Digital Pen Technology Research Articles

P‐79: A Study of Prediction Model for Active Pen Coordinate Based on Machine Learning Algorithm

Among digital pen technologies, Active Pen has the advantage of no additional price increase in functional implementation because it commonly uses capacitance touch sensors. However, since sensors designed for finger recognition purposes are used, coordinate accuracy is relatively low compared to digital pen technology that uses dedicated sensors. Therefore, in order to overcome these limitations, this paper studies the Active Pen position prediction algorithm by applying machine learning techniques. The R2 of the model derived in this study was about 0.999, and the RMSE of the predicted position was calculated to be about 10um.

Adoption of Digital Pen and Paper Technology (DPP) in Biomedical Technology

Adoption of Digital Pen and Paper Technology (DPP) in Biomedical Technology

Intra‐individual variability in processed EEG (bispectral index monitor) under general anesthesia predicts postoperative cognitive change after total knee arthroplasty

AbstractBackgroundPrevious research shows 1) clock drawing performance slows for older adults after total knee arthroplasty (TKA; Hizel et al., 2018), and 2) brain‐behavioral associations with intra‐individual variability on an EEG‐derived index during TKA (Hernaiz et al., 2019). The current study expanded upon these findings by examining how preoperative cognition and intraoperative responses to anesthesia may predict postoperative clock drawing performance. We hypothesized greater intraoperative intra‐individual BIS variability would explain a significant portion of variance in four primary latency measures to command and copy condition at 3‐weeks following surgery.MethodThe final prospectively recruited IRB consented participant sample included 54 non‐demented patients age 60+ receiving TKA under general anesthesia. Consistent with Hernaiz et al., (2019), derived 2‐channel EEG variability was studied from tourniquet inflation to tourniquet release, thereby establishing a consistent period of examination. Intra‐individual variability was calculated as the squared deviation from the mean BIS value over the duration of measurement. Clock drawing to command and copy was recorded with digital pen technology and scored with semiautomatic rater‐guided software (Souillard‐Mandar et al., 2016). Outcome latency variables of interest: 1) total completion time in seconds (TCT), 2) time prior to setting the first hand in seconds (pre‐first hand latency; PFHL), 3) seconds after drawing the clock face to next pen stroke (post‐clock face latency; PCFL).ResultAt 3‐weeks, participants took, on average, six seconds longer to complete the drawing compared to baseline performance, and two seconds longer to set the first clock hand. Correcting for baseline performance, separate hierarchical regressions showed intra‐individual EEG‐derived variability explained an additional 4.3% of variance in postoperative command TCT (F(2,51)=28.301, p<.038, R2=.536, ∆R2=.043), such that those with greater intraoperative BIS variability took longer to complete the drawing to command.ConclusionIn non‐demented older adults undergoing TKA, higher intra‐individual BIS variability significantly contributed to total clock drawing time during the command condition. Command total completion time is sensitive to numerous cognitive domains including processing speed, language, working memory, and declarative memory (Dion et al., 2020). Fluctuations during general anesthesia as recorded on an EEG‐derived index may help explain postoperative slowing during clock drawing at 3‐weeks post‐surgery.

Exploring user experience of digital pen and tablet technology for learning chemistry: applying an activity theory lens

Mobile learning technologies are spreading rapidly in educational institutions throughout the world. Although research findings concerning the efficacy of mobile technologies for improving student outcomes are generally promising, there are still significant gaps in the research literature, particularly data from direct observational studies. This empirical investigation focused on how students made use of tablet devices and digital pens for learning Chemistry in an undergraduate university course. Observational data in the form of videos and static images, as well as, interview responses, were the main sources of data collected for the study. Activity theory was employed as the guiding theoretical framework to analyse and interpret the data. Several themes emerged from the data analyses, including the affordances of digital pen technology for facilitating reflective thinking, flexibility, peer collaboration, emerging learning and focused learning. It was also found that the use of these mobile technologies was contextualized, dependent on individual differences, and had challenges, for example, there was limited synchronicity between the operational design of the mobile devices and natural human movement. One of the main implications of the research is that when higher education institutions consider the potential benefits and challenges associated with mobile technologies they should take account of the interactions that occur between components within a system including, students, technological devices, and emerging learning processes.

