Smart Sticky Notes Organize Themselves

Jan. 18, 2008 -- Sticky note addicts can attest to their usefulness, but their inevitable abundance can sometimes make life even more confusing.

Now researchers have developed electronic sticky notes, called Quickies, that can be searched for digitally and can send reminders and messages via e-mail or a mobile device.

The technology aims to merge digital media with the paper world in a way that improves upon an already ubiquitous method for staying organized.

"It's clear to everyone by now that paper will never go away," said Pattie Maes, associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Maes developed the prototype with Pranav Mistry, a graduate student in the media, arts and sciences program.

But, said Maes, "if you have a paper document on your desk, you can't necessarily search it. It's not part of your electronic organizational system."

Quickies change that.

They look similar to Post-It notes but combine artificial intelligence, natural language processing, ink recognition technologies, and radio frequency identification tags into a modern version of the reliable analog.

The Quickies are placed on an electronic pad that converts handwriting into a digital form. Custom software written by the researchers recognizes letters, numbers and symbols to distinguish an appointment from a contact, and a contact from a label. That same software then integrates the information into the appropriate application, such as an address book or calendar.

Each Quickie note would come embedded with a radio frequency identification tag (RFID). By sprinkling inexpensive RFID receivers throughout a home or office, a person can use the Quickie system to hone in on a tagged item.

For example, let's say you use a Quickie note to mark a book chapter on biofuels. Weeks later, you recall bookmarking the chapter but can't find the book.