Digital paper

[Phil Cohen]

Folks -  I’ve just noticed your group, and joined up.    Given your interest in paper for field data collection, I’d like to let you know of some

products we have built (full-disclosure, I work for a startup) targeting exactly this problem.    Using Anoto technology (http://www.anoto.com),

we have built a number of products that plug into popular software packages (ESRI’s ArcGIS, Microsoft’s Excel, OneNote, and SharePoint, and Adobe Acrobat).  Our Capturx (pronounced ‘captures’) software  enables a user to digitally print out a map from ArcGIS,  or a form from Excel,  and mark up the map or fill in the spreadsheet with a digital pen.   When the pen is docked the data returns back to ArcGIS or to Excel.    Our software applies a pattern of dots that are read  by the digital pen.  The pen keeps track of the x-y coordinates on the page,  and precisely which piece of paper its and which software application produced that specific piece of paper.  The software the does the right thing with the digital ink, eg., recognizing the values in the spreadsheet/form, or updating the geodatabase.  Importantly, the end user (or their organization)  can design the map and legend, or can design the form in Excel.    We have had many different types of users, from elementary schoolers to the US Army, US AID (in East Timor), and many other organizations employing the technology to mark up paper maps in the field, and many organizations are finding new uses for the forms technology daily.   Capturx for Microsoft OneNote supports a field notebook (fits into a cargo pocket, printed on Rite-in-the-Rain paper), or an 8 ½ X 11 notebook (MS Vista or Win 7 only), with the handwriting passing directly to OneNote.   Data can also be sent via Blackberry (the pen supports Bluetooth),  and an then be sent to Capturx for SharePoint server, or to an email address.  In the latter case, the receiver would double-click on the digital ink attachment, which would import the ink into the application that generated the page of paper.   Our website has much more information.

 

If I understand your needs correctly, this technology might meet many of them,

 

FWIW,

 

 

Phil Cohen, PhD

Founder and EVP, Research

Adapx Inc.

821 2^nd Ave., Suite 1150

Seattle, WA 98104

http://www.adapx.com

O:  206-428-0800

F: 206-428-0801

 

This e-mail and any attachments thereto, are intended only for use by the addressee(s) named herein and may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail (or the person responsible for delivering this document to the intended recipient), you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, printing or coping of this e-mail, and any attachment thereto, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please respond to the individual sending the message, and permanently delete the original and any copy of any e-mail and printout thereof.

 

 

[Kuang Chen]

Hi Phil, thanks for your note. I've come across your product before -- it's seems just the ticket were it free from Anoto patents. What's your arrangement like with Anoto? My impression is that they are quite vigilant about enforcing returns on their paper technology. Someone at another Anoto licensee mentioned that it'd be hard to get pens below $100 due to their per-pen costs. And that any application has to be approved by Annoto as well? Hope I'm wrong...

--
Kuang Chen | 陈旷