Digital pen technology for conducting cognitive assessments: a cross-over study with older adults

Many digitalized cognitive assessments exist to increase reliability, standardization, and objectivity. Particularly in older adults, the performance of digitized cognitive assessments can lead to poorer test results if they are unfamiliar with the computer, mouse, keyboard, or touch screen. In a cross-over design study, 40 older adults (age M = 74.4 ± 4.1 years) conducted the Trail Making Test A and B with a digital pen (digital pen tests, DPT) and a regular pencil (pencil tests, PT) to identify differences in performance. Furthermore, the tests conducted with a digital pen were analyzed manually (manual results, MR) and electronically (electronic results, ER) by an automized system algorithm to determine the possibilities of digital pen evaluation. ICC(2,k) showed a good level of agreement for TMT A (ICC(2,k) = 0.668) and TMT B (ICC(2,k) = 0.734) between PT and DPT. When comparing MR and ER, ICC(2,k) showed an excellent level of agreement in TMT A (ICC(2,k) = 0.999) and TMT B (ICC(2,k) = 0.994). The frequency of pen lifting correlates significantly with the execution time in TMT A (r = 0.372, p = 0.030) and TMT B (r = 0.567, p < 0.001). A digital pen can be used to perform the Trail Making Test, as it has been shown that there is no difference in the results due to the type of pen used. With a digital pen, the advantages of digitized testing can be used without having to accept the disadvantages.

Analysis of Digital Documentation Speed and Sequence Using Digital Paper and Pen Technology During the Refugee Crisis in Europe: Content Analysis.

BackgroundThe Syria crisis has forced more than 4 million people to leave their homeland. As a result, in 2016, an overwhelming number of refugees reached Germany. In response to this, it was of utmost importance to set up refugee camps and to provide humanitarian aid, but a health surveillance system was also implemented in order to obtain rapid information about emerging diseases.ObjectiveThe present study describes the effects of using digital paper and pen (DPP) technology on the speed, sequence, and behavior of epidemiological documentation in a refugee camp.MethodsDPP technology was used to examine documentation speed, sequence, and behavior. The data log of the digital pens used to fill in the documentation was analyzed, and each pen stroke in a field was recorded using a timestamp. Documentation time was the difference between first and last stroke on the paper, which includes clinical examination and translation.ResultsFor three months, 495 data sets were recorded. After corrections had been made, 421 data sets were considered valid and subjected to further analysis. The median documentation time was 41:41 min (interquartile range 29:54 min; mean 45:02 min; SD 22:28 min). The documentation of vital signs ended up having the strongest effect on the overall time of documentation. Furthermore, filling in the free-text field clinical findings or therapy or measures required the most time (mean 16:49 min; SD 20:32 min). Analysis of the documentation sequence revealed that the final step of coding the diagnosis was a time-consuming step that took place once the form had been completed.ConclusionsWe concluded that medical documentation using DPP technology leads to both an increase in documentation speed and data quality through the compliance of the data recorders who regard the tool to be convenient in everyday routine. Further analysis of more data sets will allow optimization of the documentation form used. Thus, DPP technology is an effective tool for the medical documentation process in refugee camps.

Can a telemonitoring system lead to decreased hospitalization in elderly patients?

