SmartQuill is slightly larger than an ordinary fountain pen. Users can enter information into these applications by pushing a button on the pen and writing down what they would like to enter .The SmartQuill does not need a screen to work. The really clever bit of the technology is its ability to read handwriting not only on paper but on any flat surface – horizontal or vertical. There is also a small three-line screen to read the information stored in the pen; users can scroll down the screen by tilting the pen slightly. The user trains the pen to recognize a particular handwriting style - no matter how messy it is, as long as it is consistent, the pen can recognize it. The handwritten notes are stored on hard disk of the pen. The pen is then plugged into an electronic "inkwell" ,text data is transmitted to a desktop computer, printer, or modem or to a mobile telephone to send files electronically. Up to 10 pages of notes can be stored locally on the pen . A tiny light at the tip allows writing in the dark.When the pen is kept idle for some time ,power gets automatically off.

FEATURES

 Display technology used in SmartQuill

 Handwriting recognition and signature verification

 Display scrolls using tilt sensors

 Communication with other devices

 Memory and power

DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY

 Technology used in SmartQuill for display is Kopin Corp’s Cyber Display technology. Cyber Display is a ¼ inch diagonal LCD that uses circuitry built on a silicon wafer, then removed and mounted to glass. The displays are integrated to miniature monitors using its own backlighting, optics, ICS and packaging.

HANDWRITING RECOGNITION AND SIGNATURE VERIFICATION

Accelerometers measure hand movement in 2 or 3 planes

• On board DSP converts to ASCII characters for pen applications

• Write on paper, flat surface, vertical wall or in air

• Single character recognition on pen

• Record cursive letters and download to PC for decoding

• Password by signature recognition

SmartQuill works by measuring the pen's movements and matching them to the movements that produce letters and words programmed into its memory. It's similar to the way a microphone detects sound. Consistency of handwriting, rather than neatness, is the only condition for accuracy.

There are 2 techniques used for this purpose :-

1. Accelerometer technology

2. Handwriting recognition software

CONCLUSION

The estimated cost of this futuristic pen is around $200.SmartQuill supports two factors: small size and convenient use. The future of SmartQuill ensures all computation power the user needs right inside the pen. Reducing the size of handheld computers can only be taken so far before they become unusable. Keyboards become so tiny you require needle-like fingers to operate them and screens that need constant cursor controls to read simple text. The introduction of SmartQuill is the best solution for this problem.