IO Digital Pen

I recently made a presentation at the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities annual convention. While there I visited with a few vendors. A representative from DARS was there to show the assistive technology they keep on hand to lend to clients to try out before they buy. I was particularly impressed by the IO Digital Pen by Logitech.

I usually don’t do product reviews but I found the IO Digital Pen product very innovative and potentially extremely helpful. It is made by Logeitech who either don’t really want to sell their products or simply don’t know how to make a web page. The IO Pen was amazing and I wanted more information on it but had to do an inordinate amount of searching to find it. To be fair, the IO may have been replaced by the IO2 but even so, information on that product was difficult to find.

What It Does

Here’s what it does according to Amazon.com (Logeitech doesn’t want to sell it or they would have listed it on their web page): “The IO Personal Digital Pen transforms handwritten notes into computer readable files, including text, tables, and drawings. It recognizes natural handwriting, numerous geometrical forms, arrow and tables. Write or draw on special digital paper and your words and images are both inked on the paper and stored in the pen's memory. To transfer these handwritten documents to your PC, place the pen in its cradle and download them. Then, easily share, store, organize, and retrieve them. The Logitech IO digital pen looks and feels just like an ordinary ballpoint pen and you use it in the same way. There are no keys to press and no display. You activate the pen simply by removing the cap and deactivate it by replacing the cap. Then you write on digital paper the same way you write on regular paper. The main parts of the digital pen are a digital camera, an advanced image-processing unit, and a communication unit. It also contains an ink cartridge so that you can always see what you have written or drawn. When using digital pen and paper, a tiny camera in the pen registers the pen's movement across the grid surface on the paper and stores it as series of map coordinates. These coordinates correspond to the exact location of the page you're writing on.”

What I Saw

Here’s what I saw. A gentleman wrote a few notes and drew a few shapes on a paper note tablet. The tablet appeared as any other to the naked eye but in reality it was made especially for use with this IO Pen and had a nearly invisible grid imprinted on it, used by the IO Pen for reference. He placed the pen back in its docking station and, as if by magic, his written words and shapes appeared on the computer.

This product has phenomenal implications. Let’s suppose you are in geometry class, taking notes. You want to put your notes in your laptop computer but can’t sketch geometric designs on the computer. You simply draw on a note tablet and it is later transferred to your laptop. Do the same in chemistry, physics or even music class where there is pervasive use of symbols. Don’t worry if your drawings are imperfect - the IO Pen will make them look perfect when transferred to your computer. The IO Pen makes it easier to read and share your work with others.

I can see someone, with dexterity limitations, using this in every class. It is not only great for persons with disabilities, it is highly utilitarian for all students. I could also see folks with and without disabilities using this on all sorts of jobs. Even if you could lug around a heavy, bulky laptop everywhere you go, who would want to? The paper tablet is so much more convenient. This is sure to make fellow students or employees jealous.

Still have some doubt? Well, if you live in Texas you’ll be able to borrow it for up to 3 weeks from the DARS Rehabilitation Technology Resource Center. The RTRC can also provide information about jobsite or home modifications. They can even provide information about vehicle modifications.

If you need more information about assistive technology you might try the Texas Center for Disability Studies ( http://tatp.edb.utexas.edu) at the University of Texas. You can call them at (512) 232-0740 or toll-free (800) 828-7839  • TTY (512) 232-0762 e-mail: txcds@uttcds.org.

About the author

Gene Rodgers Photo Gene Rodgers has been a quadriplegic since age 17. Since then he has earned several college degrees, worked in several states, earned a Switzer Fellowship, and now works as a private contractor.

Do you have a question about employment and disability? Send your question to grodgers@austin.rr.com and put “DLRP JOBS” in the subject line.