PC-controlled USB LED -- does such a thing exist?

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Canon

11/23/2004 01:58:23 PM · #1

I've been looking for a while for a simple "LED indicator" that can be connected to the USB port of a PC, and have the computer control the LED. I want to be able to have somebody check if they have new e-mail, even if their monitor is in power-save mode.

You'd think this would be a simple device to find, but I've come up empty-handed. The closest I've found is this device, the EyeSignal, but it only has software for the Mac and costs $80! (It's just three LED's!)

I did find this cool-sounding LED that seems like it has a lot of potential... it is multi-colored (made up of 8 LED's), says it is "PC controllable light source for the USB port", has "standard effects pre programmed in the LED lamp: blinking, flashing, colour-flow of the whole colour spectrum, and pre-programmed colours: red, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, white. Every other effect can be programmed with the software. The LED lamp is USB powered". Sounds great... I just can't find any product that uses this LED/software!

Does anybody have any other ideas? I know there are "USB experimenter" kits out there, but I don't have the time/inclination to tinker like that and was hoping for an actual product...

cbonsall

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

11/23/2004 03:34:43 PM · #2

its not cheap but damned cool looking:

//www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/5da2/

It can be customized to a set of free channels, such as market indices (Dow, Nasdaq, S&P 500) or weather in select cities. Optionally, you can upgrade to access more premium channels, such as your customized portfolio, local weather, pollen count, or IM buddy watch. There's also a developer interface where any semi-savvy web programmer can control the color of their Orb with a simple http "get" call. Track how full your hard drive is, traffic on your website, Slashdot posts, or your credit-card debt.

11/23/2004 03:38:44 PM · #3

I've seen that before, and yes it is very expensive. And the fact that it says:

The Orb does not attach to a PC.

and on the specs page it says:

Receives signal via a nationwide wireless network with coverage exceeding 95% of the U.S. population

means it is not optimal for what I want. I'd love something just like that physically, for 1/3rd the price (or less) that just connected to the USB port so it didn't have to rely on a "wireless subscription"...

Message edited by author 2004-11-23 15:40:29.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

11/23/2004 03:46:28 PM · #4

You could 'think bigger' and set up an X10 controller to do this. The lights could go on/off/ dim, email arriving could switch on the hot tub, ring the door bell or open/close your curtains.

More seriously, X10 is probably a great solution for this. There are no doubt outlook plug-ins/ macros that you can write with a little bit of vba to hook it all together pretty seamlessly.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

11/23/2004 03:49:19 PM · #5

I also thought about the X10 approach (I use a variant of it pretty extensively in my house already), but I really want something small, low-powered and direct-connected to the PC (hence why I was thinking an LED on the USB port would be ideal).

It is just surprising to me that such a simple thing doesn't seem to already exist. :-/

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

11/23/2004 04:00:02 PM · #6

It is probably easier just to hang something off the serial/parallel port to do this - much lower overhead interface to design and there is enough voltage on the parallel line to drive typical LED packages without too much trouble. Just stick the right impedance in serial with it and you are done. VBA would let you drive the LEDs with out any problem. Or you could hang it off the parallel port and have 8 LEDs at once. About $2 worth of parts from Frys or Radio Shack.

150ohm resistor, in series with the LED, tie all the other sides to ground, then get a VBA port driver - and that's it - just send the right bits to the parallel port to switch it on/ off as needed. No drivers, no USB chipsets, no nothing - if you just want one LED, all you'll need is a resistor, the LED and two bits of wire and a parallel port connector. Radio shack sell little enclosures for 8 LED blocks if you want to get 'fancy'

Message edited by author 2004-11-23 16:14:51.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

11/23/2004 04:00:57 PM · #7

I have one of those flexible gooseneck type portable LED keyboard lights for my portable. Perhaps you could modify that.

Or perhaps you could get a USB floppy with an indicator light and modify it. They are only about $30 (though haven't looked for one with a LED).

X10 is another good idea. The firecracker is a wireless X10 device that plugs into USB and isn't much bigger than a postage stamp. Not too expensive either, and then you add to that one of the radio transciever units ($30 or so), and an AC light.

Finally, it probably would be pretty easy to make one! (OR call that company and order the product you found.)

cbonsall

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Canon

11/23/2004 04:07:54 PM · #8

sorry its the best I could find. It could be programmed to check email though.

If I was in teh US I would definately get one!

Another alternative would be one of those little LCD screens, can't remember the link, they are dead cool, about 3 inches long showing 3 or so lines of text.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

11/23/2004 04:48:50 PM · #9

Here's a $17.50 out of the box solution, other than software.

USB Flash

The LED flashes every time you write or read from the memory...just need to hit it with a read every 30 seconds or minute and it will flash. Since it's solid state, that shouldn't take too much CPU time.

Or something like that. ;)

bmatt17

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/23/2004 06:14:23 PM · #10

Another cheap solution, that I use. Through gmail, I can set up automatic forwarding to my cell phone. Everytime I get a email, I get it as a text message. Can't get the full email, but at least you know you have one, who it's from, and part of the message.

Konador

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

11/23/2004 06:24:17 PM · #11

Eddy, make one yourself and sell it for millions! A nice simple idea that nobody has taken advantage of...

Firsty

Fujifilm X-E1

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS

11/23/2004 07:35:53 PM · #12

Eddy this will do what you want using the leds on your keyboard
and it is free
Keymail Notifier

Hope this helps