TIP:
Online mode is available
only on the DigiMemo L20!

For Vista Users:
WINDOWS VISTA FIRST TIMERS:
NOTE: If you are installing under Windows VISTA, we have published the FOLLOWING REFERENCE PAGE of what loading
under Windows Vista looks like, so you may compare your results... Click Here >

ONLINE WRITING MODE: DEACTIVATED BY VISTA? Here's the solution: Click Here >

General Assistance:

NEW!  HOW TO USE ONLINE MODE: HANDWRITING INPUT
 TIP:  Online mode is available only on the DigiMemo L20!

a)    Using the DigiMemo in everyday standalone mode was a cinch.  Now, how do I use the L20
       DigiMemo in Online Mode (or the Flair II Pen and Graphics Tablets) to add handwriting or
       signatures to a Word Document or my Windows Desktop, live?

     Answer:  (It's EASY!) The L20 goes into online mode whenever plugged in to USB, and obviously, the Flair II tablets are in online mode at all times.  You need not use Online Handwriting Recognition when you've saved documents to the DigiMemo in Standalone mode, you can simply use MyScript Notes, which is a very simple program.  However, if in ONLINE mode, you have many Live options to add handwriting to Windows applications. Here are a few of many ways.

Usage Hint:  In DigiMemo Manager turn on Online Writing Mode, and all input will be confined to the Notepad in the DigiMemo Manager Window on your Windows Desktop.  Now, it will emulate the DigiMemo and you can continue to edit existing pages, or create new ones, and see your writing on the Screen!  You can use the white "inkless" DigiMemo's stylus inserted into one of our Digital Wireless Pens while in that mode and save on ink!

Usage Hint: The following is for using ONLINE mode without Online Writing Mode enabled.  With the L20 plugged into the USB  the Pen can be used to enter handwriting directly into your Personal Computer into MS Office (Word) and is not used for EVERYDAY Standalone mode!

a.1) Online Mode Handwriting in MS OFFICE with No Conversion to Typed Text: Simply, in Word, make certain you have the Drawing Toolbar enabled (usually on PCs, it's a right mouse to empty space on the Button Bar, and select "Drawing".  Now: click on "Autoshapes > Lines > Scribbles - the bottom right most squiggly line button).  Then, use the L20 Pen or the Flair II pen to add handwriting, drawing and signatures wherever you wish on your Word Document! 

 

You can also use the Write Anywhere feature identified on the Write Anywhere Toolbar "Write Anywhere"  button, on editions of MS Office 2003 Professional with the Tablet PC  Extensions installed or Handwriting Recognition enabled (or Office 2007) use the "Writing pad" below.  (Use the Ink Bottle Icon for writing with NO HANDWRITING RECOGNITION, the T Button to insert handwriting as typed text).

a.2) Online Mode Handwriting in MS OFFICE with Conversion to Typed Text:  Make certain the Pen Input is installed and enabled (see below).  When you attempt to input in Word, an Inking Input area (Write Anywhere Pad) appears, allowing you to enter Text by Handwriting it: it will then convert it to Typed Text and insert it at the present insertion location.  You can also use the Insert "Handwriting as Text" Button (I), on editions of MS Office with the Tablet PC Extensions installed (or Office 2003 or 2007) from the Writing Pad, using "Insert Handwriting as Text" - the "T" button (example "Write Anywhere" below).

Key buttons:

Insert writing in handwritten form (Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook only)

Insert handwriting as typed text

Drawing Pad

Ease of Usage Hint: To make it easy to select the SCRIBBLE tool add a button to your Word menu bar for it. Go to the Toolbar selector and select "Customize" > "Commands" > "Autoshapes" and drag and drop the SCRIBBLE Tool Button up to a Menu bar on the top of your Word Window, and now all you need do is click it!   If using the Buttons from Write Handwriting or Write Anywhere, you can reach the Handwriting Options Settings on the Language bar, just click Writing Pad or Write Anywhere (Word or Outlook).

