bernard, mark, et al, lets get rich with electronics

[junior varsity]

I see a problem.

I see an existing solution to a similar problem.

I see a way to merge the two. I do not have the technical background in the appropriate field to capitalize on this, but if somebody were to do this and get the price such that it could be implemented in universities and offices across the nation, you'd be capable of making lots.

Anybody that capitalizes on this idea and makes a reasonable profit expressly consents getting me a mid to late 90's 900SS for the track as a thank you gift.

THE PROBLEM
Laptop use in classrooms and offices nationwide requires the use of electrical plugs / bulky ac-adapters, larger than necessary laptop bags and a birds nest of cables. At SMU, for example {I am currently in law school at this fine establishment}, the vast majority of law students (more than 95%) use laptops for class notes as well as exams. Similar numbers are probably found in the non-hard-science undergraduate classes. Its just too difficult to use a laptop to take notes for calculus, etc, so that's not a target market really. Back to SMU Law: The plugs are usually underneath the table top (presenting two problems) or occasionally hidden into the top of the table with a door, taking up valuable table real estate where books are needed.

The two problems of under-the-table sockets are quite obvious:
1.) Plugging into the sockets requires one to either blindly fumble with the plug hoping to get the socket - usually expedited by sticking one's finger INTO the socket to determine its orientation, and then replacing fingers with laptop plug

2.) The alternative to nearly electrocuting oneself is to bury one's head in the lap of the person sitting next to you to determine where the plug is located and its orientation. This presents problems (or opportunities, I suppose) for both people.

THE EXISTING RELATED SOLUTION

http://www.powermat.com/



THE PROPOSED SOLUTION

Replace table tops with powermat like surface. Issue or offer-for-purchase compatible batteries for various laptop manufacturers. Perhaps a high initial cost, but I believe through scale of economy, price could be low enough in the near future to market these to higher education private institutions (first), followed by large higher-ed institutions (second) and lastly, the individual consumer such as office desks and home desks.

[NAKID]

Didn't you just give up your idea to the world?

[junior varsity]

Yes. I don't have the ability to capitalize on it, and the technology is already existing.

i WOULD like someone to beat the Chinese to this though.

[JEFF_H]

allow me to pay devils advocate for a moment


ok, now on to your idea...
dont laptops have batteries now?
many netbooks are testing close to 8 hours battery life

from a business perspective....who makes/saves money with buying charging desks?
a better application might be airport lounges or airport tray tables where you could charge for the added convenience

[Popeye the Sailor]

I have yet to see a desk where some college kid hadn't carved their initials in it.


What happesn when you jam a pen in one of these mats? Spill drinks on it?



All this expense so we don't have to plug things in?

[Raux]

There's already been a solution for all this... Tesla's Radiant Energy tests

[Popeye the Sailor]

There's already been a solution for all this... Tesla's Radiant Energy tests

I thought the solution was paper and a pencil? 

[junior varsity]

None of the law school desks have the initials carved in them, but there are hilarious jokes in the grout in the bathroom.

"GROUT WALL OF CHINA"

"GROUTER BANKS"

"GROUTER MONGOLIA"

"GROUT SCOT!"

There's tons of these.

I submitted this gem: "WAYNE GROUTSKY, THE GROUT ONE"


Back on topic, the laptops do have batteries, and some that last "all day", problem is, they still require you to plug them in at some point, and the battery life, like all batteries, lessens through use. Also, a full day at school is more then 8 hours on average right now, so even those computers would require you to bring the plug with you (though you might leave it in your car or cabinet in the library, etc).

[Statler]

skip class and go sailing.   problem solved.

[il d00d]

Let me go ahead and piss all over your clever idea advocate for the devil too 

I don't think the powermat is anything more than a fancy power plug/interface or power dock.  They've done a good job to let buyers believe that their "wire-less" charging is the same as mobile phone "wireless" or Wi-fi.  It's really cordless charging, which is to say that you are not physically plugging a cord into your device.  The distinction is important because in order to charge your device you need to buy an adapter that re-routes the battery contact so that to a place where the powermat can provide the juice.  I reckon the same would be true for all the laptops out there, and that would mean more cost, complexity, etc.  Basically, the technology does not yet exist to "beam" power to a battery if that's the idea.

So, if I was a University admin who had to solve this problem, I would probably go with something along the lines of extension cord/outlet extender, or universal adapter of some kind over a $100/seat powermat.

All that being said, I think it would be a good application of the existing technology, and I think you could sell the shit out "power tables" for executive meeting rooms.

[MotoCreations]

There's already been a solution for all this... Tesla's Radiant Energy tests

Tesla did some really really really (3X is justified here) cool things -- and unfortunately he wasn't fully recognized for his incredible contributions to the world. 

As for getting electronics and building things?  First cool stuff for the Ducati world.  Then an electric bicycle project and followed by a four-wheel hybrid project. (if I ever get the time!)

Politics for the "real world" are much more involved and way too many headaches to deal with at this point with everything on a few of our plates already.  I already lived in the corporate world during the dot com era with some of the major players and fortune 100 firms -- the firm that acquired us became the focal point for the Blodgett / Insider banking debacle.  No desire to repeat it.  I'd rather build cool stuff to play with instead now...

[junior varsity]

I think I was just very frustrated this morning about having to daily stick my finger in an electrical socket or put face to crotch (you should see my 'neighbor'... yikes).

[Triple J]

Cheaper to just move the outlets to the top of the tables. 

[Speedbag]

skip class and go sailing.   problem solved.

Or drink beer. Always worked for me. 

[Ohmic]

I think I was just very frustrated this morning about having to daily stick my finger in an electrical socket or put face to crotch (you should see my 'neighbor'... yikes).

Point well taken.
There is no reason why you need to have a full 120VAC/25A commercial power line going to each desk in the classroom. Not like you or your neighbor will be using a 3000W appliance each.

All you need is something(safe low voltage) to charge/maintain your batter level. Having to carry around bulky power converters and a rats nest of cables and plugs that was designed 80 years ago just don't make sense. I feel your pain.

Many moons ago, before wifi became so popular when we had to plug our laptop/computer in a RJ45 type Ethernet port. IEEE came out with specification 802.3xx. Power-over-Ethernet. They say it could provide 25W-50W if i remember correctly. More then enough to charge your batt.

This would have met your application. Fast secure internet and +25W of safe low voltage power.