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

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Title

Mileage Taxing System

Category

Gov't and Transportation

Problem

Gas tax revenues are decreasing because the Federal Gov't is requiring new cars to use less fuel through better fuel mileage. Roads are still being damaged at the same rate, and sometimes a higher rate because hybrid vehicles weigh more than conventional vehicles. The decrease in tax revenue causes governments to use funds from other sources for road repairs or forgo repairing the road altogether.

Solution

Past discussions about this topic by US national government required the use of a GPS unit installed in all vehicles. This is too costly and difficult to implement. Another option is when state residents take their cars in for the annual inspection, the inspector records the mileage and submits to the state authority for mileage taxing purposes. Drivers may also submit their mileage to a web based system at any time in-between inspections to allow for smaller tax payments.

CS Component

Multiple user web application with mobile capability to record and update mileage information on a specific vehicle. Database to store vehicle and tax information.

Title

Best Practice Tech Social

Category

IT, Social Network

Problem

Now days, there is a lot of site share technique information between professional and enthusiast programmers and admins, such like stackoverflow and serverfault. They are like a social network media for this field. However, most the site now days focus on smaller problem, such like a set of API or configuration of one software. It is rarely see a site where people could discuss the architecture of a enterprise.

Solution

Does people want to know what is the architecture behind Google or Facebook, how do they handle the huge amount load? how do they do storage? Many company actually willing to share this kind of information in their conference, such like Google I/O, Facebook F8. If we can create a site, to allow user upload their configuration, demonstrated and discussed with other user, this site will be able to share the best practice experience between developer/admin. It can be helpful in many way.

CS Component

Cloud, Broswer

Title

homeless pet search engine

Category

homeless pets

Problem

There are thousands of animals put to death every year because there are no homes found for them. There are pet databases that people can use to find pets, but the shelter must register to use it. There is no way to search every shelter that is on the internet.

Solution

A search engine could be utilized to find only the pet shelter web sites and search for pets that fit criteria entered by a user.

CS Component

Internet search engine

Title

clean drinking water monitor

Category

healthy living

Problem

I do not know everything that is in my water coming out of the faucet. The option is to buy a kit and have it tested.

Solution

A monitoring system that looks for potentially hazardous elements.

CS Component

software for the monitoring system

Title

consumer electronics security

Category

security

Problem

Network enabled consumer electronics are on the market, and bought by millions without any security at all.

Solution

There should be anti-virus and firewall software developed for everything with a network interface.

CS Component

anti-virus and firewall software

Title

Automated Coffee Mess

Category

Business, Offices

Problem

Office coffee messes (funds) have multiple problems that can be solved by technology. First, everyone is charged equally despite the fact they may drink a disproportionate amount of coffee compared to the other drinkers. Second, someone has to hunt people down for money when the coffee grinds and other supplies run out. Third, there is always one a-hole (official term) that will drink the last cup and leave the pot empty so the next person is stuck brewing and waiting for a new pot.

Solution

Develop a locking coffee pot that only allows the person to remove it after entering a PIN or a fingerprint. When the pot is replaced, it is weighed and the user account is updated on amount removed. If the pot is empty and the person does not start another, an alarm sounds indicating that the person is being a jerk. At the end of a predetermined time period the person's credit card is charged for the amount of coffee consumed.

CS Component

Small database and credit card charging application. If big enough, could be a hosted service through an accessible server and housed at a centralized location for spanning multiple offices.

Title

On Campus Maps+Routes

Category

Navigation, School

Problem

It can be difficult for peopele to find places on campus, especially for students at the beginning of the semester.

Solution

One of the departments just finished a high quality survey of campus. If this data was combined with the blueprints and room numbers for every building, people would be able to search for a location (room number, parking lot). Because the app would also have route information, it could use a path finding algorithm to find the best path to the destination.

CS Component

Mobile Device programming; shortest path algorithms; in some algorithms extensive preprocessing is required, so maybe some HPC or even server components; the functionality could be made available over the web, so maybe web programming

Title

Really Good Encryption "RGE" Key

Category

Security

Problem

Many current locks can be easily picked giving criminals easy access to a home, security box, or car.

