CS 410 Project Ideas

Title

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Category

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Problem

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Solution

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CS Component

test

Title

Whiteboard

Category

Education

Problem

Students have trouble seeing whats written on the whiteboard and have to rely on their notes for studying. Also, educational departments have to spend capital on supplies (such as dry erase markers, whiteboards, and cleaning supplies.

Solution

The physical whiteboard in the classroom is replaced by a computer program that closely resembles a paint program. The program is displayed with an overhead projector and can be interfaced with an infrared sensor and trasmitter (similar to how a Wiimote works). This allows the professor to use the overhead display as a drawing board for their lectures without needing the cleaning and drawing materials or whiteboards. Students will also be able to connect to the program during class so they can clearly see what the professor writes and to highlight text for questions. Students will also be able to be able to view entire lectures at a later date (audio is also recored along with the text).

CS Component

A computer program that acts as a server.

Title

Health and Fitness Planner

Category

Health

Problem

Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. and a major strain on the healthcare system. As this problem becomes prevelant in younger and younger people, related health problems such as diabetes and hypertension are becoming common in today's youth.

Solution

A software based lifestyle planner to help people of all ages improve their health and fitness levels. The software will generate workout and meal plans based on the user's starting health and fitness status, and adjust accordingly as progress is made.

CS Component

The computer component will be the software that generates the various plans and tracks the user's progress. Other peripherals such as computerized blood pressure monitors and scales can be integrated.

Title

Digital Greenthumb

Category

Agriculture

Problem

The chemicals used by both commercial and home gardeners are a major source of water pollution. Organic gardening is a good solution, but is rarely used do to the greater planning and closer monitoring required to produce acceptable yields.

Solution

A software based garden planner and scheduler that will help eliminate the tedious planning and tracking required in an organic garden of any size. The software will use the plot size and crop type(s)as an input, and calculate such things as organic fertilizer requirements, watering, companion planting, and crop rotation. The output will be populated on a calender which will show which tasks must be completed on any given day.

CS Component

The planning/scheduling software will be the main computer component of the project. It may also be possible to integrate electronically/timer controlled valves into the irrigation and fertilization systems to further automate the system.

Title

Runway Incursion Prevention

Category

Safety

Problem

Statistically the most dangerous part of any flight is take-off and landing. Runway incursions, or planes/equipment crossing an active runway during another plane's take-off or landing, is particularly dangerous and happens more than twice a day in the United States. Currently the FAA is attempting to install high powered radar monitors at airports to track the vectors of all planes, but this method is expensive and has been slow to be implemented.

Solution

A simple GPS device on each plane could report position and velocity to a central system at the closest airport, which can then do the same collision avoidance that the current radar system does, potentially cheaper, or at least cheaper for the airports. Among other issues, this solution would require the FAA to to mandate their use on all aircraft.

CS Component

GPS system, communications system (airplane to airport), airport-side software.

Title

Smart Smoke detectors

Category

Health/Govt

Problem

Fires can cost someone their belongings, home, or even life. It is time to make smarter equipment to help minimize the damage caused by fires.

Solution

Smoke detectors are usually the first line of defense when a fire occurs. We could enhance the smoke the detector by making them web enabled through wiMax, making them fire proof and adding video that would aid fire fighters in locating and putting out the fire.

CS Component

Software, video networking protocol

Title

Home Groccery Inventory System

Category

Everyday Living

Problem

We spend way too much time waiting in line at supermarkets, and store such as Wal-Mart in order to get our basic needs. Let’s minimize the time we spend shopping so we can use that time more productively.

Solution

Put rfid tags on all our comsumer products such as food, soap, napkins, etc. Have a computer inventory system read these tags to create an invetory list of the products we use. once the product is removed from our home have the computer order our product through the internet (searching for the best price of course) and delivered to our home. Saving us the time of going shopping.

CS Component

Software algorithims , networking , wireless technology.

Title

WOW Game Notification system

Category

entertainment

Problem

Many teenagers (CS Majors) spend way to much time playing World of warcraft. This time could be used more productively.

Solution

Creating software that could control your WOW characters through your cell phone in a scripting like manner. You could send them off on missions, etc. Let the system alert you when the mission is complete and update you through your cellphone.

CS Component

software

Title

Personal Finance Wizard

Category

Finance

Problem

As evidenced by the home finance crisis, many people lack the knowledge to make good financial decisions. Compounding the problem, personal finance goes beyond just a budget, and covers life/health insurance, home loans, retirement investing, and many other areas each of which has its own considerations.

