Abstract: Disclosed is a system for capturing handwriting that provides all the usual functionality of a notepad, and stores what has been written on paper, or a writing area, in a computer memory and displays it on an associated screen. Said system permits retrieval and editing of previously stored handwriting.

Abstract: Disclosed is a personal document management computer system device comprising: an means to transfer documents from a personal computer to said device using a logical printer; a means to scan documents using a scanner peripheral device, said scanned documents being available for viewing on said device: a means to record handwriting written using a specially adapted writing device: a means to search handwritten notes given a handwritten search pattern.