KEYWORDS:
Tablet PC, Windows XP, Speech, Pen-based, Handwriting Recognition
BACKGROUND:
Traditionally most inputs into computer systems are done via full-size keyboards and mouse, which are bulky and not easily transportable. As modern day workforce is increasingly mobile, productivity somehow needs to be maintained while working with highly portable devices, some with wireless connectivity. In some other work environment, people who take notes while standing up (such as doctors, nurses) would benefit from this new technology.
OBJECTIVE:
To find alternative means to retrieve, display and enter data.
METHOD:
The new Tablet PC, light-weight with inputs via touching a stylus to a special screen, was chosen as the platform for this experiment. Tablet PCs run a modified version of Microsoft Windows XP, on which all applications, including Contra Costa Automated Immunization Registry (CCAIR), that were designed for the Windows environment, will run unchanged. However, applications would need to be modified in order to take advantage of speech and hand-writing recognitions. Microsoft provides necessary tools.
RESULT:
An existing application such as CCAIR was successfully converted to accept inputs via pen and speech.
CONCLUSION:
Tablet PC provides an alternative, viable and attractive mean to access immunization registries, once the necessary modifications to the software were made.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To understand how data may be entered into immunization registries without keyboards.
Handout (.ppt format, 101.0 kb)
Back to You CAN Take it With You: Using Mobile Devices to Access the Registry
Back to The 2003 Immunization Registry Conference (October 27-29, 2003)