Can Anyone Explain This Circuit?

[blksith01]

This came out of a lighter. You would press the button down to generate the spark and it would also makes these LEDs flash. What I don't understand is, how does the piezo sparker activate this circuit from over 1 inch away?
You can press the sparker anywhere along that circuit within a 1.5 inch radius and it starts, even if no spark is made. So how is this happening?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3OI7hWS2Cs

 

[audioguru2]

I saw this same question about 1 minute ago on another website.
The spark makes fairly powerful local RF energy. A simple AM radio circuit (maybe a simple crystal radio) picks it up and flashes the LEDs.

 

[blksith01]

I saw this same question about 1 minute ago on another website.
The spark makes fairly powerful local RF energy. A simple AM radio circuit (maybe a simple crystal radio) picks it up and flashes the LEDs.

It's an easy way to find out which community is better (you guys win).

And thanks for the answer. I didn't know you could fit an AM radio circuit in something that small.

 

[audioguru2]

I didn't know you could fit an AM radio circuit in something that small.

The RF power is fairly high and is VERY CLOSE BY. Then an extremely simple AM radio (a crystal radio) will pick it up.