The Microsoft Research team has this week unveiled a new gadget they have created in the form of E Ink Sticky Notes which take the form of “energy-neutral situated displays” that can be used to display a wide variety of different data depending on your needs and requirements.
Watch the demonstration video below to learn more about these neat little devices which are capable of harvesting energy directly from the surrounding environment and can be triggered to update or communicate with PC every few minutes or so.
We explore the design space of energy-neutral situated displays, which give physical presence to digital information. We investigate three central dimensions: energy sources, display technologies, and wireless communications. Based on the power implications from our analysis, we present a thin, wireless, photovoltaic-powered display that is quick and easy to deploy and capable of indefinite operation in indoor lighting conditions.
The display uses a low-resolution e-paper architecture, which is 35 times more energy-efficient than smaller-sized high-resolution displays. We present a detailed analysis on power consumption, photovoltaic energy harvesting performance, and a detailed comparison to other display-driving architectures. Depending on the ambient lighting, the display can trigger an update every 1 – 25 minutes and communicate to a PC or smartphone via Bluetooth Low-Energy.
Unfortunately no information on worldwide availability has been released as yet by the Microsoft Research team, but as soon as information comes to light we will keep you updated as always.
Source: Liliputing : Digital Reader : NewScientist