17 November Solving Problems

What is the problem? What are the constraints? What can be done to solve or mitigate the problem? How could computers help? Brainstorming Pros and cons What are the obstacles to this solution?

Clever Cats Problem What is the problem? I have two cats that hide when it’s time for them to go out in the morning What are the constraints? They can’t wear collars What can be done to solve or mitigate the problem? I need a tracking device

Clever Cats Solutions Brainstorming solutions GPS RFID Bluetooth

GPS Global Positioning System Satellite system used for accurate time and location Uses trilateration Requires line of sight with satellite Doesn’t work well indoors

RFID Radio Frequency ID Tags contain antennae that enable them to respond to radio signals from transceivers Most in use are passive No battery source Radio signal provides enough energy to respond 40 cents per tag Distance based on antenna of transceiver

Bluetooth Named for King Harold Bluetooth of Denmark who unified warring tribes Unifying technology Wireless personal area network low power consumption Short range (from 10 up to 100 meters) low-cost transceiver microchip

Implanted RFID tag How do I locate the cats? Hand-held device Receivers at every door Single display Light over every door How tightly do I need to find them? Within a room is sufficient How much infrastructure do I want to add? Wires that show Tear up walls Constraint: half my house is open rooms without doors

Solution Passive RFID tag implanted in each cat Handheld device that contains an RFID transceiver Needs to have a small radius Too large will tell me that the cat is in the house But I already know that!

Final Project Teams of 3 Identify a problem that you would like to see solved and design a solution Deliverables 15 minute presentation Web site (mock up or informational) Optional handout, speaker notes Assignment

Examples of topics Justice system Helping people with disabilities or phobias Public transportation or parking Basketball ticket distribution

Crime Deterrence Use technology similar to the existing GPS systems to track individuals who have committed felonies in an effort to deter them from committing more crimes.

Navigation for the Blind What is the problem? Lack of technology for the blind and visually impaired. Wanted to focus on navigation issues. There are many more issues that can be addressed, such as website accessibility. Indoor navigation: detailed Outdoor navigation: more broad The development and use of these two systems would be slightly different because of their differences in settings.

Virtual Therapy With VR technology becoming more and more prominent, as well as cheaper, what can be done to enhance the Virtual Therapy process? The technology used by psychologists and therapists can be moved into the classroom. Students with learning disabilities, as well as anxiety disorders, could be entered into a Virtual Classroom. The lesson would be aimed much more towards the student with the problem.

UNC Bus System Solutions Computers at each bus stop giving ETA’s for the next buses Warnings to the bus drivers about overcrowded stops Bus schedules are more centered around high rider times Easier to read displays on computers at the stops, such as search engines for desired destinations and the location of the buses

Online Parking Planning A database will be maintained online and will provide travelers with the city, location, cost, nearest landmarks, minimum and maximum reservation times, and number of available spots. Travelers will be able to do queries and searches to find an appropriate lot. Maps will be available online as well so that getting to the lot will not be difficult. The traveler will choose a 4 digit code to verify their identity and the time when they arrive at their parking spot, which will be numbered.

Online Basketball Tickets Register Magic Number Drawn Claim/print tickets Go to game