The Digital Pen writes like a normal ballpoint on forms which use normal paper overprinted with a faint dot pattern, developed by Anoto.

Unique to the FAS solution we provide, the patterned forms are printed by laser printer, making form production easy, flexible and on demand. In addition the pattern on each printed page is unique – just like a fingerprint – so the pen always knows exactly which page it is on.

Each pen contains an infrared camera, processor, memory, datalink and battery. As the pen moves across the page the camera captures images of the pattern whilst writing in ink. At any given moment the pen knows where it is on the page and what page it is on.

Every pen stroke is time stamped, useful for knowing the time and order in which forms are completed and, for example, spotting fraudulent activity. Pens can typically store up to 200 pages of A4 text. They have a battery life like a mobile phone and are rechargeable.

Completed forms are uploaded via a docking station connected to a PC or by pairing the pen to a compatible mobile phone via Bluetooth. The mobile phone acts like a modem, sending the pen stroke data via GPRS.

Both methods of data transfer use secure 128 bit encryption. Each pen is registered both to a user and an application.  Users, pens and forms are controlled from a centralised software console.

Handwriting can be converted to text and check boxes to data as part of the processing. Forms can include images, such as machine parts, cars, maps, building diagrams and layouts.  Ticking on an image, say a point on a map, can populate a database with the appropriate information.

Logic can be built into forms to ensure that fields are completed correctly. Error messages, for example, can be sent to the user via their mobile to prompt correct completion of the form.

The output from each completed form includes an image of the written form, a filled form, which includes any handwriting converted to text plus an XML stream of the converted handwriting.

Automated form processing is completed on a central application which can be hosted by us on our secure server centre. Alternatively the application can be installed in your own data centre, although this is only likely to be economic for larger installations.