This document presents 5 ideas: 1) A credit card replacement mobile app that sends unique payment symbols via text, 2) A remote control system for household functions to help the elderly/disabled, 3) A carpooling app that uses satellite navigation to match trips, 4) Adding WiFi to libraries to allow ebook downloads with the same rules as physical books, 5) Scanning vehicle registration plates at petrol stations to link to accounts and allow fuel to be billed monthly.

2. Idea 1: Credit card symbol for Smartphone/tablet applicationWhat it’s aboutThis is an application for either Smartphone's or a tablet pc where if a person is needing to make a transaction and their credit card has been stolen or they do not have it with them, a unique symbol is sent to the phone with a simple text. This symbol would be linked to the person’s bank account and by scanning the symbol it acts as a replacement credit card, with no additional cost.Different account types would be available for this application, depending on how often the person makes transactions. For people who do not make many transactions an account, where a unique symbol is sent for only one transaction each, would be available. This would mainly be for emergencies. For people who do make a large amount of transactions, an account type would be available where one text gives a unique symbol for the rest of the day, until 12:00 midnight, to make transactions with, not one symbol for each transaction. With this account type, an option would be open to have only the application instead of a credit card.

3. Idea 1: Credit card symbol for Smartphone/tablet applicationTarget AudienceThe target audience for this credit card replacement application scheme would mainly be for both males and females aged 25-40. Either those heavily involved with business or for those who make important transactions often would have a greater benefit for this over those who do not.Pros Emergency or important transactions can be made without card.Each symbol sent to the phone (depending on account type) is unique so there is less chance of the symbol being recreated for fraud.ConsIf a technical fault occurs with the device which could potentially create a problem for the bank account linked to the device.If the device is stolen, there could be a possibility of the account being hacked into.Existing IdeasApart from a similar scheme where Natwest is offering a code to enter into a Natwest, RBS or Ulster Bank ATM for emergency funds of up to £300, nothing with close relation to this idea is in existence.

4. Idea 1: Credit card symbol for Smartphone/tablet applicationFuture DevelopmentThis style of payment could develop in all banking needs such as funds transfers and direct debit information. It could also progress forward to see most or all credit card holders using this application instead of a card. Now more than ever technology is making a huge impact on everyday life and this could be a stepping stone in technology life. As there are 5.3 million mobile subscribers in the world (with Smartphone's showing the strongest increase in sales) this is also a big step forward for the mobile phone industry as it would be the main source for transactions (large or small) and also help to connect people when needed.

5. Idea 2: Remote controlled household functionsWhat it’s aboutCertain functions around the home can be remote controlled for easier use. Functions could include heating, air conditioning, bath taps, kettle, radio etc could all be linked into a control where a simple click of a button would switch them off. Only certain homes would have this scheme as not every person needs to operate household functions easier. The main purpose for this would be to aid the elderly or handicapped/disabled people. The functions could be operated through remotes with either Bluetooth connectivity, wifi connectivity or infrared depending on how close the remote is to the functions. The remote would only have on and off buttons for the desired function to help ease stress and confusion.Target AudienceThe target audience for this scheme would be elderly people who have trouble performing the tasks, or the handicapped/disabled with the same issue.

6. Idea 2: Remote controlled household functionsProsIt would be easier for the target audience to perform the tasks.Less stress would be caused.Less chance of injury with more time to relax.ConsThere is a chance that the remote could fail or break.Could be slightly confusing for some of the elderly.Existing IdeasThere are already inventions like this where functions are remote controlled however they are only developed is in very expensive high end homes, with the users being middle-aged. However this is a simplified option and much cheaper to develop and install within the home.Future DevelopmentThis could very easily be developed to suite a target audience of any lifestyle. As most homes with use of this would be for those who are either handicapped or elderly the price wouldn’t be very high. However it could be extended to any audience who wishes to have this technology in their home and choose which functions to be controlled.

7. Idea 3: Satellite Navigation Car Pool GroupWhat it’s aboutThis is an application for satellite navigation where you join a group by creating a profile about yourself online. Whenever a member is travelling somewhere and will need sat nav, they add into the device the destination, time and day of journey and departure location. The app then finds any other journey which is exact or very similar, with others who have joined, and then gives the option to car pool with them. It will be a downloadable software and car pooling will only be available to those who join the group so people may decide whether or not to accept the car pool invite by looking at the person’s profile.Target AudienceThe target audience for this application is for both females and males for around 25+. It is aimed at people who do a lot of travelling or for those who are involved with business and may have to travel a lot.

