Forums > Technical Discussion > Hyperlights update...
Login/Join to ParticipateBRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
I've been busy designing recently and I'm happy to report I've made some serious progress! I've very nearly got the final prototype board fleshed out and a design I reckon ought to work very well for the casing.
Non-Https Image Link
Non-Https Image Link
I'll send off for the first set of prototype boards some time next week (still needs some tweaking and double-checking). I need to investigate a few more companies to find someone to make my polycarbonate balls. Just need to get the software up to scratch now. As it stands you'd need to have some special hardware to add new light sequences etc. into them... once I've got my head around a few things, you'll just be able to plug your hyperlights into a USB socket, fire up your software and tell them what you want!
Watch this space
I've been busy designing recently and I'm happy to report I've made some serious progress! I've very nearly got the final prototype board fleshed out and a design I reckon ought to work very well for the casing.
Non-Https Image Link
Non-Https Image Link
I'll send off for the first set of prototype boards some time next week (still needs some tweaking and double-checking). I need to investigate a few more companies to find someone to make my polycarbonate balls. Just need to get the software up to scratch now. As it stands you'd need to have some special hardware to add new light sequences etc. into them... once I've got my head around a few things, you'll just be able to plug your hyperlights into a USB socket, fire up your software and tell them what you want!
Watch this space
Cake or Death?
SILVER Member
Member
13 posts
Location: uk, cornwall
Member
13 posts
Location: uk, cornwall
Posted:
ok water is out the window, but i was thinking about lasers. weak ones so it doesn't blind anyone!does anyone know how to make beam wider? thinking about lens to magnify it so i could make a real lightsaber. wich wont cut your hand off! or take a laser pen apart and fit as many in a ball a possible. laser poi would be wicked
ok water is out the window, but i was thinking about lasers. weak ones so it doesn't blind anyone!does anyone know how to make beam wider? thinking about lens to magnify it so i could make a real lightsaber. wich wont cut your hand off! or take a laser pen apart and fit as many in a ball a possible. laser poi would be wicked
Didn't your mother tell you not to play with fire? You'll get burt. Did i listen, No! Burns heal!
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
To be honest, if you made the beam wider, you'd basically have a HyperLight. I've been playing with the new versions today and I'm fairly sure they are brighter than the last set!
To be honest, if you made the beam wider, you'd basically have a HyperLight. I've been playing with the new versions today and I'm fairly sure they are brighter than the last set!
Cake or Death?
GOLD Member
What a Bummer
3,224 posts
Location: Shatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
What a Bummer
3,224 posts
Location: Shatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
Jons selling pitch... dazzle your cutomers so they buy them... and if they dont buy them... turn em up a notch and blind em...
Jons selling pitch... dazzle your cutomers so they buy them... and if they dont buy them... turn em up a notch and blind em...
SILVER Member
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Posted:
I get to seem the mk3 in some form this evening
I get to seem the mk3 in some form this evening
GOLD Member
What a Bummer
3,224 posts
Location: Shatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
What a Bummer
3,224 posts
Location: Shatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
Tsunami?
Tsunami?
SILVER Member
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Posted:
Hyperlight version 3s exist- I was there at theire construction, I was lucky enough to spin them.
They are even better than before- I can't wait
Hyperlight version 3s exist- I was there at theire construction, I was lucky enough to spin them.
They are even better than before- I can't wait
SILVER Member
Likes trees...
209 posts
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Likes trees...
209 posts
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posted:
Not sure if it has already been adressed, but do you have a system that would allow both poi to sequence at exactly the same time? with some colourchanging poi, you need to turn them on at the same time to do that, and even then they don't always come out right.
Any possibility of synchronising them through a digital system?
Not sure if it has already been adressed, but do you have a system that would allow both poi to sequence at exactly the same time? with some colourchanging poi, you need to turn them on at the same time to do that, and even then they don't always come out right.
Any possibility of synchronising them through a digital system?
'n Boer maak 'n plan.
