How do they make those pins wink?

[zonguy]

Hi all!

I was wondering if anyone can provide any details about the technique used to activate the new 100th BD pins. My theory is that they (Disney) use infra-red transmitters. This seems like the easiest way to do it, since most of the show areas already have large ir transmitter panels for the hearing impaired/translation head sets.

Should this be the case, the next thing would be to take one of those learning universal remotes to the parks, and try to capture the command.

What can I say? I just like doing stuff like that....

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Al]

I was wondering that too!!

Maybe the show times are programmed into the badge.

 

[wdwmagic]

Infra-red will require line of sight from the transmitter to receiver... that wouldnt work in a crowded environment. It has to be some kind of radio wave, with a tiny reciever in the badge. They did well to get the cost as low as they did.

 

[zonguy]

OK... Here's the scoop so far... I sprang for one of the pins... ($16!) I am sitting here with it in pieces (I can't help myself, I am just too curious). I can confirm that the activation is via IR. There is an IR receiver/processor labled U2. There is a crystal (2Mhz?), and a few caps and resisters. The main processor is potted, so I cannot tell what it is... Not that I expect that to help...

Now the challenge. We have to find a way to store the activation sequence into a universal/learning remote. This has to be possible.

Anyone up to the challenge?

 

[WEDMagic]

yeah I have one too Yet I didnt rip apart my pin its too fun to look at..but anyway if you look at each one there is a dark hole in a location on each under the plastic idealisticly a recieved for IR or otherwise. When I had it in my car I passed a traffic light that uses the sensors like they use for automatic doors and besides it setting off my car radar detector my pin starting lighting up like crazy. So considering the technologies are close. who knows

 

[wdwmagic]

Yep it is definately IR and not radio wave. I had some info from someone testing them a few days ago confirming the fact. That explains why they are able to do it so cheaply.

I wonder how it gets on in the crowded park conditions? I cant imagine IR being all that good in those conditions - especially in bright sunlight.

 

[zonguy]

On further review, I was playing with the kiosks at Disney Studios (under the hat), and discovered the that IR emitter is behind one of the stars that surround the monitor. If you look closely, the star almost directly above the screen looks different from the others. This would appear to be where the emitter is. I experimented with covering the star, while selecting the correct answer, and the pin would not wink.

Next trip, I am going to take one of my learning remotes, and see if I can successfully capture the sequence, so I can re-produce it at will.

I don't have a camera yet, but when I do get one I will try to take some shots of this stuff and post them here.

 

[mkt]

actually, it's a combination of both Radio and IR

 

[wdwcrazy]

Wow, thanks for all the info zonguy. I can't wiat to get one myself.

 

[zonguy]

Ok, I may have to give up on this. I seem to have successfully captured one of the activation sequences with my learning remote. It took quite some effort. There seems to be two distinct burst from the IR emitter in the kiosk. My remote would not complete the entire sequence. I think it is because there was too much time between the first and second sequence. I was using a cheap Memorex remote. I have a better one, but it is too expensive to risk losing it in the park.

I was able to get the remote to capture the second burst, but it does not activate anything on my pin, so I suspect that both bursts are required. Also, I noticed for the first time that there are several different wink patterns in the pins. Depending on what question you answered correctly, a different sequence would appear. the sequence matches the simulated pins on the kiosk.

Anyway, I finally have a camera and have taken some pictures of the inside of the pins for any curious souls.

 

[zonguy]

Second pic

 

[zonguy]

final pic

 

[Ludwig]

zonguy,

I was told by a cast member that several of the CMs have activators which look like small black remotes. These "activators" have two sequences. It might be worth asking one of the CMs if they would allow you to "learn" the sequences. I know you don't want to risk your more valuable remote, but if I had known about the IR before my last trip, I would have brought my Pronto for an attempt or two.

Thanks for your efforts

Ludwig

 

[zonguy]

Can any of the Castmembers on this board confirm that these activators exist? The only Castmember I know down here was part time, and she has been furlowed from AK.

 

[DisneyGal]

These pins are awesome! I bought them all and found that they were a great investment!! Watching them light up at random moments on rides and during parades was great!!

 

[wdwcrazy]

Just bringing this back to life. One of my pins is stuck on. Even when I take the batteries out and put them back in the lights still blink like crazy. Anyone know what to do?

 

[MeTa]

Does anyone have a pick of the front of this pin, I have never seen it and would like to know what it is.

Thanks

 

[mkt]

it could be due to radio interference in the area..

 

[Gregory]

MeTa - You can see pics here:
http://www.pinpics.com/cgi-bin/pin.cgi?pin=7553.N&sid= (Just keep hitting NEXT)

And as for wdwcrazy's question... it only took him 2 years to get an answer

 

[Gurgi]

WAIT A SEC GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!

All the gadgets inside the pin are a coverup !!! the pins actually use pixie dust to operate!

Come on peeps im ashamed!