Solution

An electronic key can be used to unlock doors, cars, etc. The key would be programmed to match the "combination" of the lock and duplicates could be easily made by business with the correct tools if necessary.

CS Component

The electronic key and lock combination would have very strong encryptions to prevent unwanted entry. They key would be a small usb or rfid device that would easily fit on a keychain and only be readable by the lock that the key is assigned too.

Title

Heart Band

Category

Health

Problem

Many people suffer from heart disease or other ailments such as hypertension that need to be tracked to be kept under control. Also the detection of a heart attack can be difficult if the person does not know what signs to look for.

Solution

A simple inconspicuous wristband with built in sensors to give the wearer a quick and accurate check on heart rate, pulse, and blood pressure. The band will also look for signs of a possible heart attack and alert the wearer in time to seek medical attention.

CS Component

A small chip that is programmed to take input from sensors along the wristband and calculate the wearers vital signs and watch out for the signs of a heart attack.

Title

Heart Band

Category

Health

Problem

Many people suffer from heart disease or other ailments such as hypertension that need to be tracked to be kept under control. Also the detection of a heart attack can be difficult if the person does not know what signs to look for.

Solution

A simple inconspicuous wristband with built in sensors to give the wearer a quick and accurate check on heart rate, pulse, and blood pressure. The band will also look for signs of a possible heart attack and alert the wearer in time to seek medical attention.

CS Component

A small chip that is programmed to take input from sensors along the wristband and calculate the wearers vital signs and watch out for the signs of a heart attack.

Title

Home Illness System

Category

Health

Problem

Healthcare can be expensive and there can often be misdiagnoses even by skilled professionals. Finding out treatments for a common cold doesn't always necessitate a trip to the doctor. Sometimes people with illnesses just want to draw their own conclusions from a reliable medical source.

Solution

A home illness system would be an embedded system that would allow the average person to open their medicine cabinet, enter their symptoms into a keypad device, and receive suggestions on a small screen on possible conditions and remedies or medicine suggestions. The information would be obtained from sources on the Internet via WiFi and there would be a heavy disclaimer.

CS Component

Embedded systems, Wireless Internet, Extrapolation of medical data

Title

Parking

Category

Sociology

Problem

Not enough parking spots

Solution

Make more garages

CS Component

use proper graphics to design and display more efficient over and underground garages

Title

Tuition Payments

Category

Finance

Problem

Cannot pay tuition online

Solution

Make a site where you can submit monthly installments over computer

CS Component

The payment website

Title

Copyright

Category

Business

Problem

Hard to get certain documents copy written

Solution

Make online sight that scans documents too see if they are already copy written and if not make it possible to do so over the computer.

CS Component

Copy writing and scanning software

Title

Pet Alert System

Category

Home

Problem

Many pets are capable of being trained to go to the door when they need to defecate, but this does little good if the owner is out of sight or busy.

Solution

An alarm system that will alert the owner to the presence of a pet near the back door.

CS Component

Adjustable sensors to detect the appropriate weight at the location and relay the information throughout the house using a wireless system.

Title

Power Saver

Category

Home

Problem

Many households are very inefficient with wasteful energy usage, hurting both the environment and their checkbooks due to forgetful habits.

Solution

Detection system that will be able to detect if nobody is around for an adjustable period of time, and then shut down electronics in the room.

CS Component

Sensors to detect movement (potentially upgradeable to other forms such as infrared) and begin a timer, announce a warning and then shut down power to devices. Power will be restored upon future detection.

Title

Speed Limit Adjuster

Category

Traffic

Problem

When traffic is heavy, it's often necessary to travel at a slower speed than would be required if there were no cars in sight.

Solution

Detection system that determines the volume of traffic at any given time and adjusts the speed limit accordingly and displays it to drivers.

CS Component

Sensors to adjust traffic and database to determine appropriate speed for given area based on this information.

Title

Study Abroad Budget Calculator

Category

Travel

Problem

Many students give up on the idea of studying abroad because they think they can't afford it. Unfortunately, you can't meet with an adviser to prepare a budget until after you apply for the program. Some universities don't even help you make any kind of budget at all.

