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Pixels

A set of smart dice, the same size as traditional ones, full of LEDs and Bluetooth-enabled.

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Pixels are a set of 'electronically augmented' dice. Completely customizable, they can be used as a drop-in replacement for regular dice, and are configured via bluetooth. They can also be used to keep track of all your rolls, direct your phone to play sound effects, or even used to play DnD online.

I am creating a set of electronically augmented dice. They light up all different colors, know which way they roll and are configurable with an app on your phone. The electronic dice are the same size as regular polyhedral playing dice and are meant to be used as a drop in replacement in your favorite board or role-playing games.

They feel just like regular dice, thanks to their unique construction and features, are incredibly strong and in fact waterproof.

Although I currently only have a D6 and D20 prototyped, I plan on offering a full DnD set when the project is ready for crowdfunding.

The dice use a bluetooth microcontroller, an accelerometer and RGB leds soldered onto a flexible PCB that is then folded into the the polyhedral shape of each die. On top of that, they include a rechargeable battery and small coil for wireless inductive charging.

Although the primary purpose of the dice is to add fun visuals to your existing games, you will have the opportunity to take full advantage of all the integrated tech, should you want to. From keeping track of your stats to accessibility or online roll playing integrations, there is a wealth of possibilities associated with these little devices once you connect them to your phone or computer.

The dice have already been presented at both the Maker Faire and Gen Con to incredible receptions, and so I am now working on trying to bring them to life!

D20 Layout Bottom.pdf

D20 PCB Layout, bottom

Adobe Portable Document Format - 76.30 kB - 09/30/2019 at 14:02

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D20 Layout Top.pdf

D20 PCB Layout, top

Adobe Portable Document Format - 129.79 kB - 09/30/2019 at 14:02

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D20v4.pdf

D20 prototype using new nrf52810 microcontroller.

Adobe Portable Document Format - 261.63 kB - 09/28/2019 at 17:34

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Dice V3RevC PCB Bot.pdf

Next revision of the Dice. Bottom of Flexible PCB

Adobe Portable Document Format - 73.77 kB - 03/01/2018 at 17:17

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Dice V3RevC Schematic.pdf

Next revision of the Dice. Schematics

Adobe Portable Document Format - 270.04 kB - 03/01/2018 at 17:17

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  • 1 × MCP73831T-2ATI/OT Linear Battery Charger Controller Li-Ion/Li-Pol 15mA to 500mA 4.2V
  • 1 × MIC2095-1YMT-TR Power Distribution Switch
  • 1 × AS-10100-60-113 Lipo Battery, 60mAh
  • 1 × TDXKTL8 10mm 7uH wireless charging coil
  • 1 × BU52272NUZ-ZE2 Omnipolar Hall Effect Sensor,

View all 12 components

  • Pixels

    Jean Simonet03/18/2020 at 16:58 5 comments

    Hi there friends,

    The electronic dice know have a new name: Pixels. I always knew "the electronic dice" wasn't a great product name, but also didn't want to rush into finding a new name for them. I'm happy with Pixels, it hits a bunch of notes I really like: It sounds like Pixies and evokes video games. Pixels have a new website and twitter account; feel free to check them out ;)

    https://pixels-dice.com/
    https://twitter.com/pixels_dice/

    I posted a few videos already, and the dice have really picked up a lot of attention, it's been amazing! Of course it also means that the pressure is on to get this darn things manufactured!
    So were are things? In short: more revisions, more updates and more research.

    New boards

    I think I've lost track of the number of board revisions, but new D20 boards just arrived as I write this. I ordered them in all the colors that PCBWay offered, as I want to see how the color of the board affects the final look of transparent dice.

    Read more »

  • Dice Assembly

    Jean Simonet11/05/2019 at 01:02 6 comments

    I put together a short video of how I assemble a die, for anyone who's interested!

    Here are the steps shown in the video, and some notes to go along:

    Read more »

  • Light and Dark Mode...

    Jean Simonet09/30/2019 at 14:41 5 comments

    Hey there!

    A quick update with pictures of the updated D20. I am testing different combinations of materials and silkscreen colors for the dice.

    The challenge here is to find a combination that diffuses the light nicely, without blocking most of it out and still looking interesting when off.

    Read more »

  • Prototype 4

    Jean Simonet08/25/2019 at 00:19 0 comments

    Hello again friends! It's finally time for an update on the Electronic dice. I just returned from showing the latest version at Gen Con, and it was fantastic! So, what's new?

    Well, first and foremost, the new prototype is of a D20! Still regular size, still full of LEDs, still inductively charged, and still awesome. In fact, I think the D20 is by far the most fun light up die. There are, however, several other differences with previous prototypes.

    Read more »

  • Prototype 3

    Jean Simonet07/02/2018 at 17:03 6 comments

    This is the next revision of the Electronic Dice. I've spent a lot of time putting it together, and it is really coming along!

    Looks pretty nice, doesn't it?

    So first things first, this version is exactly 16mm, the same size as a regular dice. And as you can see here next to the previous prototype, it is also more rounded. It's amazing how much difference 1mm can make, both in how the dice feels in your hand, and how much harder it is to put together!

    Read more »

  • RGB Dice prototype

    Jean Simonet02/04/2018 at 22:47 1 comment

    Hey all,

    I finally finished the second board for the Dice, the full RGB one this time! It's pretty awesome already! I don't have a flexible PCB version yet, but this here is a prototype board.

    Those APA102 2x2mm look really awesome!

    Read more »

  • Tiny Lipo Batteries

    Jean Simonet12/29/2017 at 19:52 0 comments

    Following a suggestion from a commenter on youtube, I was able to find a lipo battery small enough to fit in the dice! I received samples early this week, very exciting!

    Lipo next to current battery (non-rechargeable lithium)

    I got so excited to start seeing if I could make the next version only 16mm wide that I started working on the schematics and now 3D CAD. That's just as well, since now I can get prototype boards made while I continue to work on the firmware.

    Read more »

  • Twitch streaming

    Jean Simonet12/20/2017 at 22:07 0 comments

    Going to do some streaming in just a bit, stop on by if you like! http://twitch.tv/jean_simonet

  • A shorter presentation video!

    Jean Simonet12/01/2017 at 00:25 0 comments

    I put together a shorter video, less technical and more like a sizzle-reel.

    Hopefully I can get back to work soon! Taking pictures and editing stuff together, let alone re-recording stuff a gazillion times, ends up sucking up soooo much time...

    Anyhow, hope you all like it,

    Cheers!

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Chris wrote 11/29/2017 at 04:25 point

You could use a coin battery with an external recharger for the time unless you actually want it to be completely self-contained.

Great work! ヽ(´▽`)/

 I love the integration and since I'm a dice lover I really want some of them!

  Are you sure? yes | no

Jean Simonet wrote 11/30/2017 at 05:41 point

Thanks! I'd love to get to the point where I can offer you some ;)

  Are you sure? yes | no

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