Solution

Although financial software exists, it generally only focuses on keeping records (checkbook, etc.) and simple budgeting. A more robust software solution could be developed to make plans and track a more robust set of personal finance situations based on personal information (ex: "What should my car insurance deductible be?", or "How should I change my 401k diversification at differnt ages of my life based on my income?".

CS Component

The computer component would be the software, which will track the various finance categories, link with online financial accounts, and allow the various financial information to be printed and displayed.

Title

Mammogram Version 2.0

Category

Medicine

Problem

High Breast Cancer Rates.

Solution

Develop a new non-intrusive (and less painful) way of detecting breast cancer early.

CS Component

The software and hardware required to generate a 3d image of the breast.

Title

MotoAware

Category

MotorVehicular

Problem

Motorcyclists are constantly bombarded with traffic that is not paying attention or is not aware of their presence. Therefore they are required to be more attentive.

Solution

A detection and alert system for motorcycles (and manufacturers) that will keep the rider informed of his surroundings at a glance, and alert him if danger is suspected.

CS Component

Both hardware and software driven components in detection, calculating, and alerting.

Title

FAA Comm

Category

Govt

Problem

The FAA, Airlines, DoHS, and other agencies have stumbled communications. This causes a massive number of delays that is a major inconvenience to fliers (both frequent and infrequent).

Solution

Design a new streamlined flight plan/air traffic control system that will accelerate the rate of communication between the different agencies.

CS Component

Software and maybe specialized hardware.

Title

Securable Internet Electorial Voting Machine

Category

Govt

Problem

Getting people to vote in general elections have become a main priority during presidential election time. One of the top reasons for people not to vote is, "I do not have time".

Solution

To have voting be more accessible and convenient for people, why not have the internet be a choice for people to vote on. It has been shown that more than half of the population uses the internet for entertainment and business purposes. If people can trust the internet with their tax information, why not make the internet one of the means people can choose to vote.

CS Component

For security purposes, if a person wants to vote online, they would have to register at their state's "voter's website" prior to the election date, they would have to register their Voter's Registration ID No., make a secure password with letters and numbers with a minimum of 4 characters, and choose 3 security questions. The system would consist of front-end and back-end servers. The database servers would keep a count of how many people voted for a certain candidate and the system would only allow you to submit a ballot one time.

Title

Power control unit

Category

remotely turn on/off appliacnes

Problem

People often wish to set appliances to start/stop based on their schedule (for example starting the coffee maker at 7 am so its ready when they get up), or wish to have the lights on when they arrive home.

Solution

Have a networked device that acts as an outlet. Power to the outlet can be controlled by a program that can be accessed via a schedule or over the internet.

CS Component

Device that regulates the on/off of the outlet and the communication remotely.

Title

Bluetooth Keys

Category

Security

Problem

Some people have so many keys that it becomes difficult to find the correct one.

Solution

RFID tags could be used in conjunction with a Bluetooth phone to open doors and drive your car, eliminating the need to carry keys.

CS Component

Software to communicate and provide authentication between the various devices.

Title

Vehicle trash disposal

Category

health, waste managment

Problem

Trash is to large to be kept in the confined space in a vehicle, yet many people do not regularly dump trash from their cars, causing a buildup of grime on the floor. the crumbs and grime cannot be removed until the larger trash is picked up.

Solution

develop a trash compaction system, which can be installed in a vehicle at manufacture, allowing ease of trash disposal. by compacting the trash, space is conserved, reducing repetitive cleaning and disposal.

CS Component

sensors determine how much capacity remains in the compactor and relays this information to the drivers display console. when the unit is full, the computer will sound a warning if an attempt is made to add more, possibly locking the trash chute door. also diagnostic information will be collected in case of a failure.

Title

Fire Safe

Category

Military

Problem

Friendly fire refers to forces of the same battle group accidentally firing upon one another. The confusion of battle, miscommunication, terrain, and other factors can lead to troops on the same side firing at each other.

Solution

The placement of a computer chip on soldiers, as well as an enhanced safety mechanism and targeting on their weapons, could alleviate friendly fire. The targeting computer would determine if the weapon was being pointed at a friendly soldier by communicating with his or her computer chip. If the weapon was pointed at a friendly soldier, the safety mechanism would lock the weapon, and a friendly fire crisis would be averted.

