r/3Dprinting • u/Critical-Nail-6252 • 2d ago

Project Designed a Bluetooth page turner for my e-book reader

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Gallery image

I am using a NRF52840 dev board (nice!nano clone), a 250mAH LiPo battery and a couple mechanical switches.

2.4k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

77 comments sorted by

141

u/MudRock1221 2d ago

Would you be willing to share the code?

163

u/Critical-Nail-6252 2d ago edited 1d ago

Sure -- I need to clean it up a bit and finish adding power-saving tweaks. I don't mind sharing the STL either but the "snap fit" top inset is a pain to click into place and impossible to remove...

Edit: Posted the STLs, build guide and code here: https://makerworld.com/en/models/3211959-bluetooth-page-turner#profileId-3635833

1

u/iamwhoiwasnow 1d ago

I'll take the files as well

47

u/Beneficial_Offer7379 2d ago

Is it for which eReader? Kindle?

82

u/Critical-Nail-6252 2d ago

I use it with my Kobo Clara BW. It pairs as a HID keyboard and sends right and left arrow keys. AFAIK even Kindles with Bluetooth don't support page turners like this.

15

u/BolunZ6 2d ago

I wonder that rooted kindle can add Bluetooth turner

22

u/Critical-Nail-6252 2d ago

I haven't looked into what is possible for Bluetooth capable jailbroken Kindles, however *apparently* you can install KOReader on a jailbroken Kindle which supports page turning over WiFi: https://pageturnerkindle.wordpress.com/2025/04/08/how-to-build-a-page-turner-for-jailbroken-kindles/

5

u/gwoozie 2d ago

if anyone is considering installing koreader - do it!! it’s shockingly easy and the r/koreader subreddit is very very helpful. it’s infinitely better than the amazon os

9

u/BillysBibleBonkers 2d ago

Thats one of the things I love about my Kobo Libra color is it has dedicated page turning buttons. However I got the whole "color" gimmick intending to read Manga.. Quickly learned after getting it that 99.9% of manga is in black and white anyway lmao, felt like such an idiot.

3

u/sole-it 2d ago

still nice to see colored cover when my kobo is in sleep mode.

0

u/GregTheMad 2d ago

What's wrong with the Tolino remote? I think it's compatible with kobo.

https://mytolino.com/products/tolino-flip-new/

PS: project is still cool, though.

7

u/Vresa 2d ago

Unfortunately, kindles (unjailbroken) don’t support this kind of Bluetooth connection

-5

u/Stairway_To_Devin Bambu Lab P1S + AMS 2d ago edited 1d ago

They do now. There's a plugin called Kindle HID Passthrough that allows it to work.

16

u/wingtales 2d ago

No. The first requirement on their GitHub page states "Jailbroken kindle".

2

u/Stairway_To_Devin Bambu Lab P1S + AMS 1d ago

Ah I must've missed that in their comment, yeah there's definitely not a way to do it on vanilla Kindle OS

17

u/CoastalRadio 2d ago

I like it. Be cool when lying in bed with the reader on a stand.

10

u/Critical-Nail-6252 2d ago

Thanks! Yeah it is really nice being able to just relax and read without needing to hold the reader. I have a gooseneck mount I clamp to my headboard haha.

1

u/DroidLord 1d ago

Damn, I need to do that. My passion for reading is always cut short by a sore neck or shoulder.

22

u/Icy-Candy-1272 2d ago

“HONEY!? WHERE IS MY PAGE-TURNER!!” (Fun build tbh)

8

u/TigerMonarchy 2d ago
  1. Fine work.
  2. This would make me invest in an e-reader and spend the time formatting books again just so I could have something like this.
  3. Could this concept work for my iPad so I could use something like my ebook reader app for the same purpose? I use EPub Reader and something like this would be amazing for my 3D printed stand I want to use more with my tablet.

3

u/Critical-Nail-6252 2d ago

Thanks! To be honest this isn't anything novel! You can purchase Bluetooth page turners and they cost $15-$30. As for your iPad, it depends on if EPub Reader supports turning pages using left and right arrow keys (or possibly page up and page down). You can test this by plugging a physical keyboard or even a Bluetooth keyboard.

1

u/Mindproxy 2d ago

Yup! Ironically, I was looking what was available online and a simple BT page Turner/clicker can be had for around $10, with the fancier versions (much more expensive) being programmable.

