How often have you had to multitask? Read, understand and at the same time take important notes. If you are a teacher or a student or someone in a similar line of work, then this kind of thing happens often, doesn’t it?
Let’s assess the situation from the perspective of a teacher. Suppose you are the teacher here and you need to make a presentation tomorrow. You have read everything about the subject material, and you know how you are going to present it, but you do not know what you are going to present. You want a solution such that even after the presentation, it can help your students. One such solution could be to make handwritten notes while you are making the presentation.
But to give those notes to your student, you would have to either photocopy those notes which would cost a lot of money if you have a huge class, or distribute them digitally, you would either need to scan them using a scanner or take a picture.
But what if there was another way around it? what if you could make a digital copy as you are writing your notes? It would be really helpful. The moment you finish writing your notes, you can just upload your document in the handwritten format a .doc or .pdf. You can use those notes in your presentation or as handouts. It really does save a lot of time and money.
There are many situations we encounter in our daily lives which require such solutions. It can all be solved by a Smart Note Taker.
What is Smart Note Taker?
This is a term we have heard many times, right? It can either be an app on your smartphone device or an easy-to-use notepad. You can go on Amazon and search for a ‘smart note taker’, and you would get results showing a notepad and a pen. How generic.
The smart note-taker is more of a pen. It can be used to take notes by just moving your hands in the air. Any move you make is recorded. The chip in the specially designed pen remembers the strokes and then when it is connected to an interface, say a computer, those strokes are reproduced. That’s how simple it actually is. There are many ways this could work. For instance, you can use it to take notes on your smartphone, computer or on your Kindle.
A similar feature is available in many smartphones today. You can take handwritten notes using either the stylus or your fingers.
Construction of Smart Note Taker
It might seem simple on the outside. But under the hood, there’s a lot going on. The pen-like thing that is being used to write those notes contains a displacement sensor. This helps in activating the pen only when you move it. It contains a parallel cable for connectivity and uses a converter that converts data from an analog format to a digital format.
Analogue to Digital?
We are trying to explain the whole thing in layman’s terms. So it’s reasonable to explain the differences between the two formats and why the conversion needs to take place.
Analog data is a form of continuous data. It comes from different sources, primarily sensors. This kind of input is not easy for the computer to understand. So it needs to convert to pulses that correspond to 0s and 1s. This is how the computer understands the input.
At its core, the smart note-taker is really an electronic pen. It takes notes just the way you would on a notepad. The only difference is that you can take notes digitally. The pen has a small memory unit that records your strokes and batteries which help it run without being connected to a power source. It also has a USB cable to help you connect it to an interface.
How Does a Smart Note Taker Work?
When you start using a smart note-taker, you first need to install the device driver software on your computer. Without this, the smart note-taker is just a ballpoint pen. After establishing a connection, start moving the pen. It starts to record your movements.
After you complete writing, just place the pen back into the cradle. It will automatically connect over the internet and start deciphering what you just wrote. After this is complete the computer receives it and shows it on the screen.
The connection over the internet is through a secure channel so that no one can corrupt your data. It might seem here that the use of the internet can be a hassle. But in this age of the Internet of Things, you can find network connectivity anywhere, anytime.
Application of Smart Note Taker
There are many applications of a smart note-taker. The previous example involving a teacher was just a cliché. There are many ways this device can help improve user experience. One of the best examples or use cases of this device is in the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning or NPTEL learning videos. In these videos, the teacher explains the topic by scribbling on a piece of paper, and his strokes convert and appear on the screen.
A smart note-taker is also a good tool for taking signatures. Suppose you need to take a lot of signatures. They need to be digitally recorded. Scanning each and every signature might not be a good option here. You can just have the person who is signing in use one of these smart note-taker devices. You can come up with other innovative ways to utilize this gadget and help change conventional methods.
The smart note-taking concept limits touchscreen smartphones and uses an attractive new feature. The smart note taker takes the thing to a different level. It is not exactly something very new. The use of the device in NPTEL videos has been well-documented. It’s the lack of a proper medium to spread the news about such a device that has caused it to be neglected and overshadowed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Smart Note Take
- What are the benefits of using a Smart Note Taker?
The benefits of using a Smart Note Taker include the ability to quickly and easily digitize handwritten notes, organize them, and share them with others. It is also useful for people who prefer taking notes by hand but want to have a digital copy for backup purposes. - Can I use any paper with a Smart Note Taker?
No, a Smart Note Taker requires special paper or surfaces that are compatible with the device. These papers typically have small dots or lines that help the pen’s sensors track its movement. - How do I transfer my notes from the Smart Note Taker to my computer or mobile device?
The notes can be transferred to a computer or mobile device using a USB cable or by connecting the Smart Note Taker to a wireless network. Some devices also have built-in Bluetooth connectivity for wireless transfer. - How long does the battery last in a Smart Note Taker?
The battery life of a Smart Note Taker can vary depending on the model and usage. Some devices can last for several weeks or even months on a single charge. - Can I edit my notes after digitizing them with a Smart Note Taker?
Yes, once your notes are in digital format, you can edit them using a variety of software tools, such as Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. This allows you to easily correct errors, add annotations, or make other changes to your notes.