A printer, scanner device and methods for using same are described herein.
A printer device may include a dedicated input that, when actuated,
generates and sends a request to a computer for known data or a
predetermined print job, e.g., schedule information from a personal
information management (PIM) application. A scanner device may include
another dedicated input that, when actuated, automatically scans a
document fed to the device by the user and sends the scanned image to IM
(or other) software on a computer, bypassing the need to manipulate the
scanned image using scanner software. The device may be used with printed
metapaper, which includes a barcode or other indicia identifying the
metapaper and corresponds to a stored template image of the metapaper.
When the metapaper is rescanned, the scan can be compared to the stored
template information to identify changes and synchronize the changes with
the IM software.