The smart-sensor-display is a specialized version of the HomeGenie Mini firmware, transforming your ESP32 or ESP32-S3 device with a connected TFT touch display into a powerful, local interface. It provides an interactive dashboard experience for real-time sensor data visualization, direct device control, system monitoring, and even live camera feeds, all as part of the HomeGenie Mini ecosystem.

Open media

This firmware is designed to be highly configurable, leveraging different UI technologies based on your hardware's capabilities:

• ESP32 (Standard, Non-PSRAM): Utilizes a lightweight, resource-efficient UI built directly with the LovyanGFX library. This version focuses on essential information display and controls. LVGL graphics and Bluetooth features are typically disabled to ensure optimal performance and stability on these memory-constrained devices.
• ESP32-S3 (With PSRAM): Offers a rich graphical user interface powered by the LVGL library. This enables more complex and fluid layouts, animations, and advanced features, including sophisticated device controls and seamless camera stream integration.

A core strength is its deep integration with HomeGenie Mini's powerful automation Scheduler. All user interactions on the display can emit events, allowing these to trigger custom programs and control a wide range of connected devices.

The Smart Display firmware offers a versatile dashboard, allowing you to intuitively swipe between "Activities" for various functionalities. The Sensor Values Activity instantly shows current date, time, and live readings from sensors like DHT22 (temperature/humidity). For system diagnostics, the System Information Activity provides an overview of vital statistics and network information, plus on-screen buttons for display rotation or reinitiating device configuration.

Round Display (GC9A01)

ESP32-S3 + Motion + Temperature + Humidity sensors

Open media

Smart Display Casing

3d-printed smart display enclosure

Open media

Smart Display Casing

3d-printed smart display enclosure (inside view)

Open media

Smart Display wannabe Thermostat

Wall mounting the smart display and connecting it to a switch relay

Open media

Smart Display and Thermostat

And it finally became a smart thermostat! =)

Open media

Device control is a central aspect. On ESP32-S3 devices with PSRAM, the Level Control Activity uses LVGL for a sleek interface to manage devices like dimmable lights, fans, or shutters. It features a dynamic icon adapting to the module's type (e.g., lightbulb, fan), a clear LED status indicator, a responsive slider (0-100%), and On/Off buttons. The device name (auto-scrolling if long) and type are configurable via HomeGenie Panel for a personalized touch. Standard ESP32 (non-PSRAM) devices utilize a resource-friendly LGFX-based Switch Control Activity with similar On/Off and +/- buttons for level control, also displaying the configurable device name.

PSRAM-enabled builds also unlock the Camera Display Activity. This supports viewing JPEG camera feeds from remote HTTP URLs (like IP webcams). For specific ESP32-S3 boards, it enables direct video streaming from a locally connected ESP32-CAM module, complete with an on-screen FPS counter and device name. Fun additions like a retro-inspired "Pac-Man" Digital Clock Activity and, if LGFX examples are enabled, a classic Analog Clock and a Gauge Example further enrich the UI on these more capable devices.

A cornerstone of this firmware is its programmability and configurability. All UI interactions, such as button presses or slider changes, emit events. These can be seamlessly captured by HomeGenie Mini's built-in Scheduler for sophisticated event-driven automation, detailed further below. Module properties like name and type, which influence UI elements like icons and titles, are easily configured through the HomeGenie Panel application.

The firmware is also optimized for different hardware:

• ESP32 (No PSRAM): Focuses on core automation tasks with a lightweight LGFX-based UI. LVGL and Bluetooth are disabled for maximum stability. Default display configuration targets GC9A01 (240x240).
• ESP32-S3 (QSPI PSRAM): Delivers the full LVGL experience. Bluetooth is enabled, and ESP32-CAM module integration is supported. Default display configuration targets GC9A01 (240x240).
• ESP32-S3 (OSPI PSRAM): Leverages high-performance Octal SPI PSRAM for the smoothest LVGL experience and robust camera support. Default display configuration targets ST7789 (e.g., 320x240).

