Nametags

[our-haven.livejournal.com]

I'm really excited today. I was at a convention about a month ago, and saw a few people with LED nametags on. It was simple, but effective and awesome. I also made a post on our journal a while ago linking to this story by Nikolai Kingsley, which is set in the future, and where one of the main characters is a multiple who wears a name badge that changes every time ei switches.

I just think that's the coolest thing ever.

So I was talking to a close friend of mine today, who happens to be very good with computers and electronics (she owns her own internet company, for god's sake,) and she offered to make us a nametag like that! Only (unlike the currently-available LED nametags) hers would have a huge number of presets that could be easily switched between, and might even use OLED or a color LCD screen so that graphic-text or colored fonts could be used, instead of single-to-tri-color lettering. It depends on what evolves from her tinkering... but I know the end result will be cool.

I mean, seriously, that would be the greatest thing ever if whoever was front at the time wanted their name recognized by the people around them without having to go out of their way to state it... Either around people the system was open about their multiplicity with or just in an anonymous setting. I bet it would help in multiple support groups and things like that, too... A subtle way to announce a switch.

I just had to share the coolness of that :)
~Jem of Haven

Comments

[jhonathand.livejournal.com]

I just got to say,...

I love that Idea,.

"We wants it my Precious."

I would love to have a name tag that would change when one of my brothers was up and not me,.

~M~

[enigma-system.livejournal.com]

If your friend went into business selling those... HOT DAMN! Haha. I'd buy one!

[pilgrimchild.livejournal.com]

We SOOOOO need one of those!!!! Just today a couple of us were trying to think of a better way to let outside people know who is out front. That would be TOO cool.

[inshadowhiding.livejournal.com]

(geek mode starts)
a single colour LED amtrix varent wouldn't be too hard to make at all, but be prepared for it to be a little wider ( thicker) than the button badge things.

that and question of data loading, if they are preset from factory, then this would not apply, but would become mildly odd if the system they were made for changes ( ie a new indifidual , or individuals merge)

third question would be on selecting the displayed pixels, and being able to turn it off ... hmmm, maybe a micro-dpdt and a rotery dip

forth question would be, how would it be powered, the fancier it would get the faster it would draw current from the battery, and the little "button"cell batterys do not have a much charge to draw current from.

other than that, it sounds like a neat idea, and if she isn't willing to make them, i am willing to make them,

cost+P&P+1% sounds good to me :P


( geek mode ends )

[szczur-system.livejournal.com]

XD

SMT

[bobert-mcbob.livejournal.com]

Use SMT LEDs and other electronic components, could make them pretty thin (except for the batteries, unless they were lithium-polymer ones).

Re: SMT

[inshadowhiding.livejournal.com]

yes, that was thought of, ( although not for inital prototyping, to easy to stuff up ) it is the batterys that are the main concern ( size wise anyway) , smaller battery would not allow for a long enough continuious use life, ideas for solutuions and work arounds are curently being concidered, ( and i am not meaning ones where a handy pocket is needed for an external 9V either .. although that was suggested and quickly shot down )

[ksol1460.livejournal.com]

Oh my god it's the Veritas nametag.

zaphkiel swiped Nikolai's idea and ran with it as a concept for Veritas. The way they had it, it would illustrate not only one name at a time, but would do two names if a person was co-running with you, and would also display a picture logo indicating what your house's "style" was (phoenix for groups that destroy and recreate themselves periodically; wolves for groups that have kind of a wolf-pack pattern; maybe a galaxy or something for gateway systems, that sort of thing).

Just point me in the right direction. My house signed up for one of these things almost ten years ago.

[inshadowhiding.livejournal.com]

can i assume in that case it was not delivered then?

i am continueing to geek on this, and i think i am getting somewhere, with a number of possibilitys, ... hmm, that "house style" icon idea is intersing, but would be difficult to implement ( cheaply ) on the display itself, atleast withough it growing to rediculious sizes, maybe backlit static icons though, would have to be small though .....

thinking about size, waht sort of resolutions would people like ( be aware that larger resolutions make for larger caseings etc ) , ones i have alreay thought of a 7x20, 7x21 , 8x16 and 8x32

[inshadowhiding.livejournal.com]

the question on resolutions has been obsoleted, new pathways are being followed, this question might be reposted in an alternate format.

[ksol1460.livejournal.com]

I mean signed up as in when they have them we'd be the first in line. Can you keep us posted through email about this?

[inshadowhiding.livejournal.com]

certainly :)

[zenboiuke.livejournal.com]

That is AWESOME!!! Please post pics when you get it. It might be something that your friend could either build for people and make a bit of money, or if they are willing to post instructions & a material list, others could then make their own.

~Kier

Commercial Products

[bobert-mcbob.livejournal.com]

I've found some commercial products that do the same thing.
http://www.streettags.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21
Comes in four different colours, 16 different messages, between $38 and $65 US plus applicable fees and shipping.
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=programmable+LED+nametag&btnG=Google+Search&meta= for more.