brainstormguy (USA)
Rethinking the 'Smart Pen'
I feel that smart pens could be vastly improved. at the time of this writing, I find it funny that the best one on the market is the Fly Pentop. The remaining pens are mainly handwriting recognition.



I have created a series called brainstorm guy, and its a video outlining my ideas/inventions. you can watch my smart pen episode (my debut episode) here:

http://web15.metacafe.com/w/1051447/



Below is a summery/expanded ideas and thoughts to the video, so please watch it first.



basics of current smart pens:

1. input (handwriting recognition)

2. output (speaker based User Interface)

3. processing (what runs the pen)

4. connectivity (getting notes from the pen)

5. battery (power)

6. pen (it highly advanced super glorious ball point roller technology)



problems

1. size (too large)

2. cost (expensive)

3. User Interface is limited

4. 3rd party support is lacking

5. special paper



solution



pen only needs:

1. input

2. connectivity

3. battery

4. pen



add your favorite cellphone to handle:

1. processing

2. output.



this solves problems 1-4.



problem 5 is hard to get away from, but being able to use 3rd party development alternate uses will come to light.



Now some things I didn't cover in the video:



If the pen, also contained a stylus, you could use a piece plastic anoto page to have a surface to write on.



because this is based on using a cellphone, you can transmit your messages to anyone, so passing notes is extremely easy.



also being cellphone technology, you could draw the cellphone keys and remotely control your cellphone with out touching it.



now internet access come into play using cellphones/computers so updating blogs and such becomes easier in a since, it would allow you to choose a smaller phone that lacks a qwerty keyboard. (like the n95 ;P)



you can created a tablet like input to your computer.



Reward: please allow a lot of users to beta test the device before releasing it and try to keep it as open as possible.

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