iRex already using E Ink 3G?

[TadW]

According to EETimes they do (emphasis mine):

Using an ASIC twice as fast and eight times more energy efficient than components used in second-generation devices, iRex claims its e-ink handheld aims to replace paper for many mainstream uses.

"With generation three, we have achieved a hardware platform that is fully utilizing all the capabilities of e-ink displays, and is capable of replacing most uses of paper today," claimed iRex CEO Hans Brons.

And:

The iRex 1000, however, is said to offer optimal page loading and pen input, according to Brons, by virtue of an ASIC that performs all background processing steps faster than users can perceive.

"We have put much more horsepower behind the system environment to insure that everything that needs to be done to update the display is done extremely quickly," Brons claimed.

[NatCh]

Okay, somebody please cast a pebble of knowledge into the ocean of my ignorance: what's an ASIC?

[zerospinboson]

An application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is an integrated circuit (IC) customized for a particular use, rather than intended for general-purpose use. For example, a chip designed solely to run a cell phone is an ASIC.

[NatCh]

Got it. Thanks, zerospinboson! We used to call that an embedded microcontroller, but they weren't application specific then, I suppose.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by NatCh

Got it. Thanks, zerospinboson! We used to call that an embedded microcontroller, but they weren't application specific then, I suppose.

A microcontroller is programmable while an ASIC is likely not although the original prototyping process may include some that are. Application Specific IC can incorporate the earlier forms called gate arrays (FPGA) and other forms of customized devices.

By the way the original comment about 3G is incorrect I believe. The iRex DR 1000 device is itself a 3rd Generation iRex product and has nothing to do with the screen. I do believe there is only one current screen process from e-Ink so everyone is using the same technology.

Dale

[nathany]

So the same Vizplex screen, but with a more efficient controller? Kinda like that Epson controller announced not long ago, that could address parts of the screen rather than refreshing the whole thing. I think it could handle 8 simultaneous updates.... I wonder what the iRex is like to use.

[TadW]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

I do believe there is only one current screen process from e-Ink so everyone is using the same technology.

Originally Posted by nathany

So the same Vizplex screen, but with a more efficient controller?

Yep, iRex has always been a step ahead by using their own, more advanced display controller. For instance, even before the announcement of Vizplex, the iLiad already supported up to 16 individual grey levels and writing functionality.

Interested? Read What makes our electronic paper displays different? on the iRex Blog. Notice it's slightly outdated and doesn't necessarily apply to the Digital Reader.

[igorsk]

A microcontroller is programmable in software - you can make it run a program which interprets input signals and sets outputs. An ASIC is programmable "in hardware" - you can actually reconfigure the chip so that a particular configuration of input signals produces a particular set of output signals. This is usually done using FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or CPLD (complex programmable logic device) technologies.

The Metronome controller used in PRS-505 is implemented using an ASIC - an Actel ProASIC3 FPGA to be specific. I assume they used the same or similar approach in the iRex 1000. Metronome is faster than the older Apollo because it uses a 16-bit LCD interface to transfer image bits versus 8-bit custom protocol in Apollo. The new Epson controller should be even faster since it executes some of the processing itself instead of relying on the main CPU.

[Gogolo]

Is there any information on this 3G e-ink generation?

Specs?

Availability?

Is this just a rumor or do you mean the plastic logic screens?

Thanks!
Gogolo

[NatCh]

I think it's just an accidental rumor at this stage. e-Ink Inc. doesn't have anything on their site about it, anyway, and that's likely where you'd see it pretty close to first.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by NatCh

I think it's just an accidental rumor at this stage. e-Ink Inc. doesn't have anything on their site about it, anyway, and that's likely where you'd see it pretty close to first.

Their website is not all that wonderful. It shows the 500 instead of the 505. Plus if you click on the Sony Reader link, you go someplace else.

[NatCh]

Point. But they've usually been pretty quick about letting us know about updates in their own products.

[Shaggy]

iRex is not talking about a third generation of eInk. They're talking about a third generation of devices, which is different.

Basically, the way iRex is looking at it, the original Sony/Kindle/etc devices are generation one. The iLiad is generation two, and the DR is generation three.

As far as eInk itself you've still only got two, the original and vizplex. There's nothing new from EInk that I've heard of.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

Basically, the way iRex is looking at it, the original Sony/Kindle/etc devices are generation one. The iLiad is generation two, and the DR is generation three.

Perhaps they mean the iRex third generation.

Gen 1 is the iLiad
Gen 2 is the iLiad V2 and Book Edition
Gen 3 is the DR1000 line

BOb

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Perhaps they mean the iRex third generation.

Gen 1 is the iLiad
Gen 2 is the iLiad V2 and Book Edition
Gen 3 is the DR1000 line

BOb

I don't think so. The v1, v2, and book edition are virtually identical as far as the internal hardware and technology that they use. iRex has said before that they consider the competitor's devices to be Gen 1 and the iLiad to be Gen 2. It would follow that the DR is Gen 3.