CAM: a mobile paper-based information services architecture for remote rural areas in the developing world

During our work with microfinance groups in rural India, we found that paper plays a crucial role in many local information practices. However, paper-based record keeping 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-equipped mobile phone is used as an image capture and data entry device. Our system is able to process paper forms that contain 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 five years of design experience into a usable and locally harmonious system that has the potential to impact billions of people.