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'''Anoto Group [[Aktiebolag|AB]]''' (former C Technologies) ({{OMX|SSE5110|ANOT}}) is a Swedish technology company developing and licensing a product line of ''[[digital pen]]s'' and a product suite to manage information procurement utilizing these (marketed as Anoto). Anoto Group is listed on the [[Stockholm Stock Exchange]]. |
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==Background== |
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==Product== |
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Anoto Group is a Swedish technology firm. The company’s business concept may be summed up as ’connecting pen and paper to the digital world’ – in other words, enabling the processing of handwritten text. Anoto’s solutions are used in different sectors such as healthcare, banking & finance, transport & logistics, and education. |
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Anoto's main product is the Anoto Digital Pen, a combination of ordinary [[pen|ink pen]] and a digital camera (as well as supporting hardware) designed to digitally record everything written with the pen. The pen works by recognizing a special non-repeating dot pattern that is printed on the paper. The non-repeating nature of the pattern means that the pen is able to determine which page is being written upon, and where on the page the pen is. |
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The dot pattern can be printed on a professional offset printing press, or on a laser printer. Dots are printed in black; other colors of ink are invisible to the pen's IR sensor. On a laser printer, CMY can be mixed to produce near-black for text or other marks that are [[human-readable]]. For offset printing, Anoto has developed a color of ink, "Anoto substitute black." Anoto substitute black is a non-carbon based black ink that is invisible in the IR region, allowing you to include human-readable black marks with the dot pattern without interference. |
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It all started in 1996, when the Swede Christer Fåhraeus was writing his doctorate and envisioned a high-tech pen that could get paperwork done more efficiently. During the decade that followed, the concept was transformed into the world’s first digital pen as well as the global de facto standard for digital pen and paper technology. |
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Anoto Group was founded as C Technologies in 1996 to realize the Swede’s technological idea. Then in 1999, after several key mergers and partnerships had been formed, Anoto Group was established. In 2000, Anoto Group AB was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, where it still remains quoted on the Small Cap list of the OMX Nordic Exchange in Stockholm under the ticker ANOT. |
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While some of Anoto's licensees have targeted the consumer sector, most licensees sell their products to solution providers who put together customized vertical market systems. Anoto does not sell anything but the software development kit themselves. The pens and paper are all licensed to partners who sell them under their own brand. Anoto also sells an ASIC design for the image processing component of the pen; most pen vendors use the same basic design of optical assembly and pen internals. |
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Anoto has around 110 employees, offices in Lund (head office), Boston and Tokyo. The company operates through partners in the Americas, Europe, South Africa, Australia and Asia-Pacific. Western Europe, Japan and the United States are the single largest geographical markets. |
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These pens are used in [[optical scan voting system]]s in [[Germany]].<ref>[http://fee.iavoss.org/2006/papers/fee-2006-iavoss-New-Generation-of-Voting-Machines-in-Germany.pdf New Generation of Voting Machines in Germany]</ref> |
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Models include: |
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==Application areas== |
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* [[Ericsson]] [http://www.sonyericsson.com/spg.jsp?cc=global&lc=en&ver=4001&template=pp4_1_1&zone=pp&lm=pp4_1&pid=9753 Chatpen CHA-30] (discontinued) |
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Anoto’s organization is divided into three application areas: Anoto Products, Technology & Licensing and Imaging Technology. |
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* [[Nokia]] [http://www.nokiausa.com/nokia_accessories/item_details/1,2305,product:SU-1B,00.html SU-1B Digital Pen] (discontinued) |
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* Nokia [http://www.nokia-asia.com/nokia/0,,94998,00.html SU-27W] (successor to SU-1B, [[rebrand]]ed Logitech io2[http://discussions.europe.nokia.com/discussions/board/message?board.id=accessories&message.id=1362]) |
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* [[Logitech]] [http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?PAGE=products/features/digitalwriting io2 Digital Pen] |
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* Logitech io Digital Pen (earlier version, discontinued) |
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* [[Maxell]] [http://www.maxell.co.jp/e/products/industrial/digitalpen/index.html Digital Pen] (an earlier version might have been discontinued) |
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* [[Hewlett-Packard]] Digital Pen 200 (discontinued) ([[rebrand]]ed Logitech) |
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* Hewlett-Packard Digital Pen 250 |
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*[[Fly (pentop computer)]] |
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* [[Livescribe]] Pulse Smartpen |
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==C-Pen== |
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====Anoto Products==== |
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Anoto also develops and sells the product [[C-Pen]], a one-line text scanner. |
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Anoto Products focuses on systems, products and services, primarily in the field of forms processing. Anoto employs an indirect business model and markets its products through partners, such as system integrators, software developers and IT consulting firms, all of which offer customized solutions with Anoto Digital Pen and Paper technology to their corporate customers |