Introduction Growing populations of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart failure (HF) require more healthcare. A four-year telehealth intervention – the Health Diary system based on digital pen technology – was implemented. We hypothesized that study patients with advanced COPD or HF would have lower rates of hospitalization when using the Health Diary. The aim was to investigate the effects of the intervention on healthcare costs and the number of hospitalizations, as well as other care required in COPD and HF patients. Methods Patients were introduced to the telemonitoring system which was supervised by a specialized hospital-based home care (HBHC) unit. Staff associated with this unit were responsible for the healthcare provided. The study included patients with COPD or HF, aged ≥ 65 years who were frequently hospitalized due to exacerbations – at least two inpatient episodes within the last 12 months. Observed number of hospitalizations and total healthcare costs were compared with the expected values, which were calculated using the generalized estimating equations (GEE) method. Results A total of 36 COPD and 58 HF patients with advanced stages of disease were included. The number of hospitalizations was significantly reduced for both HF and COPD patients participating in telemonitoring. Accordingly, hospitalization costs were significantly reduced for both groups, but the total healthcare cost was not significantly different from the expected costs. Conclusion A telemonitoring system, the Health Diary, combined with a specialized HBHC unit significantly decreases the need for hospital care in elderly patients with advanced HF or COPD without increasing total healthcare costs.

Elderly patients with COPD require more health care than elderly heart failure patients do in a hospital-based home care setting.

BackgroundElderly patients with advanced stages of COPD or chronic heart failure (CHF) often require hospitalization due to exacerbations. We hypothesized that telemonitoring supported by hospital-based home care (HBHC) would detect exacerbations early, thus, reducing the number of hospitalization. We also speculated that patients with advanced COPD or CHF would present differences regarding exacerbation frequency and the need of HBHC.MethodsThe Health Diary system, based on digital pen technology, was employed. Patients aged ≥65 years with ≥2 hospitalizations the previous year were included. Exacerbations were categorized and treated as either COPD or CHF exacerbation by an experienced physician. All HBHC contacts (home visits or telephone consultations) were registered.ResultsNinety-four patients with advanced diseases were enrolled (36 COPD and 58 CHF subjects) of which 53 subjects (19 COPD and 34 CHF subjects) completed the 1-year study period. Death was the major reason for not finalizing the study. Compared to the 1-year prior inclusion, the intervention significantly reduced hospitalization. Although COPD subjects were younger with less comorbidity, exacerbations and HBHC contacts were significantly greater in this group.ConclusionsCOPD subjects exhibit exacerbations more frequently, mainly due to disease characteristics, thus, demanding much more HBHC.

Teaching Note-Taking to Beginners Using a Digital Pen

Teaching consecutive interpreting comprises the teaching of many different skills, inter alia note-taking. Translation scholars such as Gile [1983], Matyssek [1989], Andres [2002] and Gillies [2005] have drafted a plethora of manuals, books and articles that suggest different rules, structures, detailed symbols and abbreviations for note-taking.Teachers of consecutive interpreting face the difficulty of analyzing the students’ notes, giving direct feedback and personal advice at class, often with very limited time at their disposal. Orlando [2010; 2015] suggests using digital pen technology in note-taking training to concentrate on the process of note-taking itself in order to observe improvements and strategies needed to acquire this skill. Thanks to this technology, teachers and students can reflect upon the reasons why students noted in a certain way and used a particular structure.This article sets out to describe how this approach has been tested at note-taking classes at Innsbruck University, with particular attention given to the analysis of different aspects of the process. The aim of the article is to demonstrate if a digital pen can be useful in training, what are the main advantages in terms of efficacy of teaching and time efficiency inter alia and if it can be used at the beginning of a note-taking course.

Pen-Enabled, Real-Time Student Engagement for Teaching in STEM Subjects

The introduction of pen-enabling devices has been demonstrated to increase a student’s ability to solve problems, communicate, and learn during note taking. For the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects that are considered to be symbolic in nature, pen interfaces are better suited for visual–spatial content and also provide a better interface to support human expression. The approach described herein is the adoption of an innovative Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) pedagogy to enable delivery of chemistry lectures through OneNote, offering real-time annotation of notes delivered directly to student’s personal devices. The TEL innovation adopts the use of Cloud-based teaching methodologies (Microsoft OneDrive), the use of high-fidelity digital pen technology (Surface Pro), and standard Microsoft products (OneNote 2016), which are not specialized, to support the learning pedagogy. The motivation was to enhance the student teaching and learning experience while offering a single delive...

