1. A pen for recording a selected sequence of characters by passing the pen over the sequence of characters, comprising a light-sensitive sensor ( 8 ) for imaging the characters and a signal processing unit ( 20 - 24 ) for identifying the imaged characters and storing them in character coded format in the pen, characterised in that the light-sensitive sensor ( 8 ) has a two-dimensional sensor surface, the sensor being adapted to image the selected character sequence with the aid of a plurality of images with partially overlapping contents, and that the signal processing unit ( 20 - 24 ) is adapted to put together said plurality of images both vertically and horizontally into a composite image, whereby compensation is obtained for different speeds of movement and different angles of rotation of the pen, and that the identification of the imaged characters is performed on the basis of the composite image.