Intelligent Sticky Notes
A user interface is described which includes electrical connections arranged in a pattern on a writing surface. An input is made by a user by drawing lines on the writing surface using a pencil or pen with conductive ink so as to electrically connect together two or more of the electrical connections.
1 . A user interface comprising:
a plurality of exposed electrical connections arranged in a pattern on a writing surface;
wherein each of the plurality of exposed electrical connections can be electrically connected to another of the plurality of exposed electrical connections by a line drawn on the writing surface in an electrically conductive writing medium.
2 . A user interface according to claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive writing medium comprises graphite.
3 . A user interface according to claim 1 , further comprising a processor coupled to the plurality of exposed electrical connections and arranged to:
detect if any of the plurality of exposed electrical connections are electrically connected together.
4 . A user interface according to claim 3 , wherein the processor is further arranged to:
initiate an action determined by which of the plurality of exposed electrical connections are electrically connected together.
5 . A user interface according to claim 4 , wherein a time is indicated by which of the plurality of exposed electrical connections are electrically connected together.
6 . A user interface according to claim 4 , wherein one of a temperature, a pressure, an altitude, a humidity and a location is indicated by which of the plurality of exposed electrical connections are electrically connected together.
7 . A user interface according to claim 4 , further comprising a reminder means, and wherein the action comprises activating the reminder means.
8 . A user interface according to claim 7 , wherein the reminder means comprises one of: an LED and a loudspeaker.
9 . A user interface according to claim 3 , wherein the processor is embedded within the writing surface.
10 . A user interface according to claim 1 , wherein the user interface further comprises a clock face printed on the writing surface and wherein a first subset of the plurality of exposed electrical connections are arranged around the circumference of the clock face.
11 . A user interface according to claim 10 , wherein the first subset comprises all of the plurality of exposed electrical connection.
12 . A user interface according to claim 10 , wherein a second subset of the plurality of exposed electrical connections arranged around the circumference of a circle, the circle and the clock face being concentric.
13 . A user interface according to claim 1 , wherein the user interface further comprises:
a calendar grid printed on the writing surface, the calendar grid having two perpendicular axes; and
wherein a subset of the plurality of exposed electrical connections are arranged in lines, each line being parallel to one of the axes of the grid.
14 . A user interface according to claim 13 , wherein the subset comprises all of the plurality of exposed electrical connections.
15 . A sticky note comprising:
a planar material having a writing surface on one side and an attachment means on an opposite side; and
a plurality of exposed electrical connections arranged in a pattern on the writing surface;
wherein each of the plurality of exposed electrical connections can be electrically connected to another of the plurality of exposed electrical connections by a line drawn on the writing surface in an electrically conductive writing medium.
16 . A sticky note according to claim 15 , further comprising:
a reminder means; and
a processor coupled to the plurality of exposed electrical connections and arranged to:
detect if any of the plurality of exposed electrical connections are electrically connected together; and
activate the reminder means at an instant determined by which of the plurality of exposed electrical connections are electrically connected together.
17 . A sticky note according to claim 16 , further comprising:
a wireless interface for communication with a computer.
18 . A sticky note according to claim 16 , wherein the reminder means comprises a loudspeaker and further comprising:
a microphone; and
a speech recording module.
19 . A sticky note according to claim 15 , further comprising:
a message region on the writing surface.
20 . A box comprising:
a writing region on a side of the box; and
a plurality of exposed electrical connections arranged in a pattern on the writing region;
wherein each of the plurality of exposed electrical connections can be electrically connected to another of the plurality of exposed electrical connections by a line drawn on the writing surface in an electrically conductive writing medium.