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and field users. The basis of this offering is the digital pen, which Anoto controls and sells since the acquisition |
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of the Hitachi Maxell Digital pen division, together with the former Anoto Forms’ solution platform. |
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==Patents== |
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Anoto Forms Solution is Anoto’s packaged solution including all components |
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Anoto holds several international patents on their technology. |
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required to set up and use digital pen and paper in order to capture, transfer and incorporate handwritten information from paper forms into any back-end system. |
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In 2004, Anoto prevailed in a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Oral Sekendur |
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Anoto Boxed Products: |
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<ref> |
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Anoto penPresenter is a personal digital whiteboard. By projecting a blank PowerPoint slide, a personal digital whiteboard is created. PowerPoint presentations turn interactive by writing on the slides during a presentation. Anoto penDocuments is an entry-level product allowing the user to create electronic copies of handwritten documents. The product digitally captures handwriting while writing. These boxed products are marketed through other sales and distribution channels than other Anoto products. |
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{{cite news |
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| title =Patent containing mere germ of an idea invalid for lack of enablement. |
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| publisher =Colorado Bar Association, Intellectual Property Newsletter |
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| date =2004-11-19 |
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| url = http://www.cobar.org/docs/nov2004newsIP.pdf?ID=1515 |
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| accessdate = 2008-08-23 }}</ref> |
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<ref> |
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{{cite news |
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| last =Schmetterer |
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| first = The Honorable Jack |
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| title =In re Oral F. Sekendur |
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| publisher =United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Illinois |
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| date =2005-12-15 |
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| url = http://www.ilnb.uscourts.gov/opinions/JudgeSchmetterer/Sekendur_Reconsideration.pdf |
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| accessdate = 2008-08-23 }}</ref> |
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regarding the Anoto pattern technology. The Sekendur patent |
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<ref> |
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{{cite news |
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| last=Skendur |
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| first=Oral F. |
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| title =Optical position determination |
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| publisher =United States Patent 5,477,012 |
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| date =1995-12-19 |
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| url = http://users.erols.com/rwservices/pens/biblio95.html#Sekendur95 |
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| accessdate = 2008-08-23 }}</ref> was held to be invalid. |
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==References== |
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C Technologies: |
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{{reflist}} |
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C Technologies develops and markets the C-Pen, which scans and recognizes printed text for further internal processing or transmission to a computer. The two most common areas of use are electronic payment systems and generic capture, |
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<!--This article uses the Cite.php citation mechanism. If you would like more information on how to add references to this article, please see http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cite/Cite.php --> |
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recognition and transmission of text. Linguistic applications for the consumer market have also been developed and the first version of C Dictionary was launched in mid-2008. The C-Pen is sold through both retail outlets and directly to businesses using the OEM model. |
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<div class="references-small"><references/></div> |
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====Technology & Licensing==== |
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Technology & Licensing develops and sells digital pen technology and digital pens on an OEM basis. The customers develop their own product offers based on the technology components and pens provided by Anoto. Examples of customer products are learning toys, educational tools, visual communication equipment and personal productivity solutions. Several of these products are interactive, enabling real-time audio or visual feedback while writing or when touching interactive areas. |
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==External links == |
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Currently Anoto has two customers that develop their own pens using technology components from Anoto, LeapFrog and Livescribe, both based in the United States. During 2008 LeapFrog launched the Tag Reading System, a touch-and-talk reading system for children, while Livescribe launched the Pulse smartpen that links audio to what you write. Both products have built-in audio capabilities, enabling real-time audio feedback from paper. During 2009 LeapFrog will expand |
