Random Ideas
Ramesh Raskar
(I have yet to transfer everything to html. More coming .. please email raskar@cs.unc.edu if you have any suggestions, comments.)
Create a log that allows the computer to backtrack. Add a button to the keyboard or just a big undo symbol on toolbar. (Many secure transaction servers achieve this using transactions logs that allow them to backtrack or for atomic operations already.)
May 3, 1999
Some multi-language movies already do that. DVD movies allow more information embedded per (grp) frame. What we need is something that changes the segment without human intervention. The newly-complied movies can be rented or broadcast as usual over network.
This can be effectively used for advertising (product placement), changing embedded references to (places) products during later yrs or in a different country.
An easy extension is hyperlinks for image frames or objects in image frames. But I have seen things like that done before.
April, 1999
Transmit over radio frequencies local (constant or changing) traffic info e.g. maximum speed limit: indicate it on user's speedometer so the driver knows just looking at the speed dial how s/he is doing wrt recommended speed. Upcoming lower speed zones or construction zones can be easily indicated with colored bars.
April, 1999
Why have display device size same has viewing area size (as is done with CRTs or LCD screens) ? Projector is a very small device that can create images larger than its size. Wearable computing is great but I am not sure if I would have something mounted right on my eyes if I am going to work for longer durations. How about carrying (folded/wearable) keyboard/processing power whichever way you want but for display carrying a small flashlight (like device) and a piece of paper on which you can project image ? The projectors are getting smaller and hopefully they will get as small as a pocket-flashlight.
December, 1998
Many people are scared of computers because they dont know what is going to happen if they press a particular key. Many programs pop-up bubble-help when a mouse is moved over a particular button, indicating what the button will do. It will be useful to extend that to keyboards. Before the user press any key, it will be useful to tell him/her what will happen if s/he presses the key. The information can be displayed as a bubble or at the bottom of the screen. This would involve using touch-sensitive keyboards. (The undo button discussed above can only reduce the anxiety.) This key-bubble-help can actually improve efficiency given how people like to use keyboard-shortcuts.
December 1999
Please send me your comments ! raskar@cs.unc.edu, or submit them below.
Neat stuff. Quick inputs.
Smart touch-keyboards: While i am typing this very message, at any given instant my fingers are above atleast 5-6 keys. I was just wondering how would a touch-sensitive keyboard react to it.
Before they invent that technology, can they have the help bubbles associated with a stationary image of the keyboard on the computer? So if one is not sure, they can bring the mouse close to that particular key on the image of the keyboard on the computer, and read the help.
Portable laptops using flashlights: That's a great one. They call it laptop, but one sure needs a big fat strong lap, to really top that kinda thing comfortablly.
Laptops are more often used by people who travel, and they usually stay in hotels, and hotels usually have TVs. I often wondered why can't they plug laptops into the TVs.
Locally transmitted traffic info: Boy, that sure sounds like a lot of work. Also ton of frequencies. There could be possibly so many different roads, with so many different speed limits, in even 1-square mile radius of area. I don't know what's the maximum limit on frequencies that one tower can transmit. But that sure sounds like ton of frequencies mapping small small areas. If there's construction on one side of the freeway only, the speed is even directional now.
Dit I get the idea correctly? It not I am on a wrong track.
Before technology advances, it will help a great deal, if they just increase the number of posted sign boards, when there's a sudden change in the speed limit. Say one in every tenth of a mile, for about a mile or so.
Neat concept of setting up an ideas page. Soon you can categorize them too, like Computer, Travel, Movies, etc.
Keep it up!