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There are several ways the tiles can be made but basically
these would be standard 12" or 16" floor tiles but
manufactured of translucent materials such as acrylic or
glass brick. Each one is then backed with an
electroluminescent panel and finally a thin rubber sheet
containing a circuit/
logic board with micro pressure-sensors.
The tiles are configured for daisy-chaining on two opposing
sides so that individual rows of tiles complete their own
circuit.
The default setting will illuminate tiles, when activated by
the pressure of footsteps, with a glow-on glow-off type of
visual effect. The glow pattern radiates outward in a circle
with fading edges, its diameter is about twice the length of
the footstep detected. Think of each footstep creating a
"visual echo" made of glowing light. The length of glow time,
its brightness, size of glow pattern, etc. can all be
customized.
The fun happens with the ability for choosing special
effects. Designer light patterns substituted for the default
setting can include effects such as softly twinkling
snowflakes in the winter, breeze scattering leaves in the
fall and tiny, random blossoms-a-blooming in spring, etc...
These tiles would be most suitable for entrance ways, long
hallways and kids bedrooms. A utility design ideal for
bathrooms would create a lighted in-floor calendar/ date-
keeper to help you get you focused on your day from the
get-go.
Billie Jean crossing
http://www.halfbake...e_20Jean_20crossing
very similar halfbaked idea, by [adhib] [krelnik, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]
Electroluminescent Panels
http://www.vea.it/V...nti/ill_elettro.htm
[Tiger Lily, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]
Lightspace
http://www.lightspa...roducts/nightclubs/
Aug 4 2004: You could bake your idea using this product, currently marketed to discos [krelnik, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]
[link]
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You could follow your cat to find your way around in the dark. That would be pretty cute. |
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I can't help but think that we have done this before, not as elgantly admittedly. I like the snowflakes effect idea...can there be a crunching sound while this is happening? (+) Even if it has already been preposed on the HB this is superior! |
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Thank you [silverstormer]. Cats could leave little paw prints in light though I can't recomend these tiles for owners of paranoid cats. Kittens, however, would be a blast to watch playing with their paw print "shadows." |
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Hehe, I like it. But I don't like the fact that I keep getting pictures of Michael Jackson in my head. |
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[RoboBust], I had not remembered that at all until you mentioned it. I guess that makes this baked. Poop. |
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Include a memory function and it could be used for giving directions in large or complex buildings. When the info desk person is asked the way to the widget dept, they can just hit a button and say 'Follow the orange footprints, and they'll take you there'. (I remember a similar idea in an Asimov SF story). |
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No, this is much better [Tiger Lily]. Michael Jacksons were just plain white tiles, and I imagine some guy backstage was merely flicking them on and off as he stepped on them. |
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are they like lit disco floors? |
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See link for a very closely related idea, for outdoor use. |
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Nifty! I'd hook the whole thing up to my computer so it could do the "life" cellular automata using my footsteps as input. |
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[Po], think of these tiles as if they had the properties of a mood ring and you have left behind a footprint. This will start you in the right direction. This is a primitive analogy by comparison as the tiles, however, can produce effects in different colors and infinite patterns by choice. |
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This is the coolest idea I have ever seen. |
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You could run the entire day over at X speed, seeing who was where at any time, using shoe sole recognition technology. Eventually the kids will be jumping between pieces of furniture to avoid leaving a tell-tale history.
One way this could be made in a dumb version: the tiles are phosphorescent and the shoes have UV lights in the soles. The combination leaves slowly fading imprints wherever one goes. Spectacular for dance floors, and esp. useful for dance studios... |
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coooool....it lingers, i imagine?
and i can get it in pretty colors? |
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Why not design a thin electro-luminescent sheet that can be pasted onto the abdomen of pregnant women.This could show them the outine of the developing foetus and its position. |
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You could light the rim of the toilet when you stand in front of it to help you aim at midnight... IF you stand, that is! |
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Heh. So instead of just footprints underfoot, there should
be a nightime setting that would illuminate a "walk
this way" pattern to the loo/john/bog? Just before arrival,
"running flashers" could help "bring you in" ;b |
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A lighted rim could also save people from..uh, well, those
midnight "bowling" accidents... |
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The technology for all of this exists, and it would be (relatively) cheap. All it would take is a few clear acrylic panels and a cheap electric drum set. |
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A flying dutchman has built an
interactive light floor. Basically it's
a sandwich of coloured liquid (if
"igirl" wants pretty colours she can
have them) between two panes of
glass. This rests on supports that
encompass a light installation.
When you walk on it your weight
displaces the liquid and the light
emerges where your feet have
been, thus leaving a luminescent
trail that gradually fades over
about a minute. You could have
the walkway on an higher floor
without the light installation and
your footprints would reveal what's
going on below. |
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