CS Component

Computer hardware would include the chip on the soldiers and the computer on the weapon. Software would need to be written to define the operation of the chip and the targeting computer.

Title

electronic tattoo giver

Category

tattoo machine

Problem

Tattoos require the work of a skilled tatooist and leave little room for error.

Solution

Have a computer scan a body part then have it apply an image.

CS Component

tattoo needle moover and image viewer.

Title

Social Carpooling

Category

Transportation

Problem

People who need to get to a specific location either do not have a means of transportation or want to save money by carpooling, but they cannot find others to travel with.

Solution

A phone or GPS would track your morning commute and compute the typical route(s), with start, end, and timeframe. The routes could then be submitted to a website where you can accept bids to give or take a ride on that route.

CS Component

Software to track drivers' routes and upload them, as well as a website to accept the routes, display them, and allow users to pair up with each other.

Title

Networked stereo device

Category

entertainment

Problem

people may have several computers in their homes, each with music stored on them, but it is not easy to play that music in other rooms without the hassle of downloading it to an mp3 player or burning a CD.

Solution

develop an inexpensive stereo set which can connect to a wireless network and stream any music files in the shared folders of the computers on the network. the device may optionally hold a hard drive for syncing like an ipod as well as have output jacks to plug into larger speakers as desired. the device will have a screen to browse the music available, as well as a controller to change tracks.

CS Component

networking components, designing a way to sync files.

Title

Excercizing Gamers

Category

Health, Entertainment

Problem

although the Wii has many features which introduce exercising into console gaming, the computer gaming industry has yet to readily adopt motion sensing. with so the number of games available on the rise, and the pull of high-end graphics, younger adults and children are still becoming less and less active.

Solution

design a control pad which utilizes motions such as stepping and arm movements to control video games on the PC. the device should not prevent the user from using the keyboard, or have the keys integrated into the design.

CS Component

device drivers allowing mapping of keyboard and mouse actions to the device, as well as software to interpret motions.

Title

Wireless Device Charger Pad

Category

Electronics

Problem

There are many battery powered devices today that must be periodically plugged in so that they can recharge or else they will cease to function.

Solution

A charging pad that you can drop all of your devices onto and recharge the batteries using induction, eliminating the need to connect cables.

CS Component

A pad that transfers energy between itself and the devices on top of it.

Title

Sleeping Driver Alerting Device

Category

Transportation

Problem

One source of automobile accidents is drivers falling asleep behind the wheel and veering off of the road. The rough pavement used at the side of the road to solve this problem is not always successful, nor is it present on all roadways.

Solution

A solution could be installing sensors along the roadside, and fitting automobiles with an interior alarm. If the sensors detect an automobile driving off the roadway, the alarm will go off, with the effect of waking/alerting the driver.

CS Component

The computer hardware component involves roadside sensors and automobile transmitter/receiver/alarming devices. Software would have to be written to dictate the interaction between the sensors and the automobile devices.

Title

PetPal

Category

Leisure

Problem

Pet owners are plagued with the problem of leaving their pets alone for extended periods of time. Kennels are expensive, allowing no contact with the pet and exposing the pet to unhealthy stress.

Solution

A robotic device with a LCD screen that can display prerecorded video of the owner and provide two way Web communication with the pet.

CS Component

The computer components involved are robotics, wireless internet connectivity, and audio/video capabilities.

Title

KeySpot

Category

Personal

Problem

People frequently lose keys. Time and productivity is wasted locating and replacing keys.

Solution

A key chain with a GPS device that communicates with a web-site to give real time location information. Authentication and encryption can provide security while logging into the web-site to locate keys.

CS Component

The computer component is a GPS device and a web-site.

Title

CalorieCount

Category

Medicine

Problem

Weight-loss requires an accurate count of calories used during exercise. Only rough estimates exist for various activities. Incorrectly counted calories can lead to obesity and health complications.

Solution

Two wrist bands and two ankle bands with motion sensors and wireless connectivity will count the number of motions of each limb. The user will create a profile on a website, specify the activity, and then upload the data from the bands. The website would track and retain accurate calorie counts for the activity data.

CS Component

The computer components are a motion sensor, wireless connectivity, and a web-site.

