Digital Pen

Introduction

Digital pens look, and work, in the same way as a regular ball-point pen. The big difference is that the information written to the page can be transferred directly to a computer. A Digital Pen can hold approximately 40-50 pages of information. This information is held as a number of image and binary files, which can be transferred from the pen to a computer as required.

Data from the digital pen can be transferred to the computer by either - placing the pen in a 'docking' station attached to a computer, via email (i.e. using a mobile phone), or by Bluetooth technology.

Dhp11 Ltd have developed a number of applications allowing information from a Digital Pen to be displayed within a Microstation Design file.

Described below is one of these digital pen applications used to record the condition of Joint information within an electricity network.

Digital Pen - Overview

The dhp11 digital pen Joint Condition application was developed to show how information could be gathered from the 'real world' and 'imported' into Microstation. Once within Microstation the data can be used to identify, update and report on graphical features within an existing Microstation drawing - these features have been identified in the 'real world' using the digital pen.

image/right external:http://www.dhp11.com/site04/product/digitalpen/images/showplot1sm.png? The application allows the user to navigate to a specific map area where a survey of Joint's needs to be carried out.

The system allows a paper plot to be created for the required area of map. The plotted map will show the background map and a number of electric Joint features that need to be reported on. The plot border contains information allowing the operator to identify an electric Joint within the map, and report on the condition of that Joint.

Once printed - the 'hardcopy' paper plot can then be taken out and used 'on-site' to report on the 'real world' condition of the Joint features displayed on the plot.

When complete the information gathered by the digital pen can then be transferred to a computer located back in the office by using one of the transfer methods available (i.e. email, bluetooth, or 'docking' station).

The dhp11 system allows the data from the digital pen to be imported into a Microstation design file.

Using the dhp11 system, along with data provided by the digital pen, it is possible to update and report on individual features within an existing Microstation design file. Individual features identified on-site by the digital pen, can be located and updated automatically.

The image shown opposite is information that has been 'imported' (using dhp11 software) from a digital pen. The plot border shown is an image of the 'hardcopy' paper plot. The white lines shown are the 'pen strokes' drawn on the 'hardcopy' paper plot by a user 'on-site' using a digital pen.


image/left external:http://www.dhp11.com/site04/product/digitalpen/images/jointcondsm.png?
Finally an XML report can be created, and displayed within an Internet browser (i.e. Explorer, Mozilla etc...)

The information shown in the image opposite contains information relating to the x/y 'real world' position of the Joint features, aswell as their reported 'Joint Condition' and their 'fileposition' within the Microstation design file.

Digital Pen - Conclusion

The application described above is just one example of how digital pen's can be used to gather information - which can then be imported into Microstation to produce design file drawings, or used by other 'customised' applications etc...

Using the dhp11 applications it is possible for your handwritten notes, sketches, drawings to appear in MicroStation and be saved as design files.

Using customised forms on the digital paper the pens can be used alongside your existing MicroStation design files and also as a data entry tool to pick items on lists or tick boxes.

You can draw in different colours by picking them from a colour palette, even the line weight can be controlled by how hard you press the pen - gentle pressure is all that is required.

If you require any more information, or are interested in seeing a 'demo' of any of dhp11 digital pen products please feel free to contact us by telephone (0114 2899393) or email (sales@dhp11.com)