Comments on: What Features Do You Want in an LED Puck? http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191 Sun, 08 Dec 2024 17:19:24 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Brandon http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191&cpage=1#comment-21615 Brandon Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:50:11 +0000 http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191#comment-21615 I'm actually in the market for something VERY similar to this. What I'm looking for is a puck shaped device that has a 3-5 second timer (push a button) and slide it into a room to emit a photo strobe intense flash...just once. It should be re-usable and I'm pretty sure I can make it, the Strobe boards are easy to come by its the timer I'm having a little trouble with. AA or AAA will be more then enough juice...and lets get crazy...have some glide wheels on the bottom so I can open a door, roll it into the center of the room and poof! Blind bad guys. :) I have an application in mind. :) What do you think? If you want to discuss it off line like me know I'm on AIM at tilanthis. I’m actually in the market for something VERY similar to this. What I’m looking for is a puck shaped device that has a 3-5 second timer (push a button) and slide it into a room to emit a photo strobe intense flash…just once.

It should be re-usable and I’m pretty sure I can make it, the Strobe boards are easy to come by its the timer I’m having a little trouble with.

AA or AAA will be more then enough juice…and lets get crazy…have some glide wheels on the bottom so I can open a door, roll it into the center of the room and poof! Blind bad guys. :)

I have an application in mind. :)

What do you think? If you want to discuss it off line like me know I’m on AIM at tilanthis.

]]> By: Keith Neufeld http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191&cpage=1#comment-21052 Keith Neufeld Sat, 01 Dec 2007 13:30:21 +0000 http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191#comment-21052 Max -- I don't know enough about inductive charging to know whether I could fit it into that size space? As an alternative, consider "stacked" charging like the pager pucks at [insert favorite chain restaurant]? From an IM session with Kevin: <ul> <li>You can use it as a level. (How practical!)</li> <li>Modular software so it's easy to contribute new functions and to pick which you want active on your puck.</li> </ul> From Jeremy: <ul><li>Timer-delayed activation mode, so when Batman knows he's going to need a distraction from the bad guys, he can plan it in advance.</li></ul> From my own brain: <ul><li>Mechanical (aka analog) clock mode, where the LEDs around the edge indicate the time. Can use accelerometer to determine which orientation it's in (e.g. while stuck to the side of a file cabinet) hence which LED to use as 12:00 (up).</li></ul> Max — I don’t know enough about inductive charging to know whether I could fit it into that size space? As an alternative, consider “stacked” charging like the pager pucks at [insert favorite chain restaurant]?

From an IM session with Kevin:

  • You can use it as a level. (How practical!)
  • Modular software so it’s easy to contribute new functions and to pick which you want active on your puck.

From Jeremy:

  • Timer-delayed activation mode, so when Batman knows he’s going to need a distraction from the bad guys, he can plan it in advance.

From my own brain:

  • Mechanical (aka analog) clock mode, where the LEDs around the edge indicate the time. Can use accelerometer to determine which orientation it’s in (e.g. while stuck to the side of a file cabinet) hence which LED to use as 12:00 (up).
]]> By: Max http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191&cpage=1#comment-21050 Max Sat, 01 Dec 2007 09:52:13 +0000 http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191#comment-21050 How about using inductive charging? That would eliminate the need to have to open it up, keeping the puck uniform. How about using inductive charging? That would eliminate the need to have to open it up, keeping the puck uniform.

]]> By: Max http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191&cpage=1#comment-21048 Max Sat, 01 Dec 2007 09:49:39 +0000 http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191#comment-21048 Ok, this is best idea ever! I will be thinking of features to add! Perhaps a RGB LED? The accelerometer control is brilliant! Ok, this is best idea ever! I will be thinking of features to add! Perhaps a RGB LED? The accelerometer control is brilliant!

]]> By: Keith Neufeld http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191&cpage=1#comment-21041 Keith Neufeld Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:18:22 +0000 http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191#comment-21041 Addition from lunch conversation today: <ul><li>Magnetic base, to stick it to a file cabinet or car.</li></ul> Addition from lunch conversation today:

  • Magnetic base, to stick it to a file cabinet or car.
]]> By: Keith Neufeld http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191&cpage=1#comment-21040 Keith Neufeld Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:17:10 +0000 http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191#comment-21040 Kevin -- accelerometer-based control is GENIUS. I could even silk-screen tiny labels above the LEDs for selecting a function. Oh my goodness, I wanted over-the-top, geeky cool and you just NAILED it. :-) Kevin — accelerometer-based control is GENIUS. I could even silk-screen tiny labels above the LEDs for selecting a function. Oh my goodness, I wanted over-the-top, geeky cool and you just NAILED it. :-)

]]> By: Kevin Reid http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191&cpage=1#comment-21039 Kevin Reid Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:22:02 +0000 http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191#comment-21039 Accelerometer-based control! 1. Press single control button. 2. Tilt puck such that the LED indicating the relevant function is lit. 3. Release button. Look at Wii games for control scheme ideas? Re battery access, how about a custom rubber plug? I assume this isn't totally impractical if you're prepared to cast with resin. Maybe make said rubber plug also the control button? Accelerometer-based control!

