Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A faculty information system (100) comprising:
a computing device (102) to be used by an unknown user to scan a unique code such that the unique code is a Quick Response (QR) code;
a voice capturing unit (104) configured to capture a voice input of the unknown user, wherein the voice input comprises a faculty name;
a display unit (106), wherein the display unit (106) comprises buttons (118a-118f) to be pressed by the unknown user to display faculty information; and
a processing unit (122) connected to the voice capturing unit (104), wherein the processing unit (122) is configured to:
enable the unknown user to scan the unique code using an information application (112) installed within the computing device (102);
process the scanned unique code to enable the voice capturing unit (104) to start capturing the voice input of the unknown user;
compare the voice input comprising the faculty name with faculty names pre-stored in a database (124);
display the faculty name on a first button of the buttons (118a-118f) of the display unit (106) when the faculty name provided as the voice input is matched with one of, the faculty names; and
enable the unknown user to select at least one of, the buttons (118a-118f) to retrieve the faculty information corresponding to the selected buttons (118a-118f) from the database (124), wherein the faculty information is associated with the displayed faculty name.
2. The faculty information system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (122) is configured to display multiple faculty names along with department names on the display unit (106) when the faculty name provided as the voice input is matched with the multiple faculty names stored in the database (124).
3. The faculty information system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (122) is further configured to generate an interactive map based on a live location of a faculty member having the faculty name displayed, when a sixth button of the buttons (118a-118f) is selected by the unknown user.
4. The faculty information system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (122) is further configured to enable faculty members to register into the faculty information system (100) using the information application (112).
5. The faculty information system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (122) is further configured to enable faculty members to update a status regarding scheduled lectures in real time.
6. The faculty information system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (122) is further configured to enable faculty members to enable or disable a permission of tracking a live location of the corresponding faculty members.
7. A method of retrieving faculty information by a faculty information system (100), wherein the method comprising steps of:
enabling, by a code scanning module (202), an unknown user to scan a unique code using an information application (112) installed within a computing device (102) such that the unique code is a Quick Response (QR) code;
processing, by a data processing module (204), the scanned unique code to enable a voice capturing unit (104) to start capturing a voice input of the unknown user;
comparing, by an information retrieving module (206), the captured voice input comprising a faculty name with faculty names pre-stored in a database (124);
displaying, by a user interface module (208), the faculty name on a first button of buttons (118a-118f) of a display unit (106) when the faculty name provided as the voice input is matched with one of, the faculty names pre-stored in the database (124); and
enabling, by the user interface module (208), the unknown user to select at least one of, the buttons (118a-118f) to retrieve the faculty information corresponding to the selected buttons (118a-118f) from the database (124) such that the faculty information is associated with the displayed faculty name.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a step of displaying, by the user interface module (208), multiple faculty names along with department names on the display unit (106) when the faculty name provided as the voice input is matched with the multiple faculty names stored in the database (124).
9. The method as claimed of claim 7, further comprising a step of generating, by the information retrieving module (206), an interactive map based on a live location of a faculty member having the faculty name displayed, when a sixth button of the buttons (118a-118f) is selected by the unknown user.
10. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a step of enabling, by an updating module (210), faculty members to update a status regarding scheduled lectures in real time.

Date: 22 Nov, 2021
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&

THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10, and rule 13)

FACULTY INFORMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

APPLICANT(S)
NAME: CHITKARA INNOVATION INCUBATOR FOUNDATION
NATIONALITY: INDIAN
ADDRESS: SCO: 160-161, SECTOR – 9C, MADHYA MARG, CHANDIGARH – 160009, INDIA

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed
BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an information management system and particularly to a faculty information system and method.
Description of Related Art
[002] Campus tours are among opportunities for colleges and universities to show their environment, facilities and achievement to visitors or prospective students. Several students or visitors visit a campus every day. Whenever a new student or a visitor wants to meet a particular faculty member in the campus then they face difficulty in finding the faculty member and a respective department. As most campus areas are not necessarily small and clearly arranged, which make it difficult for the new student and/or the visitor to find the faculty member.
[003] Conventionally, available system is provided with a mobile application that enables the student or visitor to start a guided tour from their current location. Such system also provides a provision to enable the student or visitor to share their location with faculty members that makes it easier to arrange appointments. However, such system is unable to provide a faculty location and in case the faculty member is scheduled with some lectures at a visiting time of the student or visitor, then there is no provision of informing the student or the visitor.
