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Write-n-Record consists of one or more Pocket PC hand-held units with barcode scanner attachments, a base station consisting of a standard desktop or laptop PC and custom software, described below.
The System
Write-n-Record uses a standard desktop or laptop PC for storage of all recordings and photographs. Recordings are made by handheld Pocket PC units having a barcode scanner attachment. Wireless communications between the handhelds and the PC serve to transmit sound files from handheld to PC after every recording. --more about the system-- The components of the system are the handheld units, the base station, the software, and the barcoded note paper.
The handheld unit
This unit is a standard Windows 2003 Pocket PC (see system requirements) with a wireless barcode scanner and wireless communication adaptor. Custom software is installed on this unit to perform barcode scanning, recording, photographing (optional with digital camera adaptor), and wireless communication to the base station. These units can also run any other software programs written for a Pocket PC, but some cannot run while the units is being used in the Write-n-Record system. Also, one must make sure that other programs do not use up too much memory because this will reduce recording time when the unit is used for Write-n-Record purposes.
The base station
This unit can be either a standard Windows desktop PC or a laptop PC. The principal function of the base station PC is to store all session data made by the handheld units. It also supports retrieval of any session when the users wish to view or play it. The base station should have a fast processor, plenty of RAM and hard drive capacity (see system requirements).
The base station is essential to back up the limited memory capacity of the handheld units (one to two hours of sound recording), and to manage the recording process to prevent over-recording of existing files if their barcode happens to be scanned. In the case of an existing file's name being scanned, the base station will offer to play it for the user, but it will not allow further recording using that name.
The software
The functions described above are accomplished through custom software on the handheld units and the base station.
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