--- In laser_design@yahoogroups.com, "Doug" <dx9s@...> wrote:
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> Hello!
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> --Doug
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> (a test message, listening for an echo)
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Hi Doug --

I am still keeping an eye on this group and as can be seen by the hit
counter, we ARE getting traffic.

As we get more information up here, we will get more active members
and more traffic. The first step we can do to move that process along
IMO is to create good generally-useful content. To that end I have
just uploaded a bunch of patent files (though due to size I will
probably take them back down and replace them with links to the
esc@penet files eventually) and some links to patent-related stuff. I
hope we can get a very thorough collection of existing "prior art" to
stimulate everyone's imaginations.

Since this group is about designing lasertag gear, we can also put
together some good information on the common elements of designing
lasertag gear. Some of the subject areas we should cover are:
(1) Optics design (transmit lenses) and theory -- how to pick a lens,
where to buy lenses, etc.
(2) Receiver design and theory -- photodiodes and biasing, filters,
use of receiver modules like TSOPs, etc.
(3) IR data communications in theory and practice -- encoding schemes,
error correction, etc.
(4) Software design considerations and resources -- how to structure
good code, where to get development kits, sources of help
(5) PCB creation considerations and resources -- when and how to lay
out a PCB rather than hand wiring a board, whether and how to make it
professionally or at home, etc.
(6) Gameplay issues and how they affect software

I have some nice technical information related to designing IR front
ends, and also quite a lot of data sheets for IR receiver modules such
as TSOP's which I will be uploading or linking to. And of course I
uploaded "The Compleat Tagger" a while back which has some very good
information about all sorts of topics.

I'm also interested in compiling more information related to
regulatory issues (what is and is not legal to build or use, depending
on where you live and play).

Finally some topics about simulating recoil, more intensely "feelable"
outputs (including LTTO "Thunder Pack", ESS "head banger", Laser
Challenge "Cyber Splash", and whatever else we can come up with) and
how to keep things safe.