Solution

Create a piece of software that would make a preliminary budget for you based on where you want to go. Students who don't know where they want to go could input an amount they can afford to spend and the system would suggest places to look at.

CS Component

A database containing the price of applying to any study abroad programs the university has, as well as average plane ticket prices and various living expenses in each country.

Title

Nutrition Marketplace Advisory System

Category

Health

Problem

Supermarkets are filled with a wealth of healthy and unhealthy food and beverages choices. It is not always easy to determine how healthy your cart is. People do not realize how bad some food choices are for you and obesity and poor nutrition is at an all time high.

Solution

Customers could scan a QC or bar code to acquire nutrition facts about an item with their smart phones and then it will be given a food pie status. Information about items will be store in a database on a server that is internet accessible. Items place in the cart will be added to a shopping list and an overall food pie status is given when you are done shopping.

CS Component

internet, smart phones, database, server, QC codes, bar codes

Title

Roommate Finder

Category

Housing

Problem

When trying to find a place to live, many people look for roommates to lower the cost. However, finding suitable roommates isn't easy. It's important to find someone who you can stand to live with.

Solution

Create a site that allows people to search for compatible roommates. It would be similar to a dating site, with profiles for each user, except that you would look for a roommate instead of a significant other.

CS Component

A database to store profiles for each user and a main website where users can access information.

Title

TV Show Suggestor

Category

Entertainment

Problem

When you finish watching all your current shows, sometimes its hard to find something new to watch. It would be great if there was a way to quickly find new shows to watch.

Solution

Create a program that would take data about your favorite shows and suggest something new to watch. The program could look for matching genres, shared actors, etc.

CS Component

A database that contains data about various tv shows and an algorithm to match up similar shows.

Title

Credit or Debit Card Fraud Prevention

Category

Security

Problem

Credit and Debit Card security is all but non-existent. Nearly all places do not check signatures or IDs presented a card for payment. Most places will scan a debit card as credit which by passes PINS.

Solution

When a consumer uses their card, they would have to scan their fingerprint. The scanned image would be sent over the internet to the card company database and compared. A mismatch would result in a fraud alert and an immediate freeze on the account.

CS Component

Fingerprint scanners, databases, servers, internet

Title

RPDW: Running Posture Diagnostic Wizard

Category

Health

Problem

Many people today wish to become fit and to that end they go jogging. Without proper training, however, some people end up developing incorrect running posture, which could cause problems in their legs and back.

Solution

The RPDW is a shoe insert with small sensors embedded in the gel body of the insert that monitor the pressure exerted for key areas of the foot as you step down. It stores this data in a small memory chip located somewhere outside the shoe, which the user then connects to a home computer or a stand alone portable device where software can recreate the running posture in a simulation and show areas where improvement needs to be made in order to correct bad running posture.

CS Component

Software to monitor each of the sensors and record the data gathered during a run. Software used to create the simulation of the recorded run and to provide feedback on possible corrections in running procedure. Hardware includes the sensors themselves, the memory chip, and the computer or stand alone portable device used to process and output data.

Title

Exercise Equipment Signup and Hold

Category

Health

Problem

Fitness centers can never have enough equipment and members have to use signup sheets. There are lots of rude members that do not pay attention to signup sheets and are very mean to a person that tries to claim their machines. Members should not have take back machines they signed up for.

Solution

Members can use their membership key cards to reserve machines for up to 30 minutes on the hour or half past the hour. They must sign in to a machine within five minutes of their start time or lose the machine. No other member can start a reserved machine. Nonmembers can not reserve a machine without a membership card or guest card.

CS Component

card reader or scanner, algorithm to manage hold, start, and release of equipment based on membership IDs

Title

Automatic Ice Melting Streets

Category

Transportation Safety

Problem

Snow is a huge problem that threatens some areas more than others, causing property damage as well as injuries and sometimes death from car accidents.

Solution

Whenever it snows on the AIM Streets, sensors can tell if there is ice on the streets and can trigger strips of heat conductive materials that slowly melt the ice away, saving money and potentially lives in the process.

