The BorgCo Open Fire Emulator consists of a generously-sized LED display, surrounded by high-output infrared emitters.

On being powered on, an image is displayed of a heap of coals, or a pile of wood, or a mix of the two.

By applying a virtual source of ignition by means of a pointing device, the fire is lit. Algorithms then determine the rate of spread of the fire and modulate the IR emitters to match the projected output of energy.

As the fire burns down, the output drops. The user can elect to add more fuel using the pointing device. Too much may smother the fire.

It is not possible to turn down the heat output. The only options are to close the damper (restricting airflow) or selecting the "bucket of water" option.

Users may elect to "build" their own fire in the empty "hearth" rather than using a pre-made laying. The software will determine if the fire burns quickly and well, or smoulders and then goes out.

In-app purchases include jars of kerosene, packs of marshmallows, crumpets, and toasting forks.
-- 8th of 7, Mar 14 2016

not even vaguely related LPelletG_20Stove
[normzone, Mar 14 2016]

How does the whole real-fire-thing sit with the hegemonizing?
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Mar 14 2016


I have something like that but the heat output is straight onto my lap, and instead of fire you can look at all sorts of different things or even play games.
-- bungston, Mar 15 2016


Why would you want to emulate opening fire?
-- pocmloc, Mar 15 2016


/ Why would you want to emulate opening fire?/

All the intimidation factor, but cheaper and safer.
-- bungston, Mar 15 2016


Would it, perhaps, be better to simulate than to emulate?
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Mar 15 2016


No. In terms of delivered functionality, an emulation is real-time and in terms of its interactions is indistinguishable from the system being emulated.

A simulation is something quite different.
-- 8th of 7, Mar 15 2016


Rather than separate IR bars, integrate the IR diodes into the display (so you have Red, Green, Blue, Infrared pixels).

Which is a thing I KNOW I've read about somewhere (possibly here) but I can't find it anywhere...
-- neutrinos_shadow, Mar 16 2016


IR LEDs, AFAIK, do not emit significant or primarily far-infrared. You would need a hot object to do that, I think. That's how radiant heaters work.
-- notexactly, Mar 23 2016


Would it not, in simple fact, be simply simpler to simply have a simple fire?
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Mar 23 2016


Well, yes, if you just wanted to make a complete travesty of the whole idea.
-- 8th of 7, Mar 23 2016


/Would it, perhaps, be better to simulate than to emulate?/

You are just going to leave the mule in there?
-- bungston, Mar 23 2016



random, halfbakery