PrecIR

Collection of tools, their source code and design files for communicating with infrared based Electronic Shelf Labels.

See http://furrtek.free.fr/index.php?a=esl for more details.

Hardware

• ir_tx_serial: Simple DIY serial port transmitter, using an USB-serial cable.
• esl_blaster: Newer USB transmitter/remote. Build it yourself or buy it from Tindie.

Tools

Use Python 2. Python 3 may work but Pyserial isn't happy in some cases.

• img2dm.py: Sends an image to a dot matrix ESL. Run without parameters for usage.
• rawcmd.py: Send arbitrary data to ESL.
• flashtest.py: Test tool to program remote control frame in ESL Blaster (more work needed...).

FAQ

What can this be used for ?

To have fun experimenting with mass produced devices ! Compatible ESLs can be found on eBay, or sometimes from stores directly if dumpster diving is your thing.

The e-paper ones make cool badges :)

Which brands of ESLs are compatible ?

You'll have to guess from the picture. Hint: there's only one.

Can my phone/tablet/handheld/IrDA-capable device work as a transmitter ?

No. The carrier is in the MHz range and the symbol timing must be very precise. IrDA controller limitation or OS latency makes it impossible.

Can I change the display of all ESLs in a store at once ?

No. For two reasons:

• Unlike radio waves, optical communication must be line-of-sight. Even if the walls are painted white, reflections from an unique transmitter has no chance of reaching all of the hundreds or thousands of ESLs in a store.
• Each ESL has an unique address and must be specified individually to be updated, there's no known way to broadcast display updates.

Is possession and use of such devices legal ?

There's no cracking, exploit, patent or copyright infrigement going on so IMO it's safe to assume this is perfectly legal. Just don't try changing price displays so you can get discounts, the price in the store's database obviously remains unchanged so you'll end up having to pay the correct price anyways.