Additional Usage Hint:  Pen Input not enabled on the Windows XP Desktop (without MS Word Handwriting Recognition/Input)? That's normal, continuous Handwriting Input was made a new feature of Windows as of Windows Vista. Before Vista, continuous Handwriting Input was only found pre-installed on Windows Tablet PC Edition. However, it is available in XP Applications like MS Office, Paint, Photoshop and other Graphical Editors.  We can, however, ENABLE your Windows XP for continuous Handwriting input and  Handwriting recognition in Online Mode with our Tablets.  You can use our DigiMemo Manager interactively, it functions in the same way in "Edit Mode" as the DigiMemo, plus it colorizes and adds Text, Emails and exports and converts directly.  Microsoft Messenger provides a whiteboard feature for sharing, that is also compatible with our Pen Input devices like the DigiMemo and Flair II.  However, the following Advanced Optional Software is available for Windows XP and Windows 2000 to automate pen input for the entire Windows Desktop WITH HANDWRITING RECOGNITION: try the CompAmerica ritePen software Free (30 Day Trial)!  

           Click here to auto download > 

(please enable File Download, if the warning bar appears at the top of your Internet Explorer Screen, or if Firefox asks if you wish to download the file!)   To order it, please call us 908-931-1200 (it's not expensive, however call us for pricing!) 

For ritePen Screen Captures and Notes, see item (s) below (at end of FAQ).

NOTE: if you experience different behavior than the above, or want to report a suggestion, update or correction to this How To, please click here >

---

FORMS AND BACKGROUNDS

b)   How do I use a Pre Printed Form with my L20 DigiMemo in Standalone Mode?

    Answer: SCAN the form in to a Scanner and convert it to a .Jpeg full size image, at quality set to "100 per cent", saving it to a name in your My Documents folder.  To activate it, in DigiMemo Manager, open "Edit">"Option..." >"Background" > "(*) Import Image" > "Browse" and select the form.jpg  file you created!  Any handwriting files you created using that form should line up when viewed in DigiMemo Manager OVER the form.

(click image for much larger view!)

Ease of Usage Hint: remember to check "Print background with form" to have the form show up in printouts or conversions to Adobe .pdf!

East of Usage Hint:  If you use a bound PAD of the forms with the DigiMemo, the handwriting will line up with it (if it doesn't, simply use any editor such as Photoshop, to realign it with a Test Page, then resave it as a .jpg!)  Some form images may need to be re-positioned vertically or horizontally slightly, but if you use the form with DigiMemo and test it once, you should get it right!.

East of Usage Hint: To save a Handwriting Page with the Form as background, print to the Adobe ".pdf" print driver (use Adobe Standard on that PC) and save the finished page with form underneath the handwriting, to a file .pdf in your My Documents folder...!  You can then insert it into any Applications which accept .pdf insertions/uploads, or email it!

---

c)   How do I create a background in Microsoft Word using My Script Notes converted Form Text?

    Answer: SCAN the form into a Scanner and save it as a .jpeg full size image.  Create a Table in word with a single row/column large enough to hold the form, check the "Use Background Picture" and assign it to the .jpeg you created.  Copy and paste the Word output from My Script Notes. 

East of Usage Hint:  To retain the layout of the form in word, use "Text and Graphics" as the conversion option in My Script Notes, which will position every text field exactly where it was on the original Handwriting document, in the output word document.  Then, select all.  Insert a single space into the Table in the target Form document, then highlight it, then "Ctl-V" insert the copy of the MSN Text from the original Document that you exported to from My Script Notes.

---

d)   How do I automate the above process for a Business Application?

    Answer: Contact CompAmerica about our Application Development API, it is simple for any programmer to capture the Form Content into a Bitmap and overlay that onto a pre-stored form, in a single step, with any number of pre-stored forms.  Note, a programmer can also use our Lektra SDK to apply handwriting recognition and parse the form, inserting the data into a Database, if your application requires it.  Call us at 908-931-1200 to obtain a license to use the Byblos (tm) API for DigiMemo.  Or click here and email us.

East of Usage Hint:  For INTERACTIVE FORMS that you wish to write handwriting directly into using a DigiMemo L20 in ONLINE mode, or your Flair II GT504 or GT302, please call us about our optional Form Writer product.

---

EMAIL YOUR HANDWRITING

e)   How do I email my Handwriting?

    Answer:  Either, use the "File:">"Email" choice in DigiMemo Manager, or export as a Graphics File and "Send To" from the desktop in My Documents! 

