Abstract: An information recording system includes a writing paper having a writing surface and a prerecorded invisible pattern of pixels associated with the writing surface. Each of the pixels contains encoded, optically readable position information which identifies a coordinate position on the writing surface. The system further includes a pen having a tip and including an instrument for writing on the writing surface and a detector for detecting the position of the tip on the writing surface by optically reading the pixels and obtaining position information when the tip is in contact with the surface. The system further includes a recording unit coupled to the pen and responsive to the position information for electronically recording the position of the pen tip on the writing surface as the markings are made on the writing surface so that the recording unit contains an electronic representation of the markings on the writing surface.