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
I have some ideas on that which I need to test further, but yes, it's certainly something I have in mind
I have some ideas on that which I need to test further, but yes, it's certainly something I have in mind
Cake or Death?
GOLD Member
addict
434 posts
Location: UK
addict
434 posts
Location: UK
Posted:
Jon, you coming to Poi in the Punt next weekend?? Gwan you know you want to
Jon, you coming to Poi in the Punt next weekend?? Gwan you know you want to BRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
I'd really love to, but I've got a beer festival on Friday followed by a weekend of climbing large rocks in the peak district!
I've been busy this evening - check out the screenshot I took a moment ago:
Non-Https Image Link
...can ya tell what it is yet?
I'd really love to, but I've got a beer festival on Friday followed by a weekend of climbing large rocks in the peak district!
I've been busy this evening - check out the screenshot I took a moment ago:
Non-Https Image Link
...can ya tell what it is yet?
Cake or Death?
BRONZE Member
Member
7 posts
Location: USA
Member
7 posts
Location: USA
Posted:
Okay so... I think I read this all wrong.
Does this little toy spell out words in midair? Cuz that would be sick, and I've seen someone design such a thing (just not for poi spinning).
Also, another idea would be to add in a microphone with programming that would make the lights change to whatever music is playing. I'm sure they would be a huge pain to add on but ehh I'm trying to think outside the box!
Okay so... I think I read this all wrong.
Does this little toy spell out words in midair? Cuz that would be sick, and I've seen someone design such a thing (just not for poi spinning).
Also, another idea would be to add in a microphone with programming that would make the lights change to whatever music is playing. I'm sure they would be a huge pain to add on but ehh I'm trying to think outside the box!
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
Well those are certainly both possible... however, I won't be adding either of those functions to my HyperLights any time soon. Spelling out words would require a load more LEDs. It wouldn't be all that tough to do, but it's not what I want for my toys.
The microphone idea has been tossed around a few times before, but once again, I have no particular plans to add anything like that. If you want to sync your poi to music, I'm planning to have a way to load and MP3 (or whatever) into the program that sequences the poi.. so you'll be able to sequence them that way if you want.
I might well have a play with those ideas, but for now I'm focussing on getting the current design out the door so people can start playing
Well those are certainly both possible... however, I won't be adding either of those functions to my HyperLights any time soon. Spelling out words would require a load more LEDs. It wouldn't be all that tough to do, but it's not what I want for my toys.
The microphone idea has been tossed around a few times before, but once again, I have no particular plans to add anything like that. If you want to sync your poi to music, I'm planning to have a way to load and MP3 (or whatever) into the program that sequences the poi.. so you'll be able to sequence them that way if you want.
I might well have a play with those ideas, but for now I'm focussing on getting the current design out the door so people can start playing
Cake or Death?
GOLD Member
Empirically random...
431 posts
Location: Lincoln, United Kingdom
Empirically random...
431 posts
Location: Lincoln, United Kingdom
Posted:
you got a usb connection!
man i cant wait to see these things, the whole thread is fascinating, really.
roll on falmouth!
you got a usb connection!
man i cant wait to see these things, the whole thread is fascinating, really.
roll on falmouth!
"This dark place planet Earth, orbits one star,
Come from afar, far away state of mind,
open up your third eye, black helicopters in the sky"
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
Gold star for you my friend.. Man I was excited when I saw that little balloon pop up
Gold star for you my friend.. Man I was excited when I saw that little balloon pop up
Cake or Death?
SILVER Member
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Posted:
Jon thats really really cool
Can you programme via the USB yet/ at all?
Jon thats really really cool
Can you programme via the USB yet/ at all?
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
Not yet.. I've only just got it enumerating as a USB device (at 2am this morning). Next step is to start trying to write data down the USB cable to the thing. If I can get that going, programming the thing should follow fairly shortly 
Not yet.. I've only just got it enumerating as a USB device (at 2am this morning
). Next step is to start trying to write data down the USB cable to the thing. If I can get that going, programming the thing should follow fairly shortly Cake or Death?