CS Component

Hardware including sensors to monitor road conditions every couple miles and the strips embedded in the road that heats up to melt the ice/snow. Software to control the activation or deactivation of the ice melting strips.

Title

College

Category

Social, business

Problem

Students don't online ressources for finding used items like furnitures, bikes even books. Many students after each semester are looking for ways to get rid of their books and other stuff.

Solution

Create a web application wich will help students sell, buy or even just donate their stuff to other students

CS Component

Website

Title

Dead Simple Degree Progress

Category

Education

Problem

Current software which allows students to audit their progress towards a degree is needlessly complex and provides a horrible user experience. Most software in use by universities and colleges is mired in "enterprisey" functionality. These sites also typically load a page slower than it takes my computer to boot. The madness must end.

Solution

Provide a very simple interface which lists which required classes are needed to obtain the degree, with simple wizard interfaces which allow what-if scenarios. Student information would be loaded on an as-needed basis to reduce load times. Course numbers would link to comprehensive catalog descriptions. GPA calculators would be smarter. Moreover, a companion smartphone app would be designed which would allow students to access information in an easily digestible manner and allow quick GPA calculations and access to course catalogues.

CS Component

Web-based front end with database backend. Smartphone app.

Title

New Parent Adviser

Category

Health

Problem

Many parents are confronted with new challenges when raising their first child, some of which don't warrant an immediate call to the pediatrician. While Google is an excellent resource, searching for terms like "baby has purple poo" or "my boy likes to eat dead flies" can return a vast array of results that are often erroneous unless the user is skilled in search engine use. What is relevant to an infant may be vastly different for a two-year old.

Solution

A smartphone/tablet/PC app which allows the parent to enter personalized information about their child, such as age, gender, and any medical conditions. When a situation arises, the parent -- utilizing a wizard and/or search based interface -- can quickly find information on the situation that can help him or her make a decision (such as calling the doctor). Results returned will take into account the personal details of the child.

CS Component

Smartphone/tablet/PC app.

Title

Photo Map

Category

GIS/Mapping

Problem

Google Streetview is a valuable service limited to streets and some establishments. While user submitted photos can be uploaded to fill on the gaps, the quality and presentation is hit or miss.

Solution

Provide a smartphone application and web-based back end which allows users to take photos which are automatically uploaded to the server with GPS coordinates (if available). Users can generate panoramic photos as well, and upload video. Possibly machine learning, facial recognition software, and user-flagging will be used to keep the photos centered on setting rather than people.

CS Component

Smartphone app, web based back end/mapping service.

Title

Facial Recognition for Portal Security

Category

Security

Problem

Sometimes fumbling around in the dark looking for your keys while you stand outside your front door is a hassle. Losing your keys also creates unwanted security problems. Keys in general are soon to be a thing of the past, as facial recognition technology solutions can make things so much easier.

Solution

The FRPS system enables you to open doors with merely a smile. The facial recognition software recognizes pre-programmed faces and unlocks the door for those who are welcome, making security simple. If you want to let a friend come in, simply snap a picture with your mobile device and a profile will be created for them.

CS Component

Camera to view the subject and software to determine whether or not the subject is allowed to enter the portal.

Title

Traffic Merging

Category

Traffic(Fancier than the turn siganl)

Problem

So you are on 64 and all you want to do is get on the freeway and you are stuck on the exit because either someone wont let you over or you aren't sure if you can get over. The everyday problem of why people do NOT know how to merge.

Solution

Implemented onto the on board CPU. Range Sensor(Strip) that tells you the approximate amount of space you have to merge over. Guides you to smoothly merge over so that there are less traffic problems. One sensor would be synced to another cars sensor as well if they have it just by coming near it.

CS Component

On board CPU of the automobile.

Title

Cheap Groceries

Category

Finance, Food Supply

Problem

Finding the cheapest, best groceries around can be hard, especially with the many choices available to today's consumer. Tracking this data also proves to be a challenge as prices and availability change swiftly. Because of this, shoppers are unable to knowledgeably & reliably plan future purchases, leading to overspending.

Solution

Crowd-sourced food price tracking; Receipts of food purchases are scanned by a mobile app which reports data to a database. This data is then tracked and analyzed for best value items according to price, location and rating. Users can then use the app and/or website, which recommends items (and new products) to users based on their past buying habits and of those around them.

