LiveScribe Symphony Pen

This guide comprises of the following sections:

Overview

The Symphony pen by Livescribe is one of several models of smart pens available for notetaking. While it can be used in a traditional manner without any additional “smart” capabilities, when used with the supported paper or notebook, it is capable of:

a) Digitally capturing written notes and storing them in the pen.

b) Syncing previous notes to an app on a phone or a mobile device using the Livescribe+ software.

c) When used with a mobile device with the Livescribe+ app running, capturing audio recordings associating that recording with any written notes while the recording is being made.

d) Converting the handwriting into typeprint which can then be edited, copied, or shared.

e) Inserting tags and other information which can be appended onto existing notes.

Pen

The pen represents one out of three components of the notetaking solution. On its own, it functions as a regular pen. When used with Livescribe dot paper (usually found in Livescribe notebooks), the pen is able to create a digital record of handwritten notes that are stored in the pen’s internal memory. These records can be transferred to the Livescribe+ app/program on a mobile device or on a desktop computer.

Characteristics

The Symphony pen weighs 28 grams and can store up to 1200 pages of normal writing (128mb of memory). The pen has no physical on/off button but when the cap is removed, the pen is turned on and when the cap is replaced, the pen turns off. The pen uses D1 style ink cartridges.

Charging

The pen charges using a micro USB cable that is inserted into the head of the pen. When fully charged, the pen can be used for 10 hours of continuous writing and the power will last for 45 days of standby time. The pen charges fully in 120 minutes.

Interacting with the notebook

In addition to capturing a digital image of notes, the notebook can also be used to interact with the app by tapping on a variety of symbols printed on the bottom of each page. Note that not all symbols shown below may be represented in all notebooks.

Recording Audio

Unlike the Echo pen, there is no built-in microphone and the pen relies on a mobile device or desktop computer with a microphone to record audio.

Connecting and data syncing

The pen connects wirelessly via Bluetooth (pairing required) with both mobile devices as well as Bluetooth enabled desktop computers. The pen can also connect using a wired connection to a desktop device. When connected, the pen will sync with the Livescribe+ application.

Indicators

The device has an LED indicator about ¼ distance from the tip of the pen. The LED indicator shows the following states:

Connection

● Solid green – pen is ready to capture notes but is not connected to a device.

● Blinking blue – pen is in pairing mode and ready to make a connection.

● Solid blue – pen is ready to capture notes and is connected via Bluetooth to a device.

● Pulsing blue – pen is trying to connect with its last known device.

Battery

● Solid Orange – low battery alert; less than 10% battery life remaining.

Pen shuts down with a beep when battery dips below 5%.

● Pulsing Orange – pen is connected via USB and is charging.

● Solid Green – when connected via USB, indicates that charging is complete.

● Blinking red – pen is charging but does not have enough power to be used. It may take between 20-40 minutes before the pen can be used.

Error

● Blinking red (with 3 beeps) – error

Data transfer/Memory

● Pulsing red – audio recording is being processed on a mobile device.

● Blinking red – memory is 90% full; sync pen to device.

App

The Livescribe+ app is the third component of the Symphony notetaking solution and is a free download available for iOS/iPadOS, Android, Windows and MacOS (download links provided). The app acts as both a repository for notes that have been taken with the Symphony pen as well as a canvas to allow for a more interactive engagement with previously taken notes. The App carries the following benefits:

1) Creates a permanent storage for notes that can be shared or exported.

2) Allows for digitization of handwritten notes that can be copied or edited. Note that there are limitations to the optical character recognition processing that converts handwriting into typed print.

3) Bookmarks can be added through the use of tags to allow for quick referencing of important notes.

4) Notes can be further broken down into meta data. Specifically, notes can be separated into smaller sections along with the date and time in which the note was taken.

5) When notes are taken while connected to a device capable of recording audio, a “pencast” is captured and allows for playback of the audio that was recorded when a note is tapped in the notebook.

Pairing with pen

The pen can be paired with a multitude of devices including mobile phones, tablets, or computers. The pairing process can be broken into two categories:

1) Pairing using a USB micro cable to a desktop device – this is the simplest method of connecting the pen but is only available for desktop computers. The cable may also be a hindrance if the pen is used for taking notes while connected but a benefit of connecting through the USB cable is that the pen will be charged in the process.

2) Wirelessly using Bluetooth – this solution requires pairing the pen with the device that is being used for syncing. The syncing process involves opening the app and then preparing the pen using one of two methods:

a. Using the pen tip, tap on the “Device Pairing” symbol in the notebook (frequently found on the last page).

b. Press down and hold down the pen tip for 3 seconds on any surface other than dot paper.

When pairing mode is entered, the LED will start flashing blue. Once a pen has been paired with a device, that pairing will be maintained for future uses. Multiple devices (up to 3) can be paired but the pen remembers the device that was last connected. If a fourth device is paired, the first pairing will be deleted.

Connected vs Disconnected mode

The pen can be used both connected or disconnected. While disconnected, the pen will record handwriting and store it in the pen’s internal memory. Taking notes with the pen connected adds the ability to record audio while taking notes. This is not possible while disconnected as the pen has no internal microphone and relies on the paired device’s microphone to record audio.

Review previous notes by tapping on the notebook on which they were taken. Items can be sorted in three ways (as indicated in the three tabs on the top of the app):

1) Page – navigate individual pages of a notebook. If notes span multiple pages, move between pages by scrolling up or down. Zoom in or out by pinching or expanding two fingers.

2) Feed – a feed is a more focused view of notes taken over a period of time and is broken down into sections that can be digitized into type print by using a right swiping action on the desired text. Right swipe a second time to revere the type print back into the original handwriting.

3) Pencast – appears whenever audio is captured. Notes taken during audio recording will appear in a green colour. When on the Pencast tab, tap on any green text to hear what was recorded when that note was taken. As audio is played, all of the text will turn grey and as the audio is played, the notes will gradually turn into green text to indicate the progress while those notes were taken. Alternatively, there are play controls at the bottom of the screen that include a play/pause button and a progress bar that can be dragged forwards or backwards. At the far right of the progress bar is a time stamp of the audio recording (see screenshot below).