Ease of Usage Hint: To send multiple pages, copy or save those pages to an eBook File (.dnd) and then recopy those pages to Outlook (to insure portability) through the Clipboard.

---

GENERAL HOW TOs

f)   I can only see the Empty Memory Card slot on my DigiMemo (when I try to access my E: drive, it says "Please insert Disk Drive") not the internal Memory Card with my notes!  How do I fix this?

   Answer: Nothing is wrong.  DigiMemos use 2 Consecutive drive letters (and they have to be consecutive) above your highest drive on your PC or Laptop (so, if your last DVD or CD is "D", DigiMemo wants to use "E" and then "F", where "F" is the internal Memory Card).  You have to make certain the FIRST AVAILABLE DRIVE LETTER is ALSO FOLLOWED BY AN AVAILABLE DRIVE LETTER.

Ease of Usage Hint: For example: if E is available but F is in use by a mobile CDROM or Hard Drive, move it to "G" so E and F can be "adopted" by the DigiMemo.  Or, if F is mapped to your Office's Server by "Citrix", then also map E, so it is unavailable (your IT Guys can show you the simple command to do this once).  Then, the DigiMemo will "adopt" G and H for it's own! All it needs is 2 consecutive drive letters!  But they have to be the first available ones! If you have any problem with this, please call us at 908-931-1200 and we'll be happy to help!

---

g)   How do I install DigiMemo with Windows XP Home?

  Answer: the Same as with XP Pro, any Vista or any Windows 2000. Simply drop the CD that came with your DigiMemo into the CDROM Drive and run the Installer for DigiMemo.  All DigiMemo Software works perfectly with every version of XP, Vista and 2000 (and Server 2003). Note: if you experience some form of software problem, SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH YOUR WINDOWS, you can call us at 908-931-1200 for a courtesy "Fix by Phone" support - as we are the world's most knowledgeable tech support organization on Windows and PCs!  We'll help you resolve problems with your PC FOR FREE! (Applies to DigiMemo use only!)

---

h)   My DigiMemo turns off after 2 seconds, what do I do?

    Answer: Replace the Batteries!  Usually that's what it means.  An Alarm may also beep at you signifying "low battery".  However, remember to reseat them, if you have a continuing turn off issue with no error message, it usually means you may have exposed the DigiMemo to a massive static electrical charge (the kind that actually hurt, like when you touch the Fridge after walking on a carpet in dry hot room temperatures!).  While this happens infrequently, take out the batteries and let it sit for a half hour, then put them back in and try it. It should return to normal.  We have found that in Winter, in some parts of this country, static charges get so bad that they can scare the DigiMemo into remaining off "until the coast is clear".  This is a safety feature designed to protect the DigiMemo Memory if your PC fails and discharges AC current through the USB cable, however a big enough Static Shock from your Hand can do the same thing. 

Ease of Usage Hint:  Also, don't place the DigiMemo on top of a Picture Tube TV or Large Screen Plasma TV, as they emit a significant EMF field.  Do not be alarmed, however, involuntary shut off is only a safety feature intended to insure your DigiMemo will safely remember the Note pages you wrote!  Please remember that the DigiMemo is very much a low voltage "laptop type" computer without the LCD screen, and it does not want EXTREME STATIC CHARGES discharged into it (Static Electricity is in the range of several thousand volts, btw).  It usually does not cause it to break and your DigiMemo should return to normal in a reasonable period of time.  And, best of all, your Data should be intact!  We thought this through carefully and felt you'd want it to both Survive and maintain the Data for you!

---

i)    How do I use the "Inkless Pen" feature with my DigiMemo?

    Answer:  The "Inkless Pen" feature, refers to the white inkless cartridge stylus that ships in the ink cartridge bay with the L20 DigiMemo.  It is white.  Simply, take one of your DigiMemo Wireless Pens, and remove the Ink cartridge.  Then insert this white inkless cartridge stylus into the Pen.  Now, you can plug in the L20, turn it to Landscape orientation, and use it to write handwriting and text and draw directly into applications on your PC Desktop, without wasting any ink! (Using it with ink in the pen is ok too, but does waste ink!)  

