Digital pen

A Wacom digital pen

A digital pen is an input device which captures the handwriting or brush strokes of a user, converts handwritten analog information created using "pen and paper" into digital data, enabling the data to be utilized in various applications. For example, the writing data can be digitized and uploaded to a computer and displayed on its monitor. The data can then be interpreted by handwriting software (OCR) to allow the digital pen to act as a text entry interface and be used in different applications or just as graphics.

File:Atary Digital Pen.tif

Atary Digital Pen

A digital pen is generally larger and has more features than a stylus. Digital pens typically contain internal electronics and have features such as touch sensitivity, input buttons, memory, writing data transmission capabilities, and electronic erasers.

Technology groups

Accelerometer

Accelerometer-based digital pens contain components that detect movement of the pen and contact with the writing surface.

Active

Active pens, such as N-trig's DuoSense Pen™, include electronic components whose signals are picked up by a mobile device's built-in digitizer and transmitted to its controller, providing data on pen location, pressure, button presses and other functionality.

Positional

Position-based digital pens use a facility to detect the location of the tip during writing. Some models can be found on graphics tablets made popular by Wacom, and on tablet computers using Wacom's Penabled™ technology.

Camera

Camera-based pens use special digital paper to detect where the stylus contacts the writing surface, such as those using Anoto technology.

Trackball pen

Trackball pens use a sensor that is located on the pen to detect the motion of the trackball.

Products List

Manufacturer	Product	Uses Anoto pattern	Remarks
Polyvision	Eno	y
N-trig	DuoSense Pen	n	Active pen that is bundled with a wide range of touchscreen devices from Microsoft, Sony, Asus, Acer, HTC and others
Wacom	Penabled	n	a digital pen for drawing
Livescribe	Livescribe	y
Logitech	Digital Pen	y
Maxell	Penit	y
Nokia	Digital Pen SU-1B	y
IOGear	GPen300	n
Staedtler	Digital Pen	n
Oxford Papershow	Trackball pen	y	The technology involves a USB key to synchronise with the digital pen enabling instant connectivity between pen and PC.

See also

• Digital paper
• Bluetooth
• List of pen types, brands and companies
• Live Ink Character Recognition Solution
• Pen computing
• USB
• Voice recorder