This device would consist of an AI trained to keep track of candles and wicks in the room via edge tracing.* (One would have to display each candle from various angles) It would also track hand gestures. There would also be a lightweight computer, a Kinect, and a fairly small and powerful laser. When the correct gesture is performed over a candle the laser would fire at the wick, lighting it.
*This technology is quite common and has been in use for years. Please don't call "magic"
EDIT: also what [Vernon] said.-- Voice, Dec 21 2011 Elegant and nifty. [+]-- gisho, Dec 21 2011 Perhaps multiple lasers could converge on the wick, so as not to accidentally light parts of guests.-- pocmloc, Dec 21 2011 Would also work on paraffin lamps with clear glass chimneys. [+]
Voice recognition would be good ...
<Obi-Wan>
<Hand gesture>
"You don't need to see his means of ignition ..."
<Candles in room light, seemingly spontaneously>
</Obi-Wan>-- 8th of 7, Dec 21 2011 Giles had just mastered the trick of balancing a grape-stem on the tip of his index finger when...-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 21 2011 First point of order: [+]
That said, I wish to point out that A) the Kinect can only 'see' about 12' and B) that laser had better be tiny, quick, and spot-on accurate, or else the furniture, floors, pets, and people in the room will be playing backstop to your novelty candle lighter. Keep the burn ointment handy.-- Alterother, Dec 21 2011 [+] Although I'd rather \\When the correct gesture is performed over a candle, the laser would fire at the wick of an adjacent candle, lighting it\\ and producing a priceless WTF moment for your dinner guest.-- mouseposture, Dec 21 2011 // Perhaps multiple lasers could converge on the wick, so as not to accidentally light parts of guests. //
Yes, indeed.
And to reduce chances of something being between the wick and the sole laser. And to make it less obvious that a laser is being used.-- baconbrain, Dec 22 2011 You neglected to indicate that the laser should use an infrared frequency, so the beam would be entirely invisible when it does its thing.-- Vernon, Dec 23 2011 random, halfbakery