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I have lousy handwriting. A printer is too heavy to carry. I need a pen that improves my handwriting. My idea is thus:
(1) Write into a PDA via keyboard or touch screen
(2) PDA communicates wirelessly to 'pen'
(3) 'pen' writes for you as you scan it across the page
The pen is a bit like
a pen scanner in reverse. It has a bubblejet nozzle and an optical mouse sensor. As it detects you are moving across the page, the pen puts the ink in precisely the right spots.
You can write in Arial. You can write in a handwriting script. You can even draw perfect pictures:
(1) Photograph your subject with the PDA's digital camera.
(2) Manipulate the picture on the PDA
(3) PDA communicates wirelessly to 'pen'
(4) 'pen' draws for you as you scan it around the page
PC Note Taker
http://www.tetaco.s...o/pcnote/pcnote.pdf You need Acrobat installed to read the page. [8th of 7, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]
Magic Paintbrush
http://www.halfbake.../Magic_20Paintbrush Seems very similar to this idea by [ajwhunter] [krelnik, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]
Handheld printer
http://www.pdacortex.com/printdreams.htm [Brummo, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]
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Annotation:
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What a fantastic tool for forgers! |
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Ever seen one of those pens with a mismatched gyro inside that writes in spiral patterns? Presumably you could use a similar technology to straighten out/enlarge your handwriting. (Mine, I believe, is beyond hope.) |
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By a truly remarkable coincidence I have just been offered EXACTLY this device via an email from a former colleague for the princely sum of GBP £47 plus tax and shipping. See link. |
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8th I think your linked product is the opposite of what he is describing here. He wants something that writes, not scans. I think maybe you meant to put that link on the other idea "Electronic Pencil with Eraser". |
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I was hoping it would work thus:
You write using the special pen on normal paper. As you
write, an optical sensor in the pen's nib records your
movements. The computer translates this into the proper
letters, just like a PDA does now. Then, simultaneously, a
bubblejet nozzle trailing an inch or two behind the nib
(but attached to the pen) prints out the beautiful text.
That way, you don't have to do it first on the PDA and
then again on the paper. When you got to the end of
line you would have to wait a bit while the printer
finished up the line. |
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If you're writing on ordinary paper, it seems like some sort of highly miniaturized more-conventional printer will be much less trouble all around. This would be extremely useful, though, for printing onto other surfaces (post-it notes, boxes, chart paper, party hats) and for adding labels to pictures or hand-drawn diagrams. |
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I think a tiny, hand-held printer/plotter (what you are proposing) is a great idea! The perfect accessory for a portable PC. |
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The motive is a bit different, but the implementation seems almost identical to "Magic Paintbrush", a pre-existing idea. Someone want to give a second opinion on this? |
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[8th], I own an A4 sized version of the product (another company) in your link. Instead of a wire link to the PC it stores writing and pictures in memory. It's ugly, heavy, and requires hours of training of the handwriting recognition, after which the result is text with 3 errors in 10 words. These devices only work for people with perfect, consistent handwriting. [krelnik]'s right when (s)he said it was the opposite of what I intended. If you want, email me your address and I'll mail you my pad; I've never used it for business. |
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[krelnik], I agree it appears to be very similar to the Magic Paintbrush idea. I wasn't around in November and my 1/2B search didn't find it. Sorry. |
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[blaise], Yes, the concept seems to be the subject or prior patents (I bet half the _useful_ stuff on 1/2B is), although I definately haven't seen it as a manufactured product. The patent search link was worth it all; thanks! |
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I think there is sliver of originality in the system and application, although I wouldn't be upset to find a moderator had deleted it. If you do, please move my idea to the Magic Paintbrush as an anno. |
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