One capability that I look forward to is the ability to mark up PDF files - not just any PDF files, but those that originate as paper. When I am in my office, I use my HP Digital Sender to take a stack of documents and scan them into PDF files so that I can work with them in digital form. However, when I'm out and about, with a Tablet PC, I will need another way to quickly capture paper documents into PDF so that I can edit them.
The options that I am considering will include a hybrid of hardware and software, hardware to capture and software to edit. The capture side has my attention right now. I'm presently considering two solutions: a portable scanner and a digital camera. Let's look at the benefits of each.
Portable Scanner
Pros
- High resolution scanning
- Suitable for OCR (for PDF+Text applications)
- External device, cables, adapters
- Additional steps to capture
Pros
- Easy to use
- Much faster than a scanner
- More expensive than scanner
- Difficult to align for text capture
- Images not suitable for OCR
- External device, cables, adapters
- Additional steps to capture
I'm not asking for much. Once I see a Tablet PC with a built-in scanner and camera, I plan to ask for a built-in micro laser printer - don't laugh; it will happen. Right now, I'll settle for a fast and reliable mobile paper capture tool.
I'm certain that someone has thought through all of this long before me. Who will build it first? (Toshiba? Fujitsu? Anyone?)
While I wait for an integrated solution, I plan to explore solutions that I can create using off-the-shelf technology. I'll keep you posted.
Do you have a solution for real-time mobile import of paper documents into a Tablet PC?
Post a comment.
Discussion/Comments (8):
Eric,
I have the same requirement. My solution is a small Canon flat bed scanner,a CanoScan N1240U, that is approximately the same size as a tablet PC, weighs about 3.5 lbs, and draws its power from the USB 2.0 port.
It's not a speed demon but it produces decent scans that work well in OCR software.
Posted at 04/06/2005 4:24:31 by Steve New
Steve, I have the Canoscan N1220U and it works great. It's light, inexpensive, and I can slip it inside my briefcase. At this time, this will be my hardware solution, at least until I find something better. Ideally I would like something a little less obvious, particularly if I want to scan a page during a business meeting.
Thanks for the input!
Eric
Posted at 04/06/2005 10:28:09 by Eric Mack
While they do have their limitations, the sheetfed scanners from Visioneer have always been very good. See { Link } for more information. PaperPort is also included, which is a boon for annotating documents both on and off a Tablet PC.
Posted at 04/07/2005 10:37:40 by Sergio
One option: Visioneer Strobe XP 300 mobile scanner with Paperport 9.0 will allow me to quickly capture a single-page document and bring it in as a PDF file.
{ Link }
Posted at 04/07/2005 12:17:30 by Eric Mack
I use a Visioneer Strobe XP 100 with my tabletpc, and have been very happy with the solution. It's very small and light-- you don't even notice it in your bag.
I haven't tried the latest generation of these devices, but I can only assume that they've improved.
Posted at 04/16/2005 15:47:15 by Joseph R. Jones
One great way I have found to get paper into my Tablet is to use a low cost/free online fax service like efax or call wave. You can use any available fax and send the doc to your Tablet in PDF format
Posted at 04/23/2005 8:57:18 by John
Can you recieve a fax on your tablet, digitally sign it, then send it back?
Posted at 02/10/2008 22:31:37 by Damian Szostak
Yes, as long as your fax image viewer supports digital ink.
Posted at 02/11/2008 1:22:21 by Eric Mack
Discussion for this entry is now closed.