Blinken Button

The Blinken Button is a kit for a 8×8 LED Matrix button. Add a battery driven 8×8 LED matrix to your jacket. It is an medium level SMT kit. You should have some SMT soldering experience. You should have an AVR ISP programmer. There is a pre-programmed version available, but that is half the fun.
Check out the Blinken Button Kit How To to learn how to build your own.

Features

The Blinken Button is a wearable 8x8 LED matrix, backed by a ATmega168 and a CR2032 battery. By that it is a wearable animation platform. The software provided is prepared to display sprite based animations and texts. But the possibilities only begin there.
In theory the Blinken Button is also prepared for detecting touch or even multi-touch by revers biasing the LEDs of the matrix. But I have not found time to test it.

Requirements

This kit requires some soldering experience. All parts are hidden behind the LED matrix. So there is no way to repair it once it is done.
The device is user programmable- but only with an AVR ISP programmer – so it is better to have one. There is also an pre-programmed version, but without an programmer you cannot change it.
If you dare soldering the most complicated parts or if you do not want to program it go for the half or full assembled version.

Blinken Button Variants

Basic Blinken Button Kit

The basic kit gives you the thrill to build everything yourself. Be aware you need a AVR ISP programmer.

Half Assembled Blinken Button Kit

The half assembled kit comes with the ATmega168 and some supporting components already soldered in place. It is pre-programmed. Just add the missing components and let it run. There is a much lower chance of making real bad mistakes. If you are not so experienced with SMT it is the kit for you!

Pre-built Blinken Button Kit

The full assembled Blinken Button comes fully assembled and tested. There is no place for mistakes. If you need gift or if you want to concentrate on the programming side it is the kit for you!

Interactive Matter is specialized in producing SMT kits and custom electronic items. But we sell much more than these kits, available here. Nearly anything you can see on my site can still be purchased. If you are interested in existing designs, one of a kind items or a custom design feel free to contact Interactive Matter.