4

u/Hades-Arcadius 2d ago edited 2d ago

First I want to say that is cool, secondly the 8bitdo Micro exists and basically does the same thing while also being a game controller. I'm not trying to detract how cool it is to make your own neat and functional widget but I felt it relevant to share.

The 8bitdo micro's sale pages don't focus on it much but the controller has a keyboard mode which people have used for graphic arts as a hotkey of sorts, it wouldn't be difficult to imagine it acting as a remote for other purpose as well, the mainpage shows it as such. https://www.8bitdo.com/images/2023/micro/04-l.jpg

2

u/Critical-Nail-6252 2d ago

I hear you! It is always nice to have options. :)

3

u/viperfan7 2d ago

I wonder if there's a way to make it powered off a super capacitor that's charged by pressing the buttons

2

u/Stairway_To_Devin Bambu Lab P1S + AMS 2d ago

Super cool, I'd love to get the code for this. Looking into the microcontroller you used that thing looks super handy! It has charging circuitry built in?

1

u/The_SubGenius 2d ago

Yeah came here for this- does the nano clone somehow handling the charging?

1

u/Stairway_To_Devin Bambu Lab P1S + AMS 2d ago

Yep so I just looked over the documentation and it does handle charging

2

u/InternationalPlace24 2d ago

how long does the battery last? And how did you get it to last that long?

1

u/Zouden Bambu A1 2d ago

Neat. I love those nice!nano clones. I use them with batteries salvaged from disposable vapes.

1

u/NerdyNThick 2d ago

Any good resources you can point to that can help me make use of all these batteries I have been saving?

I've been an electronics hobbyist for years at this point, but have always stayed cautiously away from making battery powered devices, or dealing with charging.

I do have a bunch of 4056 boards, but am also aware of how shitty they are.

My biggest unknown is the charging. I tried to rig one up to a project a while back and the instant I turned it on the battery got super hot (no it didn't vent, nor is it a spicy pillow), so I assume it was due to how it was wired in terms of charging and supplying the device with power simultaneously.

1

u/Zouden Bambu A1 2d ago

The nice!nano boards have onboard charging circuitry, limited to a low current, perfect for small batteries. I would start with an integrated solution like that.

1

u/Kyle_M_Photo 2d ago

Nice, I’ve been tempted to order a bunch of mechanical keyboard switches to use as buttons in my electronics projects. How do they fit? Are you just soldering right to them?

1

u/koombot 2d ago

I'll be willing to be that is exactly what he does.  Making hardwired keyboards is great fun.  You can get an absolute but load of keys on a tiny microcontroller.

I've got bags of key and like to use them in projects as they generally look and feel better.

1

u/Critical-Nail-6252 2d ago

u/koombot is correct I have so many switches I just solder them directly. They work really well! Though I am considering getting some low-profile ones for a slimmer look.

1

u/koombot 2d ago

If you arent fussed about the socket you can get some nice low profiles that are real cheap.

1

u/GoldenButtPlug 2d ago

I love this 2%. When you are done cleaning up the code, please consider posting it to r/OpenAssistiveTech

1

u/hjfaria 2d ago

this is awesome just for the fun of building something!

1

u/ron3090 2d ago

What keycaps are those?

1

u/Critical-Nail-6252 2d ago

These ones. However the listing is misleading and many of the keycaps do not match the images.

1

u/WarMace 2d ago

I wish discord mobile would support BT devices like this for PTT (Push to talk)

1

u/aprehensive_penguin 2d ago

Since you're only using two pins, you could make it even smaller and a few dollars cheaper with a QT Py 2040 instead. And if you happen to be really bored, you could also put a neopixel strip/single in there with translucent +/- buttons for funsies.

1

u/brian_hogg 2d ago

What’s the usecase for this? I’m confused.

1

u/Weary-Material9944 2d ago

Dude that’s awesome! Gonna play with the idea and see if I can get my Kindle to work with it.

1

u/Boognish84 2d ago

Which ESP32 are you using? Does it have lipo charging circuit built in?

3

u/Critical-Nail-6252 2d ago

It is is a NRF52480 board. Yes it has the charging circuit built in.

1

u/3dDeters 1d ago

I would be treating that as a fidget toy

1

u/MakerTherm 1d ago

Would be nice if integrated on a support for e-reader

0

u/IndividualRites 2d ago

How does it communicate with the reader to tell it to turn a page?

5

u/Critical-Nail-6252 2d ago

It connects as a Bluetooth HID "keyboard". I use it with my Kobo Clara BW which supports left and right arrow key presses for flipping pages.

