NFC Muter

Entering a library or a meeting room makes people susceptible to embarrassing situations where they may receive phone calls or even SMSs, leading to disturbing all people around. We think that this is a common problem that is worth tackling in a new way. Some software solves this problem by asking the user to provide a predefined schedule for when the smartphone should be muted. Other apps use GPS fencing where the smartphone discerns its location and mutes itself when the user approaches predefined points of interest such as mosques/churches, libraries, classrooms and conference halls where quietness is an essence. Apparently, both solutions require prior user input and constant updates in order to have an effective solution.We built an Android app for toggling the smartphone between the silent and normal states.Our solution is based on the new wireless technology, called NFC (Near Field Communication) technology that augments new smartphones such as Samsung, iPhone and Nokia. It is fast and energy-friendly.Smartphone users can simply tap their handset to a tag affixed to the door frame, or to the desk, of the meeting room so that the phone switches itself automatically to the Silent mode, with zero interactions with the internal software of the cellular phone. A confirmation photo is displayed to the user in order to ensure that the new profile is being in effect.