CS 410 Project Ideas

Title

Mobile Automatic Payment System (MAPS)

Category

Commerce

Problem

Being without cash is a nuisance, especially when making small purchases. Furthermore, using a check card can become quite a headache as you must track your purchases in order to ensure that your balance does not drop below a certain level, which would result in unnecessary bank fees.

Solution

A system whereby people can use their mobile phones to make purchases. The cashier would simply key in the user's mobile phone number. The phone would receive payment information (similar to the way in which it would receive a text message) and ask the user for verification. The user would verify the amount and the transaction would be completed. The mobile user could also initiate a transaction in certain cases. Certain equipment would contain some kind of unique identification number, similar to a phone number. The user would key in this information to make a purchase. For example, vending machines and gas pumps would contain a unique number that the user would enter into their mobile device in order to complete a transaction. Any transactions made during a given month would be applied to the customer's mobile phone bill.

CS Component

Wireless radios (perhaps using bluetooth technology) installed at certain locations such as vending machines and gas pumps, in order for the machine to receive requests from mobile devices. An alternative (and possibly less costly) approach would be for the vending machine, gas pump, etc, to receive requests through the cellular network. Any machine in which the mobile user can initiate a transaction would have to be connected to the cellular network anyway in order for charges to be sent to the user's mobile provider. Retailers wishing to make this option available to customers would also have to be connected to cellular networks in order for payment information to be sent to users' mobile devices.

Title

Distance Education Attendance Tracker (DEAT)

Category

Education

Problem

Tracking attendance of distance students is costly and time-consuming.

Solution

It has already been suggested in earlier classes that attendance of Teletechnet students could be tracked through the use of scannable student identification cards or biometric input devices. This does not address the problem of tracking attendance of video streaming students. The system is already in place whereby video streaming students must sign in using their ODU OCCS credentials in order to gain access to the system. This system can be improved by adding a feature which tracks the login time of each student, as well as the amount of time spent online. This information would be automatically compiled in a database. At the end of each day, the system would automatically generate reports for each class and these reports would be automatically emailed to the appropriate instructors. Furthermore, it might be possible to combine the attendance information of video streaming students with that of teletechnet students in order to produce a single, consolidated report for instructors.

CS Component

web-based database, email, scripting language to implement the system

Title

Firearm Identity REcognition (FIRE) System

Category

Law Enforcement

Problem

Police officers hold one of the most dangerous jobs in our society. They must constantly be aware of what is going on around them as the possibility exists that a criminal will use a police officer.s gun against him or her.

Solution

Many different types of holsters have been designed which minimize the chance that a criminal will be able to extract a handgun from the holster on a police officer.s belt. However, I emphasize that these holsters only minimize the chance of this occurring. I propose that police officers. be issued handguns which have a biometric fingerprint reader either built into or somehow attached to the weapons trigger. Upon issuing the weapon, it will be programmed to work only when the trigger is squeezed by the officer to whom the gun is issued. Otherwise, the weapon is harmless.

CS Component

biometric fingerprint reader, fingerprint recognition software

Title

Mobile Automatic Payment System (MAPS)

Category

Economic&Business

Problem

Being without cash is a nuisance, especially when making small purchases. Furthermore, using a check card can become quite a headache as you must track your purchases in order to ensure that your balance does not drop below a certain level, which would result in unnecessary bank fees.

Solution

A system whereby people can use their mobile phones to make purchases. The cashier would simply key in the user's mobile phone number. The phone would receive payment information (similar to the way in which it would receive a text message) and ask the user for verification. The user would verify the amount and the transaction would be completed. The mobile user could also initiate a transaction in certain cases. Certain equipment would contain some kind of unique identification number, similar to a phone number. The user would key in this information to make a purchase. For example, vending machines and gas pumps would contain a unique number that the user would enter into their mobile device in order to complete a transaction. Any transactions made during a given month would be applied to the customer's mobile phone bill.