CS Component

Mobile App Development, Database back-end/Data Analysis, Web interface.

Title

Artificial Pets

Category

Home, Social

Problem

People enjoy the companionship of a pet but are unable to keep one due to ongoing cost, health problems, or lease contracts.

Solution

Artificial pets that mimic the appearance and behavior of real animals. APs will simulate the experience of owning a pet without the continuous requirements of food, vets, and cleanup.

CS Component

Pet actions are based on decision-making software which utilizes sensor input and programmed personality derived from observation of real animals.

Title

Workout RPG

Category

Health/Exercise

Problem

Many people are unmotivated to work out and also may people use a smartphone or ipod to listen to music while they work out.

Solution

Make a game that gathers information from a users workout such as miles run or number of reps. The only way to play the game is to work out giving the player points to use to progress in the game. Motivating the user to workout more.

CS Component

Sensors programmed to calculate speed and reps done by the user, game programming

Title

Thesaurusearch

Category

Internet

Problem

Search engines look for the exact word or phrase entered, making it difficult to find something based on a vague memory or paraphrase.

Solution

Search option to include results using synonyms of the word/phrase submitted.

CS Component

adding thesaurus to search process, method of automatically generating phrases with similar meanings

Title

Pet Aggression

Category

Animals

Problem

Everyday dogs are put to sleep for biting someone or because someone thinks they are aggressive towards others. However, there are multiple reasons as to why a dog may act out but it does not mean that they are aggressive persay.

Solution

A scanner that works off an animals brain waves to in a sense tell us whats going on in their heads. Most the time dogs act out because they are scared. A scanner will show the difference via brain waves of a scared dog compared to an overaggressive dog.

CS Component

Software and sensors that are used to decide a dogs fate.

Title

Reading Incentive program

Category

Education

Problem

For years a common problem for many parents are getting their kids to read. Many times kids often play video games and watch tv and do everything they could do to avoid reading.

Solution

A system to provide a variety of ebooks to oversee a child's reading based on how much time the child has been reading and how much progress has been made in the book, and questions will be placed after each chapter to be answered. Each question answered right can be used in a scoring based system. Depending on the child's progress, score and amount of time reading the System will provide a variety of games that could be played for an allotted time.

CS Component

Website to provide interactions to books and games on site

Title

Local Shopping Search

Category

consumerism

Problem

It is difficult to find a specific item for sale without going to multiple stores, if it is locally available at all.

Solution

Application that searches for an item or type of item and returns all local stores that sell it.

CS Component

search function using inventory lists on store websites cross-referenced with user's location

Title

Automated Garden Planning

Category

Agriculture

Problem

Individuals want to grow their own produce at home, yet they may lack the subtle green thumb or arable land that an agriculture professional might have. As a result, non-optimal planning and maintenance of the garden leads to low yield.

Solution

Initial placement of plants is determined by an algorithm that selects for best growth patterns against a database of common garden plants. Networked sensors throughout the plot monitor the water and fertilizer levels and report to a central management node. This has a web interface for the happy homesteader to view the status of their plants. It can also alert the owner in case recommended levels are deviated from.

CS Component

growth pattern algorithm, water/fertilizer sensors, receiver/web server, database.

Title

Likeminded Global Entrepreneur Network

Category

Business

Problem

The term "International Business" conjures images of large corporations sending private jets of multilingual delegates to have lunch with Chinese counterparts. What about the small businessman that has products and services which may be viable overseas or who may need to partner with suppliers of goods and services available exclusively overseas?

Solution

A platform which would connect global entrepreneurs. It would match candidates (and groups of candidates) by comparing certain interests and business points of view, and placing matches into forums in which they could interact for financial gain.

CS Component

The matching system and criteria. The forum and related database keeping track of users and posts.

Title

Phone number matcher

Category

Social

Problem

Ever run into somebody you once knew or have a girl/guy only give you 6 numbers in a phone number. Well its hard to get in touch with someone with only part of their number.

