A waterproof alarm call

Ixp-Note is a new form of intelligent sticky note that allows the user to create time sensitive paper. It's waterproof, inexpensive and extremely versatile.

You can select time and date using a novel paper touch-sensitive surface. At your chosen time, the card will light up and ring.

The battery life is about one year.  To achieve that very low power consumption, Ixp-Note uses a novel design of power management that works like the human heart.

The whole computer, next to a
First Class stamp

The  Ixp-Note sensing platform starts at coin size. It can be attached to paper surfaces.  It's designed to be used like normal sticky notes, and also to be re-usable.

Ixp-Notes were originally designed for people with memory loss, for example Alzheimer's patients, but can be used all around the home and office. Ixp-notes are uniquely useful for appointment cards, with doctors, dentists and car services amongst the potential customers.  At  home, use Ixp-Notes as reminder stickers for taking medicines, bringing the children to school, or feeding pets.  You can erase and rewrite Ixp-Notes, too.

The Ixp-Note platform, including hardware and firmware, costs around US$1.  We achieve the low cost by using a novel connection technology.  This replaces a conventional printed circuit board (PCB) and costs less than 1 cent per card.

We can add other sensors too - for instance, touch, movement, temperature or light.  You could set an alarm if the item - a mobile phone, say - that the Ixp-Note is attached to hasn't been moved for a day or two.

Working prototype Ixp-Note. The entire circuit is 1.2mm thin, similar to a credit card. This includes computer, clock, battery and led piezo. The card is glossy and attractive, flexible, waterproof, washable, pet proof and heat resistant. The computer is normally hidden by graphic design but shown here to illustrate it working.

 

Applications

Ring-ring! Forgotten me?

Another Ixp-Note form factor is a sticky label, in postage stamp style. You can attach these to important time-sensitive and valuable paperwork - for example, invoices, court appearances, car tax disc, or party invites.  At last you will be able to find important papers, because they'll ring! Companies with late-paying customers might appreciate Ixp-Notes attached to their invoices. You can have the date set by scratch card tabs printed on paper - 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 1 month, and so on - or just a pull a tab to activate the battery and timer.

Using adhesive or magnets, you can attach Ixp-Note labels to valuable objects such as mobile phones that are easily lost. The one year life battery enables the sticker to act as a location sounder.

Ixp-note can also be used for business cards - give your card to a contact asking them to contact you in a week. It might end up at bottom of a briefcase but will ring after a week.

We also have applications for garden plant and pet care and safety.

Has anyone fed the cat? Put an Ixp-Note close to kitten's bowl. Who has last feed her, Mum, Dad or Daughter? Ixp-Note will make a synthesised cat meow twice per day to remind the family to feed her, and reset when it's touched.