digital pen overview

There are not many novelty in embedding termometer or a lantern into the pen. Combining two things in one body saves space but even that is not an advantage. It should be a sinergy from mutual use of both devices in one body. Thus, the purposes of these devices should have smth in common.  Pen operates with information. It is used to take a note or draw a sketch – in any case it is information input device. So the closest functionality extension in information life cycle is storage, processing, and output.

One of the best combinations with pen, we consider audio recorder. For example, Livescribe can link the point in the handwriting with the audio record and then play it with tapping to that point.

See comparison table:

Some vendors provide handwriting recognition (OCR) software or you can buy third-party software for about $30. But even the best result cannot beat 93% threshold.
Some other vendors not listed in the table are: Adapx, Epos

Livescribe has the greatest additional functionality: audio recording with embedded microphone, headphones jack for listening that, built-in speaker, 96×18 OLED display and even half a Gb space on community site. But, it requires special paper. It can be bought or printed but anyway it looses portability of a little pen with the need to carry a sketchbook.

Every dotted sheet of paper is unique because it has its own printed digital signature. With ‘any paper’ pen changing of sheets is performed with mounting receiver by a clip on a new sheet. The drawback of any device is a newline: every line on the notepad becomes a separate line in the electronic document, and you can’t make corrections as you write. Dotted paper technology is limited to percent of filling with ink. Filled area can’t be recognized by camera for positioning. So, the artist wouldn’t be able to draw a painting.

Logipen uses ultrasonic technology for coordinates positioning. Tip of the pen whistles with ultrasonic sound and receiver listens to it with two mics thus calculating relative position of the pen. It is the best ‘standalone’ alternative to the previous competitor. Wacom tablets are prevalent among designers because they have really impressive touch force sensitivity.

Using with mobile phone

Having such handy portable digital input device it would be nice to have a screen to watch result on. Of course, it would be a mobile phone. It can be a great variety of applications for using them together:

1. Filling up forms in institutions (watch video)

There are already several companies that provide business solutions utilizing digital pen technology.

2. Make sms live. It is nice to add handwritten smile or draw a map scheme, diagram to the message. And its even faster to use a pen instead of a mobile phone keyboard.

3. Share notes just made on paper with remote people

Ideas for the new concept

This review with links provided shows already developed functionality for the digital pen. Now, we are going to create fresh new ideas to consider implementing in future models.