BRONZE Member
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Posted:
Wow, thats really cool
Well done you!
Wow, thats really cool
Well done you!
There's too many home fires burning and not enough trees
GOLD Member
addict
434 posts
Location: UK
addict
434 posts
Location: UK
Posted:
wow thats awesome, you've made some serious progress since I last checked. Cant wait to check out the new ones and getting started on the USB connectivity is great news.
Shall I start saving my pennies now?
wow thats awesome, you've made some serious progress since I last checked. Cant wait to check out the new ones and getting started on the USB connectivity is great news.
Shall I start saving my pennies now?
GOLD Member
addict
694 posts
Location: Leeds, United Kingdom
addict
694 posts
Location: Leeds, United Kingdom
Posted:
usb connection, what the! last time i was in this thread you were buying the pcb's.
Presumably it can charge via the usb connection at the same time as doing other things (or is that what the usb connection was originally for)
usb connection, what the! last time i was in this thread you were buying the pcb's.
Presumably it can charge via the usb connection at the same time as doing other things (or is that what the usb connection was originally for)
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
Depends how long it takes you to save
I currently have no intention to add circuitry to charge them via USB. The reasons being:
1) That they take AAA batteries so you can recharge them in any standard charger.
2) That if you go away to a festival (or on holiday or whatever), you don't want to have to lug a laptop around... and if you have access to power, you can take a charger. Also, you can buy USB battery chargers if that's what you want to do. To sum up, I reckon it's more flexible (and cheaper to you, the customer) to no have that on-board.
That was my thinking, but I'd be very interested in hearing your opinions. Remember; these things are being built for people (you!) to enjoy so if most people reckon that something would be better done another way, that's the way I'll probably do it
Written by: Motley
Shall I start saving my pennies now?
Depends how long it takes you to save
Written by: Geeza
Presumably it can charge via the usb connection at the same time as doing other things (or is that what the usb connection was originally for)
I currently have no intention to add circuitry to charge them via USB. The reasons being:
1) That they take AAA batteries so you can recharge them in any standard charger.
2) That if you go away to a festival (or on holiday or whatever), you don't want to have to lug a laptop around... and if you have access to power, you can take a charger. Also, you can buy USB battery chargers if that's what you want to do. To sum up, I reckon it's more flexible (and cheaper to you, the customer) to no have that on-board.
That was my thinking, but I'd be very interested in hearing your opinions. Remember; these things are being built for people (you!) to enjoy so if most people reckon that something would be better done another way, that's the way I'll probably do it
Cake or Death?
BRONZE Member
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Posted:
I like the way iPods work - (in my case) over firewire but they shop with a plug that has a firewire port that carries the power. Best of both worlds!
However, I think that would be a lot more complex than your idea. I don't like the idea of AAA batteries though - I'd be willing to pay more for a in built, replaceable, battery
I like the way iPods work - (in my case) over firewire but they shop with a plug that has a firewire port that carries the power. Best of both worlds!
However, I think that would be a lot more complex than your idea. I don't like the idea of AAA batteries though - I'd be willing to pay more for a in built, replaceable, battery
There's too many home fires burning and not enough trees
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
Really? Why?
Would being able to charge the thing via USB (or whatever) solve that? Bear in mind that they will ship with rechargeable NimH batteries installed...
Written by: Sym
However, I think that would be a lot more complex than your idea. I don't like the idea of AAA batteries though - I'd be willing to pay more for a in built, replaceable, battery
Really? Why?
Would being able to charge the thing via USB (or whatever) solve that? Bear in mind that they will ship with rechargeable NimH batteries installed...
Cake or Death?
BRONZE Member
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Posted:
Ah, if they are rechargeable NimH then thats fine No need to charge over USB either - as it would be a pain.
Sorted, sorry I missunderstood a little before
Ah, if they are rechargeable NimH then thats fine
No need to charge over USB either - as it would be a pain.Sorted, sorry I missunderstood a little before
There's too many home fires burning and not enough trees
GOLD Member
Empirically random...