CS Component

Wireless radios (perhaps using bluetooth technology) installed at certain locations such as vending machines and gas pumps, in order for the machine to receive requests from mobile devices. An alternative (and possibly less costly) approach would be for the vending machine, gas pump, etc, to receive requests through the cellular network. Any machine in which the mobile user can initiate a transaction would have to be connected to the cellular network anyway in order for charges to be sent to the user's mobile provider. Retailers wishing to make this option available to customers would also have to be connected to cellular networks in order for payment information to be sent to users' mobile devices.

Title

Road Frost indicator

Category

Transportation

Problem

Speed limits are based on an average of what is safe on the road for certain conditions. Sometimes it seems that the limit is too high or too low based on the weather.

Solution

A sensor that will detect precipitation and weight on the road, width of lanes, and other info, and send the information to near by speed limit signs to adjust the speed lower for dangerous conditions, and higher for better conditions

CS Component

Hardware: sensors, either wire or wireless communications. Speed limit indicator (screen). Software: will collect data, operate sensors and collect data, cause the speed to display

Title

Pit Station.

Category

Transportation

Problem

In this day and age, nobody should have to work as a "grease monkey" ever again.

Solution

a standard for vehicle design and an integrated robotic system capable of many common vehicle repairs in a fully automated fassion. The user should be able to drive his vehicle into the bay, select the services he requires, and the robotics should be able to perform most types of routine repairs in a very short ammount of time.

CS Component

Robotic control, inventory tracking, user kiosk.

Title

Auto amp

Category

Leisure&Entertainment

Problem

Home entertainment products have gotten much too complex forcing the customer to select from a bewildering selection of choices and compatibility requirements... For example, many common receivers cannot supply enough amperage to properly drive low-impedance speakers.

Solution

An end to end solution that allows the user not only to match up the best components from a comprehensive database of vendors, but even the ability to design custom components with a state of the art CAD tool, and then have the designs manufactured in a rapid-prototyping lab and delivered to him by fedex. These custom designs will be offered in the main database and a royalty paid to the designer if other people buy it.

CS Component

The database, inventory control, web-interface, user interface, differential equation solver, acoustics simulator, etc, etc...

Title

Power Board

Category

Transportation

Problem

The world's best computer architectures, currently found in game consoles and ultra-expensive workstations and servers, is not available to the general public for every-day computing.

Solution

Design a PCI-E and/or HTX add-in card that combines some of today's most exciting computing devices in a manner such that it can be used to vastly increase the computing power available to the common user. This will require software libraries, compilers, and extensions to operating system software.

CS Component

...

Title

Animal/roadblock sensor

Category

Transportation

Problem

While driving at nighttime, it is difficult to see objects or animals in the road.

Solution

Create a sesor on the front of a vehicle that scans the road for objects. The sensor can send data to an LCD panel on the dashboard and automatically apply the brakes.

CS Component

GPS unit, LCD display

Title

Class and Event route plotter

Category

Education

Problem

Students, Faculty, and Staff want to attend events/classes, but are unsure if they have enough time between events/classes to make it to the next one.

Solution

Create a software program that will take inputs from various locations that can plan the quickest route to get from one event to another.

CS Component

GPS unit, handdheld computer and software

Title

Keysaver

Category

Transportation

Problem

It's easy to find your car now with car chirps, even finding keys in the house, but finding your keys after they have been locked in the car is a little late. Somtimes people need a reminder to not lock the keys in the car.

Solution

A device for your key chain that will chirp when both the keys are located inside the car and the doors are set to lock, lessening the likelyhood of someone locking the keys in the car.

CS Component

Three sensors in the car: one on each side and one on the front will locate the senosor on the key chain and whether or not the door is set to lock. Signal will be sent from main sensor to key sensor to chirp.

Title

remote finder

Category

Leisure&Entertainment

Problem

Most common problem at home is a lost remote and sometimes finding it can take days.

Solution

Already manufactured in the remote comes a sensor that will detect a whistle sound from a human and chirp back helping the user find the remote.

CS Component

sensor in remote that recognizes whistle and emits chirp.

