Hi all.

Some issues I would like to address after reading through these replies and on some other sites.

- The idea is to build this while keeping the whole thing affordable. If we start adding features, better screens, etc. it won't be cheap enough and no-one will buy it.

- Keeping the cost of the components in general low means the production will be cheaper (smaller PCB's, cheaper BOM, ...)
Production in low quantity is always expensive, so we should make sure we can deliver something that is viable, without dreaming too much about what we could do given infinite time and money.

- For this reason, a TTL interface to the screen is preferable, as it is less complex than adding LVDS support. Debugging time will be shorter, and the product can be shipped faster.

- Screens are expensive. Actually, they are cheap if you buy lots. However in quantities below 1000 (or even 10000+), they are much more expensive. The added problem is the CCFL backlight and the required inverter, etc. A LED backlight would be better, but after doing some research, they are very hard to come by.

For now, the best option is a 800x600 screen, but that does not mean that a future version might not have a larger screen, more features, etc.

As a conclusion: this project has to work out. We have some real nice markets in mind for this system, most of which do not need OSD, 1024x768, etc. They do have to be power conservative and they just have to work, even in harsh conditions (I'm thinking desert here...).
For this reason, the design has to be as simple as possible, robust, and cheap enough to produce in low quantities. These are some serious restrictions under which to develop for.


Best regards,
Johan

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Johan Dams, Genesi USA Inc.
Director, Software Engineering

Yep, I have a blog... PurpleAlienPlanet

Ok it must be affordable.
What material should we use, some sort of plastic or a metal?
I know some companies which can "print" 3D Models with a stereolithografic-system (rapidprototyping). For me i prefer plastic. I have 3 more designproposals in the pipeline and hope that at least one of them will meet all criteria ; )

Hi.

Quote: "I know some companies which can "print" 3D Models with a stereolithografic-system (rapidprototyping)"

Yes, very nice system. We use it as well. However, the polymer that is used is very expensive (sold per cubic centimeter :)
It would be very costly to make this thing, even as a prototype (would need too much of the polymer).

I think metal (aluminum) could be easier (and more solid, see my requirements in a previous post), but if you can make it out of plastic, it would be ok I guess. Problem is, if you're going to use a mold for injection, it's going to be very expensive again. Especially due to the small quantities.


Best regards,
Johan

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Johan Dams, Genesi USA Inc.
Director, Software Engineering

Yep, I have a blog... PurpleAlienPlanet

What do think about selective-laser-sintering. I had no experience so far with it. But i know that it is cheaper. I will investigate it after we have some ideas how the portable will look like. Then i can at least assume how much it would cost. I will post the other designproposals at the latest on monday. If we produce a small series(100 or more :D ) it will qualify the costs.

Best regards

Hi all,

Great post Johan. We are now focused on a SVGA (800*600) screen for cost and I/F reasons. Even if we dislike CCFL, LED backlight seems not to be an option for 10~12 inches displays we are looking for.

Here is a block diagram of the parts needed in the screen (considering a CCFL backlight (ie. High Voltage :-(), hope it can help to clarify the needs, don't hesitate to give your opinion.



Dimensions & positions on the diagram are dummy... The final screen choice will decide of both mechanical constraints and final electronics required to drive it.

For the power cells, we had a quick discussion with Johan, Li-ion cells are hard to get as samples. Suppliers are often relectant to give sample of these cells because it's quite dangerous. Is NI-MH suitable ?

Concerning Genesi, I have several technical questions (think it's for Matt...).

The 5200B has I2C and SPI. Can we imagine getting one this "bus" (to be honest, I prefer the SPI) communicating with a small uC located on the DVI I/F to control the Backlight enable and dimming. I think it's important for Power saving and for customer comfort. The light requirement are not the same in the desert and inside a building. Also, for people in Greece, I would recommend putting a thermal sensor inside the screen to power it off in case of high temperature. Trust me, a "commercial grade" screen will be irreversibly damage if it becomes to hot (I've already made benchmarks). Also keep in mind that UV damage TFT panels.

Stellae

Progress!

Matt has set up a new FORUM for Portable EFIKA. This will scale into a collaborative environment with time. Feel free to continue the discussion here or branch into a new topic as required.

R&B :)

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http://bbrv.blogspot.com

You know that i am working on some possible designs.

I try to fulfill following criterias:

affordability, portability, usability - but i hope there is room for some eyecandy too

I would like to give the user the possibility to put a secondary batterypack in, but this could mean that the case will look a little more bulky -but this depands on the form which we will choose.

