Frequently Asked Question
This section primarily deals with questions related to Planon's handheld portable scanner the DocuPen.
General
- How many scans can the DocuPen store up to?
The DocuPen handheld scanner can store up to 100 pages into memory.
- Does the DocuPen come with free software?
Yes! Free ScanSoft PaperPort software is included with the DocuPen portable scanner package.
- How much does it weigh?
The DocuPen handheld scanner weighs in at 1.75 ounces.
- What is the DocuPen's scanning resolution?
The DocuPen handheld scanner is capable of scanning at 100 dpi and 200 dpi resolution modes.
- How fast can the DocuPen scan a page at?
The DocuPen handheld scanner can scan a full 8 ½ x 11" sized documents in 4 seconds @ 100 dpi resolution and approximately 8 seconds @ 200 dpi resolution.
- How does the DocuPen connect to my computer?
The older DocuPen handheld scanner versions had both USB and Serial cables. All subsequent versions will consist of USB cables only.
- Is the USB cable USB 2.0 compatible?
Yes, the DocuPen handheld scanner USB cables are all subsequently USB 2.0 compatible.
- What is recommended to get a good scan?
Place documents on clean, flat, hard surface for scanning. Ensure that rollers are facing towards you and that scans are down from the top of a document and down towards you. Place a little pressure on the rollers to ensure proper tracking.
- I do lots of fieldwork and need the DocuPen; does the DocuPen come with a protective case?
Yes the DocuPen portable scanner comes with a protective leather case for protective purposes on the field.
- Do I need to bring my laptop with me when I use the DocuPen?
No, the DocuPen portable scanner operates on batteries and therefore does not require a laptop which in turn makes it the ideal portable scanner.
- When transferring data from the DocuPen to PC, how long will the download take?
The transfer rate will depend on the number of pages, typically it will take approximately 3-5 seconds per page with the USB 2.0 cable.
- I have Windows XP and when I try installing PaperPort, I get an error message that says the software has not passed windows testing. What should I do?
The software that comes with the DocuPen handheld scanner is ScanSoft's Paperport, which is perfectly safe. Only in the later versions of Windows XP does this message appear, as the above mention software was developed before these versions of Windows XP were released. PaperPort will work well with all other Windows Editions. You may simply skip the message to continue the installation process.
- What can be the maximum length and width of a scan?
The DocuPen handheld scanner can scan books/documents up to 36" long in one scan, but the width can only be a maximum of approximately 8". PaperPort allows you to merge images together for basic needs of putting a larger document together. There are other 3rd party software available to do better merging and stitching. One suggestion would be Adobe Photoshop.
Memory
- How much memory does the DocuPen have?
The DocuPen handheld scanner consists of 2 MB worth of flash memory.
- How many pages can the DocuPen store up to?
The 4 MB flash memory in the DocuPen handheld scanner is capable of storing 100's pages of 8.5 x 11 sized text based documents.
- What type of memory is used in the DocuPen?
Flash memory is used within the DocuPen handheld scanner.
- When the DocuPen is switched off, how long will data remain?
All scanned data in the DocuPen will remain in the flash memory, until the user decides to intentionally download or delete it from the PaperPort software included with the handheld scanner.
- Can specific portions of the data stored in the DocuPen be removed?
No, specific portions of scanned data cannot be removed selectively from the DocuPen handheld scanner. When you clear the handheld scanner's memory bank, all data is cleared. You can selectively choose certain scanned data you want to save upon download in the Twain Penscanner Control Window before clearing the memory.
- When I erase the memory bank how come the last scanned images are still showing up on the Twain Penscanner Control Window as thumbnails?
Even when I close the programs, and shut the computer off. The default images will remain as thumbnails till a new scan is downloaded from the DocuPen handheld scanner; this is by default with many other scanner software and Twain interfaces. They are in a temporary file. It does also allow you one last chance to save any of the images to your computer if you have forgotten to do so, and have already erased the memory bank of the DocuPen handheld scanner
Battery
- What kind of batteries are used in the DocuPen?
it is a rechargeable lithium polymer battery
- How long do the batteries last?
The DocuPen battery source lasts up to approximately 200 page scans.
- Will removing the batteries cause the data in DocuPen to become deleted?
No, the DocuPen handheld scanner uses flash memory, therefore all scanned data will remain in memory until you the user intentionally removes it from the PaperPort software.
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DocuPen Operation
- I cannot get the DocuPen to be recognized by the PaperPort software during download.
Please go through our quick check list below to try to resolve this issue, but if you are still having problems getting your DocuPen handheld scanner to be recognized then please contact our Toll Free technical support line at 1-877-DOCUPEN.
