Abstract

This disclosure provides a handheld writing device and a related data entry system. In particular, a digital electronic clipboard is used to mount pages or forms utilized in forms processing applications, such as inventory tracking. A stylus having a writing tip at one end of the stylus and a bar code scanning mechanism at another end of the stylus is used to enter data on the pages or forms and scan bar codes appearing on the pages or forms themselves, or on a separate item to be associated with the form. The system detects whether bar code data or stylus position data is being generated and causes its CPU to responsively process entered data. In an alternative embodiment, the system also permits generation of only one of stylus position data and bar code data at any given time. By providing a bar code scanner in the same implement as the stylus, the system permits a user to scan bar codes without having to replace the stylus or obtain a scanning implement; furthermore, scanning of a bar code on a preprinted form inherently provides a stream of stylus data with information to exactly reproduce a hardcopy form completed by the user, e.g., by combining an image of the preprinted form with entered stylus data.