21 Segment Displays by 10 characters wide, based on an original design by George Lafayette Mason, patented in the 1890’s of the Victorian era: patents.google.com/patent/US6...
This is a resurrection of that design started and led by John Smout of the SmartSockets group: groups.io/g/smartsockets, but using modern WS2812B-2020 RGB LEDs as the light source, custom PCB's and 3D printed shells to create the segment shapes, and in this case of this video, a temporary 3D printed Brass effect facia, all driven by a Teensy LC micro-controller.
The display shown here is a prototype created by Steve Manley (based on John Smout's initial designs) that will ultimately be turned into a clock displaying the time and date amongst a few other things. At this time it is just running a simple ticker tape effect cycling through a rainbow colour effect. The individual displays are 50mm wide x 64mm tall and 12mm deep (including the custom PCB's). With the Brass effect facia, some rear support components (3D printed) and the display interconnections all in place, the total size is currently 510mm wide x 74mm high and 26mm deep. A housing is yet to be created.
The SmartSocket team are also creating there own versions of the display that will undoubtably surpass this version in spades, and include a Neon version as well as an RGB LED version, both adopting the SmartSocket protocols and controlled by PIC micro-controllers. All very different to this version.
The main protagonists of this team are: John Smout, Chris Barron (who started the SmartSockets group), Richard Scales and Paul Parry of BadDogDesignes, all of which are very talented folk, who leave Steve behind in their wake.
Steve Manley was invited to join the SmartSockets group to share his experience in diffusing LED light, such as his RGB LED clock creation:
• LED Clock V2 Final Ass...
• Neo-Pixel Clock V2
• Steve Manley's Cunning...
• Steve Manley's Cunning...
Read more about this project written up by Clive Maxfield: www.clivemaxfield.com/resurre...