Idea: Automating Whiteboards
The whiteboard image is the first idea, … is second iteration, but mostly sticking to the script, the text here is a more detailed description, with improved ideas.
People and companies use whiteboards, a *lot* of stuff that goes on the whiteboard needs to be saved for later reference.
Use
- a webcam, with simple image processing software.
- a better still camera to capture the whiteboard (optional)
- passive infrared tracking system to sense when it's safe for the camera to click (optional)
- a small computer - to wire these all together
Whiteboard is a regular plain whiteboard with one exception — a small box on top right corner with "save" written under it.
Once you're done writing and need to save a copy of the whiteboard, just put a checkmark / cross / black patch in the save box and walk away from the board.
The software senses the change in the box and makes a photograph via the webcam itself, or using a dedicated camera.
There's one more thing - you can't stand in front, but you may also have the habit of marking to save, and then adding final touches (I'm sure I'll do this) - hence the infrared sensor - it will pause the camera till the person moves out of the picture.
Once the photo is made, it can be transferred via email to everyone present - turn on your phone's bluetooth and send vcard with your email to the bluetooth receiver named 'whiteboard' or if you have email capabilities, send an email to whiteboard@organization.com , and it will reply back with attached photo. You can only do this till the next whiteboard is saved.
Also, every time a whiteboard is saved, the image repository will be updated automatically. So you can later visit the networked drive or web interface and download relevant images.
This whole thing can be put together within a small package using the embedded systems on chips + linux and a barebones USB webcam (that too can be integrated).
I am not going to perform reality checks on these ideas whenever I can: checking if anybody holds a patent to that idea… this one was submitted to US Patent Office by Microsoft Corporation in 2008… here's the link: http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=O-3IAAAAEBAJ . Seven people are credited as the inventors.
I'm aware most of these ideas that sound brilliant to me have been worked on before, which is perfectly fine. Someone else came across the problem before me, and they solved it in the same way as I did much later. Thanks to validating with patents, I know I can come up independently with an idea that could be patented. Maybe some day a few years down the line I'll hold a patent of my own. It's not a crime to dream ;)
Until someone corrects me, I'll be smug knowing that what took seven people, was worked out by yours truly, in less than an hour - and it has a better interface and better workflow. Till the next idea strikes… cya! *aaah… ego massage… naaais* hehehe
(download)
