Audio DSP Development Environment
 Created to aid in the development of digital audio effects and processing systems, I developed my own DSP code generator and simulator code from scratch for an audio processing DSP. The vendor-supplied tools were not suitable for my needs, so I created a better tool-suite which includes a code generator and flash memory programmer. Additionally the suite also includes a complete simulation environment so that the algorithms can be run in realtime on a computer.
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Small-format Digital Signage Unit
 To round out the line of digital signage screen offerings, my employer wanted a smaller unit suitable for use in apartment building elevator lobbies. The goal was a low-cost, vandal-resistant unit with an embedded PC and wireless modem. The unit is flexible and can support consumer off-the-shelf LCD monitors. The entire system requires only an AC outlet to operate.
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Monolith LCD Monitor Fixture
 As a new business initiative my employer was interested in developing a digital signage product for retail shopping malls. I developed an artistic concept and functional design for an LCD monitor housing containing two 52″ LCD monitors. The unit is designed to be cost-effective and easy to install. Cooling is carefully designed to work with or without forced-air cooling. The glass is secure but easily removed for servicing, and can be branded with a vinyl mask so that each mall can choose their own look.
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Pillar-mounted LCD Monitor Fixture
 The pillar-mounted LCD monitor fixture was developed in tandem with the Monolith unit shown above. The unit houses a single 46″ LCD monitor with a computer system integrated into the wall-mounted assembly. The system is designed to offer good fan-less cooling, but also vandal and tamper resistance. The glass is secure but easily removed for servicing, and can be branded with a vinyl mask so that each mall can choose a custom look.
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Guitar Effects
 To continue my life-long fascination with audio and music technology I created Kilpatrick Audio to create great music products. My first products are a line of guitar effect pedals. Shown here is the Lush Puppy, which generates stereo reverb with delay.
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Media Engine Platform
 As a major project for my employer I designed a flexible and extensible low-cost media engine for digital signage use. This system is a low-profile digital signage computer using both off-the-shelf and custom electronics housed in a specially-designed enclosure. Special add-on modules and upgradeable components allow the same basic platform to be configured many different ways. The result is a flexible, reliable low-cost system that is easy to repair and reconfigure. The only proprietary or sole-sourced parts are ones that the company makes itself ensuring a very long product life. These units are driving high-end digital signage installations all across Canada.
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AV Distribution System
 The goal of this project was a high quality video-over-CAT5 solution for digital signage. The criteria was long-range, low cost, support for audio and communications as well as high resolution VGA video over a single CAT5 cable. After investigating a lot of off-the-shelf products, different technologies including digital video, fiber-optics, etc. I determined a signaling and chipset, and came up with a very effective system including a few tricks which made the system elegant and simple, yet very high performance. The system sends high resolution computer video, audio and control signals over up to 300m of CAT5 cable. It supports splitting and extending the signals to provide up to 72 remote nodes, each with two video outputs. And this is accomplished with only two devices: a distribution amplifier and a receiver. Every device is independently addressable and controllable without any jumpers or configuration required on each unit. And best of all the resulting video and audio signals are clean and crisp even over very long cables
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Touch-sensitive Mannequin
 In 2006 I was contracted to build a touch-sensitive mannequin for Vaseline’s Science of Touch exhibit. With the help of my business partner Tyler and a theatrical props designer we modified a fiberglass Mannequin head and torso. I designed and built an eight-channel sensor system with small touch sensor circuits that could be built into the mannequin’s arms, hands, chest and face. All of the electronics were wired inside the mannequin and the output connected to a computer which played specific videos in response to various sensor input. I worked with my client to develop the video playback system, which was even programmed to detect hugs!
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Onestop Digital Signage Network
 I was involved as a consultant during the initial design of the Onestop digital signage network. The project involved designing a highly reliable, rugged digital signage system to be deployed in the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway. During the initial phases of the project I designed the overall system design, which included specifications for all parts of the system, as well as design of custom electronics and control software. The network consists of computers, video and control systems and large LCD monitors installed in many subway stations in Toronto. I designed both system-level and board-level designs for the system. The system has been in service since January 2005 and is seen by more than 1.1 million people per week. I supplied and supported the first 120 units installed in the TTC.
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Huge LED Numeric Display
 For the Dove (Unilever) “Campaign for Real Beauty” I was contracted to design and build a set of four large LED numeric digits. Each digit was to be just over 6 feet tall. The digits showed the results of a phone-in survey and were installed on a large building overlooking the Gardiner Expressway, a major freeway in downtown Toronto. My business partner Tyler and I designed and built the digits in record time (just over 2 weeks!) using parts that were locally available. Each digit contained 84 4″ amber truck LED turn signal lights arranged in the typical seven-segment readout. (digital 8) The signs were powered with ATX computer power supplies controlled from a custom controller connected to an embedded PC and a GPRS modem. The display data was downloaded from the client’s webserver every few minutes. The project won an award from a major advertising magazine.
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Blue Hysteria Lighting Board
 The Blue Hysteria was the second product from Invisible Rival, which I ran from 2001 to 2006. It was a lighting control board for small theatres and AV rental markets. It is a hands-on lighting control surface with 11 motorized faders, an embedded PC running FreeBSD, an external VGA monitor and many other unique features. It was set to be the best product in its class, and was the first small lighting board design to use motorized faders. It supported Art-Net, USB mass storage for show files, and many other modern features not found on other products at the time.
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The Gherkin Lighting Controller
 The Gherkin DMX lighting controller was the first product from Invisible Rival, which I ran from 2001 to 2006. It began as a little handy box I built for development use for another project. But after showing it to some people, it seemed like it would be a useful device for lighting technicians. So we took the original design with 8 control channels, made it 12 to fit better with lighting gear, (which usually deals with dimmers and things in some multiple of six) added a grand master and a better enclosure, and had our first product. This unit was shown at the 2004 CITT tradeshow in Toronto, Canada.
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