[004] There is thus a need for an advanced and more effective faculty information system and method that can administer the drawbacks faced by the conventional system.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a faculty information system. The faculty information system comprising: a computing device to be used by an unknown user to scan a unique code such that the unique code is a Quick Response (QR) code. The faculty information system further comprising: a voice capturing unit configured to capture a voice input of the unknown user, wherein the voice input comprises a faculty name. The faculty information system further comprising: a display unit. The display unit comprises buttons to be pressed by the unknown user to display faculty information. The faculty information system further comprising: a processing unit connected to the voice capturing unit and the display unit. The processing unit is configured to: enable the unknown user to scan the unique code using an information application installed within the computing device; process the scanned unique code to enable the voice capturing unit to start capturing the voice input of the unknown user; compare the voice input comprising the faculty name with faculty names pre-stored in a database; display the faculty name on a first button of the buttons of the display unit when the faculty name provided as the voice input is matched with one of, the faculty names; and enable the unknown user to select at least one of, the buttons to retrieve the faculty information corresponding to the selected buttons from the database. The faculty information is associated with the displayed faculty name.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method of retrieving faculty information by a faculty information system. The method comprising steps of: enabling an unknown user to scan a unique code such that the unique code is a Quick Response (QR) code; processing the scanned unique code to enable a voice capturing unit to start capturing a voice input of the unknown user; comparing the captured voice input comprising a faculty name with faculty names pre-stored in a database; displaying the faculty name on a first button of buttons of a display unit when the faculty name provided as the voice input is matched with one of, the faculty names pre-stored in the database; and enabling the unknown user to select at least one of, the buttons to retrieve the faculty information corresponding to the selected buttons from the database such that the faculty information is associated with the displayed faculty name.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a faculty information system that provides insight to an unknown user about a campus and faculty members.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present invention may provide a faculty information system that helps people to maintain social distancing protocols while searching for a faculty and a building.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present invention may provide a faculty information system that provide a faculty location within a campus. The faculty information system not only provides the faculty location but also displays an interactive map for assistance.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present invention may provide a faculty information system that tells a physical and virtual presence of faculty members.
[0011] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0012] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a faculty information system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates components of an information management platform of the faculty information system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method of retrieving faculty information by the faculty information system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having”, and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a faculty information system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the faculty information system 100 may be configured to provide insights to an unknown user about a campus and faculty members. The unknown user may be, but not limited to, a new student, a visitor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the unknown user who visits the campus for a first time or who wants to meet the faculty members. The faculty information system 100 may comprise a computing device 102, a voice capturing unit 104, a display unit 106, and an information management platform 108. The computing device 102, the voice capturing unit 104, the display unit 106, and the information management platform 108 may be connected through a network 110.
[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the network 110 may be a data network such as, but not limited to, the Internet, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the data network, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In another embodiment of the present invention, the network 110 may be a wireless network, such as, but not limited to, a cellular network and may employ various technologies including an Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the wireless network, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the computing device 102, the voice capturing unit 104, the display unit 106, and the information management platform 108 may be configured to communicate with each other by communication mediums connected to the network 110. The communication mediums may be for example, but not limited to, a coaxial cable, a copper wire, a fiber optic, a wire that comprise a system bus coupled to a processor of a computing device, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication mediums, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0023] Further, the computing device 102 may be a device used by the unknown user to scan a unique code, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the unknown user may scan the unique code for a pre-defined duration of time to retrieve faculty information. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pre-defined duration of time may be 12 hours. The unique code may be, but not limited to, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) code, a barcode, a Near Field Communication (NFC) code, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unique code may be a Quick Response (QR) code. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the unique code that may be scanned by the unknown user. In another embodiment of the present invention, the computing device 102 may be used by the corresponding faculty members to update a status regarding scheduled lectures in real time. The computing device 102 may also be used by the corresponding faculty members to enable or disable a permission of tracking a live location of the corresponding faculty members.
[0024] The computing device 102 may be, but not limited to, a mobile device, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a portable computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a smart device, and so forth. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the computing device 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the computing device 102 may comprise an information application 112, a processor 114, and a user interface 116. The information application 112 may be a computer readable program installed on the computing device 102 for performing operations associated with the faculty information system 100. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the unknown user and/or the faculty members may login into the faculty information system 100 through the information application 112 by providing login details such as, but not limited to, a unique identifier, a passcode, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the login details that may be associated with the unknown user and/or the faculty members. Upon login into the faculty information system 100 by the unknown user, the unknown user may scan the unique code onto the faculty information system 100 by using the information application 112, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, upon login into the faculty information system 100 by the corresponding faculty members, the faculty members may update the status of the scheduled lectures by using the information application 112.
