19/8/2010 - First-of-a-kind technology enables users to ‘tag’ valuable items to mobile phones

The first ever technology to utilise Bluetooth capability in mobile phones to create a dual alarm system to prevent the loss or theft of valuable items – from laptops to handbags and even children - has won the Technology Strategy Board’s Special Award for High Growth Potential Business at this year’s ICT Excellence Awards.

‘Stay Close At All Times’ (SCAAT) by West Midlands-based Mi-Zone Ltd monitors the proximity of a valuable object or person to a mobile phone via a small active Bluetooth tag, which contains a rechargeable battery. The tag is mapped to a mobile phone by locating the device via Bluetooth and then typing a code into the phone, which identifies and names the tag. Due to the nature of the product and the size of the tag (similar to a Bluetooth earpiece at approximately 1.5” in diameter) users can attach them to a range of items such as keys, wallets, luggage, pets and to children and the elderly.

Philip Jarrett, Managing Director of Mi-Zone Ltd, who has worked in both the scanning and mobile computing sectors for more than 20 years, believes the key to SCAAT’s success is its simplicity.

“There are more than 40 million mobile phone users in the UK, making this product a natural extension of a technology we, as consumers, are already comfortable with. Utilising Bluetooth technology also means the device doesn’t operate on a public network so it can be used by anyone at any location and because it is already a component of most mobile phones it can be developed, and sold, at a lower cost than alternative products.”

The phone searches for the tag (which also comes with its own panic button facility) and alerts the user via both the handset and an alarm and flashing light on the tag itself if it moves out of a pre-determined distance. As the user approaches their tag, the alarm bleeps more rapidly, enabling them to interpret their distance from the tag. Up to three tags can link to one mobile phone and each tag can be set to different distances (5M or 10M) from the user and set up with a unique alarm. In addition, the tag can be used proactively to locate a linked item, using a search function on the phone that sets off an alarm on the tag. This is possible, and differs from other ‘tag’ technologies, because of the development of a new Mi-Zone Java Software Script/Application that resides on the handset and interprets the instructions from enhanced Firmware on the Bluetooth module.

Armed with working prototypes, and its recent award, Mi-Zone Ltd now plans to join forces with a mobile phone manufacturer to integrate the application at the point of manufacture.

Jarrett concludes, “There are literally hundreds of potential applications for SCAAT because of its ease-of-use and affordability. One area that is particularly exciting is the public sector – for example the MOD, emergency services and education – where SCAAT could help prevent loss of valuable data and/or equipment and, through the NHS and the wider carer community help those caring for Alzheimer patients.”

Profile spec (and image):
TBC with Mi-Zone

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

More than 3,000 ICT-related companies are based within the West Midlands, and one third of all UK publicly quoted software and computer companies are represented in the region. Major ICT players present within the region include Fujitsu, Capgemini, IBM, EDS, Oracle and SCC. The region has a strong talent base to service the ICT sector, with 21% of the region’s undergraduates studying computer science and business courses and Staffordshire University recognised as one of the largest providers of computing courses in the UK.

About the West Midlands Cluster Programme
The ICT Cluster is just one of eleven Cluster groups that have been established by the regional development agency for the West Midlands – Advantage West Midlands – as part of the Cluster Programme. Thousands of businesses within the region actively participate in the Cluster Programme with the aim to increase economic opportunities for the region and build the reputation of the region’s industries across Automotive, Aerospace, Building Technology, Business & Professional Services, Digital Media, Environmental Technology, Food & Drink, ICT, Interiors & Lifestyle, Medical Technology and Rail sectors.