Title

Electronic Measurement Device

Category

Shopping

Problem

When people go clothing shopping, they are often unaware of proper sizes of clothes they need to purchase, therefore needing to try on several sizes. Also, clothing marked as one size may fit differently in one store than clothing marked in the same size at a different store.

Solution

An electronic machine could be developed to take a person's body measurements. It could then refer to a database of stores and their clothing sizing systems, and produce a listing of what size clothes one should buy at different stores.

CS Component

Computer hardware for this solution would involve a device that would take a person's body measurements. Software would need to be written to process that person's measurements and determine what sizes they would wear at different stores.

Title

Healthy Food Checker

Category

Nutrition

Problem

While shopping in a grocery store, customers must simultaneously keep track of food portions, allergy issues, dietary needs, and daily values of nutrients in order to promote healthy meals at home. However, time constraints and the complexity of preparing healthy meals prevents healthier store choices.

Solution

A "Healthy Food Checker" installed on grocery store carts would enable a customer to scan a bar code and access information about that product. Coupled with information about that particular household (accessed via a shopper card), the "Checker" could check for allergies, recommend healthier alternatives, or suggest appropriate side dishes.

CS Component

cards capable of holding data, bar code scanner, software with database of suggestions or side items, touch screens

Title

Home-Grown Energy Processor

Category

Energy and Power

Problem

Many homeowners continually worry about rising energy costs, and many people are looking to promote cleaner energy alternatives. Alternatives to traditional power are expensive systems that are not feasible for use in the home.

Solution

Solar-powered shingles that could be installed as much or as little as one wanted could potentially give a home as much or as little alternative energy as it wanted. Homes with fewer shingles could set their system to collect the energy and sell it back to power companies, and homes with more could use the energy directly. The cost-efficiency of such a system would have to top current systems available.

CS Component

solar panels and other energy-collecting devices, software to process collected energy

Title

Smart Basketball/Athletic Shoe

Category

Sports and Health

Problem

The most common minor injury to basketball players or other athletes is a sprained ankle. Basketball shoes in particular are made high in an attempt to give the athlete ankle support, but most of the time, ankle braces are needed to prevent ankle movement and further injury. Especially in the case of a healing ankle, ankle braces only maintain the weak ankle and do not promote the strengthening of the strained tendons and ligaments.

Solution

The "Smart Basketball/Athletic Shoe" would work like a normal athletic shoe until an abnormal movement of the ankle occurred. Sensors would detect the abnormal movement and act to tighten that side of the shoe, bringing support to the ankle only when needed, preventing recurring sprains while providing ample opportunity for the ankle to strengthen itself when unsupported.

CS Component

pressure sensors, software to regulate shoe support, shoe support mechanisms

Title

Smart Gun

Category

Health

Problem

Every year there are a number of firearm accidents. On the average only 2.7% of these accidents are fatal. But even on death by the accidental discharge of a firearm is an unnecessary loss of life.

Solution

Install a device into the firearm that will allow only the owner to fire the weapon. This should help to eliminate the accidental discharge of a firearm.

CS Component

A biometric reader or wireless device that will only allow the firearm to be fired by the owner.

Title

Secure Water Fountain

Category

Health

Problem

When I was interning at Rockville, MD this summer, there was a water main that bursted. Some of the resturants were risking their businesses and still decided to sell food. The majority of resturants shut down for the day so they would not be held responsible for anybody's health problem. There were also water fountains that were affected by the water main break, but information did not get out to some people until it was too late.

Solution

What if it was possible to install fountain indicators that tell whether or not the water is safe to drink. There would be a red light that goes off to indicate to people that they water is not safe to use. Instead of having to rely on the media or others to inform you of this information.

CS Component

There would have to be a sensor within the fountain that indicates whether the water is to use or not.

Title

Bus travel Indicator

Category

Transportation

Problem

Imagine standing at the bus stop anxiously and hungry, but you do not know if the HRT will arrive on time. So you are standing there hungry and annoyed looking at the subway resturant accross the street. Thinking to yourself if I knew the approximate time for the arrival of the bus, then I will know if I have time to get food or not.

Solution

Just like the metro in Washington D.C., there is a sign within the subway that indicates approximately how much time it will take before the train arrives to the train station. What if we took that idea, and applied it to the bus system. The bus driver would indicate to its bus riders the approximation of time it should take to get to the bus stop.