Title

Heartrate monitor wristwatch

Category

Transportation

Problem

When doing strenuous activities, we often wonder what our heart rate is, but have no easy way to check.

Solution

Have a wristwatch that contains a sensor that can display your current heart rate at any given time, as well as the rate percent over or under from your baseline rate.

CS Component

Computer enabled watch

Title

Wrongful Convictions

Category

Law Enforcement

Problem

In all over the world a lot of innocent people are sentenced. for crimes that they never commit.

Solution

a device should be created that could detect Wrongful Convictions. by detctecting the behavior of the suspect

CS Component

lie detectors, logic software.

Title

cars for old poeple

Category

Transportation

Problem

old people are more tend to loose their ability to drive. therefore they must rely on public transportation and help from other person to be able to go to certain places

Solution

Device should be created on cars that allow them to drive themselves and operate themselves as requested by owners.

CS Component

GPS, drive software, software sensor, and cruise control logic

Title

parking solution

Category

Transportation

Problem

sometime we have hard time to locate parking spots.

Solution

create devices that will locate our position and that will allow you to locate the nearest parking spot to that location.

CS Component

GPS, map software, satellite

Title

RFID tags for car

Category

Transportation

Problem

High-speed chases cost thousands of dollars, endanger lives, and occupy police officers for hours.

Solution

Each car has a RFID tag that responds to inquire from a hand held police scanner. The RFID sends police scanner the car's unique code to limit the cars speed. The police then input the unique code into the scanner and transmit it back to the car thereby limiting the car's speed to 10 mph.

CS Component

RFID tags, electronic ignitions, scanners

Title

Credit card accepting vending machines

Category

Economic&Business

Problem

Needing something to eat and/or drink, and going to vending machine to just find out one has no money.

Solution

Vending machines that accept pre-paid /credit cards

CS Component

Same software/hardware as ATM machines

Title

Break Light Indicator

Category

Transportation

Problem

It is difficult to determine when your break lights are defective when by yourself. Most of the time it is noticed when it is too late (i.e. pulled over by an officer).

Solution

Implement a sensor that will alert the driver when a break light is defective.

CS Component

Electrical Sensor

Title

Employment Registration System

Category

Economic&Business

Problem

Filling out job applications is tedious. Reviewing them is equally annoying for employers.

Solution

Design a system which stores an employee.s education, work history, and references. This information would be stored on a smart card or an online database.

CS Component

Smart card technology (for ID purposes) and database software.

Title

Universal Student Information System

Category

Education

Problem

When students transfer from school to school (elementary and high school) it's hard for teachers to know what they have done or what level they perform at.

Solution

Maintain all information in a database that follows the student from school to school. This would contain information such as test scores, previous (scanned in) documents, and any other information which would be beneficial to a student's new teachers.

CS Component

Database software.

Title

Child tracking device

Category

Safety

Problem

Every year children are taken from playgrounds, parks, or drown in swimming pools.

Solution

GPS tracking system that sets off an alarm if the child wanders to far away from the guardian. The guardian's device has a direction indicator, which points in the direction of the child. If the alarm sounds the guardian knows quickly which direction to look for the child.

CS Component

GPS, Wi-Fi

Title

Automated Lesson Planner

Category

Education

Problem

My wife spends hours after school planning her 2nd grades student's lesson plans and testing requirements.

Solution

Design a system where her multiple lesson plan and testing books are digitally integrated and easy to use. System should provide a way of tracking student and classroom progress and should alert the instructor when testing dates are near.

CS Component

Typical PC hardware / software and the means to code and scan.

Title

Work Scheduler Creator

Category

Economic&Business

Problem

Creating a work schedule can be tedious and time consuming for employers.

Solution

A software package that takes the availability, request and history of employees and creates a weekly schedule based upon that information.

CS Component

Database, Application Software

Title

Smart Stove

Category

Home

Problem

Sometimes we forget to turn off the counter-top or the oven, causing a potential fire hazard.

Solution

Create a system that scans the cooking areas for non-usage, and then turns off the counter-top or oven, after being idle for a certain amount of time.