Innovations in interpreting research methods

With an increasing amount of empirical research being conducted in interpreting studies through social science, humanities and interdisciplinary lenses, more interest is being paid to the nature of the research methods being used. This is evidenced by the publication of a monograph focusing solely on interpreting research methods (Hale & Napier 2013), as well as the inclusion of a dedicated panel (Moving boundaries in translation and interpreting research methods) in the program of the 8th European Society for Translation Studies (EST) Congress (Aarhus, Denmark, 2016), which was convened and facilitated by Napier and de Pedro Ricoy. The recently published Routledge Encyclopedia of Interpreting Studies (Pochhacker, 2015) has 21 entries referring specifically to interpreting research, including: action research, bibliometric research, corpus-based research, experimental research, mixed-methods research, survey research, ethnographic methods, methodology, eye tracking, retrospective protocols, the activist approach, cognitive approaches, discourse-analytical approaches, linguistic/pragmatic approaches, neuroscience approaches, psycholinguistic approaches, sociolinguistic approaches, sociological approaches, epistemology, interdisciplinarity, and paradigms. The publication of this special issue is, therefore, timely. It brings together a collection of articles that specifically discuss innovations in interpreting research methods. Its aim is to consider and discuss how research methods have been used in interpreting studies, and how innovation in the application of such methods can move boundaries in understanding the work of both spoken and signed language interpreters. Studies such as these, conducted on the basis of innovative, cross-disciplinary approaches, can have an impact on promoting best practice and influencing policy, thus yielding benefits for communities and society at large. Collectively, the articles present a critical exploration of how research methods that have been traditionally used in interpreting studies can be adapted to analyze the reality of professional practice in the 21st century. In addition, they also illustrate how the utilization of tools more commonly associated with other disciplines can add further insights into linguistically and/or culturally mediated encounters. In showcasing novel applications of well-established methods (quantitative, qualitative or mixed), the articles in this special issue provide an overview of the state of the art in the discipline from both established scholars and early career researchers. Each paper highlights how and why adopting an innovative research method can extend our understanding of the complexities of interpreting and promote a deeper appreciation of the work of interpreters. In considering the range of papers included in this special issue, we can see that each contribution introduces methods as yet under-utilized in interpreting studies, or they explore how previously used methods can be used more innovatively. Chen adopts a more quantitative approach in the analysis of note-taking in consecutive interpreting through the use of digital-pen technology, which she shows to be a useful method to gain insight into both the interpreting process and the management of the interpreters' cognitive load. The particular innovation in her study is the use of the digital-pen technology for capturing data. Digital pen technology has also been used to investigate how to teach note-taking to interpreting students (Orlando, 2010). Hokkanen employs an auto-ethnographic approach to exploring her position as an interpreter-researcher--a 'practisearcher' (Gile, 1994) and emotions experienced in interpreting fieldwork. Her emphasis is on this method as a non-traditional approach to processing first-hand research material that can throw light on the complex relationship between the researcher's multiple selves and the relevant social setting. …

Old-and With Severe Heart Failure: Telemonitoring by Using Digital Pen Technology in Specialized Homecare: System Description, Implementation, and Early Results.

