Archive for February, 2011
Head Rests You Can Actually Rest Your Head On
If you ever tried to sleep on a bus, train or plane, you’ll know it can be very uncomfortable. And if it is comfortable for you, chances are you had to steal a neighbor’s shoulder!
So I figured having another set of arm rests attached to chair would be helpful. Except these are attached near the top of the chair, and are encased in a soft cushion.
Swivel it down as far as you need and you can lean your head against it. Or merely have it down as a safeguard if you are one of those crazy people who can sleep upright. Or to barricade a neighbor that looks like he/she is going to pass out.
These could be used on buses, trains and planes, and possibly cars as well - except for the driver, of course.
Would transportation companies employ these head rests, even for long trip routes? Nope - more upkeep. We humans are filthy. Though if it was just a bare arm and people had to bring their own pillows, then possibly.
And kids - I am hip to the internet memes. The chairs on the right are not “looking for kyle” or telling you “how tall he is”. They are in fact screaming on a pretend roller-coaster.
EDIT: These could also be branched off the existing head rest directly. But not everyone is that tall…
Add comment February 28, 2011
If IKEA Made Geeky Furniture Part 10: Lord of the Rings
It's not a fruit. It's the Elvish word for 'friend'. Thank you subtitles.
So after feeling bad this was omitted from my IKEA series, I decided to make a very late addition.
I went with the Gandalf the White version because the staff he wielded as Gandalf the Grey looked a little…rough. The dog might want to play fetch with it (or worse - mistake it for a tree), so I opted for this ivory-looking one. A very nice design, like everything else in those films.
EDIT: Yes I realized I used the wrong spelling of ‘grey’ in the picture. D’oh.
If you like this, check out my Hobbit Blu-Ray case.
2 comments February 27, 2011
Bunch Of Crazy Car Ideas
A. I always thought it would be interesting to lighten the weight of the car by including a number of tanks that can be filled with Helium. There are so many places in a car with empty cavities, why not put them to use? Also we are conditioned to constantly inflate our tires, so why not inflate our car?
B. Windmill power collected in the front grill to help power the car.
C. Animated turn signals. This would truly telegraph where you want to turn, more so than blinking. I think I have seen something like this on truck side view mirrors, but this could be more widespread.
D. A telescopic canopy. The top of the car would sink down, which makes for a nice theft deterrent. Though I am wondering how I can get by the dash and steering wheel…
E. All these motors in the car to operate the windows and wipers among other things Why not a few electric pumps on-board for the tires? I remember seeing an old minivan commercial (narrated by Patrick Stewart) which featured an electric pump in the rear hatch area. Would be nice if this was a standard feature and for tires.
F. A wiper mounted to the top and bottom of the windshield, so it could clear the entire windshield with a back and forth sweep. A bit more complex, but at least it wouldn’t have to deal with wind resistance anymore. And it cleans the whole window.
G. A third headlight that is for high beams. Something that clearly indicates high beams are in use (and other motorists can call you on it). This could be mounted on the roof or a side mirror - anywhere really.
H. Little side windows mounted at foot level so you can better see how you are parking. I always liked how helicopters had this feature.
I. Hidden gas tank in the rear tail light fixture - BOTH tail lights. There must be some kind of law forbidding hidden gas doors. I personally would like these concealed, and have two of them so it doesn’t matter how you pull into a gas bar. I’d like the tail light to slide up, so even if you forgot to lower it, it’s still visible to other motorists.
J. Windshield cleaner? Why not a car cleaner? Just spritz the car with soap, let the rain rinse, and then maybe spritz a wax later. Drying is easy as going the speed limit.
K. Bumpers that extend when an impending collision is detected. Would make people second-guess about tail-gating.
One day I’ll do some interior features…
2 comments February 26, 2011
The S-Shaped Toilet Paper Dispenser
What? This isn’t cool or geeky enough? Apologies, not all of my ideas can be sex-xay.
This idea was created solely for the purpose of having additional rolls of toilet paper at the ready. And to make it easier to change. You can leave that empty roll waiting for a few minutes, amirite?
Looking at it now, I’d probably beef up the clamps, possibly make the ends of the rod more socket-like. Maybe even make a longer ‘S’ rod for more rolls/empties?
Add comment February 26, 2011
Rejected “If IKEA Made Geeky Furniture” Ideas
About 3-4 months ago I released a series called “If IKEA Made Geeky Furniture”, comprised of several posts (you can find them here, scroll down a bit). There were a few ideas that did not make the cut, and I am going to list them off here:
A. Apple iPhone Book Case. A basic book case, with two glass doors to get at your books/movies (If you wanted, you could place them like apps). Reason it was cut: A digital device storing all your old analog media was weird to me.
