Inky Impression 7.3" Flask Image Uploader

This project provides a Flask-based web interface for uploading and selecting images to display on a Pimoroni Inky Impression 7.3" e-paper display. It allows users to:

• Upload images via a web interface.
• View a gallery of previously uploaded images.
• Click an image thumbnail to set it as the active display on the Inky Impression.

Features

✅ Upload images through a web interface.
✅ Generate thumbnails for easy selection.
✅ Auto-rotate images if necessary.
✅ Web-based control for selecting images.

Installation

1. Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/hannahapuan/inky-display.git
cd inky-display

2. Install Dependencies

Ensure you have Python 3 installed, then run:

pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Create Upload Folders

mkdir -p uploads/thumbnails

4. (Optional) Add to startup script (this specifies the impressions7.3 inky screen for resolution purposes)

Create/edit /etc/rc.local

#!/bin/bash
. /home/admin/.virtualenvs/pimoroni/bin/activate
python3 /home/admin/file_uploader.py --type=impressions73 >> /home/admin/log.txt 2>&1 &
exit 0

Usage

1. Run the Flask App

This specifies the impression73 screen, it can be changed (refer to inky documentation for values)

source /home/admin/.virtualenvs/pimoroni/bin/activate
python3 /home/admin/file_uploader.py --type=impressions73

2. Access the Web Interface

Once the server is running, open a browser and go to:

http://<YOUR_RASPBERRY_PI_IP>:8080

Example:

http://192.168.1.100:8080

3. Upload an Image

1. Select an image from your computer.
2. Click Upload.
3. The image will be stored in the uploads/ folder, and a thumbnail will be generated.

4. Select an Image to Display

• Click on any thumbnail from the gallery.
• The selected image will be resized and displayed on the Inky Impression.

Project Structure

inky-image-uploader/
│── static/                  # CSS and other static assets
│── templates/
│   ├── index.html           # Web interface
│── uploads/                 # Stores uploaded images
│── uploads/thumbnails/      # Stores generated thumbnails
│── app.py                   # Flask application
│── requirements.txt         # Python dependencies
|── disable.sh               # Disables unnecessary Raspberry Pi hardware for battery saving
│── README.md                # Project documentation

Troubleshooting

1. Flask App Not Running?

• Ensure all dependencies are installed:

  pip install -r requirements.txt

• Try running Flask with sudo if permissions are an issue.

2. No Images Appearing in the Gallery?

• Make sure images are stored in uploads/.
• Restart the Flask app.

3. Image Not Displaying on Inky?

• Ensure the Inky Impression is properly connected.
• Try running:

  python -c "from inky.auto import auto; inky = auto(ask_user=True, verbose=True); inky.show()"

  This will confirm if the display is working.

4. Find Your Raspberry Pi's IP

Run:

hostname -I

Or check your router's admin panel.

Future Enhancements

• 🔄 Auto-refresh gallery after an upload.
• 🛠️ Delete uploaded images from the web UI.
• 🌐 Add support for remote image uploads.

Enjoy using your Inky Impression as a dynamic e-paper display! 🎉