Ease of Usage Hint:  To remove an Ink Cartridge, open up the Cartridge Storage bay.  At it's top, you'll find a "teardrop" shaped Cartridge Remover.  Lock the tip (where the ball is) of the Ink Cartridge in your Pen, into the "v" shaped part of the Remover and pull the Pen off of the Ink cartridge, it will slide out with little force.  Then you can insert a refill or the inkless cartridge stylus!

---

j)    How do I get hold of Paper for my DigiMemo?

Ease of Usage Hint:  DigiMemos take STANDARD PAPER PADS.  The L20 takes any 81/2 by 11 Writing Pad up to 120 sheets WITH or WITHOUT cardboard backing.  The 6920 uses 6x9 pads of the top glue form, which for some strange reason, are not carried by Stationers like Staples or Office Max right now, since they cater to the legal profession who uses the 6x9 Steno Pad form of paper, with wire binding instead - they appear to have Steno Pads on the Brain there.  To get the glue bound 6x9 pads simply order them on http://www.digimemo.com, or go to your Supermarket, they are usually found in the Stationary part of supermarkets and drug stores, and in School supply and Arts/Crafts supply shops. 6x9 is commonly used in Schools, Carpentry, Contracting, Arts/Crafts, Government and by Teachers and Writers. 6x9 pads are also found at Hardware Stores and Drug Stores.

      To Order 6x9 Top Glue Writing Pads from CompAmerica, click here >

---

k)   What do I do if I lose or break my DigiMemo Wireless Pen?

    Answer:  Order a new DigiMemo Wireless Pen here >
 

---

l)   What kind of USB Cable is that?

   Answer: That is a standard camera cable, known as a USB (M) to miniUSB (Type B) cable.  You can order them from us here >  (enter "USB to miniUSB" in the Search and press "Expert Search") or from any vendor who carries them.  You can find a diagram of the connectors at our website!  Price ranges from $6 to $11.  Note that we have 254,000 products in our store, you may also find other products there!
 

---

m)  What kind of Battery is that in the Pen?

    Answer:  The Pen uses a button cell battery identified as "SR626SW", "377" or "IEC-SR66".  they can be found at most battery and most hardware or electronics supply stores.
 

---

n)  What kind of Memory Card goes in my DigiMemo?  Do I need one?

    Answer:  Memory cards are optional, as the internal memory of the DigiMemo, 32MB, is about enough to store one writing pad or more worth of notes.  However, the DigiMemo 6920 (6x9) uses Compact Flash memory cards (8 MB to 512 MB) and we recommend SanDisk, and the DigiMemo L20 (8.5x11) uses Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (up to 2GB).

Ease of Usage Hint: You can order them from us here >  (enter "CF SanDisk" into the Search and press "Expert Search" for the 6920 or enter 'SD Secure Digital" into the Search and press "Expert Search" for the L20).
 

---

o)  How about Ink Refills?  What type does DigiMemo Wireless Pen use and where to get them?

   Answer:  The following are the only ink cartridges approved for use in our DigiMemo Pen:

p) How do I install Microsoft Office 2003's built in Handwriting Recognition in Windows ?

Answer: Installing Microsoft Office Handwriting Recognition
 

In Windows XP On the Microsoft Windows Start menu, click Control Panel. Click Add or Remove Programs. In the Currently installed programs box, click Microsoft Office 2003, and then click Change. Click Add or Remove Features, and then click Next. On the Custom Setup screen, select the Choose advanced customization of applications check box, and then click Next. Next to Office Shared Features. click the expand indicator [+]. Next to Alternative User Input, click the expand indicator [+]. Next to Handwriting, click the down arrow, and then click Run from My Computer. Click Update.

s) Do you have any screen shots or notes about the CompAmerica "ritePen" continuous Pen Input product for ONLINE mode?

    Answer:  Yes.  Note - the following screen shots are only applicable to the download Trial copy or a copy of ritePen
                           you'd purchased, as it is OPTIONAL Software.

ritePen - Screenshots and Examples

Writing anywhere on the screen.


Writing in Notepad.


ritePen correction interface.


ritePen floating toolbar.


Switching the target application - 1 (writing)


Switching the target application
(sending the text into the target application)

ritePen - Features

ritePen® is an advanced handwriting recognition software for Windows-based pen computers based on  next-generation handwriting recognition technology.