CS Component

The driver would need a device that will send information to a sign that is at the bus stop. The device the bus driver has is handheld and can send time approximations, or inform the people at the bus stop if there is traffic. The sign at the bus stop will display the driver's approximation or driving conditions.

Title

Laser Borders

Category

Govt

Problem

The current land border security isn't as good as it could be.

Solution

Install laser systems on the land borders with desired number of lasers to prevent crossing by having people monitor when a laser is crossed and then used installed cameras to track the object passing.

CS Component

The laser system used and monitoring system and software.

Title

"Vampire" Slayer

Category

Energy Conservation

Problem

There's been a lot of buzz in the news lately about "vampire" electronic devices that continue to draw power even when turned off, such as televisions. This can be a useful feature if you may need an appliance at a moment's notice, but is simply wasteful if you're going to be out of the house for ten hours.

Solution

A master switch could either physically cut off all current to certain outlets, which would require a lot of behind-the-wall wire work. Alternatively, one could produce a device that sits between the outlet and the appliance, like a power strip does, that could use the home's electrical system as a network and be remotely signaled on or off by a control device plugged into a convienent outlet, perhaps by the front door.

CS Component

Possibly an embedded processor, though this may be implementable without any real computer tech.

Title

The Idea Generator

Category

Education

Problem

Ideas can be hard to come up with, especially when you must do so under a deadline. Coming up with ideas that actually have merit is many times more difficult.

Solution

Create a system capable of generating original ideas.

CS Component

A hardware system capabable of running an AI platform, plus the AI platform. Alternatively, a room full of computer science students.

Title

Cell phone vote

Category

Govt

Problem

Currently in the United States, not enough people still aren't voting.

Solution

Cell phones can do nearly anything these days, why not make it possible to vote through cell phones by entering in information you only know to verify it is you that is voting and then place your vote, quick and easy.

CS Component

Cell phone software used to vote and installation of software.

Title

Voice commands

Category

auto

Problem

Having to mess with cell phones, mp3 players, and other devices while driving increases the risk of accidents.

Solution

Design a common device that would listen for voice commands to control peripherial devices.

CS Component

interface to recognize voice commands and translate them into instructions

Title

Cell phone tracking

Category

Govt

Problem

Its still hard to find victims from terrorist attacks.

Solution

Use cell phones as beacons in area that was affected by the attack to find number and location of victims so that rescue squads can quickly get to possible survivors faster.

CS Component

Software to implement cell phone tracking in certain area and how the message will be sent to the appropriate authorities.

Title

Health Monitor

Category

Medicine

Problem

People who fall ill and can not be watched 24/7.

Solution

A wireless heart monitoring device that enables the person to move about freely but in case of a triggered abnormal state that the person can not respond to themselves, will notify the proper authorities.

CS Component

Wireless system that monitors heart rate and possibly blood sugar and blood pressure.

Title

Automated Map Printer

Category

Misc.

Problem

People often get lost when they come to ODU for the first time, and paying people to stand around and give them help can get expensive.

Solution

A touchscreen system that will help identify where the student needs to go based on knowledge of building name, class taken, or even who the student is and what the current time is (if they don't remember what they are taking)

CS Component

A simple computer and touch screen monitor, plus a small printer for printing simple directions. Optionally maybe a virtual system as well so the student could bring up the same help on a computer.

Title

ODU Text Bot

Category

Information

Problem

Many students have simple questions that could easily be answered, but unfortunately they bog down lines by having to wait in them in order to get them answered.

Solution

A smart text bot could do the same thing as a person but at a much cheaper price, and at a much more convenient speed for everyone. A student woud simply text ODU Bot something like "Location CS410" and the bot would return "DRGS 1110" this system could also be used for other academic situations such as "Balance MonarchPlus" or even "Student Activities 9/2/08" for a balance check or something to do, respectively.

CS Component

Simply a computer with network access that is capable of receiving and processing multiple text messages at a time.

Title

bike parking

Category

transprtation

Problem

Lack of bike commuter facilities.

Solution

fully automated bike parking garage.

CS Component

robotics

Title

save me beeber

Category

personal tech

Problem

ive had a few female friends go crazy because guys wront stop hitting on them while at college, and countless other friends who are freqeuntly bugged by people that they wish would leave them alone but dont want to be rude.