431 posts
Location: Lincoln, United Kingdom
Empirically random...
431 posts
Location: Lincoln, United Kingdom
Posted:
IMO i would say its a nice option, like sym said, the whole ipod chargy thing is useful! but yeah AAA batteries is a good idea.
Written by: *HyperLight
Would being able to charge the thing via USB (or whatever) solve that? Bear in mind that they will ship with rechargeable NimH batteries installed...
IMO i would say its a nice option, like sym said, the whole ipod chargy thing is useful! but yeah AAA batteries is a good idea.
"This dark place planet Earth, orbits one star,
Come from afar, far away state of mind,
open up your third eye, black helicopters in the sky"
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
No probs Sym - I suspect as much
I agree it's a nice option... just plugging the thing into a PC would be kinda nice, but for it to work, you generally need an externally powered USB hub (charging requires a lot of current which in most cases won't be supplied by a computer's on-board USB hub(s)). So if you need an external hub, you might as well just have a regular charger and be done with it.
No probs Sym - I suspect as much
I agree it's a nice option... just plugging the thing into a PC would be kinda nice, but for it to work, you generally need an externally powered USB hub (charging requires a lot of current which in most cases won't be supplied by a computer's on-board USB hub(s)). So if you need an external hub, you might as well just have a regular charger and be done with it.
Cake or Death?
BRONZE Member
...join us...
184 posts
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
...join us...
184 posts
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
Posted:
I agree just plugging into a PC USB hub would be cool, but as it's not as simple as that, supplying rechargeable AAAs sounds fine. And as you said before, it allows for more flexibility when you're not near a PC for a while. And more flexibility is good
I agree just plugging into a PC USB hub would be cool, but as it's not as simple as that, supplying rechargeable AAAs sounds fine. And as you said before, it allows for more flexibility when you're not near a PC for a while. And more flexibility is good
GOLD Member
addict
434 posts
Location: UK
addict
434 posts
Location: UK
Posted:
I think your onto a winner with the AAAs to be honest, much simpler and more versitile.
oh and saving pennies will take forever so probably best I start now eh
I think your onto a winner with the AAAs to be honest, much simpler and more versitile.
oh and saving pennies will take forever so probably best I start now eh
GOLD Member
addict
694 posts
Location: Leeds, United Kingdom
addict
694 posts
Location: Leeds, United Kingdom
Posted:
How long will the AAA that come with it last and what will there mAh be?
How long would some 800 mAh AAA batteries last before needing to be recharged. As they are called hyperlights I suppose they will drain power pretty quickly
How long will the AAA that come with it last and what will there mAh be?
How long would some 800 mAh AAA batteries last before needing to be recharged. As they are called hyperlights I suppose they will drain power pretty quickly
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
Well I don't have any precise figures (more testing needed), but I reckon I was spinning them for at least an hour if not two the other night. They have 1000mAh batteries in them at the moment.
Well I don't have any precise figures (more testing needed), but I reckon I was spinning them for at least an hour if not two the other night. They have 1000mAh batteries in them at the moment.
Cake or Death?
GOLD Member
addict
694 posts
Location: Leeds, United Kingdom
addict
694 posts
Location: Leeds, United Kingdom
Posted:
good stuff, as long as they dont die after 20minutes or so
good stuff, as long as they dont die after 20minutes or so
Similar Topics
Using the keywords [hyperlight * update] we found the following existing topics.
- Forums > Hyperlights update... [453 replies]
- Forums > HyperLight Update (21-11-2006) [296 replies]
- Forums > HyperLight Update - 27-04-2007 [128 replies]
- Forums > Hyperlight Update - 25-10-2007 [101 replies]
- Forums > [2009-12-08] Hyperlight update; Soldering continues.. [5 replies]
Show more..
© 1998 - 2025 Home of Poi
All prices converted to United States dollars using XE.com