that changes occasionally.
Flexible connectivityLoRa, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi provide options for longer-range low-data updates, nearby setup, and standard network access.
QR-ready contentThe display can combine readable status with a scannable link to more detailed or interactive information.
Power optionsLow-power operation supports mobile or battery-conscious use, while external power can support fixed installations and more frequent updates.
Multiple display formatsWorking units exercised the same product idea across more than one e-ink screen size.
Confirmed updatesTwo-way communication distinguishes an attempted update from one the system has actually received and applied.

The public case study describes the product capability and operating value without exposing the implementation recipe.

My role

Developed the product concept, working units, host relationship, and update model.

Product definitionTurned the low-power display idea into a reusable signage platform with clear operating uses.
Functional prototypesDeveloped multiple working e-ink units across varying display sizes.
Windows integrationConnected the units to a Windows-based host for managed content and bidirectional communication.
Failure behaviorKept attempted, confirmed, stale, and recoverable display states distinct.

How I tested it

Make a failed update visible instead of pretending the sign is current.

I exercised host-to-display updates and return communication through the gateway. The system kept an attempted update separate from a confirmed display state, making stale or unconfirmed information visible and diagnosable.

Result and next step

A working multi-unit prototype ready for a focused field pilot.

The result is a functional family of displays with multiple sizes, persistent e-ink content, wireless communication choices, external-power support, QR-capable layouts, Windows host management, and return status. A future pilot would define the intended environment and then measure range, update frequency, power life, recovery, mounting, and serviceability against that use case.

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