Devin Soni Soni a semifinalist in Fairleigh Dickinson University innovation contest

2014 Apr 18

Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School Junior, Devin Soni Soni, of Bridgewater, NJ, has been recognized as a semifinalist in Fairleigh Dickinson University's Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship's 2014 New Jersey Idea Competition.

Soni's ideas were Fire-and-Ice Shovel, OmniText: multifaceted text conversion, and Take Me There: medical facility locator app.

In Soni's own words: The Fire and Ice Shovel is a heated shovel that is powered by rechargeable batteries. It will be heated at both the bottom, so as to facilitate easy removal of ice and snow, and at the handle, so as to give additional comfort and warmth to the user. This product is clearly specialized to be beneficial during times of the year in which snow and ice are frequent occurrences, but the shovel can also be seamlessly used for non-snow-related digging as well. The product does not require any additional developments or products, and should be easily accessible to all seeing as electricity is the only requirement to use its warming functions. The concept of a heated shovel was patented in 1976 by John F. Hughes, but the product was never commercialized. Since then, the patent has expired (in 1993) and no further developments, commercialization, or patents have occurred in regard to it. Therefore, although the idea was coined quite a while ago, there would not be many obstacles as a result of it that would prevent a successful venture involving the Fire and Ice Shovel. The OmniText is computer software that is able to convert text between handwritten text on paper, typed text on a computer, or speech from a microphone. The user will submit a sample of his or her handwriting, and the program will extract images of each letter and each number. With these images, it will be able to piece together entire typed documents from scanned handwritten documents and create handwritten documents from typed documents. Similarly, it will be to use voice recognition software and the user's microphone to convert spoken word to either handwritten text or typed text, and vice versa. No additional features will be needed for this product to be useful; however, the user will need to have a scanner and a microphone if he or she wishes to use their respective features. The user will simply need to install the software associated with the program, and from there, the user will either be able to quickly start using the program with default settings or will be able to adjust the program to his or her liking before using it. Some aspects of the program that the user will be able to customize are the boldness and size, of the text, the color, the orientation of the paper, and the type of writing utensil to be simulated. The Take Me There app will allow the user to quickly find the nearest medical facilities and receive GPS directions to the location of the selected facility. The user will be able to input the health problem or cause for the visit, and that will be taken in as a parameter for the search, only giving the user places that can treat his or her specific problem. The app will also allow the user to search for locations of stores that sell medical supplies, and will search for these stores using the same method that is used for medical facilities. In both cases, opening and closing hours of the location will be provided as well as reviews so that the user can make the best decision as to which location to go to. The user will also be able to tell the app which healthcare plan he is under, and the app will distinguish the covered locations from the others (if applicable). The only thing that consumers will need to use this app is an internet connection and a Smartphone or tablet. After users download the app, they will be able to save settings so that they can search for the same thing multiple times with ease and add places to a blacklist so that it is not returned in future searches. In addition, the user will be able to customize smaller interface-related aspects of the program.

The contest is an annual competition designed to help foster an entrepreneurial mindset among all New Jersey high school students. Divided into Northern, Central, and Southern regions, more than 800 students across the state submitted more than 520 ideas this year. Each region had a winner (Northern had two), four finalists, and eight semifinalists.

Part of FDU's Silberman College of Business since 1989, the mission of the Rothman Institute for Entrepreneurship is to teach and support entrepreneurship and innovation in the academic, business and nonprofit communities. An outstanding entrepreneurship curriculum taught by an excellent faculty has helped make the academic program among the top 20 in the nation (as ranked by the Princeton Review). For more information, go to www.fdu.edu/rothman.