Method and apparatus for digitally capturing handwritten notes

Abstract

The note capture device enables a user of any type of image capture device to enjoy the advantages of handwritten notes while having access to the power and flexibility offered by standalone as well as networked computing devices for information storage, retrieval, modification, and communication. The major elements of the note capture device are a housing which contains preferably an electromagnetic digitizer tablet, a small notepad such as a Post-it® Notes product or a small paper pad overlying the region of the housing that contains the digitizer tablet, a pen that works in conjunction with the electromagnetic digitizer tablet in the housing, and a wireless or wired connection to a host computer. The notepad has a removable paper writing surface and the pen includes an inked tip of any desired type so that the user experiences a comfortable and familiar feel of pen/pencil on paper as he or she writes on the notepad. The host computer runs an image capture application that captures the pen strokes from the note capture devices and displays them on the screen in a virtual note. The image capture application also is able to post virtual notes on documents created by other programs, including word processors and memoboard applications, and to create note files. The notes are available to the user or may be shared with other users.