Need Help Understanding a schematic

[vistarox]

I am making a kinetic remote control for a science fair at my school and I need some help understanding a schematic for the circuit board on the kinetic generator. This is the first time I have ever done something like this so I need someone to explain it to me in as plain English as possible. This is a link to the schematic:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40513696@N08/4620244668/
Here is some more background info on the kinetic remote project:
http://www.make-digital.com/make/vol12/?pg=120#pg120
http://makezine.com/12/kineticremote/
Thanks

 

[(*steve*)]

You should look at the parts of the device and determine what each does.,

The first is the coil with magnets moving back and forward inside it (hint, look at how electricity is generated)

The next part is the bridge recrifier -- what does that do? Why not use a single diode?

The next part is a capacitor. What does it to.

Then there is the thing labelled LDO. What is it? What is it's purpose.?

 

[NickS]

Is anybody else skeptical about that schematic and its lack of detail?

1) I would think you want a mechanical switch between the capacitor and the LDO. That way the LDO is not constantly bleeding your hard work off the caps in the form of Iq(I have used some bad ones that consume 5mA).

2) I s anyone concerned at the prospect of over-volting the capacitor? and why not use a supercap like the "Faraday flashlight" employs?

3) Now days we have quite a few options of neo's that range from strong to dangerous. Does someone have input on a safe and appropriate strength of magnet for this application?