I think you know the imac (G5,Intel): My newest idea for example is to use the form of the imac as base. You would have a rectangular shape, build in Display, a depth of about 5-7cm(depends on the screen), you could place a clutch which disappears(if not needed
for carrying) inside the case. The footing could be turned to the back like a hinge.The keybord is not part of the portable, but it could be plugged on it for carrying. I will finish it tomorrow for the great fashion parade. Oh by the way we have a new Teammember Marc Kaiser, he helps me with realizing some designproposals with Lightwave, he can also do Animations.

Hi all,

this is my new proposal. The renderings are a little bit different and are made by Marc Kaiser (look at the footing). In the next day Marc will come up with some nicer images.

Greetings

I was thinking in something like a tablet pc, with no keyboard,thus no mobile parts and no need of 2 (screen and hardware)chassis and box.

The keyboard could be a virtual keyboard on the screen,or even a writting recognition software.

no keyboard,trackpad,just one chassis for the whole unit, thus making it cheaper.

An idea might be to do the "tablet pc" thing but make the Portable Efika more of a "portable screen" (i.e. a portable iMac design).

I'm not sure stylus operation really cuts it a lot of the time and the stylus components add a significant cost.

You could include a keyboard and mouse using Bluetooth but I wish I could find a Bluetooth keyboard that wasn't full size media center behemoth, or a fold-out PDA-specific one. (If anyone finds one I'd love to buy one for myself anyway!) In the end portability can come from the ability to lug it anywhere, and that can be done with a portable screen with the computer integrated, and a small keyboard and mouse solution, and the "keep it together" aspect can come very simply from a smart leather case or suchlike with pockets inside (everyone at Genesi has one of these if they went to one of the SNDF shows, it's a really rather smart. Just a folding book style leather pouch with a notebook and a space for your PDA and pens and so on. Something similar to that. Bill, have you got yours around and can take a photo of it to show what I mean? I didn't bring mine..)

Not everything has to be clipped into a single plastic case to be luggable :)

_________________
Matt Sealey

Screen quotes are coming in...



Prices are in CNY, but you can get an idea of the price in Euro by dividing by 10.

Let's keep that progress coming!

R&B :-)

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http://bbrv.blogspot.com

some more prices (found with google):
http://store.earthlcd.com/LCD-Products/12-1-LCD-Panels

I agree with Matt prefering something like the portable Imac, not only because the proposal was from me :D

A bulky or a a little bit oversized case may look at first only expensive but a little bit more room in the inside can also help to get things cheaper or better for the user.

Examples:
1.More room for a second Batterypack (optional)
2.Look at industrial portable PCs, this are BIG-Tower-PCs with a TFT attached - WOW!
But they have one advantage: The user can put any PCI/AGP-Card in it -> This could make it also cheaper

Casing+Efika+Display,Batterypacks = Sold portable Efika system
The customer could use his own Keyboard,Mouse, old/new graphics adapter.

Best regards

I think we should steer well away from "custom" configurations just from a support point of view. If we utilize a keyboard we approve and a mouse that we approve, it works better as a whole system. After all portability is worth nothing if it doesn't work when you get it out of the box.. graphics and input should be part of any system.

Have you ever bought a laptop which had no graphics or keyboard installed? :)

A system which fits in a smart case, and is fairly discrete when plonked on a desk, a nice fold-out keyboard and a small mouse to keep the space down, would work. The ports can be exposed to one size of the casework and the batteries fit into the other, all hidden behind a panel and backed by a stand to hold the system (VESA compliant or integrated? that will be a choice to make)

How about this for a keyboard;




http://www.darfon.com.tw/2005_HTM/HID/Portable_G953.htm

Pick your own suitable mouse (with the same extendable connector, I use one of these with my laptop)



They wouldn't increase the size of the "portable Efika package" by any huge degree, but afford greater portability.

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Matt Sealey

Ok i agree with your opinion about "custom" configurations.
My favorit proposal is still the portable "imac". Yesterday i saw a flexible Keyboard for 7 Euro like this http://cgi.ebay.de/Foldable-Flex-Waterp ... dZViewItem

What do you think about such a keyboard? Had someone any experiences with them?
If i understand you right, does my proposal fulfill your thoughts? The only i need to finish the casedesign are the final dimensions of the used components.
I`m working on a papermodel of the portable should be ready soon (to work with paper is more difficult than working with steel ; ) )