CAM: A Mobile Interaction Framework for Digitizing Paper Processes in the Developing World

Abstract

During our work with community microfinance groups in rural India, we found that paper plays a crucial role in many local information practices. However, paper-based recordkeeping can be inefficient, so we need to link paper with the flexibility of modern information tools. A mobile phone can be the perfect bridging device. Here we present the CAM mobile document processing system, in which a camera phone is used as an image capture and data entry device. Our system is able to process paper forms containing CamShell programs- embedded instructions that are decoded from an electronic image. By combining 1) paper, 2) audio, 3) numeric data entry, 4) narrative scripted execution and 5) asynchronous connectivity, we have synthesized our experience into a system that we believe is well-suited for an important set of users and applications in the developing world.