Public release
This commit is contained in:
106
README.md
Normal file
106
README.md
Normal file
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
|
||||
# CrossPoint Reader
|
||||
|
||||
Firmware for the **Xteink X4** e-paper display reader (unaffiliated with Xteink).
|
||||
Built using **PlatformIO** and targeting the **ESP32-C3** microcontroller.
|
||||
|
||||
CrossPoint Reader is a purpose-built firmware designed to be a drop-in, fully open-source replacement for the official
|
||||
Xteink firmware. It aims to match or improve upon the standard EPUB reading experience.
|
||||
|
||||
// TODO include some images
|
||||
|
||||
I look at the [**diy-esp32-epub-reader** by atomic14](https://github.com/atomic14/diy-esp32-epub-reader) project a lot
|
||||
when making CrossPoint and a handful of lessons and some direct source code comes directly from that repo.
|
||||
|
||||
## Motivation
|
||||
|
||||
E-paper devices are fantastic for reading, but most commercially available readers are closed systems with limited
|
||||
customisation. The **Xteink X4** is an affordable, e-paper device, however the official firmware remains closed.
|
||||
CrossPoint exists partly as a fun side-project and partly to open up the ecosystem and truely unlock the device's
|
||||
potential.
|
||||
|
||||
CrossPoint Reader aims to:
|
||||
* Provide a **fully open-source alternative** to the official firmware.
|
||||
* Offer a **document reader** capable of handling EPUB content on constrained hardware.
|
||||
* Support **customisable font, layout, and display** options.
|
||||
* Run purely on the **Xteink X4 hardware**.
|
||||
|
||||
This project is **not affiliated with Xteink**; it's built as a community project.
|
||||
|
||||
## Features
|
||||
|
||||
- [x] EPUB parsing and rendering
|
||||
- [x] Saved reading position
|
||||
- [ ] File explorer with file picker
|
||||
- Currently CrossPoint will just open the first EPUB it finds at the root of the SD card
|
||||
- [ ] Image support within EPUB
|
||||
- [ ] Configurable font, layout, and display options
|
||||
- [ ] WiFi connectivity
|
||||
- [ ] BLE connectivity
|
||||
|
||||
## Getting Started
|
||||
|
||||
### Prerequisites
|
||||
|
||||
* **PlatformIO Core** (`pio`) or **VS Code + PlatformIO IDE**
|
||||
* Python 3.8+
|
||||
* USB-C cable for flashing the ESP32-C3
|
||||
* Xteink X4
|
||||
|
||||
### Flashing your device
|
||||
|
||||
#### Command line
|
||||
|
||||
```sh
|
||||
pio run --target upload
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
## Internals
|
||||
|
||||
CrossPoint Reader is pretty aggressive about caching data down to the SD card to minimise RAM usage. The ESP32-C3 only
|
||||
has ~380KB of usable RAM, so we have to be careful. A lot of the decisions made in the design of the firmware were based
|
||||
on this constraint.
|
||||
|
||||
### EPUB caching
|
||||
|
||||
The first time chapters of an EPUB are loaded, they are cached to the SD card. Subsequent loads are served from the
|
||||
cache. This cache directory exists at `.crosspoint` on the SD card. The structure is as follows:
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
```
|
||||
.crosspoint/
|
||||
├── epub_12471232/ # Each EPUB is cached to a subdirectory named `epub_<hash>`
|
||||
│ ├── progress.bin # Stores reading progress (chapter, page, etc.)
|
||||
│ ├── 0/ # Each chapter is stored in a subdirectory named by its index (based on the spine order)
|
||||
│ │ ├── section.bin # Section metadata (page count)
|
||||
│ │ ├── page_0.bin # Each page is stored in a separate file, it
|
||||
│ │ ├── page_1.bin # contains the position (x, y) and text for each word
|
||||
│ │ └── ...
|
||||
│ ├── 1/
|
||||
│ │ ├── section.bin
|
||||
│ │ ├── page_0.bin
|
||||
│ │ ├── page_1.bin
|
||||
│ │ └── ...
|
||||
│ └── ...
|
||||
│
|
||||
└── epub_189013891/
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
Deleting the `.crosspoint` directory will clear the cache.
|
||||
|
||||
Due the way it's currently implemented, the cache is not automatically cleared when the EPUB is deleted and moving an
|
||||
EPUB file will reset the reading progress.
|
||||
|
||||
## Contributing
|
||||
|
||||
Contributions are very welcome!
|
||||
|
||||
### To submit a contribution:
|
||||
|
||||
1. Fork the repo
|
||||
2. Create a branch (`feature/dithering-improvement`)
|
||||
3. Make changes
|
||||
4. Submit a PR
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
CrossPoint Reader is **not affiliated with Xteink or any manufacturer of the X4 hardware**.
|
||||
Reference in New Issue
Block a user