Abstract: In a pen-based computing system, multi-modal data is transferred between a paper domain and a digital domain. Data initially generated in the paper domain is captured by a smart pen and a digital file including the captured data is generated. For example, a computing system coupled to the smart pen generates a digital file including the captured data. A paper representation of the digital file is subsequently generated. The digital file can subsequently be modified by editing the paper representation of the digital file using the smart pen. Edits to the paper representation of the digital file are captured by the smart pen and converted to the digital domain where they are used to edit the content of the digital file.

Abstract: In a pen-based computing system, use of paradigms similar to those used with physical paper to organize user generated content captured by a smart pen is disclosed. Data, such as handwriting gestures, is captured by the smart pen and transferred to a digital domain, such as by being transferred to a computing system. Once in the digital domain, the captured content is organized as virtual pages or virtual notebooks. Hence, content captured from various sources, such as different notebooks or different physical pieces of paper, is assembled into a virtual page or virtual notebook. User input or automatic application of rules can be used to assemble the captured content into a virtual page or virtual notebook.

Abstract: In a pen-based computing system, a microphone on the smart pen device records audio to produce audio data and a gesture capture system on the smart pen device records writing gestures to produce writing gesture data. Both the audio data and the writing gesture data include a time component. The audio data and writing gesture data are combined or synchronized according to their time components to create audio ink data. The audio ink data can be uploaded to a computer system attached to the smart pen device and displayed to a user through a user interface. The user makes a selection in the user interface to play the audio ink data, and the audio ink data is played back by animated the captured writing gestures and playing the recorded audio in synchronization.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying captured written data associated with a writing surface using a pen-based computing system are described. In one embodiment, a series of writing surfaces, such as notebooks, are produced, each including a plurality of pages that have an encoded pattern. In an embodiment, each writing surface is also associated with an identifier recognizable by a smart pen or other data capture device. When the smart pen captures written data from a writing surface, the smart pen determines whether the pen-based computing system includes stored written data previously captured from a writing surface having the same encoded pattern as the writing surface from which written data is currently being captured.

Abstract: In a pen-based computing system, a pair of microphones captures audio concurrently with a smart pen device capturing handwriting gestures. The audio captured by the pair of microphones is processed to produce an enhanced audio recording. Noise cancellation techniques may be applied to reduce noise generated by the smart pen device interacting with the writing surface to produce a higher quality audio recording. In addition, beam steering techniques may be applied to adjust the gain of portions of the audio signal from different directions and allow the user to focus between multiple audio sources.

Abstract: In a pen-based computing system, a printed version of a document having preexisting content is annotated using a smart pen. The smart pen captures handwriting gestures to obtain an electronic representation of the annotations. The smart pen computing system identifies a digital version of the document having the preexisting content and stores the electronic representation of the annotations in association with the digital document. The smart pen computing system may overlay the electronic representation of the annotations with the preexisting content to provide a digital representation of the annotated document.

Abstract: A pen based computing system concurrently captures handwriting gestures and records audio using binaural recording. A binaural headset communicatively coupled to the smart pen device uses at least two microphones. A left microphone is placed in or near the left ear and the right microphone is placed in or near the right ear, each facing outward. Speakers are integrated into a shared housing with the microphones facing inward towards the ear canal to play back the audio recordings. By recording audio with microphones placed close to the ears, the system provides realistic sounding playback and allows users to more easily differentiate between multiple sources of audio.

Abstract: In a pen-based computing system, a microphone on the smart pen device records audio to produce audio data and a gesture capture system on the smart pen device records writing gestures to produce writing gesture data. Both the audio data and the writing gesture data include a time component. The audio data and writing gesture data are combined or synchronized according to their time components to create audio ink data. The audio ink data can be uploaded to a computer system attached to the smart pen device and displayed to a user through a user interface. The user makes a selection in the user interface to play the audio ink data, and the audio ink data is played back by animated the captured writing gestures and playing the recorded audio in synchronization.

Abstract: Systems for removing or attenuating friction and/or click noise generated during writing with a smart pen are disclosed. In a smart pen, the writing cartridge is biased towards a first side of the smart pen internal cavity by a low-force biasing system without affecting writing cartridge movement. For example, the writing cartridge is comprised of a magnetic material and a magnet is embedded into the first side of the smart pen internal cavity to bias the writing cartridge towards the first side. Alternatively, the material comprising the writing cartridge or smart pen internal cavity is modified, reducing friction between the components. As another alternative, a DSP method identifies analyzes one or more parameters of received audio data to differentiate click noise from audio data, and may receive data from a movement sensor indicating when the writing cartridge has moved to reduce power consumption for identifying click noise.

Abstract: Interactive digital content for printed materials is provided using applications executing in a smart pen computing system. The applications and the printed materials may be developed by separate entities but appear well integrated from the perspective of a user of the smart pen computing system. Printed content produced by a first entity is obtained. The printed content is associated with a dot pattern. An application associated with the printed content and linked to the dot pattern is produced by a separate second entity. The application includes computer program instructions for, responsive to a selection within the dot pattern, invoking a function related to the printed content. The selection within the dot pattern may be made using a smart pen device, and the function may include presenting output to a user through an output device (e.g., a display or speaker) of the smart pen device.

Abstract: Interactive digital content for printed materials is provided using applications executing in a smart pen computing system. The applications and the printed materials may be developed by separate entities but appear well integrated from the perspective of a user of the smart pen computing system. Printed content produced by a first entity is obtained. The printed content is associated with a dot pattern. An application associated with the printed content and linked to the dot pattern is produced by a separate second entity. The application includes computer program instructions for, responsive to a selection within the dot pattern, invoking a function related to the printed content. The selection within the dot pattern may be made using a smart pen device, and the function may include presenting output to a user through an output device (e.g., a display or speaker) of the smart pen device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention present a system and method for controlling audio capture by a smart pen based computing system. An audio capture mechanism that is independent from a gesture capture system is included on the smart pen to control audio capture by one or more microphones included on the smart pen. In one embodiment, the audio capture mechanism comprises a shared function button, such as a power button. For example, a user interaction with the shared function button initiates audio capture by the one or more microphones on the smart pen and a second user interaction with the shared audio function stops audio capture. Alternatively, audio capture is stopped after completion of a predefined time interval after the user interaction with the shared function button.