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* Signer, Beat: ''Fundamental Concepts for Interactive Paper and Cross-Media Information Spaces'', May 2008, Hardcover, 276 pages, ISBN 3837027139 (10), ISBN 978-3-8370-2713-6 (13) |
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their Anoto based product portfolio and launch Tag Junior for toddlers. |
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*{{cite news |title= Electronic voting 'world first' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/5385086.stm |publisher= BBC News |date= 2006-09-27 |accessdate= 2006-11-21}} |
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*{{cite news |title= DigiPens Search for Write Market |
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In 2008 Anoto finalized the development of the new pen, DP301, which streams data in real-time to computers and mobile phones. DP301 is offered to customers on an OEM basis and is also included in Anoto penPresenter. |
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|url=http://www.wired.com/news/gizmos/0,1452,56951,00.html|publisher=Wired News | first= Michael |last= Stroud |date= 2002-12-22 |accessdate= 2006-11-21}} |
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During 2008, a number of partners launched new products based on the Anoto technology. |
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Groupe Hamelin launched Papershow, an interactive paper digital writing product which enables people to project handwritten notes directly on the screen during meetings. DNP started commercial sales of its interactive classroom product OpenNOTE to Japanese schools in November 2008. |
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Anoto signed an agreement with PolyVision in 2008. PolyVision launched the ēno™, a new interactive whiteboard in January 2009. ēno™ by PolyVision is the first result of applying Anoto’s pattern technology in the area of visual communication products, such as whiteboards and flipcharts. |
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====Imaging Technology==== |
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Imaging Technology develops and markets basic Anoto technology, such as ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) and IP blocks. It supplies and licenses imaging technology modules, components and function blocks for integration with customer products or components, including mobile phones, accessories and components. |
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== Anoto Digital Pen and Paper technology – how it works == |
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====The paper==== |
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All types of ordinary paper can take advantage of Anoto Digital Pen and Paper technology. To make the paper digitally legible a patent-protected dot pattern from Anoto is added before printout. |
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=====The pattern===== |
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Almost invisible to the naked eye, the Anoto pattern consists of numerous small black dots that can be read by a digital pen. The pattern indicates the exact positions of the digital pen. What’s more, the pattern on each paper has a unique identity so that each page can be kept separate from another. |
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====The pen==== |
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=====From ink to digital data===== |
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A digital pen looks and feels like using its normal ballpoint counterparts. However, it contains an integrated digital camera, an advanced image microprocessor and a mobile communications device for wireless connection. When using a digital pen you capture, store and then securely send the handwriting. Here’s how digital pens convert and transfer ink to digital data. |
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=====What happens when you’re writing===== |
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When writing, digital snapshots of the pattern on the paper are automatically taken (in fact, more than 50 pictures per second). Every snapshot contains enough data to determine the exact position of the pen and what it writes or draws, including the time each pen stroke was made as well as which particular paper form was written on. All this data is then retained in the pen’s memory as a series of coordinates. The pen can store up to 50 full A4/Letter size pages of handwritten data. |
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====Transfer data from pen==== |
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=====Send data for digital processing===== |
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The digital pen user transfers data after it has been temporarily stored in the pen, either: |
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* Wirelessly: by ticking a box on the paper, interpreted by the pen as a “send” command, the pen will use Bluetooth® to instantly send data via a mobile phone |
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* Via a USB port: pens connect to any PC |
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Sent data is in proprietary Anoto PGC format and can either be handled locally or routed to the application server associated with that specific paper form for further processing. |
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=====Digitizing handwritten information===== |
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The application receiving the PGC data extracts all information using an Application Programming Interface (API). The APIs are available both for PC and server environments. The pen data includes all information about the pen strokes written on the page, including: |
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* The location (coordinates for each pen camera picture taken by the pen) |
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* The exact time when they were written |
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* Who wrote them |
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* The identity of the paper form and of the specific pages |