B. Tardis Wardrobe/Pantry. Reason it was cut: Seems a lot of people have already made this in some form. And here I was, thinking I was so clever.
C. Gandalf’s Staff Floor Lamp. Reason it was cut: I…don’t know. Seeing it now, it would be kinda cool. May revisit this. That reminds me, a guy I knew at work often lamented that the only thing Gandalf did in the movies was cast light. With this lamp, you too can wield Gandalf’s lone power.
D. Soundwave Oven with Tea Kettle Head! Okay this one is bizarre, I admit. But I thought I’d include it to show how weird my mind is. Reason it was cut: It’s an appliance. And it was too weird.
E. Star Wars Table. That landing platform on Endor, where Luke surrendered in Return of the Jedi- would make a great table. Reason it was cut: Too obscure.
F. DRADIS Ceiling Lamp. That radar they used to detect Cylons in Battlestar Galactica would make for a decent ceiling lamp, as long as it had a revolving radar arm, and made whoooo whooooo sounds. Reason it was cut: Couldn’t get it to look right. One of these days I will coin the perfect DRADIS gadget.
G. Pac-Man Table and Chairs. Reason it was cut: No one wants a 3/4 table. Though it would look cool biting into a corner. Great place to put a bowl of fruit.
H. Holodeck Door Fridge. Yep, a refrigerator that looks like the door to the famed Holodeck in Star Trek TNG. You could put the ice dispenser by the computer panel. Reason it was cut: It was an appliance, and would be too big to place in a kitchen, unless you can inset your fridge into a wall.
Is this the first-ever blog to feature material from the cutting room floor? Hmmm
I had fun doing the IKEA designs, will probably do some more in the future. Stay tuned.
1 comment February 24, 2011
Crowd Sourcing Project To Revive Firefly
Image is from my 'shows that can continue on in animated form' post.
It’s been a few weeks or so since I hypothesized that crowd sourcing could be a tool to rejuvenate canceled shows. I theorized the best way to operate this, is that the studios create an opportunity for fans to buy into. It made sense, as the studios own the content.
I didn’t anticipate that an actor would spearhead a movement!
Nathan Fillion, who played Captain Malcolm Reynolds in the show Firefly, told Entertainment Weekly in an interview: “If I got $300 million from the California Lottery, the first thing I would do is buy the rights to Firefly, make it on my own, and distribute it on the Internet.”
The money would be used to create new Firefly content, which would then air on the internet.
I don’t know how serious Nathan is, but a new movement was born with this fan-created website and Facebook page.
This is a great idea, but I reckon’ $300M is a bit much. The budget for the film Serenity is a reported $39M, which is still a bargain these days. I think $100M would be ideal for another theatrical release. A web series probably a measly $10M and a whole lot of favors.
The rights would be pricey to outright buy. Though it is a canceled show and dead film franchise, there is still money being made from ancillary DVD and merchandise sales. While Fox can’t commit to creating new Firefly content, they are making $ from the rights.
It is reasonable to assume that new Firefly shows would need to be made in cooperation with Fox. Then again, Fox gets a lot of grief for canceling the show - they’d earn a lot of currency with fans if they sold the rights to a better caretaker in Fillion.
Here’s hoping the Browncoats ride again!
5 comments February 19, 2011
Why You Should Watch Community
Community is my favorite show. For me, it is appointment television and I tell everyone to watch it whenever possible.
However there was a time when I thought the show looked absolutely lame and I avoided it like the plague. My first impression: Community? What a lousy title for a show. It has Chevy Chase, so it must not be funny at all. It’s about school? I don’t want to watch Saved By The Bell in prime time.
I sound pretty darn jaded and critical there, don’t I? So how did I go from avoiding this show to carrying it’s torch? Easy - I tuned in once.
I discovered the show was hilarious, in a very human way. All of the characters are flawed underdogs, each resorting to attending a third-rate Community College. These seven people form a study group, but it turns into a dysfunctional family. And it’s one hell of a dynamic. They are inseparable, but you can see and understand why.
Chevy Chase is perfect as the old guy trying to fit in and be cool, no matter what it takes. Seeing his character attempt to tell jokes/be funny but end up crashing and burning won me over. He is something of a foil/villain now, but completely within the character’s need for attention and acceptance.
Right now Community is on the bubble, and I am seeing shades of Arrested Development. I have a feeling that if this show gets canceled, people will discover it after it’s gone, love it and then clamor for more. Now is the time to adopt this show.
Besides, you need this show. Community is an extremely positive experience, the perfect chaser for all the gritty crime shows, narcissistic reality shows, and mean-spirited cartoons (Family Guy, South Park). If I only watched dark depressing fare like Breaking Bad and Battlestar Galactica, I would go insane. Well, more so.
