Zpen: the pen that turns handwritten notes and sketches into digital data

Nomad and discrete, it can write on any paper support and allows instant digitization of one's notes for transfer on to a computer.

Light and small in size, the Zpen consists in a wireless ballpoint pen weighing no more than 16 grams and a 110 mm-diameter receiver to clip on top of the sheet of paper (A4 format). When writing, the pen's ballpoint transmits ultrasonic and infrared signals that are received by the receiver's various microphones, once it is set on the sheet's extremity.

Equipped with a 1 GB flash memory, the receiver saves and digitises words and sketches using its on-board software. Thus it can identify and reconstitute the shapes and letters drawn on the paper.

Featuring all functionalities found in a standard USB stick, it can memorise all of the handwritten notes, then download them on the PC via the USB port. Indeed, Zpen archives the handwritten text (retaining the writer's handwriting) and then it processes the notes using the usual applications (MS Word, for instance).

The Zpen receiver features 3 bundled software packs to view notes as image objects, to transform them and to edit them in digital format:

Pen and Ink Viewer (also MAC/Linux compatible) to view and instantly save data in image format, to print or to email with a few clicks
Note Search to retrieve key words within the handwritten notes. It can select up to 30 pages, open them automatically and run a search extremely fast.

My Script Notes to convert handwritten notes into digital text and edit it as required using one's usual word processing application.

The Zpen digital receiver recharges automatically off the computer via the USB port power supply. It can also be used as a standard USB stick to store music, images or videos. The stylus comes with two batteries and a standard ink cartridge.