- Check the actual connections between the USB or Serial cables to the DocuPen handheld scanner, check that the stereo jack plug is all the way in the DocuPen.
- Check the wire connection as well at the computer side. Try switching USB ports, as that sometimes may resolve connection issues.
- Check the version of the DocuPen handheld scanner, as the 2003 version USB requires the Prolific 2003 Dirver & the cable only should be detected by the hardware wizard once plugged in the first time. Also check in the Device Manager for properly loaded and functional drivers. If they are not listed under the PORTS category, then they may not have been installed. Please install accordingly from the CD provided with the DocuPen portable scanner
- For the version manufactured in 2004, the driver is the "CP 2101 USB & UART bridge controller". Both the cable & the scanner must be plugged in to be recognized by your Windows Operating System.
- There can be other issues with Windows alone requiring various service packs, or updates, etc that may affect the recognition of the DocuPen.
These are the basic areas to check first, of course in Windows XP & Windows 2000 you must be logged on as "Administrator, or Owner" and it is also recommended to temporarily disable any anti-virus software.
Once again, if you are still experiencing difficulties, please contact the Toll Free technical support line 1-877-DOCUPEN.
- If I shake or twist my DocuPen while scanning, what will happen?
The DocuPen handheld scanner operates on the concept of WYSIWYG - What You Scan Is What You Get. The refore your scan will result in a little distortion upon skaing or twisting of the DocuPen handheld scanner while scanning.
- How can I tell if a scan was done properly by theDocuPen?
The DocuPen's LED indicators will inform you whether or not errors were made during a scan. The main thing to watch is your speed, if you are too fast the RED LED will blink, slow down. Please note the tilt of your positioning of the DocuPen as well. If you are tilting the DocuPen up during a scan, then the scan will not turn out as desired.
- When I try scanning a page with the DocuPen, why do the lights turn off half way through?
When this occurs, it may be related to the DocuPen's battery source being low, therefore replacing the coin batteries will the resolve this issue.
DocuPen - ScanSoft PaperPort Software
- What is PaperPort?
PaperPort software is a file management program that efficiently integrates with your computers existing programs for easy access and transfer.
- I have PaperPort Version 9.0; will the DocuPen work with version 9.0?
Yes, even though The DocuPen portable scanner comes bundled free with PaperPort 8.0 SE, it will be compatible with PaperPort version 9.0 as well.
- Can I e-mail scanned documents immediately from PaperPort?
Yes! PaperPort integrates with your computer's e-mail client (Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook, etc.) therefore you can simply select on the document you want to send and then click on the e-mail icon at the bottom of the program and an e-mail composition window will appear.
- Can I convert my scanned documents for word processing?
Yes! PaperPort integrates with your computer's word processing programs (Microsoft Word, Notepad, Wordpad, etc.) and with a built-in OCR (Optical Character Recognition) capability, it allows for one to convert a scanned image into editable text. The original data must be printed text, as hand written information will not be easily recognized.
- Is the DocuPen compatible with OmniPage?
Yes, the DocuPen handheld scanner is compatible with OmniPage, as it is also a software made from ScanSoft, just like PaperPort.
- Can I use the OCR function to convert a language other than English to editable text?
The OCR will recognize the English alphabet and all languages that use the English alphabets should pose no problem unless they use characters and symbols not in the English alphabet. You may consider getting third party OCR software for the language of your choice for best results, which will be compatible with the DocuPen handheld scanner.
If your native Windows Operating System is in one of these 10 Languages; Brazilian, English, French, Italian, German. Spanish, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, & Swedish. Then PaperPort will automatically load the version that the native Windows Program detects. This will allow you to edit in the native language as well.
Also coming in the Fall 2004 - OCR support for Asian languages including Chinese (Traditional & Simplified), Japanese, & Korean.
- Can I flip or rotate my scanned images?
Yes, PaperPort will allow flipping and rotating of scanned images, along with other editing feature such as cropping and adding annotations.
- If I scan intending to use the OCR (Optical Character Recognition) capability, why are the letters not recognized, or strange garbled images instead of the text?
First always scan in hi-resolution mode for optimum results, secondly remember if you capture images as well as text they must first be edited separately. You can either cut, & or paste the image or text. OCR will not recognize certain symbols, and handwritten messages. These can be cut and saved as an image file and added to you text (Word) document afterwards.
Also remember that very fine or detailed fonts may also not be perfectly recognized. Most all OCR programs will provide at best 90% accuracy for conversion.


