Pen computing uses a stylus or light pen instead of a keyboard and mouse for input. It includes PDAs, mobile devices, touch screen devices, pen scanners, and graphics tablets. Gesture recognition and handwriting recognition are used for input. Older systems used light pens for CRT monitors. Modern devices have simpler user interfaces and practical applications.
Pen computing refers to computers that use a light pen or stylus instead of a keyboard and mouse for primary input. Common pen computers include personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile devices such as cell phones, wireless tablet PCs and GPS receivers, and other touch screen devices. The touch screen uses gesture recognition or handwriting recognition to transmit the clicked item or information written on the screen to the computer.
Gesture recognition is used to identify input to execute a command, while handwriting recognition is used to translate handwritten input into digital text. Users can write using normal characters or, in some cases, special recognizable characters. In some cases, determining whether a character is used as text or a command is based on where the character is entered. For example, in an operating system, the design of a “B” might refer to the letter, bold text, or alternating borders, depending on the use and placement of the font.
While pen computing commonly refers to the movement of a stylus or pen directly across a computer’s touch screen, computers can also receive pen computing data from pen scanners and graphics tablets. A pen scanner is used by swiping a pen over printed text. Text is scanned into your computer and converted into usable text using optical character recognition (OCR) software. Another common pen-based system is a graphics tablet, typically used by graphic designers. In this setup, the user draws with pen on a tablet or digitizer and the input is converted into a digital drawing using graphics software.
Older pen computing systems used light pens intended for cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors. This method, while very accurate, required the user to hold the pen close to the monitor and was uncomfortable for long periods, causing muscle pain and fatigue. Light pen technology is still used in some retail and industrial environments that do not require the user to hold the pen on the screen for extended periods of time.
Pen computing has evolved and become more user-friendly over the years. Some early devices were plagued by hard-to-learn proprietary symbols that were used to refer to alphanumeric characters, and by buggy handwriting recognition software. Other devices were created with a limited range of available software, which prevented them from being embraced by mainstream audiences. Modern pen computing devices, such as touch screen phones and GPS units, have become more widely used as they have developed practical applications and simpler, more effective user interfaces.
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