h a l f b a k e r yRenovating the wheel
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As evidenced by the recent addition of the @ symbol to the standard character set, Morse code is still alive and well.
Why not incorporate Morse code in to automobile turn indicators? A retrofit could be easily effected.
An electronic replacement for the common turn signal flasher device could
easily be constructed. Using a PDA or cell phone with Bluetooth or even a PDA with USB, the device could be programmed to blink the turn signal with the programmed message instead of the usual on, off, on, off, on, off...
For example, one could program in their phone number or e-mail address if they wish to see who notices their message.
The message could be changed on an ad hoc basis with the PDA/phone or one of a number of pre-programmed messages could be selected with a simple switch.
As mentioned in annotations here...
http://www.halfbake...n_20Signal_20Groove
[half, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]
Morse to Text
http://www.soton.ac...h/morse/jtrans.html
Java-based online translater from Morse code to text. [Acme, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]
[link]
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// Why not incorporate Morse code in to automobile turn indicators? // |
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Perhaps a better question is why? I fear the confusion that would result from changing the message a turn signal delivers. |
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Hm. How would it be confusing? It would still blink. To the untrained eye, it would look like a defective blinker. The erratic blinking might even draw greater attention thereby causing it to be more effective indicator. |
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Good thing I didn't suggest the opening and closing louver thingies like they use(d) on ships for light signaling. |
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But if you're sending a message out using your left turn signal, does that mean you are also turning left, or just using the signal to broadcast a Morse message and not actually intent on turning left? The message reader doesn't know if you plan to turn, or not. |
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To clear this up, you could somehow restrict the message sending to actual intended turns, but then you force people to make turns just to send messages. The two don't really go together. |
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I didn't realize there was any potential for ambiguity. When I said "incorporate Morse code in to automobile turn indicators", I meant that it would blink a message while indicating a turn. You're sending a message *while* indicating a turn, not instead of indicating a turn. |
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Ah... taking advantage of the fact that you already have this blinking thing sending one message ("I'm about to turn") to send another concurrent one. Gotcha. |
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––– ···· –·· · ·– ·–· ·–·–·– – ···· ·· ··· ·· ··· ·–– · ·· ·–· –·· ·–·–·– |
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So you could program your left turn indicator to say "I am turning right"? |
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.... . .-.. .-.. --- --..-- -... . . --.. .-.-.- |
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Heh, yes. I suppose you could, Ling. |
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Forget Morse code... mount a bullhorn on the back bumper. Plus, that keeps you from fiddling with your PDA when you <could> be driving. |
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.. ..-. / -.-- --- ..- / -.-. .- -. / .-. . .- -.. / - .... .. ... --..-- / -.-- --- ..- / .- .-. . / --- ...- . .-. -....- . -.. ..- -.-. .- - . -.. |
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CB radios with PA systems...how 70's. |
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..-. --- .-.. .-.. --- .-- -- . .-.-.- .. -.- -. --- .-- - .... . .-- .- -.-- - --- - .... . -... .- .-. .-.-.- <cheers> |
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See, half, the 70's were good for more than the Bee Gees! |
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But I made mine immune to auto translation. Heh. |
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.-. --- --..-- / .. .----. -- / ... .--. .- .-. - .. -.-. ..- ... |
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Bristols I broke your code. You said HIEEISHISISEEIIIS. But somehow I don't think that's what you said. Damn! |
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Surely the act of reading the messages distracts the driver from what they should be doing - driving. |
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