BT patents 'smart' pen

BT engineers have designed and patented an electronic pen that can read its owner's handwriting.

The pen, called Smartquill, measures nib movements which correspond to letters and words. This enables it to learn and read text, and then store it in its memory.

Smartquill can be connected to a PC, printer or modem, send electronic files via a mobile phone and has a tiny screen for memos. It needs to be 'trained' to read its owner's handwriting, which means users would need to keep their writing consistent, but not necessarily neat. A BT spokesman said the technology is aimed at increasing numbers of mobile workers.

BT is considering adding a telescopic 'virtual screen' to simulate the appearance of a full-size screen, to facilitate use of the pen.

BT hopes to launch Smartquill within two years.