Solution

A website that uses a phone book as its database. You(the user) inputs a partial phone number and the website produces a number of possible combinations(phone numbers) with the persons names. An easier way to match up with that one that got away.

CS Component

Databse, webpage with software to sort the database.

Title

Fair Health Product Review Site

Category

Health

Problem

I was using diet pill for awhile, I have done a lot of research before my purchase. However, almost half year later, amazon sent me an email that my diet pill including a prescription ingredient which is not safe. However, when I was doing research. All the web site seems to be saying the good things for their sponsors, even the user review seems too. It is very difficult to find right information about health product.

Solution

Create a site, where user could create/query/review content about health product, the system could recode the information about ingredient, what is their drag fact and what is side fact. All the review need to come with some sort of references and proved by the manager of site, so the site could prevent manufacturers manipulate the reviews. The site may also be able to give contact information to local doctor or health consult.

CS Component

cloud,ipad,broswer

Title

New Student Orientation System

Category

University Admissions

Problem

New students often are not abreast to what is required upon coming into Old Dominion as a new student. These students often times are directed to many offices in search of completing the process of obtaining new accounts, registering for classes, and other things.

Solution

To alleviate this problem a new orientation process should take place where each necessary department submits what is needed from the new student. For instance, the student has to complete the PREVIEW orientation, create a Midas account, contact advisor, register for classes.

CS Component

The computer component would have the necessary things needed for each department as well as keep track of each step a student completes. The computer would need an interface that students and staff can log into with different permissions.

Title

weight system mointer

Category

Health

Problem

Many people try to reach their desired weight goal or maintain a healthy weight control.

Solution

Creating a system that records a person's current weight from a scale, and receive a desired weight goal. And calculates the amount of days until that goal is reached based on the amount of weight they lose on a weekly basis. A person can then enter a log of what exercises they have done for the day, and enter their weight by a scale. A monthly report of their progress will be printed to a file

CS Component

A computer to run the program and a scale that can communicate with the computer through wifi.

Title

Security Home Network

Category

Homes Security

Problem

Home security systems now will respond to things that happen in the home, but what happens when something happens and there is no home phone?

Solution

For emergency situations, for instance break ins, fires, carbon dioxide poison, All devices connected to the network would turn on a display the danger to the home.

CS Component

The computer component would monitor doors, windows, the carbon dioxide and fire alarms and would issue an alert on all devices connected to the network in the home. All televisions, computers, laptops, phones and door bells would issue the warning by beeping, blinking, and others to issue the warning.

Title

Database of Viable Project Ideas

Category

Community

Problem

On one hand we have the "all knowing" Computer Scientists and Engineers who when tasked with identifying community problems draw a blank. On the other hand we have the average Joe who can pinpoint all that needs a solution in the community but does have the necessary skill or resources to even come up with such a solution. Needless to say the two circles rarely interact, even socially.

Solution

An interface which would allow the average non scientist user to enter a community problem needing a solution, and the science professional to come up with different versions of such a solution. Like cs350 but a real world implementation for interaction between the average guy and the off duty scientist.

CS Component

Everything. It would be a standalone computer environment with a database to keep track of the user profiles and interactions.

Title

Eyes on child

Category

Child Security

Problem

Some people are worried about young children and their safety. Some kids run off while the parent is preoccupied, to alleviate this a device should be created.

Solution

A device such as a watch or necklace should be produced to show the proximity to the mother/father's matching device. Therefore should the child get lost the parent can find her/him.

CS Component

The computer component would capture the coordinates of the child versus the child. It could perhaps use a certain frequency to capture how close the child is to the parent device.

Title

Interactive screencast educational social network

Category

Educational

Problem

Watching screencast is a nice new way to learn staff, right now there are not much site offer high quality and originally screencast. But usually, screencast works in the way of user only watching it, There is no interactive inside.

Solution

Create a site that combine the function of a regular screencast site like railscast.com and tryruby.com. Also add discussion space, rating system, white board space, micro blog space, profile system. So it could works like a social media way. User could generate the content, design interactive tutorials. The system need come up a way to simplify the process of create those contents.

CS Component

Cloud, browser, video capture.

