Does such and thing exist (Electronic/Mechanical)

geuben

geuben

geuben

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I'm looking for a small either electronic or mechanical device that does the following.

Can be 'set' electronically.
When in it's set state it has a visual difference than when unset (to show that it's set).
Once set it can be disconnected from the power source and will still retain the same visual state.
Can be reset electronically.

Basically something like those e-ink displays in eBook things but much smaller (effectively only one pixel).

Does such a thing exist?
 
The closest sort of thing to what you're talking about that i can think of would be a simple electro mechanical flip dispay type thing - you know those clocks you see in banks etc where the timer flips them over.
A single digit one of thise would do what you're talking of.

Failing that i'm sure you could do something with a pair of electro magnets and a simple catch (one magnet to raise the catch when power is applied, the other to move the sign/indicator - you could probably even get it to work with one).

[edit]
Or if you can get one a spherical magnet, mount it in a suitable holder, paint one side red then a small electromagnet to attract/repel it (basically the same principle as the Eink displays but much larger), the problem would be "locking" in in the correct state.
 
I probably could make one out of a few bits, like you describe. The main reason I'm after something like this is cost really (and simplicity), If it comes down to not being able to find a complete cheap solution then I'll just use an LED and a tiny battery instead.
 
It's to act as an indicator on a removable magazine for a laser tag gun, to indicate that the magazine is empty. The plan is to keep the magazines as simple as possible (reduce costs) so I don't really want to start adding batteries, latches etc into them.
 
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