[0025] In another embodiment of the present invention, the unknown user and/or the faculty members may login into the faculty information system 100 through an information website by providing the login details. In an embodiment of the present invention, the unknown user may scan the unique code onto the faculty information system 100 through the information website. In another embodiment of the present invention, the faculty members may update the status of the scheduled lectures by using the information website.
[0026] The information application 112 may be customized based on a type of a user, i.e., whether the user is the unknown user or the faculty member, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary scenario, the information application 112 may be customized for the unknown user, in which the unknown user may scan the unique code to activate the voice capturing unit 104. In addition, the information application 112 may be customized for the faculty member to enable the faculty member to update the status of the scheduled lectures in the real time.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the information application 112 may comprise a scanner (not shown) that may enable the unknown user to scan the unique code for activating the voice capturing unit 104. The scanner may be built-in camera such as, but not limited to, a camera-based scanner, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the scanner including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] The processor 114 may be configured to receive and/or transmit data associated with the faculty information system 100 over the network 110. Further, the processor 114 may be configured to process the data associated with the faculty information system 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the processor 114 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control unit (PLC), a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the processor 114 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] The user interface 116 may be configured to enable the unknown user and/or the faculty members to interact with the information application 112 installed within the computing device 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the user interface 116 may be configured to enable the unknown user and/or the faculty members to interact with the information website through a web browser. The user interface 116 may be, but not limited to, a digital display, a touch screen display, a graphical user interface, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user interface 116 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] The voice capturing unit 104 may be configured to capture a voice input of the unknown user and may further be configured to transmit the captured voice input to the display unit 106. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the voice input may comprise a faculty name. The voice capturing unit 104 may be, but not limited to, a digital voice recorder, an analog voice recorder, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the analog voice recorder may be a microphone. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the voice capturing unit 104 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] Further, the display unit 106 may be connected to the voice capturing unit 104, in an embodiment of the present invention. The display unit 106 may be configured to receive the captured voice input from the voice capturing unit 104. The display unit 106 may be configured to display the faculty information based on the received captured voice input, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 106 may be configured to display a list of faculty names, in case multiple faculty members with same name are stored in a database 124 of the information management platform 108. In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 106 may be provided with buttons 118a-118f (hereinafter referred to as the buttons 118) that may be pressed by the unknown user to retrieve the faculty information.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the buttons 118 may be embedded with a Light Emitting Unit (LED) display to display the faculty information on the corresponding buttons 118. In an embodiment of the present invention, a first button of the buttons 118 may be provided to display the faculty name. In an embodiment of the present invention, a second button of the buttons 118 may be provided to display general information of one of, the faculty members whose name is displayed on the first button of the buttons 118. The general information may be, but not limited to, a contact number, an electronic mail address, a faculty website link, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the general information of the faculty members. Further, a third button of the buttons 118 may be provided to display a message received from the computing device 102 of one of, the faculty members whose name is displayed on the first button of the buttons 118.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, a fourth button of the buttons 118 may be provided to display a time table of one of, the faculty members whose name is displayed on the first button of the buttons 118. Further, a fifth button of the buttons 118 may be provided to display faculty research profile that may comprise information such as, but not limited to, number of publications, number of patents, number of projects, number of events organized, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the information associated with the faculty research profile. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, a sixth button of the buttons 118 may be provided to display a physical and/or virtual availability of one of, the faculty members whose name is displayed on the first button of the buttons 118. In such embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 106 may also be configured to display an interactive map based on the physical availability of one of, the faculty members that may help the unknown user to reach a faculty office. In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 106 may be, but not limited to, a visual display unit, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display unit, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the display unit 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] The information management platform 108 may be computer readable instructions that may be stored onto a memory device 120 and configured to control operations of the faculty information system 100. The information management platform 108 may comprise the memory device 120, a processing unit 122, and a database 124. Further, a working of the information management platform 108 will be explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0035] The memory device 120 may be a non-transitory data storage medium that may be configured to store computer executable instructions of the information management platform 108 for controlling the operations of the faculty information system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The memory device 120 may be, but not limited to, a Random-Access Memory (RAM) device, a Read Only Memory (ROM) device, a flash memory, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the memory device 120 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0036] Further, the processing unit 122 may be configured to execute the computer executable instructions stored in the memory device 120. The processing unit 122 may be, but not limited to, the Programmable Logic Control unit (PLC), the microcontroller, the microprocessor, the development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the processing unit 122 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the database 124 may be configured to store the faculty information. The database 124 may also be updated in the real time based on the faculty information provided by the corresponding faculty members. According to embodiments of the present invention, the database 124 may be for example, but not limited to, a distributed database, a personal database, an end-user database, a commercial database, a Structured Query Language (SQL) database, a non-SQL database, an operational database, a relational database, a cloud database, an object-oriented database, a graph database, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the database 124 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components of the information management platform 108 of the faculty information system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The components may be, but not limited to, a registration module 200, a code scanning module 202, a data processing module 204, an information retrieving module 206, a user interface module 208, and an updating module 210.
