Brian Thomas Carroll - research / design / development
bc-microsite: http://www.electronetwork.org/bc/
the Electromagnetic Education Initiative (EEI)
http://www.electronetwork.org/works/eei/

• 1. Programmable Electromagnetic Jewelry (EMJ)
• 2. EMJ Background and Specifications
• 3. EMJ Claims and Disclaimers

Programmable Electromagnetic Jewelry (EMJ) is a concept which seeks to combine several areas of active and inactive inquiry into electronics, computer hardware and software, and questions of literacy and instruction of these basic skills in populations young and old. The EMJ device itself evolved from three main areas of individual inquiry:

• the electronic screen display as a cultural object as displayed in current and ongoing research (see: HIOX and the 16-segment LED).


• the use of microcontrollers in combining electronics hardware and software in an educational environment (see: Parallax BASIC Stamp 2, HomeWork Board of Education ®, and "What's a Microcontroller?" kit).


• the cultural value of jewelry to convey complex science and technical education in a novel, engaging, non-threatening artistic explorations (see: Electromagnetic Jewelry).


• the basic 'electronics kits' which currently exist in the electronics sphere, with do-it-yourself projects to better understand how electronics devices work. For instance, a D.I.Y. seismograph.


• the "Southern Cross" electronics education kit, in particular, as a basis for teaching both the fundamentals of electronics hardware with basic programming of a circuit board.

Programmable Electromagnetic Jewelry is a combination of all of these aspects, though advancing the ideas of each into a single, affordable, mass-manufactured concept for affordable, basic electromagnetic education of both hardware and software and coding needed to build literacy in the early years of education. To do so, the complexity of the pre-existing components and developments above is whittled down to the most simple, elegant, essential, and key components which are necessary yet also limited in their goals and scope to accomplish a basic yet limited literacy through an EMJ device which is itself (1) programmable, (2) jewelry, (3) in kit-form or pre-built, (4) teaches both hardware electronics and software at a basic level, (5) involves the use of a microcontroller and external computer to program, whether PDA Student Computer (see: PSC) or PC, and (6) fits into curriculum in several years of early study in which the teaching of basic math and language can be complemented by such an EMJ device by also allowing these to be taught alongside coding, and various types of math that are fundamental to electronics, such as binary number systems.

In this way, ideally, an alphanumeric HIOX display which can display letters A-Z and numbers 0-9 can be programmed to run animated sequences of messages, whether counting numbers or any number of custom programs, by students, while also learning how such a basic device works by being able to dissect it to take it apart and learn about the fundamentals of circuitry, capacitance, resistance, power, energy, current, charge, switches, binary and analog signals, photons, electrons, and many other concepts -- all in a very small, basic design which is much simpler than most any other piece of electronics a child may encounter yet which may assist in their learning about more complex devices as a result.

Basic Device Interface-- Programmable Electromagnetic Jewelry (EMJ) is very similar to a device such as a digital watch, yet without much of the complexity in trying to reprogram such a device or decipher its circuitry. Instead, the design of an EMJ interface is to enable a few basic functions from the outside of the device (akin to cycling through 'modes' on a watch, or pressing 'start' on a stopwatch). The three main areas which support the functioning of the EMJ display are (1) the 'run' button or switch on the side of the device, which can be used to turn the device on/off or into an 'automatic' state, whereby it behaves autonomously and may turn on or off as a result of its power management system (i.e. if designed with a solar engine). This button can also be used as a dial to regulate the speed of the display sequencing.

(3) The 'options' switch or dial could be utilized for the cycling of 'modes' for the EMJ device, such as Mode 1 for a pre-programmed display of the letters A-Z plus, Mode 2 for numbers 0-9, Mode 3 for the 36 character alphanumeric sequence, with or without the HIOX symbol included, Mode 4 for a Random algorithm for lighting up the LCD or LED display in some generated pattern, and Mode 5 for a stored program which can be programmed into the on-board microcontroller via USB or other communications port (2) which may be on the back of the device (opposite the Display screen) or underneath, depending on how it would work best when programmed via a remote PDA Student Computer or PC.