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Data may be exported in any preferred format to suit the recipient system. Typically, data may be exported as a picture (for example, in .GIF format) but most often it needs to be translated into letters and digits by character recognition software. This requires, for example, an .XML file as an input. Finally, data can be integrated into the enterprise's back-end system for further processing. |
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====Forms processing==== |
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=====Information capture===== |
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Be it text, an illustration or a check in a box, the digital pen automatically captures all handwritten information as you write. In addition to your writing, a time stamp is added to every stroke. Plus, data is included that identifies which pen was used as well as the exact paper form and page. Some even attach pictures or gps coordinates from the mobile phone before sending the information. |
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=====Data optimization===== |
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At the receiving point, completed forms are based on form-id and can be routed to the corresponding application for processing. Handwritten text will be automatically converted into electronic form. If any uncertainty or data doesn’t comply with the business rules an operator corrects the error or sends the information back to the user in real time for validation. |
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=====Data integration===== |
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The last step is to integrate the data into the enterprise’s document and data flow. The data can be exported in any format (.XML, .GIF, etc) to suit the recipient's back office system (ERP, CRM or any other system). |
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==External links == |
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* Anoto web site http://www.anoto.com |
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[[Category:Companies of Sweden]] |
[[Category:Companies of Sweden]] |
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[[Category:Computing input devices]] |
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[[Category:Computer peripheral companies]] |
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{{Sweden-company-stub}} |
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[[sv:Anoto]] |
[[sv:Anoto]] |
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Revision as of 15:13, 21 July 2009
Anoto Group AB (former C Technologies) (Nasdaq Stockholm: ANOT) is a Swedish technology company developing and licensing a product line of digital pens and a product suite to manage information procurement utilizing these (marketed as Anoto). Anoto Group is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
Product
Anoto's main product is the Anoto Digital Pen, a combination of ordinary ink pen and a digital camera (as well as supporting hardware) designed to digitally record everything written with the pen. The pen works by recognizing a special non-repeating dot pattern that is printed on the paper. The non-repeating nature of the pattern means that the pen is able to determine which page is being written upon, and where on the page the pen is.
The dot pattern can be printed on a professional offset printing press, or on a laser printer. Dots are printed in black; other colors of ink are invisible to the pen's IR sensor. On a laser printer, CMY can be mixed to produce near-black for text or other marks that are human-readable. For offset printing, Anoto has developed a color of ink, "Anoto substitute black." Anoto substitute black is a non-carbon based black ink that is invisible in the IR region, allowing you to include human-readable black marks with the dot pattern without interference.
While some of Anoto's licensees have targeted the consumer sector, most licensees sell their products to solution providers who put together customized vertical market systems. Anoto does not sell anything but the software development kit themselves. The pens and paper are all licensed to partners who sell them under their own brand. Anoto also sells an ASIC design for the image processing component of the pen; most pen vendors use the same basic design of optical assembly and pen internals.
These pens are used in optical scan voting systems in Germany.[1]
Models include:
- Ericsson Chatpen CHA-30 (discontinued)
- Nokia SU-1B Digital Pen (discontinued)
- Nokia SU-27W (successor to SU-1B, rebranded Logitech io2[1])
- Logitech io2 Digital Pen
- Logitech io Digital Pen (earlier version, discontinued)
- Maxell Digital Pen (an earlier version might have been discontinued)
- Hewlett-Packard Digital Pen 200 (discontinued) (rebranded Logitech)
- Hewlett-Packard Digital Pen 250
- Fly (pentop computer)
- Livescribe Pulse Smartpen
C-Pen
Anoto also develops and sells the product C-Pen, a one-line text scanner.
Patents
Anoto holds several international patents on their technology.
In 2004, Anoto prevailed in a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Oral Sekendur [2] [3] regarding the Anoto pattern technology. The Sekendur patent [4] was held to be invalid.
References
- ^ New Generation of Voting Machines in Germany
- ^ "Patent containing mere germ of an idea invalid for lack of enablement" (PDF). Colorado Bar Association, Intellectual Property Newsletter. 2004-11-19. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
- ^ Schmetterer, The Honorable Jack (2005-12-15). "In re Oral F. Sekendur" (PDF). United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Illinois. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
- ^ Skendur, Oral F. (1995-12-19). "Optical position determination". United States Patent 5,477,012. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
External links
- Signer, Beat: Fundamental Concepts for Interactive Paper and Cross-Media Information Spaces, May 2008, Hardcover, 276 pages, ISBN 3837027139 (10), ISBN 978-3-8370-2713-6 (13)
- "Electronic voting 'world first'". BBC News. 2006-09-27. Retrieved 2006-11-21.
- Stroud, Michael (2002-12-22). "DigiPens Search for Write Market". Wired News. Retrieved 2006-11-21.
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