The CTC Wand
The Wand is designed to serve as a child's toy, or as an unusual and innovative promotional device. Its key feature is the display of simple text messages and graphics which appear in mid-air as if by magic. The magic is achieved by careful switching of the high power LEDs as the wand itself is waved through the air.
The Wand project resulted from a coffee-time discussion followed by a non-serious challenge issued to an engineer to have a working prototype demonstrating the key technology ready within a week. A few days later, which surprised even ourselves who are used to doing things by yesterday, the relevant engineer proudly produced a very dubious looking piece of hardware mostly comprising a bank of LEDs and connected to a desktop PC via its serial port. And when waved, the LEDs lit up to display the ubiquitous "Hello world" message.
CTC decided that the idea was sufficiently innovative to justify the building of an independently functioning prototype. This took 3 weeks rather than 3 days!
The current prototype displays a fixed message, and does not have a reprogramming facility. Designs exist, however, for more complex versions that can either be programmed via a simple three-button user interface, or via a light detector that can receive a message program by simply being pointed at a light source flashing in a specified pattern. These programs could be made available via animated gifs on web pages, and so be easily downloadable from the Internet without any need for complex connections, wired or otherwise.
To discuss any queries and licensing arrangements, please contact us.