The Electronic Display-- Programmable Electromagnetic Jewelry has its origins in the deconstruction of the graphical structure of the American-English alphabet, in line with the work of artists Jasper Johns in the 0-9 paintings and Jenny Holzer's use of LED stock-ticker dot-matrix displays to simulcast words of multiple languages. In looking for a common symbol or form for a generic alphabet, as Johns' paintings are for the 7-segment LED display, a symbol was realized during this research, coined HIOX, because of the 4-dimensional spatio-temporal qualities of these four letters in relation to the rest of the alphabet and, in overlaying these letters the symbol itself is also represented. The HIOX symbol is the exact and identical equivalent of the 16 segment LED (light-emitting-diode) display, only this was realized after more than 10 years of investigation. The use of this symbol can be readily seen both in the details of electronics displays found in elevators. It is also a ubiquitous yet still anonymous (without name or documentation) symbol in the entirely of Western classical and neoclassical and .US Federal Architecture, which can be found in architectural detailing, ornamentation, and structural designs of truss-work, balconies, grilles, tiling, and more. It is a symbol found on ancient temple designs in Greece and Rome, and also in Modern buildings such as post-modern strip-mall shopping centers and the Stock Exchange and Courthouse buildings. The origins of this symbol are not yet fully known, yet the Timaeus by Plato, possible Indian and Egyptian symbology, sacred geometry ('the Sacred Cut'), the diagramming of space-time in 4 dimensions then flattened into 2, and connections to crystallography all exist and are being investigated. There is also a relation to the design of early cryptographic systems (the Polybius checkerboard), as the following quote hints at the fusion of letters and numbers in such a symbolic display:

"The Greek historian and cryptographer Polybius is credited with a significant advance in signaling and ciphermaking. Based on an idea developed by the philosopher Democritus, the Democritus/Polybius system used various torch signals to represent letters of the Greek alphabet. In the history of cryptography, Polybius is immortalized for his creation of a true alphabet-based system based on a five-by-five grid configuration which came to be known as the Polybius checkerboard. This system was the first to provide a transferral of letters to numbers in a pattern that was relatively easy to recall, and became a foundation of later cryptographic techniques." (p.22, Codes and Ciphers, Wrixon)

(*The significant difference between this earlier method and the HIOX symbol is that there is no secondary representation, both letters and numbers co-exist in one common symbolic form, both can be treated mathematically and computation can occur through a calculus of transformations based on any given set of rules. So too the ability of the HIOX symbol to be used for geometric calculation exists (via Plato's model, i.e. the three 'grades' of earth) which can geometrically resolves roots and cubes. It is also a tool for 'squaring the circle' in terms of its ability to be used to accurately map space by quickly approximating a (fractal) degree of specificity with each intersection and replication of the symbol itself, or its extension through scaling.)

IN any case, the most important feature of this still-mysterious, ubiquitous HIOX symbol is that it allows the letters A through Z to be displayed through its 16 segments, along with the numbers 0 through 9, and thus allows a way to translate these most basic structures of literacy into a new kind of literacy needed for hardware and software electronics, and that is logic and coding at an early age, when the fusion of alphanumerics within a cultural context may allow a natural progression of understanding across traditional boundaries that today exist (reading, writing, and arithmetic are too conceptually outdated to allow for coding and symbolic language to co-exist in their structures alongside new computer and other science and technology skills required for a highly-literate future workforce. Today, depending on one's circumstances, computer programming may not be available until Electrical Engineering in a University, more than a decade after interest may be demonstrated by a child for learning of such new ideas and concepts, compared to what can become a dogmatic educational system.)

The EMJ display is intended to both use the HIOX symbol yet also not be limited by its specific archaeological importance to a specific culture, or use. For instance, every alphabet and number system has found representation within the electronics realm and 'dot-matrix' (a matrix of single LEDs) is used to display Chinese and Japanese and other character sets, as can the alternative display for LCDs (liquid-crystal-displays) also be used, as often found in watches, given the specifications and uses for the EMJ device and its design parameters. The EMJ display itself can be both an illuminated symbol and an information device, or one or another conception and form factor. For educational purposes though, a device which can display alphanumerics is of prime importance to basic literacy of how numbers, letters, code, and electronics find their integration in a cultural device such as the EMJ display allows.

Form Factor Types-- Electromagnetic Jewelry can be made in many differnet sizes and shapes with a variety of materials ranging from plastic and metal to rubber and glass. The concept which is common among all the forms is that the EMJ devices are programmable (custom programmable) and utilize electromagnetic properties and electronics to display information through a screen or display of some kind. This could range from LED 7-segment, 16-segment, dot-matrix, and other programmable LEDs devices to LCDs, OLEDs, and other displays which are all driven by the self-contained jewelry devices themselves.

That is to say, besides programming, the EMJ devices function similar to regular or traditional jewelry, and can be developed in a variety of forms, including rings (a), necklaces (b), earrings (d), brooches, pins, bracelets, and also as a stand-alone piece of jewelry that is a small sculpture of sorts (c). The EMJ devices can also have multiple-functions as both wearable art and even as a type of communication device with infrared (IR) transmission and reception displays.