1. Press single control button.
2. Tilt puck such that the LED indicating the relevant function is lit.
3. Release button.

Look at Wii games for control scheme ideas?

Re battery access, how about a custom rubber plug? I assume this isn’t totally impractical if you’re prepared to cast with resin.

Maybe make said rubber plug also the control button?

]]> By: Keith Neufeld http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191&cpage=1#comment-21038 Keith Neufeld Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:57:05 +0000 http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191#comment-21038 Kevin -- I love the silly ideas. I mean, the whole concept here is for this to be ridiculously over the top, like something that Batman just whips off his belt, because he always carries exactly what's needed for every situation. That said, Batman can always "prime" and use his devices quickly. He may push a couple of buttons, but he doesn't have to consult a manual, set a rotary DIP switch or push a selector button a zillion times, etc. So all the crazy features need to be easy to access. I had a couple more ideas: <ul> <li>USB connection to power the puck and/or recharge the battery.</li> <li>If it has an accelerometer and a USB connection anyway, make a POV-message-board mode. It can detect the orientation before you start to wave it to determine which sets of LEDs to use, and then write a message in the air, programmed via the USB port.</li> </ul> How's <em>that</em> for over-the-top? BTW, I really like the night-light mode. Good idea. Kris -- The solar charger is a good idea and a very handy way to recharge the battery. But I almost wonder if it's too <em>practical</em>. :-) I mean, this is a ridiculous gizmo; why put something <em>sensible</em> in it? :-) More seriously, I'm still trying to work out how to keep the bottom accessible to change batteries, but still durable enough to kick around a bit. I'm concerned about whether I could adequately protect a solar panel from damage without encasing it in resin. Hm, maybe this thing needs to be resin top and bottom and somehow screw apart in the center to get to the batteries? Kevin — I love the silly ideas. I mean, the whole concept here is for this to be ridiculously over the top, like something that Batman just whips off his belt, because he always carries exactly what’s needed for every situation.

That said, Batman can always “prime” and use his devices quickly. He may push a couple of buttons, but he doesn’t have to consult a manual, set a rotary DIP switch or push a selector button a zillion times, etc. So all the crazy features need to be easy to access.

I had a couple more ideas:

  • USB connection to power the puck and/or recharge the battery.
  • If it has an accelerometer and a USB connection anyway, make a POV-message-board mode. It can detect the orientation before you start to wave it to determine which sets of LEDs to use, and then write a message in the air, programmed via the USB port.

How’s that for over-the-top?

BTW, I really like the night-light mode. Good idea.

Kris — The solar charger is a good idea and a very handy way to recharge the battery. But I almost wonder if it’s too practical. :-) I mean, this is a ridiculous gizmo; why put something sensible in it? :-)

More seriously, I’m still trying to work out how to keep the bottom accessible to change batteries, but still durable enough to kick around a bit. I’m concerned about whether I could adequately protect a solar panel from damage without encasing it in resin.

Hm, maybe this thing needs to be resin top and bottom and somehow screw apart in the center to get to the batteries?

]]> By: Kris Wotipka http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191&cpage=1#comment-21031 Kris Wotipka Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:09:00 +0000 http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191#comment-21031 Well, you have a blank flat surface on the other side. Why not put a solar cell on the other side? I'll have to keep an eye on this. I saw your superbright LED post. As a lighting guy, things like this always catch my attention. kw Well, you have a blank flat surface on the other side. Why not put a solar cell on the other side? I’ll have to keep an eye on this. I saw your superbright LED post. As a lighting guy, things like this always catch my attention.

kw

]]> By: Kevin Reid http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191&cpage=1#comment-21030 Kevin Reid Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:21:59 +0000 http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=191#comment-21030 Mostly silly: 1. Accelerometer/impact sensor, adjust for either "when thrown into the room" or "when touched" sensitivity: a. Turn on at first impact. b. Flash on each impact. c. Toggle on/off. 2. Grenade/overload mode (increasing-frequency pulses, ending state to taste). 3. Flicker (fake fire) mode. 4. Night light mode: turns off whenever there is other light in the room. Mostly silly:

1. Accelerometer/impact sensor, adjust for either “when thrown into the room” or “when touched” sensitivity:
a. Turn on at first impact.
b. Flash on each impact.
c. Toggle on/off.

2. Grenade/overload mode (increasing-frequency pulses, ending state to taste).

3. Flicker (fake fire) mode.

4. Night light mode: turns off whenever there is other light in the room.

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