I had an idea for a "distributed production" alphanumeric electronic demonstration sign. the idea is demonstrators get a kit in the mail containing precut led strips and wire, and construct a 2X4 foot 14-segment alphanumeric 1-character sign. the wires all go out to a plug at the bottom. Now - one guy comes out with the same sign, but he also has the control board - arduino+centipede, to control all 5 signs (incl. power supply and switching with uln2003) , and end up with a 5-letter, 10X4 foot electronic sign! I know this does not make use of the input and only uses the centipede as an output expansion, and I know that for the same price I can almost get an arduino mega (which is good for 4 1-letter signs) , but I still want it!
I also discussed this with some guys from graffiti research lab (google it) and they were cautiously interested.
diagram will be up soon. thanks for reading!