Telehealth programs for heart failure have been studied using a variety of techniques. Because currently a majority of the elderly are nonusers of computers and Internet, we developed a home telehealth system based on digital pen technology. Fourteen patients (mean age, 84 years [median, 83 years]) with severe heart failure participated in a 13-month pilot study in specialized homecare. Participants communicated patient-reported outcome measures daily using the digital pen and health diary forms, submitting a total of 3 520 reports. The reports generated a total of 632 notifications when reports indicated worsening health. Healthcare professionals reviewed reports frequently, more than 4700 times throughout the study, and acted on the information provided. Patients answered questionnaires and were observed in their home environment when using the system. Results showed that the technology was accepted by participants: patients experienced an improved contact with clinicians; they felt more compliant with healthcare professionals' advice, and they felt more secure and more involved in their own care. Via the system, the healthcare professionals detected heart failure-related deteriorations at an earlier stage, and as a consequence, none of the patients were admitted into hospital care during the study.

A Case Study on Online Mathematics Teaching with Pen-based Technology: Experiences of Two Instructors

The purpose of this study was to explore instructors’ perspectives on the effect of using pen-based technology in the online mathematics courses and understand instructors’ experiences in online mathematics teaching with pen-based technology. In this study, two instructors who taught online mathematics courses in fourteen weeks used digital pen as a pen-based technology. The data were obtained from semi-structured interviews and observation of online mathematics course records. The findings indicated that the use of digital pen in the online mathematics course was fairly beneficial in pedagogical and interaction aspects and it was necessary to use digital pen in online mathematics courses for displaying steps of problem solving process synchronously. It was concluded from the study that digital pen technology plays a positive role in the enhancement of interaction between the elements of an online learning environment by providing real-time feedback to students and permitting to digitize mathematical concepts. The observation findings also supported the statements of the instructors. The findings of the study have further provided some insight into how to use digital pen by an instructor in online mathematics course efficiently.

Estimating Writing Neatness from Online Handwritten Data

Handwriting is the most fundamental expressive activity in learning. To utilize the intuitiveness and the nature of handwriting, digital pen technology has emerged to capture and transfer notes. We developed AirTransNote, a student note-sharing system that facilitates collaborative and interactive learning in conventional classrooms. A teacher can use the AirTransNote system to share student notes with the class on a projected screen immediately to enhance the group learning experience. However, to improve the effectiveness of sharing notes, the teacher must be able to select an effective note for sharing. This can be difficult and time consuming during a lecture. Moreover, students should be encouraged to improve the presentation of their handwritten notes. Well-written notes are more accessible for other students and reduce irrelevant and careless mistakes. To facilitate learning improvements based on note sharing, we require a method to estimate the neatness of a note automatically. If a method is established, the teacher can easily select effective notes. Furthermore, this method can help provide feedback to the student to improve their writing. We examined 14 basic features from handwritten notes by considering correlation coefficients and found that the variance of pen speed, angular point average, and pen speed average were the significant features for evaluating the neatness of handwritten notes.

Special Issue on Forum for Interdisciplinary Mathematics 2013

Special Issue on Forum for Interdisciplinary Mathematics 2013

A study on the amenability of digital pen technology in a hybrid mode of interpreting: Consec-simul with notes.

This paper focuses on the use of digital pen technology in interpreting practice and research. It seeks to advance the field of interpreter training through the trial of contemporary technology and the possible development of a hybrid mode of interpreting that has attributes of both conventional modes of interpreting - consecutive and simultaneous (hereafter labelled Consec-simul with notes) - due to the immediate recording and play-back functions that new digital pen technology offers. This latter development could have applications not only in interpreting performance but also in interpreting training. The article sums up and contextualizes data and analysis from a pilot study on the use of digital pen technology in the hybrid mode of interpreting Consec-simul with notes. The study, which measured the quality of performances of four French-English interpreters in two different modes (consecutive and Consec-simul with notes) with various indicators, reports a higher level of performance in this mode and invites further research and implementation in training institutions.

