Is it possible to run programs?

Mike's Place · 02-05-2008, 02:37 AM

I'm a newbee so be patient; maybe this has all been explored, but I couldn't find it on the site.

Has anyone written a firmware patch to allow a user to upload and run a program in native code (whatever that is). There is often a lot of room at the end of a prom for this stuff. What is the native code, by the way? Does the 505 use an SMC processor?

Since the 505 supports links and has plenty of buttons, one should be able to write programs to accept numerical input and do calculations. Depending on the usb controller we might even be able to connect a usb keyboard.

Does anyone know if the hardware supports pixel level screen updates so you don't have to update the whole screen with every screen event? Maybe you could connect a keyboard and a mouse?

Yeah, it might be a stretch, but if you don't ask, the answer is always no.

Mike

Jaapjan · 02-05-2008, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike's Place

I'm a newbee so be patient; maybe this has all been explored, but I couldn't find it on the site.

Has anyone written a firmware patch to allow a user to upload and run a program in native code (whatever that is). There is often a lot of room at the end of a prom for this stuff. What is the native code, by the way? Does the 505 use an SMC processor?

Since the 505 supports links and has plenty of buttons, one should be able to write programs to accept numerical input and do calculations. Depending on the usb controller we might even be able to connect a usb keyboard.

Does anyone know if the hardware supports pixel level screen updates so you don't have to update the whole screen with every screen event? Maybe you could connect a keyboard and a mouse?

Yeah, it might be a stretch, but if you don't ask, the answer is always no.

Mike

I think, from watching the forums around here and the internet, the PRS is the least hacked ebook reader you can find. The most hacked at the moment would be the iLiad which allows writing, pdf's and custom programs with a bit of work.

I am affraid, again as far as I know, you're out of luck for the moment.

Mike's Place · 02-05-2008, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaapjan

I think, from watching the forums around here and the internet, the PRS is the least hacked ebook reader you can find. The most hacked at the moment would be the iLiad which allows writing, pdf's and custom programs with a bit of work.

I am affraid, again as far as I know, you're out of luck for the moment.

Thanks, Jaapjan.

I've done some firmware mods. I might give it a try. It all comes down to free time. If anyone else has any info it would save some time.

Mike

Jaapjan · 02-05-2008, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike's Place

Thanks, Jaapjan.

I've done some firmware mods. I might give it a try. It all comes down to free time. If anyone else has any info it would save some time.

Mike

All I can say is to look around these forums for some initial hints about what can be found. I am affraid I have never been paying too much attention to the Sony because it isn't sold here in Europe and I cannot be bothered with importing it from 'over there'.

HarryT · 02-05-2008, 03:19 AM

AFAIK, nobody's succeeded in actually running new applications on the Sony thus far; the only "open" eInk reader is the iLiad, which is more like an "eInk Tablet PC" than a dedicated reader. It's an "open" system on which pretty much any application can be installed.

igorsk · 02-05-2008, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike's Place

I'm a newbee so be patient; maybe this has all been explored, but I couldn't find it on the site.

See the Universal Flasher and its "run script" option for an example of running apps on the Reader. Currently released version doesn't work on 505 since flashing it is risky without an official firmware update but I might release a version without flashing support.
The Reader's OS is Linux and the CPU is ARM. Generally almost any glibc-based toolchain works; two examples of compiled binaries are bundled with Universal Flasher (stat_fs and libfskLoad.so). You can download Linux sources for Reader at http://www.sony.net/Products/Linux/.
There are sources there for both USB controller and E-Ink drivers. USB controller is Epson S1R72V17 and it does have USB host support, but there's no such support in the driver. So even if the USB port can work in host mode, one would need to write a driver for that.
As for E-Ink, it definitely does support partial updates - check the menu navigation with up/down arrows.
See here for hardware details:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2172951...7603454047408/

HarryT · 02-05-2008, 06:59 AM

Even if you installed a new application on the Reader, though, how would you run it? On the iLiad, you can simply run a script through the file browser - there's no way to do something similar on the Reader is there? Forgive me if I'm wrong about that!

igorsk · 02-05-2008, 09:24 AM

You can run it instead of the main UI app. Or implement a plugin, selectable from the menus, for example. You can even just use the autorun.xml option and not change the firmware at all. There's a lot of possibilities.

DaleDe · 02-05-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike's Place

Thanks, Jaapjan.

I've done some firmware mods. I might give it a try. It all comes down to free time. If anyone else has any info it would save some time.

Mike

The 500 has some really nice mods but the 505 has not released a firmware update yet so people don't have an image to take apart. I suspect that once there is a firmware upgrade the mods will start.

Dale

Mike's Place · 02-05-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorsk

See the Universal Flasher and its "run script" option for an example of running apps on the Reader. Currently released version doesn't work on 505 since flashing it is risky without an official firmware update but I might release a version without flashing support.
The Reader's OS is Linux and the CPU is ARM. Generally almost any glibc-based toolchain works; two examples of compiled binaries are bundled with Universal Flasher (stat_fs and libfskLoad.so). You can download Linux sources for Reader at http://www.sony.net/Products/Linux/.
There are sources there for both USB controller and E-Ink drivers. USB controller is Epson S1R72V17 and it does have USB host support, but there's no such support in the driver. So even if the USB port can work in host mode, one would need to write a driver for that.
As for E-Ink, it definitely does support partial updates - check the menu navigation with up/down arrows.
See here for hardware details:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2172951...7603454047408/

Thanks Igorsk, you've given me a lot of starting places. I'm very impressed.

Mike

Mike's Place · 02-05-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorsk

USB controller is Epson S1R72V17 and it does have USB host support, but there's no such support in the driver. So even if the USB port can work in host mode, one would need to write a driver for that.

I'll look for an Epson S1R72V17 driver with host support and see if I can Frankenstein the host code with the Reader's native driver or vice versa.

Thanks for the great info.

Mike

02-05-2008, 02:37 AM	#1
Mike's Place Pull up a chair Posts: 58 Karma: 113 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Francisco, East Bay Device: PRS-505	Is it possible to run programs? I'm a newbee so be patient; maybe this has all been explored, but I couldn't find it on the site. Has anyone written a firmware patch to allow a user to upload and run a program in native code (whatever that is). There is often a lot of room at the end of a prom for this stuff. What is the native code, by the way? Does the 505 use an SMC processor? Since the 505 supports links and has plenty of buttons, one should be able to write programs to accept numerical input and do calculations. Depending on the usb controller we might even be able to connect a usb keyboard. Does anyone know if the hardware supports pixel level screen updates so you don't have to update the whole screen with every screen event? Maybe you could connect a keyboard and a mouse? Yeah, it might be a stretch, but if you don't ask, the answer is always no. Mike

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02-05-2008, 03:19 AM	#5
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	AFAIK, nobody's succeeded in actually running new applications on the Sony thus far; the only "open" eInk reader is the iLiad, which is more like an "eInk Tablet PC" than a dedicated reader. It's an "open" system on which pretty much any application can be installed.

02-05-2008, 06:59 AM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Even if you installed a new application on the Reader, though, how would you run it? On the iLiad, you can simply run a script through the file browser - there's no way to do something similar on the Reader is there? Forgive me if I'm wrong about that!

02-05-2008, 09:24 AM	#8
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	You can run it instead of the main UI app. Or implement a plugin, selectable from the menus, for example. You can even just use the autorun.xml option and not change the firmware at all. There's a lot of possibilities.

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