Title

Crash Recovery

Category

Computing

Problem

Windows. To be more precise, this operating system is poorly designed. Both Microsoft and third party software is constantly crashing at completely random times.

Solution

Give the user a higher degree of control over the issue, right now the only option they have is to submit a crash report. The user should have to ability to reload a "snap shot" of the process from some time before the crash. Also third party developers should be given a means of allowing customers to recover critical data from their application dumps post-crash.

CS Component

All of it.

Title

Wardrobe Picker

Category

home automation

Problem

For the fashion conscious, appearing your best is key. However, translating this to the closet can be difficult. Clothing may have fallen out of fashion, or simply doesn't match with any other item.

Solution

Import all your clothes into a database using pictures of the items. A clothes-matching algorithm would select a clean and appropriate outfit after polling weather feeds and referencing other user-specific data, including calendar functionality. All of this can be relayed to mobile or a web app.

CS Component

database, web interface, clothing selection algorithm.

Title

Annoying Scrabble "Friend"

Category

Leisure

Problem

Do you have a friend who looks over your shoulder while playing Scrabble? And after you play "IT", he tells you you could have played "QUIXOTRY" and tied for the highest scoring single play? Don't you wish you were better at Scrabble/Words With Friends?

Solution

This will be a virtual "friend". After (it would be cheating otherwise) it notices that you missed a probable better scoring word, it will tell you what you could/should have done. After a while, it may even suggest word lists to you, as it notices that you are missing kinds of words (like words using Q, X and Z).

CS Component

Machine Learning, Mobile/Web development, game programming

Title

Photo Graph

Category

Social

Problem

Sometimes I want to connect with people who have token photos with me, of me, or maybe both of us have taken photos of the same things. Maybe I want to see that building from another angle?

Solution

A website that connects photos together in a graph. The connections may be location, subject, maybe even time (New Years?). This would allow people to connect to their people who share the same interests.

CS Component

Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Mobile/Web Development, Privacy Assurance

Title

Coupon Control

Category

Business

Problem

Coupons are still paper.

Solution

A smart phone app that maintains digital coupons which can be tendered via bluetooth. Each coupon could maintain information about the specific savings provided, which could then be message digested and signed to authenticate the coupon. This app could be used at relatively low cost by any retailers.

CS Component

Software that maintains personal coupons.

Title

Wage Tracker

Category

Finance

Problem

Managers and Human resources staff in large companies are responsible for tracking hours worked and overtime for all employees in order to calculate wages.

Solution

Identifications with embedded smart cards. Whenever an employee enters their workplace and/or station they are automatically clocked in/out. The smart card maintains their total hours worked then calculates and submits their pay for the week. Special care needs to be taken to ensure it remains with the employee while on shift.

CS Component

Programming the smart card.

Title

Fish Catching Propability Calculator

Category

Recreation

Problem

Fishing can be a hit or miss sport; some days fish are actively feeding and others they are not biting at all. Time could be better spent on other activities on days the fish are not likely to be biting.

Solution

Fish have feeding tendencies based on environmental factors (i.e. water temperature, cloudiness, lunar cycle, etc.). Using these factors combined with user submitted reports run through an algorithm, determine a probability factor for catching fish that day an provide it via the web or a mobile application.

CS Component

Web server and water sensors

Title

Electronic Fitness and Health Aid

Category

Health/Fitness

Problem

When on a diet or pursuing an exercise program/routine, there can be many factors that contribute to overall success in the long run. As a result, it can be difficult to stay on track and determine exactly how close you are to reaching your goal at any given time. It can also be difficult to stay motivated.

Solution

A mobile app or device that calculates and keeps track of relevant diet and fitness information: calorie and nutrient intake, exercises, weight lifted and reps, current goals and proximity to goal completion, etc. This information would be uploaded to a website for storage. The website would also serve as a means to interact with others using the app/device and stay motivated.

CS Component

Mobile app programming/ software and hardware for device; web server/database

Title

Dynamic Headphones

Category

Chris Coykendall

Problem

Often times, music listeners will blast their iPods while on the go in attempt to drown out sounds around them. Sometimes they do not realize that they have moved to quieter areas and are self-inducing hearing loss for no good reason.