Solution

the save me beeber will connect to a cellphone with blue tooth. you will pre-program a text message with an excuse to call. you send this to the beeber. you hit one of two-four buttons, each dials or texts a different cellphone with your cellphone. the person then responds by calling you back with said excuse. with a real person calling you back that the annouying person can over hear, you can now leave the area with out them following you if they dont walk off first without the need to deal with any linguring acardness or complications.

CS Component

blue tooth wireless beeber and software/drivers to connect to any cellphone and program said numbers with messages.

Title

television media player

Category

home consumer

Problem

ever since i got broad band i had the problem of playing videos i download off the net on my tv. i hate watching them on the computer and hate the alternatives even more. converting files, hardware with buit in divx support that wront play .mpg files, codec compatability and useless wireless streaming solutions.

Solution

my proposol is to construct a cheap effective media player hardware/software that is open source thats both updatable and programable. all the user has to do is plug in a sd card or usb device and it plays any media files. no converstions, no needed computer equipment, no mess. and with an open source approach any media file type, or codec can be added free of charge to the consumer to garantee constant support as long as the tv works.

CS Component

some form of existing player hardware with small hard/flash drive, and custom media player software designed specificly to work on any size television.

Title

lights on

Category

cars

Problem

leaving your car lights on, or windows down then it rains. having something to turn them off or role em up is nice but pricey. break ins are also problamatic.

Solution

something cheap that can be built into each car. when the lights are left on or windows left open, it can send text message to your cellphone telling you whats wrong. it could also be tied into any car alarm that sends a text message to your cellphone arlerting you without paying a monthly subscription to onstar.

CS Component

cars on board computer having featur added to it, or car alarm control system having feature added to it. a pre-paid cellphone could send the text.

Title

Room Aid

Category

Coordination

Problem

Large seated areas such as classrooms or movie theatres often are congested. When a room is congested it becomes difficult to find a seat. Searching for a seat in a congested room may result in disturbing others, wasted time, and fustration.

Solution

A device that displays available seats to end users. Additional information may be provided by the device such as class/movie starting and ending time, lecturer, or movie title.

CS Component

Sensor Technology.

Title

family protect beeber

Category

society

Problem

many registered sex offenders are let out of prison. to make matters worse theres no way to tell if the guy in the movie theater sitting next to you and your kids is one of them.

Solution

upon release from prison all sex offenders would be required to wear an ankle braclet before being let out of jail. this ankle braclet will emit a signal identifying who they are, what they did, etc. parents will then be able to buy reciever beebers that will pick up the signal alerting them there is a registered sex offender near by.

CS Component

transmitter, reciever, software to store and program data. as well as encryption to prevent tampering of device. also some type of mechanism to garrantee braclet is worn and charged at all times. must be water proof if possible.

Title

the fat kid

Category

health

Problem

many parents allow telivision and video games to baby sit there children, then they buy them highly nutritional mcdonalds for dinner. as a result there kids tend to get a little chunky and wront excersize.

Solution

parants use a computer to wirelessly program a ankle braclet. this braclet is then put on the kid. the braclet detects movement when the child walks, jogs, runs, etc. if the child stops moving for a pre-programed amount of time an electric shock is administered to the child encuaraging them to start walking.

CS Component

computer software, braclet software, braclet/computer connector

Title

Restaurant Availability Kiosk

Category

Business

Problem

In areas with large numbers of restaurants (town centers, downtown area, etc.), finding the one restaurant with an acceptable wait time usually requires going to each individual restaurant and fighting through the crowd to the hostess station to inquire.

Solution

A centralized kiosk could remotely link a diner to real time information about restaurants in the vicinity, allowing him/her to find the establishment (s) with the best availability or shortest wait times.

CS Component

A computerized kiosk, as well as compatible computer/software at participating restaurants.

Title

Workplace Knowledge Database

Category

Business

Problem

In the workplace, workers with more seniority often have knowledge/tips/tricks that make them more efficient workers then newer employees. Sometimes this knowledge never gets shared, making some employees nearly irreplaceable.

Solution

A database which would allow the sharing of knowledge between employees, which could be added to/updated as new knowledge is obtained or more info on previous entries is obtained.

CS Component

Database to store entries and interface software

Title

Automated Restaurant

Category

Commerce Security

Problem

As consumers we have to give our credit cards to a server at a restaurant. In todays age of identiy theft, it only takes a few seconds to copy that card and start the process of losing your identity.

Solution

An automated system at your table to pay for your food. This system can be set up to allow dinners to pay, order, get help, etc. This can help dinners feel more at ease and will also can help reduce the amount of employees a restruant needs to operate.

