Tammy Lynne Moore
Michael F. Shaughnessy
Senior Columnist EdNews.org
Eastern New Mexico University

1) First of all, would you tell us a little bit about EPOS and the positioning technology products you offer?

EPOS is a leading provider of advanced digital positioning technology. Together with its partners and customers, EPOS brings next-generation, positioning-based consumer electronics products to the input device, touch-screen, and interactive whiteboard markets.

EPOS technology can add value to numerous products within a wide range of markets/industries including: Touch-Screens, Interactive Whiteboards, Wireless Gaming Peripherals, Lasik Surgery, Robotics, Medical, Media, Home Appliances, and more.EPOS provides its customers and partners with the tools to develop these various positioning-enabled products and therefore it is ultimately their decision as to which products will be developed next by the R&D team. Based on current customer demand, the company is focusing its efforts in Q1 and Q2 on developing and launching products in the Input Device market.

2) How long has this technology existed and how does it work?

Since its inception in 2002, EPOS has developed an advanced digital positioning technology that is based on the transmission of ultrasonic acoustic waves between two or more devices via a Transmitter and a Receiver. The Transmitter, embedded in a device such as a pen or other wireless terminal sends constant acoustic signals to the Receiver that in turn, uses them to measure the distance and position of the device.

The Transmitter sends a unique "whistle" to the Receiver, constantly informing it of its position.Therefore, one always knows the position of the other. Due to its versatility, miniature size, and mass market pricing, EPOS advanced digital positioning technology can add value to numerous products within a wide range of fields and industries.

The company has focused its R&D efforts over the past year in developing two products in the Input Device market, including:

The Digital Pen and USB Flash Drive:

The Digital Pen and USB Flash Drive is a wireless digital pen with full flash memory functionality. The pen enables users to write and sketch on any paper or surface while the USB Flash Drive records all written data in real-time. Users can store hundreds of pages worth of handwritten data in the flash memory for later download to a PC or laptop.

The product is ideal for taking notes in business meetings, saving sketches and diagrams in a classroom, or jotting down notes and ideas on the go. The Digital Pen and USB Flash Drive not only records handwritten data but can also carry images, videos and music - making it the ideal next-generation storage device for users of any age.

The Digital Pen and Mouse:

The EPOS enabled Wireless Digital Pen and Mouse is the ultimate wireless dual-purpose PC peripheral tool. It enables users to capture and display handwritten notes on a computer, and draw and share sketches via email and messaging applications – all without the need for special paper or tablet. In addition, it also serves as a wireless ergonomic mouse solution. The EPOS enabled Wireless Digital Pen & Mouse can be used by anyone of any age, in any environment including at home, school, or in the office.

3) Are there specific individuals with specific disabilities who would benefit?

Below we have provided examples of how students with these disabilities would be able to benefit from EPOS' Digital Pen and Mouse and/or Digital Pen and USB Flash Drive products:

Behavioral Disabilities and Learning Disabilities: Children with behavioral difficulties and learning disabilities are often offered people who shadow them in the class to write notes for them or are given tape recorders by the school districts to record their notes. Both options are expensive and temporary solutions to help them cope with capturing information in the classroom – a major issue for these kids.The "shadows" and tape recorders do not help reinforce the information being heard by the children who are not taking their own notes, nor does it teach the children how to take notes by themselves.It is the need to focus on the actual note taking that allows the children to process what they have heard, even if the notes are imperfect due to their disabilities. The EPOS Digital Pen and USB Flash Drive allows the students to take an active role in the classroom by taking notes, and then with the help of a teacher, fill in the gaps and organize the information for better processing and retention.

Using the computer, the students could learn how to collect and add information to their notes by cutting and pasting, highlighting the key data and organizing the notes in an outline, and even translate the data into text using an OCR for easy reading and studying.The EPOS Digital Pen and USB Flash Drive enable the students to not only take notes during class but also to edit and expand them by uploading them onto a computer or tablet PC.The notes can grow from the confines of a traditional notebook and expand by encompassing technology in the teaching of students

4) Why would EPOS technology be beneficial in a regular classroom?Would positioning technology be beneficial in any classroom?

K-12 schools vie for wireless laptops that students/teachers can use in classrooms through grants and donations every year because the cost to purchase them is astronomical.The EPOS Digital Pen/USB device is an alternative product that schools can buy which would save them a lot of money because it is cheaper than purchasing Tablet PCs and also because it can be used with all current school computers/networks. Its very easy to use…

Students in a regular classroom setting could use the EPOS Digital Pen to write drafts for reports and papers.While the time spent by teachers teaching students to print and script is decreasing, it is still a preferred method by writers to organize their thoughts and ideas.The EPOS Digital Pen allows for the students to write their drafts, translate the information into text using an OCR and then make changes for their final version.Teachers would find the EPOS Digital Pen a happy medium by integrating both writing and computing in the classroom.

5) How could a kindergarten teacher enhance her classroom using this technology versus a high school English teacher?

There are many versatile uses for the EPOS Digital Pen in a school setting, whether for preschool, elementary, middle or high school students.Students can use the pen to learn how to formulate sentences and draft ideas in writing compositions.The students could use the pen to improve their penmanship.Also, the EPOS Digital Pen can be integrated into an art program that includes sketching and drawing.Some more specific uses for this technology are listed below:

A kindergarten teacher, who teaches young children who are just learning how to read and write, can use the digital pen to help reinforce the handwriting skills the children are learning.The teacher could have the children trace letters and draw pictures for the sounds the letters make.As a fun project, the letters and drawing could be compiled and printed as a book.

A high school teacher on the other hand, could use the EPOS Digital pen for composition test taking, by having the students write and the flash drive capture the data for the teacher to review.Another use would be for the students to write drafts for research papers and reports and then do the revisions on the computer without having to input the report into the computer.

It would be a wonderful way for students who are ill or out of school to get the notes taken by fellow students without having to Xerox them.The students in the classroom could upload and email notes for the day to the absent student.

6) About how much does technology like this cost?Do you offer discounts for educators?

EPOS is the technology enabler, which means it is the technology source and the "brains" behind the product.It brings its Digital Pen and USB Flash Drive device to the retail market through a partnership with a manufacturing company.Each partnership is different based on product interest and quantity demand.

EPOS via its partners will bring its first product to the U.S. consumer market, the Digital Pen and USB Flash Drive device, in early Q2 of 2007.

Suggested retail price is $79.99.

7) Do you have a web site or 1-800 number where our readers could obtain more information?

For more information, you can view the website at www.epos-ps.com.

Third Party Credibility:

"Any technology, device, method, or insight that can be utilized to help students learn and, moreover, enjoy learning, is something to be pursued and cherished.It should be the school's and teacher's goal to make the classroom an invigorating and successful experience."

Nancy Silberman Zwiebach, Certified School Psychologist Director, School Pyschs on Call

Nancy is available for additional comments and questions for this article.

Published April 9, 2007