[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the registration module 200 may be configured to enable the unknown user and/or the faculty members to register into the faculty information system 100 using one of, the information application 112 or the information website. The registration module 200 may be configured to enable the unknown user and/or the faculty members to register into the faculty information system 100 by providing registration details, in an embodiment of the present invention. The registration details may include attributes such as, but not limited to, a name, contact details, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the registration details that may enable the unknown user and/or the faculty members to register into the faculty information system 100.
[0040] Further, the registration module 200 may be configured to enable the unknown user and/or the faculty members to generate the unique identifier and the passcode. The registration module 200 may be configured to enable the unknown user and/or the faculty members to use the generated unique identifier and the passcode for example, but not limited to, a fingerprint, a face recognition, a retina, and alike to login into the faculty information system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the passcode, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies to securely log-in into the faculty information system 100.
[0041] The code scanning module 202 may be configured to enable the registered unknown user to scan the unique code using the information application 112, in an embodiment of the present invention. The code scanning module 202 may be configured to transmit the scanned unique code to the data processing module 204.
[0042] The data processing module 204 may be configured to process the scanned unique code to enable the voice capturing unit 104 to start capturing the voice input of the unknown user. The data processing module 204 may be configured to transmit the captured voice input to the information retreiving module 206.
[0043] The information retreiving module 206 may be configured to compare the captured voice input comprising the faculty name with the faculty names pre-stored in the database 124. In an embodiment of the present invention, if the information retreiving module 206 determines that the faculty name provided as the voice input is matched with one of, the faculty names pre-stored in the database 124, then the information retreiving module 206 may be configured to retrieve the matched faculty name from the database 124. The information retreiving module 206 may be configured to transmit the retrieved faculty name to the user interface module 208. In another embodiment of the present invention, if the information retrieving module 206 may be configured to determine that the faculty name provided as the voice input is matched with multiple faculty names pre-stored in the database 124, then the information retreiving module 206 may be configured to retrieve the matched faculty names along with department names from the database 124. The information retreiving module 206 may be configured to transmit the retrieved faculty names along with the department names to the user interface module 208.
[0044] Further, the user interface module 208 may be configured to display the retrieved faculty name on the first button of the buttons 118 of the display unit 106, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the user interface module 208 may be configured to display the retrieved faculty names along with the department names on the display unit 106. In such embodiment of the present invention, the user interface module 208 may be configured to enable the unknown user to select one of, the displayed faculty names based on the department names. In an embodiment of the present invention, if the user interface module 208 determines that one of, the faculty names is selected by the unknown user, then the user interface module 208 may be configured to display the selected faculty name on the first button of the buttons 118 of the display unit 106.
[0045] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the user interface module 208 may also be configured to display the faculty information associated with the displayed faculty name on the corresponding buttons 118. In another embodiment of the present invention, the user interface module 208 may be configured to enable the unknown user to select at least one of, the buttons 118 to retrieve the faculty information corresponding to the selected buttons 118 from the database 124.
[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, if the user interface module 208 determines that the second button of the buttons 118 is selected by the unknown user, then the user interface module 208 may be configured to generate a general information retrieval signal. The user interface module 208 may be configured to transmit the generated general information retrieval signal to the information retrieving module 206. The information retrieving module 206 may be configured to retrieve the general information associated with the displayed faculty name from the database 124. Further, the information retrieving module 206 may be configured to transmit the retrieved general information to the user interface module 208. The user interface module 208 may be configured to display the general information on the second button of the buttons 118 of the display unit 106.
