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NETBOOK PC : IDEA

Touch Spot
Posted in netbook | November 1, 2008 4am

A "hot spot" on a desk or table at a reception area. The notebook, PDA, mobile, etc. has a small switch that says, "receive on," or similar, and then the device is placed in the hot spot.

This can be done utilising existing touch technology, just requires an interface.

The receptionist is then able to send you're appointment straight to your device. If there is an appointment conflict, the device beeps.

Extra functionality could include GPS functions for appointment locations, so if you're distance between appointments is inconsistent (say I have an appointment in Lands End at 9:00 and the receptionist in John O'Groats is at 10:00 - it calculates the distance, realises I can't cover it in walking time and flags up an, "are you sure?")

GAMER PC : IDEA

Data center heat removal
Posted in gamer | October 30, 2008 10am

An external fan unit which feeds through to a pipe system on the back of the server racks (small sections of flexible hose allows neighbuoring racks to be attached to each other) On the racks themselves the tube goes from the bottom left, up the side to the top, across the top and down again ... to ensure that there is always one clear suction path.

Where the rack mounted equipment currently has external fan outlets, they have instead a flexible pipe outlet that attaches to the larger vaccuumm pipe on whichever side is more acceptable. No fans required - the extractor units draw the hot air out.

The last rack on the system is fitted with a pipe that goes up to the top of the rack and a pressure sensor regulates a valve at the top to ensure that the system maintains a good, regulated air flow.

A sensor in this area, coupled with some temperature sensors, could also control the speed of the external fans ... where a control unit can command the fans at its beck and call ... which also allows for load balancing and redundancy should an extraction fan unit fail.

It would also be possible for the extracted hot air to be used as a supply for the heating systems or some other application.

An extraction system such as this could eliminate a degree of the cooling systems currently in place and thus save energy.

GAMER PC : DREAM

The Razor
Posted in gamer | October 30, 2008 9am

The home PC needs improved HCI. The overall controls are still needed, as at present, but a few changes can be thought of...

The mouse should be replaced with a highly responsive touch plate that is about the size of the average outstretched hand. The touch pad on standard laptops is good, but needs to be larger and more responsive. Also, the sensitivity programmable on the pad itself, with a few "memory" buttons to allow the user to simply tap in a new sensitivity setting. Should be quicker to get used to and not so much of a strain on the wrist.

The Sidewinder was a great little communications system. Should be built in to the "keyboard."

A floating control keyboard which fits over the traditional querty when required. The keyboard consists of "floatable" keys that can be locked in to position, so that the gamer can move them in to the most pleasent position for their own hand position, and programmed to match whichever of the querty keys required. I'm fed up of forcing my fingers to the WASD configuration.

This can be done by a "grid" system ... when the grid is "tightened" then the base of the key is pressed against the keyboard surface. Should be possible.

More research in to a comfortable head system - do away with the monitors and allow vision systems to take control. Have it as a separate system so that the "game" transmits a full range view, but the separate system determines from the helmet position, what part of that actually appears on the screen.

Can be used in many first person games - imagine the thrill of a racing game where you turn your head to see the wing mirrors!

It appears that the low noise and heat reduction systems all need maintenance. Everything to date has concentrated on solutions which are in the box. Look ... we have in-house vaccuumm cleaners with a central vaccuumm unit with connectors in different rooms. Garages and workshops have large compressors that feed to multiple tool bays. We have central heating systems ... how about a central cooling system? Could be a box that is capable of being plugged in to the cold water feed of a residential central heating system?

Separate media controls mean you can control your media without having to flip out of whatever game you're playing. something like an iPod control system, or something like almost any decent mumtimeida player on the market.

NETBOOK PC : DREAM

Companion
Posted in netbook | October 30, 2008 8am

The, "Companion," is something that stays with me and is mid range between a laptop and a mobile phone. It's dual screens allow it to act as an electronic book, or turn in to a traditional laptop/notebook and one of the screens becomes a keyboard/mouse combo.

A little shorter than an A4 sheet of paper, but not too thick.

Ditching motorised CD/DVD units it accepts four SD cards (each with a little rubber splashproof cover) and has a multimedia player on board to play DVD files (located on the cards rather than CD) and a "book" reader so I can turn it sideways and read my book or newspaper article (being more powerful than the average mobile phone it should have off-line synching abilities with the first few levels of my subscribed sites - Avant Go online.)

An active Wi-Fi system to search for, and use, any accessible wireless network it finds to keep my e-mail up to date, even while closed and being carried.

Blue tooth connection to my phone so that I can look through my contacts list and it will dial the number on my phone - the PC phone based contacts system will be more powerful and flexible than the current mobile phone systems, and if I change phones every year I don't need to mess about porting my phone list.

It doesn't need 3D technology or 5.1 surround, so can make do with better designed, more power-friendly chips and devices.

A small range of buttons along one edge allow quick access to common features.

The OS being embedded Linux should see as fast a start up and shut down as possible.

A "dock" unit to the home PC to back up any changes to the contact system or the "documents" folder which are kept on an on-board flash drive. Backing up the SD cards are my problem. For maintenance the flash drive can be removed and attached to a PC for re-imaging, etc.

Earphone socket allows me to listen to the multimedia.

Sleep mode has an organiser to take the place of a Palm/organiser so that it can remind me of appointments.

A metal wrist strap and anchor point to help stop theft.

It doesn't need firewire or USB - it's main job is as a companion - to handle my e-mails, organise my life, entertain me and respond to me quickly.