The Mate Finder pendant flashes an LED when it's near another Mate Finder, but only if it is a “mate.” In a single’s bar, the pendant is used as a kind of “Zodiac Finder,” where singles can find a potential mate based on zodiac compatibility.

As a Zodiac Finder, each pendant sends an IR message based on its zodiac sign. It also receives IR messages from any other pendant. When it receives an IR message, it checks to see if the message is from a pendant of a compatible sign. If it is, it starts to light its LED. If the pendant has received a message from an incompatible sign, it ignores the message and continues sending its message. The pendants would be sold preprogramed for each zodiac sign and enclosed in an attractive zodiac-themed case.

When matched, the pendant’s LED dosen’t just flashed on and off, but fades in and out (using PWM), producing an interesting “breathing” pattern. The pendant’s mate will also be pulsing, but alternately. The two matched pendants LEDs will ‘Ping-Pong’ back and forth indicating a match. See the video clip to view how matched pendants react to each other and appear to be in synchronization.

The pendent can also be used to find friends of similar interests at conventions and meetings. Between meetings and single’s-bars alone, there is a large market for this innovative conversation “ice-breaker.”

The circuit uses an inexpensive 8-pin processor and is powered by one camera battery – preserved using a processor sleep mode. In its present revision the circuit board is slightly larger than its battery and is manufactured using standard surface-mount technology. The 6-pin programming header, shown in the photograph, would not be included in the finished product, which would reduce the final board size.

The IR range is limited to 6 feet, so that the pendant only responds to nearby pendants. This prevents the pendant from constantly flashing in a room full of pendants.