Abstract: A digital writing system according to one embodiment of the present invention captures handwritten gestures in addition to text and patterns. It may include, among other things, a digital pen, special erasable ink and paper, and application software for the managing of captured files with a corresponding user interface. A digital pen according to one embodiment of the present invention may include character recognition subsystem, function control subsystem with selection mechanisms, a processor subsystem, memory subsystems, and wired or wireless communication subsystems. In addition, embodiments of a digital pen according to the present invention may include additional functional features including, for example, a user notification (e.g., alarm) feature, a digital camera feature, voice recording and recognition features, calendar features, calculator features, biometric sensor features, and the like.