Of prime importance in the Programmable Electromagnetic Jewelry concept (EMJ) is the twin options available for development in the form factor of jewelry, as it now exists and as it may develop within new forms of expression and interaction.

One path of exploration of developing the EMJ is as a self-contained singular device, what amounts to a 'whole' and 'complete' entity. In this EMJ model it is possible to package the device as a do-it-yourself kit for self-learning, or for classroom instruction, by having devices that need to be assembled and in which the inner workings are discussed as they are constructed, so that the relationship between the inside and outside and programming of the device are understood in their entirety. So too, in this same approach an already completed kit could be used by various levels of students, so that the earlier learners may interact with the alphanumeric display and coding while learning about 'reading, writing, and arithmetic'. Whereas as students advance, instruction can be taken into the creation of the device itself, its inner working of capacitors, resistors, wires, power supply, programmable microcontroller, data port, and display, in the full range of questions and interdisciplinary learning available in this realm of integrated art, science, and technology knowledge.

Therefore, while the EMJ device may function both as an educational toy in that it can be custom programmed and 'hacked' by design, in both hardware and software and as a development platform for ideas (programmable EM jewelry), it can also be made to function as an instructional tool for basic to advanced concepts which span electricity and magnetism with computing in a hands-on relationship between hardware circuits and software coding, in relation to language, logic, and mathematics which are new core skills for learning today.

An additional model exists for developing EMJ devices which functions as a modular system of semi-autonomous parts which can be brought together to make a larger device, thus it is a whole made of several modular 'parts'. The closest comparison to this model is that of 'beads' which are strung together to make a custom necklace or bracelet, with interchangeable electromagnetic component systems or devices. One bead may be a capacitor on the inside, and a solar panel on the outside (1), another bead may have an internal resistor (2), which feed power into a programmed microcontroller bead which drives an external screen (3), with other options available in a variety of bead configurations which compose a circuit, including beads with a piezo element (4), voltage regulator, crystal, or rechargeable battery (5) as part of the modular EMJ circuit.

Technical Specifications-- Of the two EM jewelry concepts, each relies on what are today standard processes and procedures in electronics manufacturing and components. Therefore, while the device is intended to be a platform for innovation, its core parameters are relatively commonplace and it is important that the parts are common, in stock, standardized in the design of an EMJ circuit and its DIY or pre-built kit. The major catagories are as follows:

EMJ devices consist of a screen or display for information, most likely consisting of 7-, 16-segment, or dot-matrix LEDs, LCDs, or other technologies such as electroluminscent material (EL) or others which could become an optional display. So too, an audiovisual or other 'display' could consist of a speaker, a single flashing light, a sensor of some kind (such as a temperature driven EL display), or other informational aesthetic. The display layer (d) sits on a face of the EMJ device, which is enclosed in some material such as plastic, metal, crystal, or other material. It has external switches and buttons on its side and a data-port for accessing the programmable electronic circuit inside. A microcontroller that is a surface mounted device (SMD) on a printed circuit board (PCB) with resistors (R) and capacitors (C) are the internal 'guts' of the jewelry.

The number of data pins on the microcontroller needs to be enough to easily program the display layer plus the switches without overly-complex and advanced coding methods. Simplicity is key, so it is likely a very small microcontroller with 20+ pins would be needed if using a 16 pin display, for example. The software for the microcontroller would ideally be akin to the work of Parallax's PBasic, though possibly a smaller finite subset of such a programming language to make ease-of-use a priority, which can incrementally grow as other options for programming the device would also be possible (such as PBasic).

The key to the device's ability to work effectively is a balancing of electronic components within the circuit with a light-duty processing and limited power consumption required for the display (d) layer. Such a power supply could consist of external solar panels around the EMJ device which feed into a small rechargeable solar battery mechanism. In addition, a USB powered data port could help power and recharge the EMJ device during programming sessions. Further, the coin cell lithium battery often found in watches to drive LCDs could be utilized. Ideally there would be several options, including innovations in small power options through a fuel cell power layer (p) or even a kinetic energy device to store vibrational energy as trickle charge for driving the circuit.