Built-in powerful automation

The true power of the Smart Display firmware is unlocked through its seamless integration with HomeGenie Mini's onboard Scheduler. Every significant user interaction on the display—such as pressing a button in the LevelControlActivity or adjusting the slider—emits a distinct event.

For instance:

• Pressing the "ON" button can emit an Sensor.Button with the value "on".
• Changing the slider can emit an Sensor.Level with the new percentage value (internally normalized to 0.00 - 1.00).

These events become powerful triggers within the Scheduler. You can easily create programs that:

• Control one or multiple connected devices (ZigBee, MQTT, RF, etc.).
• Initiate generic HTTP calls to web services or other IoT devices.
• Execute custom JavaScript code for complex logic, data manipulation, or conditional actions.
• Activate intricate scenes involving various elements of your smart home.
• Send notifications or log important data.

This architecture allows you to build highly customized and responsive automations that react instantly to local UI interactions. All scheduler programs are configured conveniently from the HomeGenie Panel app. For comprehensive details on creating and managing these automations, please refer to the Scheduler documentation.

Configuration

Setting up and customizing your Smart Display device is done through the HomeGenie Panel app.

Initial device setup

This firmware can be easily flashed onto your device using the Firmware Upload form found at the bottom of this page. After flashing, connect your HomeGenie Mini to your Wi-Fi network using either WPS or Bluetooth discovery via the Panel app. Once connected, your device will appear in the discovery list; select it and add it to your dashboard. For detailed steps, see the Device Setup guide.

Module configuration (Name, Type, and UI)

• Control activities like LevelControlActivity and SwitchControlActivity are associated with specific module addresses (e.g., "M1", "D1"). Within HomeGenie Panel, you can access the 'Module details' for these addresses to configure their Name and Type (such as Light, Dimmer, Switch, Motor, Sensor).
• The Smart Display UI will dynamically update to reflect these settings, for example, by showing the correct icon and title for the LevelControlActivity based on the module type you've selected.
• Default display driver settings are pre-configured for common display models: GC9A01 (240x240) for ESP32 and ESP32-S3 QSPI builds, and ST7789 (e.g., 320x240) for ESP32-S3 OSPI builds. Advanced users can further customize LGFX display settings via the Panel if using a different, unlisted display.

Camera configuration

• For the CameraDisplayActivity, HomeGenie Panel simplifies video source selection. You can choose from a list of available cameras (like a discovered IP camera or a locally connected ESP32-CAM). The Panel then automatically configures the necessary 'RemoteCamera.EndPoint' or camera type parameters.
• A custom HTTP JPEG stream URL can also be entered manually in the 'RemoteCamera.EndPoint' property if your camera is not auto-detected.
• For local ESP32-CAM usage, ensure the firmware was built with this support enabled (automatic when selecting 'ESP32 Camera' options in the main firmware upload form).

Scheduler programs

As described in the "Built-in powerful automation" section, use the Scheduler interface in HomeGenie Panel to create programs that listen for and react to events emitted by this firmware.

Create this device now! 🪄

Connect your ESP32/ESP8266 microcontroller to your computer via USB, select your firmware version, and click "Create device" to upload the HomeGenie Mini firmware.

See the Device setup page for further information about configuring a HomeGenie Mini device.

Source code

This firmware pre-compiled binaries and source code are available on GitHub:

folder_open smart-sensor-display

Modules and API

In addition to the common Device API, the following modules and API are implemented by this device.

mini module

Built-in sensor module.

Domain / Address

HomeAutomation.HomeGenie/mini

Properties

• Sensor.Orientation
• Sensor.Humidity
• Sensor.Temperature
• System.BytesFree

D1 module

This module is associated with the SwitchControl activity.

Domain / Address

HomeAutomation.HomeGenie/D1

Properties

• Sensor.Button
• Sensor.Level

M1 module

This module is associated with the LevelControl activity.

Domain / Address

HomeAutomation.HomeGenie/M1

Properties

• Sensor.Button
• Sensor.Level

V1 module

This module is associated with the CameraDisplay activity.

Domain / Address

HomeAutomation.HomeGenie/V1

Properties

• RemoteCamera.EndPoint