Solution

Dynamic headphones would be a set of headphones with a built in microphone to track the decibels of the sound around the listener. The volume of the music is then adjusted accordingly based on the users preference and reducing damage to their ears.

CS Component

Audio, electronics, microphone

Title

Student Course Updates and Reminders

Category

Education

Problem

When a college student is registered for multiple courses, there are many things to keep track of: due dates for graded assignments, e-mail and other communication (with instructors and peers), changes/updates on course websites, etc.

Solution

An app and website that consolidate information from school e-mail and course/college websites, sets alarms/reminders for due dates, and alerts the student when relevant e-mails are received and changes/updates to course websites are made.

CS Component

Mobile/web programming

Title

ODEKI

Category

computer use

Problem

When person installs software from optical media, the media often gets lost along with the license keys used during installation. If the user's hard drive also dies, they have no way to get their software back on the computer without backup.

Solution

An online backup of all your license keys and the software's installers. The backup will be encrypted form the user's computer and can be decrypted by master password or by knowing just one of any number of license keys being backed-up.

CS Component

Online system that stores encrypted license keys and installers. Also a utility that scans the computer for the license keys of software already installed. Utility that does the encryption locally on user's computer.

Title

Education Resources

Category

Education

Problem

Lots of college students( mostly computer science students) often have problems when trying to get access resources about a particular subject area in their field they would like to learn in their free time.

Solution

A system that keeps track of a list of universities and their courses, and online tutorials that are free to access on the web. The content will be rated based on how much information is provided and how interactive these resources are.

CS Component

Web application, and a database

Title

Bittorrent Filesystem

Category

File Storage

Problem

Smaller enterprises/companies/organizations often cannot afford a full NAS or SAN storage device. These groups need some way of securely and safely storing small to medium amounts of data.

Solution

A new network filesystem based on bittorrent that would distribute files among peers with spare local disk space.

CS Component

The only server necessary would be a simple tracker, which could also be distributed to every peer for a truly headless setup. A client/driver would be written for the major platforms. With a server setup, more specific options could be configured like level of redundancy and encryption.

Title

Emergency Call Differentiation

Category

Communication

Problem

People often ignore phone calls that are late in the evening or inconvenient to respond to. However, these calls may be about a serious situation or an emergency. There is no way to know without answering the call, reading the text message, etc.

Solution

Along with their phone number, phone users can distribute their "emergency password" that when entered after a call is connected, forces the phone to behave differently based on the recipient's settings. This difference could be ignored, a different ring, ringing regardless of vibrate/silent setting or some other configuration.

CS Component

Updated software for phones that will enable this functionality. Modification of carrier networks may be necessary.

Title

Bus Station Scanner

Category

Luxury(?)

Problem

Bus spends extra time going around to stops where there are no people, wasting time and gas.

Solution

Since I believe a card must be present with you anyways to ride said bus, the designated stations should have a scanner that let's the buses know just how many people are at the stop, if any. If there are 0 at the next stop the bus is headed to, bus can skip that stop and head to the next.

CS Component

Both a scanning device for the bus stations and an ordered list on the bus that shows how many people are at their upcoming bus stops.

Title

Speed Limit Proximity Minder

Category

Transportation

Problem

Far too often drivers forget that the speed limit has changed or they completely disregard the limit all together. Highway accidents occur involving negligence of this sort.

Solution

The speed limit proximity sensor would be an in-dash unit that would collect information on speed limits on highways from the Internet. It would then compare the gps coordinates of the vehicle and determine how far over/under the driver is of the speed limit. It could then alert the driver.

CS Component

Gps, 3G/4G cellular data, automotive CPU

Title

The ODU Parking Solution

Category

Public Nuisance

Problem

Parking at ODU is an impossible feat. Being that there is no more land being produced in close vicinity and that it would cost a lot to build another highrise parking deck. We need an organizational solution.

Solution

A cell phone app that would using sensors and the geo location features available on most modern smartphones pinpoint which lots have more space. Also taking into account the enrollment of classes in a given semester and timing and location of the classrooms we should be able to more efficiently use the parking we already have available.

CS Component

The app and computer interface. Database.