Whereas the EMJ device is all-in-one, the EM bead concept would chain out these separate functions to through a modular system connected by a common thread of some kind, literally or figuratively. The device layer would be instead a bead (d) which may be gain its power from a series of solar beads (p) which then charge a capacitor bead (C) and are limited by resistor beads (R) before sending power to the programmed or programmable microcontroller bead (m) which then drives the display (d) which could be an LED, or speaker, or sensor detector of some sort (to show wi-fi signals, for instance, or high-ultraviolet exposure or other diagnostics). As a modular system, these bead-like devices could be taken apart and recombined in a kit-format, though likely without access to internal circuitry to see most everything (though demonstration models could show sections of each bead, which could be used as a teaching device). In addition, each bead could also perform multiple functions (C/R/p) such that its surface may consist of solar cells (p), which then feeds into an internal 'bead' circuit of resistors (R) and capacitors (C) which then adds the potential for complex DIY circuits and build-your-own electronic jewelry, less limited than an all-in-one design, though also with unique limitations of size, power consumption, materials environmentally safe for their proximity to human skin, eyes, etc.

Each of these concepts for EM jewelry focus on their ability to demonstrate both general and specific aspects of electromagnetism through self-learning projects which can become a platform for building a whole-view of electromagnetism, and a basic literacy of how circuits, hardware, software, coding, and other concepts are brought together in the interdisciplinary, artistic, and cultural aspects at the intersection of electromagnetism and custom-made jewelry as a learning tool.

* As mentioned above, Electromagnetic Jewelry devices would be possible to make with the electronics hardware and software available today: off-the-shelf (OTS) components and technologies could be used, such as microcontrollers, programming languages, various displays, power supplies, and standard manufacturing processes.

* As a platform, the EMJ devices could develop into a refined system which keeps the economy of non-customized electronics with an approach or methodology to the packaging, presentation, and various ideas that could be approach with such devices through independent learning or within the context of a classroom, utilizing school computing resources for programming. As an electronics kit, and as an open-source project, it could be refined collectively to advance the way the idea is designed, how it behaves as jewelry or something beyond this scope, and the quality would hopefully evolve from a rough sketch to many variations on a theme, each unique and contributing to the original idea yet also autonomous.

* The EMJ concept is meant to be low-priced, and a guess-estimate would be $10-20 .US dollars for a basic programmable kit, to which more options (hacks) would be possible, and any interest group may adopt and adapt to their own needs. The parts would either ship pre-built or require hands-on construction with basic tools and abilities. It is unlikely a soldering iron would be used for such a small project so a snap-in system for electronics components, such as a micro-sized solderless breadboard may be an option for the internal circuitry. Otherwise, likely the surface-mounted components would already be placed on a printed circuit board and possibly the microcontroller chip and switches would be the only things needing placement and minor construction. The EMJ devices seek to remain in the mass market and thus large volumes will hopefully offset the initial and ongoing costs of developing and packaging such a new system, so that it is break-even as a not-for-profit open-source educational endeavor. As an autonomous system, any person in any country could begin developing such an approach to electromagnetic education and will hopefully attribute the ideas to the common project so others can learn and collaborate in further developments.

* This idea of 'jewelry' is intended as a creative and not a limiting factor, such as with roboticists who have shown the artistry that can be achieved in electronics if one approaches a common question in an uncommon way (in contrast to purely technical approaches). This 'cultural' dimension is meant to span both the traditional context of whatever culture it arises from, including the language and aesthetics of value in the context of learning and free inquiry, and also the common electromagnetic, universal aspects which are also made accessible to a wider-range of people than otherwise exists in today's approach. Thus, the custom jewelry or sculptures or projects could become many different things, with many details, and so this is an experiment to see what is possible if businesses, individuals, organizations, and government agencies can help to facilitate advanced learning in such a way as to make it compelling to learn about electromagnetism, its role in culture, while providing a basis for skills that are and will be needed for the jobs of this newest century and its physics.

* Disclaimer: no device is known to date to incorporate the ideas described above in the educational form of programmable electromagnetic jewelry. The profit motive in this effort is for human advancement and greater understanding of the culture we exist within, and how it can be better appreciated and more optimally developed for the good of all. If this infringes on another idea or ideas, it is hoped those who claim ownership of such material development consider joining in a common cause to co-develop and further improve the ideas.

In all, the programmable EM jewelry (EMJ) is wearable art which assists in teaching basic concepts of electromagnetics, and helps to conceptualize the often abstract realm of electromagnetism in a tangible, empowering way. The harnessing of an interdisciplinary approach using art, science, and technology as a way to integrate and visualize a cultural reality more encompassing than any single subject can by itself, ('a view of the whole') could help provide and provoke ideas on how education may be transformed to meet the needs of today's thinkers, creators, and imaginations - whatever their age, income, and locale.