CS Component

Touchscreen Monitors, Networks, Network OS

Title

PTA Communication

Category

Education

Problem

Parents and teachers have a hard time communicating in a fast paced world.

Solution

Set up a communication system to allow teachers to communicate with parents easier. The system would be similar to the emergency alert systems. Parents will be allowed to select the ways the wish to receive communication from the teachers. Thus ensuring the teachers message are being received by the parents.

CS Component

database, network, telecom

Title

Home Project Designer

Category

Home Improvement

Problem

Consumers want to have the lastest and greatest updates in their home.

Solution

Allow a network of consumers and contractors to come toghter. A place were home onwers can post pictures and explian their desires. Then contractors can come up with a plan and cost. The home owner can than select their favortite design. The system would allow the home owner to select the best fit for them without have to make several appoints with different companies. A system that would work much like lending tree but for home inprovment.

CS Component

database,server, blueprint editing software

Title

Gas Price Database

Category

Transportation

Problem

Gas prices vary from station to station and to find the best price one must use gas to drive around which defeats that purpose of saving money in the first place.

Solution

If every gas station reported their current price to a central database that is accessible by the customers, then the customer would be able to go straight to the best station. This would also create stronger competition between stations and keep the prices more uniform.

CS Component

A central database accessible by anyone from the internet.

Title

Traffic Communication

Category

Transportation

Problem

In traffic situations where many cars have to merge together it is sometimes difficult to know whether you can change lanes safely or not. In other words is the car in the next lane aware you are getting over and will he safely let you merge.

Solution

Some kind of device that a driver could aim at the car and press a button to acknowledge to the other driver (by a beep or some other type of notification) that he can safely merge.

CS Component

Receivers and directional transmitters in every car.

Title

Haldheld Guitar Chord Database

Category

Music

Problem

There are so many guitar chords that it takes an entire book to show pictures of them all. These books are not only bulky, but the one chord you want to play might be difficult to find.

Solution

A handheld device that is about the same size as the average guitar tuner (in fact it could have a tuner built in as well) that stores all the known guitar chords in a way that makes it easy to look up any particular chord.

CS Component

A compact device with an LCD with a moderate resolution and enough data storage for all the known chords.

Title

Professional Evaluation System

Category

Business/Finance

Problem

Through the interviewing process of obtaining jobs/job promotions, writing on paper and word of mouth are taken into consideration. Such ways of presenting information on job histories can be biased, depending upon the source of the information. Those who are more capable of completing the job to increase overall production may be losing out on opportunities due to bias and exaggeration.

Solution

A direct test of an individual's capabilities when placed into a workforce situation. Simulations of a real life situation which vary greatly as possible employees/possible promotions are tested. This type of testing would follow similar simulation situations demonstrated with the U.S. Army training programs with virtual reality.

CS Component

Computer simulation technology, possibly presenting scenarios faced in real life situations. Extremely Simplified Examples: Phoenix Wright: Attorney at Law (For the Nintendo DS), Trauma Center: Second Opinion (for the Nintendo Wii)

Title

HotBox Evacuation System

Category

Emergency, Safety

Problem

It is estimated that asphyxiation from smoke is the cause of death in 50-80 percent of all indoor fires. Often times, smoke can obscure an immediate exit, or the closest exits may be blocked or inaccessible.

Solution

A small, localized GPS device that can verbally guide you to the closest (and safest) exit

CS Component

A sensor relay for doors and windows, a small handheld device capable of performing basic vector calculations, 2.5 AA batteries

Title

Optical Remote for Presentations

Category

Technology

Problem

having to go back and forth between the computer and podium to give a lecture to do simple mouse movements and clicks. cannot give complex presentations because a clicker is not enough

Solution

an optical remote to move that acts as a mouse

CS Component

optical sensors

Title

real instrument hero

Category

technology/education

Problem

people don't have music education, and learning doesn't seem rewarding or fun.

Solution

A rhythm computer game (guitar hero/dance dance revolution) in which you can plug in real electric instruments to play.

CS Component

entirely software coding

Title

drunk driving device

Category

life

Problem

drunk driving

Solution

a feasible device that checks the drivers blood alcohol content, without being so easily cheated (such as the current breathalyzer).

CS Component

hardware to check BAC. maybe even send a signal to the nearest police station