Ear to Ear Networking.

[lightman]

They are absolutely IR. You'll just have to trust me on that.

My bad for bringing up RF. Just before you posted this, I recalled your earlier post stating they were IR.

Sorry about that.

Lightman

[timon]

Timon....did you buy a pair?

I will find out on Saturday when I get mine. Will be taking a close look...yah think?

LOL

Not yet but I will. Kinda waiting to see what you all come up with since I don't have the equipment available to analyze the protocol my self. Once the transmission protocol and speeds have been figured out I'll through some of my ideas on the table.

[lightman]

Not yet but I will. Kinda waiting to see what you all come up with since I don't have the equipment available to analyze the protocol my self. Once the transmission protocol and speeds have been figured out I'll through some of my ideas on the table.

Roger Dodger....will keep you posted....

Lightman

[lightman]

I received the hat and have taken it apart. It is all held together with small screws and plastic tabs. I ripped out the internal foam pad inside cap to get to electronics.

Clever design with simple RGB LEDs in each ear and one IR detector inside the right ear plastic enclosure. One touch sensor (capacitive) for turning on and off. Single uproc, near as I can tell. Runs on 3 AAA Batteries with tap off one battery for second lower voltage supply. So one supply is at 4.5 VDC and other is at 3 VDC (updated 7/1/12).

Circuit is assembled onto ribbon flex cable on top of battery compartment that is part of black plastic structure that supports the plastic ears. All this is mounted into heavily foam padded cap with under the chin strap. Probably because it is top heavy.

Photos below show basic components. Small white dots at ends of ribbon flex cable are the RGB LEDs. Further down the flex cable (not shown) is capacitive button. Below one of the LEDs is the IR photo detector (black dot next to white dot). On the other ear (left one), it appears to have an IR emitter next to visible RGB LED.

It does not respond to typical TVs remote control. Have not put on scope yet, or tried various protocols. That will take a while as it is hunt and Peck.

Continuing to investigate....

Lightman

[lightman]

Here are some more photos...

Batteries are accessible from up, inside the cap through removable door.

When hat is turned on, it cycles through various blinky patterns. When button pressed again, it flashes couple of tines and allegedly turns off (probably goes into low power sleep mode).

You can see small capacitive touch button on bottom of ear.

The photo showing lit led....you can see IR detector right below...the black dot. IR is transmitted through plastic ear to this sensor.

Further down the ribbon cable is the capacitive touch button.

[timon]

You know you'll need a second one to figure some of this out plus a trip to the park with some test equipment hidden in your coat. At least you don't have to wait for World of Color, just to to the Tea Cups.

Darn, I wish I had access to test gear right now.

I think this is the test case and if it goes over well I expect we'll see other hats that Glow with the Show. I really think people will like being part of the show instead of just watching it.

[chelmuth]

There was mention that they interact with each other also. Was there just an IR rx or was there an IR tx also?

[lightman]

Yep...however....I can sniff the LED emitter on the one i have and at least get some info on carrier and bit patterns.

Also, I plan to sweep through carriers on IR receiver and them guess at some serial data and see if anything responds.

But it would be easier with a trip to the park. That's not going to happen soon for me.

That said, if you were talking about incorporating this idea with your show, I have my own design and it is more than adequate for snappy blinky flashy with my show. It is easily transferrable to other micro and lights. Just a thought...

Lightman

[lightman]

There was mention that they interact with each other also. Was there just an IR rx or was there an IR tx also?

Yes, it appears to have an IR LED emitter on opposite ear that has the IR detector. Until I get an IR photosensor or IR detector near it, I wont know for sure.

Lightman

[ErnieHorning]

The datasheet for the Texas-Instruments MSP430G2553IPW20 16-bit micro.