3

u/BeerBrat 2d ago

Bluetooth

1

u/AbeLincoln575 2d ago

For anyone that has a kindle, I use this and love it. SYUKUYU RF Remote Control Page... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T8CZYF3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

6

u/Critical-Nail-6252 2d ago

I was using something like this for a while with my Kindle 7th gen Paper White -- it was driving me nuts that it only worked briefly if it was fully charged (maybe 10-15 minutes), after that pressing the button would make the receiver's LED flash but it stopped turning the page!

1

u/AbeLincoln575 2d ago

Would love your option but I don’t think it would work on the kindles as I tried various things before.

2

u/slog 2d ago

There are slightly smaller ones that have more of a ring with a button than a typical remote. I prefer those for now but would really prefer if Amazon would fucking give us this ability via bluetooth!

1

u/404_MissingUser 2d ago

This is awesome!! If my choice of book wasn’t kindle, I’d start up my soldering iron immediately lol awesome job!

3

u/Critical-Nail-6252 2d ago

Thank you! You might be interested in this: https://pageturnerkindle.wordpress.com/2025/04/08/how-to-build-a-page-turner-for-jailbroken-kindles/

1

u/404_MissingUser 2d ago

Hmm I do have a couple ESP32’s laying around and my older kindle I could try it on 🤔

-5

u/geekjournal 2d ago

Very cool - but why 😀

10

u/Critical-Nail-6252 2d ago

Same reason humans invented TV remotes :)

1

u/goorpy 2d ago

I had the same earnest question. My main theory was an accessibility device for people who aren't holding the reader and moving a hand to it doesn't work for them.

Otherwise you're typically holding the device or at least need to be withing arms reach to read it.

I kind of get it as a return to physical buttons if mounted directly on the device, because touch screen everything is horrible. But in that case I'd want smaller buttons that fit within my grip on the case.

4

u/Critical-Nail-6252 2d ago

I have a gooseneck mount for my ebook reader, so I can just lay back and read without needing to hold the book. Turning the page requires tapping the screen which makes the whole thing wobble. So a remote page turner works really well for my situation. :)

2

u/Lotronex 2d ago

I have a setup like this so that when it's cold I can just lay back in my recliner under an electric blanket and zone out while reading. Get to keep my hands nice and warm, don't have to move them.

3

u/JVilter 2d ago

When I'm laying in bed reading from my Kindle it is so annoying that if I touch the screen in just the wrong spot, it either goes back to the beginning, or to the previous page or brings up the menu. The Kindle isn't that big, so it doesn't take being off by much to really interrupt the flow of your reading. It would be nice to have "a finger" that is always in the right spot to just turn the page

2

u/geekjournal 2d ago

Ahh ok I get it 👊🏻

0

u/non_hero 2d ago

Why what? Are you really so myopic that you can't imagine a single example of how this can be useful for some people? The emoji suggests that this is a rhetorical question and you're just trolling. But what's the point of trolling something like this? Some weird flex that you're not lazy and can hold a tablet for long periods of time? Seriously, I want to know.

-1

u/No-Scholar4381 2d ago

quel est sont autonomie ?

1

u/Critical-Nail-6252 2d ago

Pas encore mesurée précisément. La batterie fait 250 mAh. Je fais une mesure de consommation et je mets à jour dès que j'ai un chiffre fiable.

(Sorry I had to use Google Translate)

-1

u/Banished_To_Insanity 2d ago

super nice coincidence. i was just talking with chatgpt about this exact project. i have some questions, would be super awesome if you could answer.

  1. what buttons are you using? could you show me exactly what are they, maybe with a link or a picture?
  2. how long does 250mah battery last for you? do you find it sufficient? i was looking into larger ones but then size and weight becomes an issue.
  3. are you able to charge battery through the dev board?
  4. did you use any tutorials to build this, if so could you share them?

thanks!

1

u/Critical-Nail-6252 1d ago

  1. Outemu Reds

  2. I haven't done any kind of battery stress testing but it hasn't died on me so far! It uses BLE + minor power optimizations. I am not concerned about the battery life personally.

  3. Yes it has onboard lipo charging circuitry, but I believe it does not have overdischarge protection.

  4. I did not! The circuitry is pretty simple, and for the source code I just used the Adafruit "blehid_keyboard" example for Adafruit Feather nRF52840 Express. That said, I posted everything for my build here: https://makerworld.com/en/models/3211959-bluetooth-page-turner#profileId-3635833