8. Idea 3: Satellite Navigation Car Pool GroupProsThis idea would be environmentally friendly as it would save on petrolThis plan would also ease congestion save on congestion charges.With this application, members would be meeting new people.Through the profile, people could become friends even if it does not involve car pooling.ConsIt could be quite hard to find a match close enough to car.People might not like the thought of having strange people in their car or them in other’s cars, however they do not have to do the journey with them or even join the group.Existing IdeasPeople already take up the car pool idea to save money, petrol and congestion, however nothing like this application already exists.

9. Idea 3: Satellite Navigation Car Pool GroupFuture DevelopmentAs this application requires a profile to fill out your information on, it could develop to eventually include such things like instant messaging and webcam chat, to make it easier to try and contact other members you which to get to know. If members do a weekly routine of the same journey and have others to car pool with then the profiles could not get as many visits, so including the instant messaging and webcam chat would invite more members to still use it.

10. Idea 4: Library Wi-Fi Downloading SpotsWhat it’s aboutThis idea would introduce a scheme of having Wi-Fi hot spots in all or most libraries around the UK, where members of the library can go there with a Smartphone or tablet pc and download their desired book. The same rules would apply as they would to general book borrowing; the downloaded book would have an expiry date and there would be a need for renewal after that. The book would automatically be removed from the device however giving the option to renew with a click of a button. This automatic removal of the book helps as it does not include late fees.Target AudienceThe target audience for this idea is anyone who is an avid book reader with a Smartphoneor tablet pc. It is aimed at both males and females as there is an equal amount of men and women who use their Smartphone/tablet for reading.

11. Idea 4: Library Wi-Fi Downloading SpotsProsThere is an unlimited number of copies for each book so no chance of stock running put for the books.If downloading the books to a device then the books would not be lost, even if device is lost there is infinite number of copies.There is no late fees as the book is automatically removed from the device.There is a chance to renew with the click of a button. Option to change the size of the font for the books instead of keeping the font the same. This could be more appealing to the older audience or those with bad vision.ConsThe library would lose out on physical books been taken out as this idea is quite appealing and deters people from physical borrowing books.There could be a possibility of connection loss.Existing IdeasSome libraries have Wi-Fi but not where you can download the books with same ruling as actual book borrowing.

12. Idea 4: Library Wi-Fi Downloading SpotsFuture DevelopmentAs this idea requires the person to travel to the library to download books, development of it could possibly be that a website is formed for all participating libraries. The person wishing to download a book could then do so but from their own home if the library is already closed. Within this website you choose your local library and download whatever book you wish from the inventory. This is beneficial for those who might not have any time to get to their library yet still wish to receive a book to their Smartphone or tablet pc. All that is required is a Wi-Fi connection and a suitable device to download it to.

13. Idea 5: Petrol Station Registration Plate ScannerWhat it’s aboutVehicle’s registration plates would be scanned in as it enters a petrol station. Each plate would be linked to an account by the person (s) owning the vehicle and once the person has filled up the required amount of fuel, the total cost would be added onto a monthly bill. This idea would mainly be for quick stops for people in a hurry and also to ease congestion and help the flow of traffic into and out of the petrol stations during peek times. One of the main problems at petrol stations is that at peek times there is a large queue which forms and very occasionally will leak out onto the road and fairly often it is a main road. This therefore slows down traffic in the petrol station and on the roads. This is idea is aimed to ease the traffic and make the trip a lot faster.Target AudienceThe majority of people who use petrol stations at rush hour are those with full time jobs commuting to and back from work. The target audience for these quick-stop petrol station would therefore be males and females aged 25-55.

14. Idea 5: Petrol Station Registration Plate ScannerProsThere would be a faster flow of cars through petrol station.Rush hour traffic would be calmer around the stations.It would be a faster and easier way of paying for petrol.ConsPeople might not want to set up an account linked to petrol stations.If the scanner fails, people would be properly charged for their petrol.Existing IdeasCCTV is already in use in petrol stations to scan vehicle licence plates, however it is only used to catch petrol thieves and isn’t linked to anyone’s account.Future DevelopmentFor the future this idea could be placed on many more places where using a car is necessary. For example it could be used for car parks, so to accurately measure how long a car has been parked there. Most car parks have a fixed charge for every hour, so if someone has been parked for one hour and 2 minutes, the next fixed amount is charged. This scheme would help defeat this problem and make customers happier.