[0047] Similarly, in another embodiment of the present invention, if the user interface module 208 determines that the third button of the buttons 118 is selected by the unknown user, then the user interface module 208 may be configured to generate a message retrieval signal. The user interface module 208 may be configured to transmit the generated message retrieval signal to the information retrieving module 206. The information retrieving module 206 may be configured to retrieve the message provided by the faculty member having the displayed faculty name from the database 124. Further, the information retrieving module 206 may be configured to transmit the retrieved message to the user interface module 208. The user interface module 208 may be configured to display the message on the third button of the buttons 118 of the display unit 106.
[0048] Further, in yet another embodiment of the present invention, if the user interface module 208 determines that the fourth button of the buttons 118 is selected by the unknown user, then the user interface module 208 may be configured to generate a time table retrieval signal. The user interface module 208 may be configured to transmit the generated time table retrieval signal to the information retrieving module 206. The information retrieving module 206 may be configured to retrieve the time table of the faculty member having the displayed faculty name from the database 124. Further, the information retrieving module 206 may be configured to transmit the retrieved time table to the user interface module 208. The user interface module 208 may be configured to display the time table on the fourth button of the buttons 118 of the display unit 106.
[0049] In another embodiment of the present invention, if the user interface module 208 determines that the fifth button of the buttons 118 is selected by the unknown user, then the user interface module 208 may be configured to generate a research profile retrieval signal. The user interface module 208 may be configured to transmit the generated research profile retrieval signal to the information retrieving module 206. The information retrieving module 206 may be configured to retrieve the faculty research profile of the faculty member from the database 124. Further, the information retrieving module 206 may be configured to transmit the retrieved faculty research profile to the user interface module 208. The user interface module 208 may be configured to display the faculty research profile on the fifth button of the buttons 118 of the display unit 106.
[0050] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, if the user interface module 208 determines that the sixth button of the buttons 118 is selected by the unknown user, then the user interface module 208 may be configured to generate a location retrieval signal. The user interface module 208 may be configured to transmit the generated location retrieval signal to the information retrieving module 206. The information retrieving module 206 may be configured to retrieve the live location of the selected faculty member from the database 124, in an embodiment of the present invention. The information retrieving module 206 may be configured to transmit the retrieved live location of the selected faculty member to the user interface module 208.
[0051] In an embodiment of the present invention, the information retrieving module 206 may also be configured to generate the interactive map based on the live location of the selected faculty member. The interactive map may be in a form of, such as, but not limited to, a navigational map, a heat map, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the interactive map, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The information retrieving module 206 may be configured to transmit the generated interactive map to the user interface module 208.
[0052] Further, the user interface module 208 may be configured to display the retrieved live location and the generated interactive map on the sixth button of the buttons 118 of the display unit 106.
[0053] The updating module 210 may be configured to enable the faculty members to update the live location in the real time by using the information application 112 in the database 124, in an embodiment of the present invention. The updating module 210 may also be configured to enable the faculty members to update the status of the scheduled lectures, which in turn updates the time table of the corresponding faculty members in the database 124.
[0054] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 of retrieving the faculty information by the faculty information system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0055] At step 302, the faculty information system 100 may enable the unknown user to scan the unique code.
[0056] At step 304, the faculty information system 100 may process the scanned unique code to enable the voice capturing unit 104 to start capturing the voice input of the unknown user.
[0057] At step 306, the faculty information system 100 may compare the captured voice input comprising the faculty name with the faculty names pre-stored in the database 124.
[0058] At step 308, if the faculty information system 100 determines that the faculty name provided as the voice input is matched with the multiple faculty names pre-stored in the database 124, then the method 300 may proceed to a step 310. Otherwise, the method 300 may proceed to a step 316, if the faculty information system 100 determines that the faculty name provided as the voice input is matched one of, the faculty names pre-stored in the database 124.
[0059] At the step 310, the faculty information system 100 may display the retrieved faculty names along with the department names on the display unit 106.
[0060] At step 312, the faculty information system 100 may enable the unknown user to select one of, the displayed faculty names based on the department names.
[0061] At step 314, if the faculty information system 100 determines that one of, the faculty names is selected by the unknown user, then the method 300 may proceed to the step 316. Otherwise, the method 300 may conclude.
[0062] At the step 316, the faculty information system 100 may display the selected faculty name on the first button of the buttons 118 of the display unit 106.
[0063] Embodiments of the invention are described above with reference to block diagrams and schematic illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0064] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.