Designing audio-enhanced paper photos for older adult emotional wellbeing in communication therapy

This article introduces audio-enhanced paper photos enabled by digital pen technology as an interaction paradigm for supporting and understanding emotional wellbeing in late adulthood, particularly in the context of communication therapy activities and related social interactions. We describe the development of a multimodal pen-based system that enables creation of audio-enhanced paper photos and the application of this technology to two domains: older adults with aphasia working to regain expressive and receptive language after a stroke, and older adults wanting to interact with a family member of advanced age with memory loss. Our pen-based authoring software enables caregivers, both therapists and family members, to create audio-enhanced paper photos to encourage meaningful and emotionally appropriate interaction with the older adults they support. We examine the ways in which emotional information is embedded in audio-enhanced photos and how this approach addresses various aspects of emotional wellbeing in late adulthood.

Facilitating English-language learners' oral reading fluency with digital pen technology

Oral reading fluency is an indicator of overall reading competence. Many studies have claimed that repeated reading can promote oral reading fluency. Currently, novel Web- or computer-based reading technologies offer interactive digital materials that promote English oral reading fluency using the repeated reading strategy; however, paper-based English materials in physical classrooms are still used to train students in oral reading fluency because most students are used to learning environments with paper, pen, and face-to-face interaction. With the growth of digital pen technologies, developing an interactive learning environment that combines printed textbooks and a digital pen to support English-language classroom learning has become feasible. Thus, this work presents a digital pen and paper interaction platform (DPPIP) composed of a student-learning tier, course management tier, and teacher tutoring tier, in which digital pen technologies are integrated with printed textbooks and Moodle course management system, to support the repeated reading strategy for promoting English-language oral reading fluency, learning motivation, and learning satisfaction. Meanwhile, this work also examined whether the proposed DPPIP provides different benefits in terms of the promotion of the oral reading fluency to students with field-dependent and field-independent cognitive styles. Based on the non-equivalent control group design in the quasi-experimental research, this work recruited two junior high school classes from Taoyuan County, Taiwan, to participate in an instructional experiment. One class was randomly assigned to the experimental group, which used the DPPIP to perform the repeated reading strategy in order to enhance English-language oral reading fluency. By contrast, the other class was assigned to the control group, which adopted the traditional paired reading method to support the repeated reading strategy to improve English-language oral reading fluency. Analytical results show that applying the proposed DPPIP to support a regular English-language course in classrooms had significantly positive effects in promoting the English-language oral reading fluency, learning motivation, and learning satisfaction of junior high school students. Moreover, this DPPIP simultaneously helped the experimental group students with the field-independent and field-dependent cognitive styles accelerate their oral reading fluency. Importantly, the oral reading fluency of the experimental group students is positively correlated with the frequency which the digital pen was used.

Digital pen-based telemonitoring of elderly heart failure patients.

Considering that a majority of elderlies are non-users of computers and Internet we developed a telemonitoring system for elderly heart failure (HF) home care patients based on digital pen technology - a technology never used before by this patient group. We implemented the system in clinical use in a 13 months long study. Fourteen patients (mean/median age 84 years) with severe HF participated. They accepted the technology and performed daily reports of their health state using the digital pen and a Health Diary form. Via the system the clinicians detected all HF-related deteriorations at an early stage and thereby prevented hospital re-admissions for all patients during the study, implying improved symptom control and large cost savings.

Write-N-Speak

Aphasia is characterized by a reduced ability to understand and/or generate speech and language. Speech-language therapy helps individuals with aphasia regain language and cope with changes in their communication abilities. The therapy process is largely paper-based, making multimodal digital pen technology a promising tool for supporting therapy activities. We report on ten months of field research where we examine the practice of speech-language therapy, implement Write-N-Speak, a digital-paper toolkit for end-user creation of custom therapy materials, and deploy this system for 12 weeks with one therapist-client dyad in a clinical setting. The therapist used Write-N-Speak to create a range of materials including custom interactive worksheets, photographs programmed with the client’s voice, and interactive stickers on household items to aid object recognition and naming. We conclude with a discussion of multimodal digital pen technology for this and other therapy activities.