Check it out, Thursday nights at 8pm on NBC. You can find full episodes online (if you’re in the U.S.) here. You lucky Americans can also view it on Hulu. I’m not one to preach piracy, but if it will expose you to the show then pirate away and download a few episodes - you’ll be hooked (like your pirate namesake!).
Add comment February 19, 2011
Two More Ideas Submitted To Toyota’s Ideas For Good
Two more ideas submitted to Toyota’s Ideas For Good competition. In this competition, you have to utilize one of five technologies developed by Toyota, and apply them to an idea that will benefit the world in some form. I already submitted my Buoyancy Power idea that used the ‘Hybrid Synergy Drive’ technology.
Next up, is a device that uses the sensors from Toyota’s advanced crash-test dummy, the THUMS system (Total HUman Model for Safety).
Pretty much what it looks like. A grenade that can be tossed into potential danger zones, but instead of exploding, it gathers a lot of data and relays it back to the team that has thrown/launched it.
It would detect threats like airborne toxins, fire/smoke levels, temperature, etc. Cameras and microphones could also be embedded.
This is ideal for first responders, underground Miners, and anyone venturing into what appears to be unsafe territory.
If there is a danger, it alerts the team via bluetooth transmission, or loud beeping noises/flashing lights.
To add your support, click here. It’s a one click process.
This next one uses Toyota’s AGPS (Advanced Guiding Parking System) to assist those who are vision impaired. I apologize for linking this tech used to help people parallel park in a way that is beneficial to blind persons. I hope I am not being insensitive.
Using the camera/sensor array from AGPS, I designed this handheld device which scans the immediate surroundings in real-time. Using this data, the handheld then creates a physical map representation for the User.
It accomplishes this mapping technique by using an electronic braille system. This system is laid out in a grid, and is comprised of braille cells that elevate from their individual sockets. To indicate a level area, the cells are slightly elevated. To indicate an obstacle, the cell(s) are fully raised. To indicate a drop-off/ledge, the cells would then sink below the surface. Each cell is roughly indicative of 2-3 square feet.
The center of the grid is empty - this is the indicator of where you are standing. The terrain of the grid is aligned to the forward direction you are pointing the handheld. Using your thumb, can then tell what is surrounding you.
So imagine walking down the sidewalk, and you can feel the curb drop-off on one side of the map, and the store front buildings lining the other side - you could walk parallel to these. You would even be notified of an obstacle or person in your immediate surroundings.
Toyota has a word limit, so I didn’t get to specify a few additional details: you’d probably need a secondary sensor, like a wrist watch on the hand you are not carrying this device, to help get a full 360 degree sweep.
To add your support, click here. It’s a one click process.
Add comment February 18, 2011
Easy-To-Clean Keyboard Design
Whatever you do, DO NOT LOOK DOWN. At your keyboard. It’s probably filthy, and covered with gunk - especially under the keys. Hey - I said don’t look down!
Anyways, I was cleaning my Logitech G15 keyboard in such a fashion that would make this guy proud. I was literally restoring it to factory condition.
Unfortunately, that meant prying every key off, and many of the resistance bars pinned underneath. There has to be an easier way! So I designed this keyboard.
I made a small keyboard (see above) - enough to get the idea across. Looks and operates like your typical keyboard.
Time to clean! I designed this removable pin system that locks all the keys down, sort of like food pinned to a kabob. There could be multiple pin sections at the front and back of the keyboard, to ensure each pin piece is not too big.
(there would actually be a flat surface with slots that the rubber membrane would rest on)
You can then lift all the keys out of the cradle base at once. This is because they are all plugged into a rubber membrane.Now you can clean the cradle/base section of the keyboard with ease.
This rubber membrane is extremely flexible, so you can clean between each key. You could almost shake the debris off of it like you would a carpet. If the rubber can withstand it, I’d recommend throwing this whole thing in the dishwasher! At least it can endure a wholesale wash in the sink.
Notes: Underneath the membrane would be a flat surface with a bunch of plugs for the keys to insert, I forgot to put that in! Also, the ‘plugs’ on the bottom of each key would be more cone-shaped, so they’d be easier to drop back into their respective slots. Larger keys, like the space bar, would be removable shells - they’d be sitting on smaller keys, so the membrane could remain flexible and accessible. I also designed this layout in mind to allow the keys to be back-lit, just like my G15.
2 comments February 17, 2011
Now On The Twitter
As you can see above my waving Lego mascot, I’ve joined Twitter. Took me awhile, but it took me a lot longer to get around to this blogging thing.
You can follow me @davesgeekyideas
I will be tweeting notable posts, asking profound questions, and posting links to cool stuff on the interweb. See you there!
Add comment February 15, 2011