CS Component

Sensor/Scanning, Application Software.

Title

Telephonic automatic wake-up call

Category

General

Problem

We see lot of people depend on alaram clock to wake-up. Replace alaram clock. Like if you want to wake-up at 5:30am you just dial 511-0530 and if you have to wake-up at 5:30pm you just dial 511-1730. In this way you can keep as many alarams as you want. For every hour, minutes and seconds.

Solution

We can create a software which can be in-built inside the phone or a telephone company can provide you such a service where they can provide you such a service.With millions of customer they can charge a maintance fee like $1.99 per month.

CS Component

Built such a software or program such a chip in side the phone

Title

Future DMV

Category

General

Problem

With so much cut back on-jobs at DMV. Lines at the DMV are increasing day by day. Many time one simple work is not done in one day and many time people have to take off from work or cut their breaks to get their work done at DMV.

Solution

To set-up a small data-base computer outside DMV and even outside many local places where a person can go put in their personal information or scan their finger (like biometrics) and get their work done at anytime of the day. Like if they are eligible base on the information they put in or on the scan information they can 1)Get their renew Driving license 2)Renew title tag 3)Change of address 4)Vote of registration and etc

CS Component

Computer, Biometrics Scanner and Database which collects all the information and stored

Title

Automatic Cell phone silencer

Category

Communication

Problem

There are places and activities that having a cell phone ring would cause a disburbance. Many people forget to turn off their cell phone or set the phone to silent mode.

Solution

In certain locations such as a library a signal could be sent to the cell phones that would switch the phone to silent mode.

CS Component

The signal would have to be bluetooth or RFID. The cell phone would have to have a computer advanced enough to switch to another mode when the signal is present.

Title

Cell phone emergencies

Category

Communication

Problem

There are times when having a cell phone ring would cause a disturbance but having the cell phone turned off means that emergency calls cannot get through. A meeting might go on for a long time without the person knowing that their has been a emergency and that they need to leave.

Solution

Have a setting in the cell phone that will make the phone go into silent mode. When a emergency happens the person trying to get through can dial password and get through to the person they are trying to reach. The person without the password would go straight to voicemail.

CS Component

The cell phone company would need a database with the password. The phone would need more software to have the ability to set the emergency setting.

Title

Foot Scanner

Category

General

Problem

The buyer does not know his/her foot size. Therefore, the buyer has to keep on trying number or times with different sizes of shoes, till the buyer find the right size and once which fits him/her comfortable. Apart from the size the buyer has also to be satisfied for the pair of shoes in terms of fitting for the shape of the foot. i.e narrow, medium or broad fitting

Solution

The system measures the foot for size and shape. Thereby, the buyer knows exactly what to look for. Time is saved and the buyer leave with 100% satisfaction of having purchased the right pair of shoes

CS Component

Scanner for foot, and database of shoes and various foot type

Title

Chess records

Category

Leisure&Entertainment

Problem

During a tournament game of chess a player has to write down his or her moves. This takes time that could be spent thinking. Written mistakes could mean losing the oppertunity to learn from his or her mistake.

Solution

Have a chess board that would automatically record the moves that the player makes and print the results.

CS Component

The board and the pieces would have sensors that sent where the piece is located to a computer.

Title

Eye Witness System

Category

Transportation

Problem

Situation: your car gets broken into or vandalized but know one is there to hear the alarm or witness who committed the crime.

Title

Emergency Traffic Assist Program (E-TAP)

Category

Transportation

Problem

Emergency vehicle personnel encounter a possible accident every time they must run a red light. This may not only risk their lives and the lives of their passengers, but also the lives there are potentially going to save.

Solution

A solution could be to use GPS to mark their position and their destination. This information would then be passed to a system that has control of the traffic signals. The program would then assist the driver of the emergency vehicle with the best route, and manipulate the traffic pattern to ensure green lights along that route.

CS Component

GPS, Traffic signal algorithm software

Title

Truck/Driver Monitor

Category

Transportation

Problem

Currently there are not any systems that monitor trucks or their drivers.