With ritePen, users can intelligently navigate the desktop and write on the full screen in smooth electronic ink - and their handwriting is automatically converted into text and entered into any Windows application, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer & others.

ritePen offers a superior quality of electronic ink, as well as easy pen manipulation of application windows, seamless navigation between windows, and automatic discrimination between on-screen navigational tools and input areas.

ritePen utilizes the riteScript® handwriting recognition engine for accurate and unrestricted handwriting recognition. It understands any handwritten style, does not require learning or training, and allows you to write continuously, in whole sentences, automatically segmenting your handwriting into words and lines.

When ritePen runs on the Tablet PC, its riteScript engine automatically fuses with embedded Windows XP Tablet PC Edition handwriting recognition and provides users with improved recognition results.

Key new features in release 2.5:

• Improved handwriting recognition: Provides highly accurate and unrestricted recognition, based on advanced handwriting recognition technology.

• Improved multi-language support: Includes new method of switching languages and intelligently understands system language. Now available for Russian.

• New correction UI: Improved Word Menu pop-up window for alternative answers now integrated for faster word correction, with added functionality such as auto-show, auto-change and auto-expand.

• New floating toolbar: Toolbar works more transparently with target text applications and features lighter design, occupying less screen space.

• Improved ink collection: When used on a Tablet PC, ritePen provides improved ink collection using the device's native ink.

• New gestures: Now supports cut, copy, paste, correction undo and capitalization editing gestures.

Features:

• Seamless text input: Permits seamless input of handwritten data into any Windows application.

• Full screen writing: With ritePen, users are not limited to the dedicated handwriting input area; writing can be done anywhere on the tablet screen.

• High-quality electronic ink: Smooth writing and drawing capabilities with a choice of pen styles, pen thicknesses, and pen colors.

• Intelligent desktop navigation: Allows seamless navigation and manipulation of application windows and their on-screen tools, including pull-down menus and scroll bars, making the pen act like a mouse. This feature is based on intelligent identification of toolbars, navigation bars, control elements and input areas.

• Natural editing gestures: ritePen comes with intuitive, easy-to-learn and reliably recognized gestures for basic editing operations.

• Alternative answers listed: Pop-up lists of handwriting recognition alternatives are instantly available for every word in a phrase, further improving recognition accuracy.

• Improved recognition accuracy: Uses a new version of the advanced handwriting recognition technology to further increase accuracy rates.

• Floating tool bar: Users can now place a floating toolbar on the screen with convenient buttons for turning ritePen on/off, showing alternate answers, adding punctuation symbols and calling up the settings menu.

• Custom user dictionary: Add new words to the user dictionary to further improve recognition accuracy.

• Language: Select language to be recognized via new language pull-down menu. Currently this feature is available for English, French, German & Russian (additional languages to follow).

• Advanced writing settings: Permits user choice between writing in separate block letters or natural script.

• Pen colors: Users can now choose from among 32 different pen colors.

t) Software Support for other Operating Systems
Supported solely by 3rd Parties
Developer	Language	Describe	OS	Property	Link	Download
VPEN	English	.DHW to BMP, PNG, JPEG, PDF, SVG, with color and depth, page size editing	MAC/OS, LINUX WINDOWS	VPEN	Link	recommended: Download
E.T.E.S	English/German	DHW Convert to PS	UNIX Base	Open Source	Link	Download
Landings	English	DHW Convert to PDF	Mac OS X	Open Source	Link
Aki.I	English	DHW Convert to PNG	UNIX Base	Open Source	Link

No Support Notice:
Please note that CompAmerica does not formally provide support for use of the DigiMemo with Open Source Linux, Unix or Apple Macintosh Operating Systems (Windows XP on Apple Macintosh is supported, properly configured).  In order to guide Apple and Linux users, we are supplying the above Linux and MAC OS specific DigiMemo Software Supplier Links and Software Download links. All support and service for Linux or Macintosh available at the links above is supplied solely by and supported solely by the indicated third parties without our approval, certification, warranty, or verification.  Download and use is solely at the user's sole express risk without warranty or guarantee of any kind by CompAmerica. For Apple or Linux tech support for our DigiMemo products, please contact the indicated support websites.

# # #  return to home page  # # #

NOTE: if you experience different behavior than the above, or want to report a suggestion, update or correction to this "How To", please click here >

Copyright © CompAmerica.  All rights reserved.