Solution

A system that would monitor truck weight. It would also allow communication between the truck, the company the truck belongs to, and the police. The system could also monitor the driver currently driving and how many hours they have been driving. This would ensure that driving times are followed.

CS Component

GPS and RFID technology

Title

RFID Parking

Category

Transportation

Problem

Parking in general is a problem!

Solution

ex: A RFID tag would be issued to a student. The tag would be placed in the car as would any parking pass. The students information would be input into the system. (This would include oncampus schedule). The system would assign a parking spot based on the schedule. This spot would also be assigned to other students with non conflicting schedules. The system would keep track of all parking spots. If a spot is taken by accident the system would tell the student other spots that could be used for the time being.

CS Component

RFID

Title

Bus Stop ETA

Category

Transportation

Problem

Hampton Roads Transit (and other public transportation systems) makes its schedules widely available in the form of brochures and listings online and at stops themselves, but buses are obviously not immune to traffic jams, breakdowns, etc, resulting in late bus arrivals.

Solution

Install a system which would transmit a low power signal across a city to all the bus stops with current information on bus status, which would then display an up to date ETA at bus stops on a simple, inexpensive LCD panel.

CS Component

Radio frequency transmitters/receivers

Title

GPS Cell Security

Category

Safety

Problem

In 2006 a mandate was required by the government that all cell phones have GPS installed in them. It is suppose to be a requirement for 911 emergencies.

Solution

A security system for the phones and the GPS system. With this mandate it becomes easy for people to track where others are. It also has the problem of a "big brother" factor!

CS Component

GPS

Title

Chart Proximity Tracker

Category

Health&Medicine

Problem

Medical offices still rely on paper records to keep track of relevant patient information such as lab reports and prescriptions. However, paper records are easy to misplace, especially in a busy offfice.

Solution

Implement a low power sensor in records folders which would respond when close to a proximity sensor. The sensor would detect the folders near it (Nurse's desk, file cabinet, etc) and report the record's location to a software program able to be referenced from any PC in the office.

CS Component

Proximity sensors, tracking software

Title

Resource Allocation/Tracking Tool

Category

Economic&Business

Problem

Working in a media capacity for the University entails being able to roll out equipment at the drop of a hat. Knowing where equipment is in a building and knowing what resources are already in use would be immensly helpful in a high demand media environment.

Solution

Using wireless transmitters, equipment would be 'checked out' of equipment storage locations and read as they entered or exited areas, which would update their location in a database. Preferrably the database would have an inventory list, allowing resources to be scheduled ahead of time and events to be planned without over-booking equipment.

CS Component

RFID and/or other low power wireless technology, database

Title

Waste Management Vehicle

Category

Home

Problem

Taking out the trash cans on time to be picked up by the trash truck.

Solution

A motorized cart that holds a various number of trash cans. The transport cart has an automatic timer and at the right time the cart automatically drives to a pre-placed beckon that marks where the trash is to be picked up. It is also equipped with LoJack to avoid theft.

CS Component

robotics, sensors, LoJack

Title

Eye Witness System

Category

Transportation

Problem

Situation: your car gets broken into or vandalized but know one is there to hear the alarm or witness who committed the crime.

Solution

Most automobiles have alarm systems and most new vehicles are equipped with cameras and sensors. Who does not have a cell phone? When the alarm sensors are triggered, even if impact is not enough to trigger the alarm, cameras take a series of snap shots. These cameras are mounted on the front, rear, sides, and interior of the car. Immediately following the episode the picture are sent to the owners. cell phone, or possibly emailed or instant messaged.

CS Component

Cameras, Sensors, Cell phone, Picture mail

Title

low latancy computing project.

Category

General

Problem

I can get stuff done much faster with my 486 than my linux or Windows XP machine. Software has just gotten two slow...

Solution

Put a serious ammount of research into making software *responsive*. Today's hardware should be able to do anything the user asks at subliminal speeds... My 486 can! (IBM PC-DOS 7.0, Win 3.11)

CS Component

...