PADD " PADD " is an acronym for Personal Access Display Device , a hand - held computer interface , used as early as the 22nd century and well into the 24th century . PADDs were used by such space - faring organizations as Starfleet , the Andorian Imperial Guard , Bajoran Militia , Cardassian Union , Klingon Empire , Romulan Star Empire , and Vulcan High Command . They were common to cultures even as distant as the Delta Quadrant . PADDs were also used by many aliens of different species to bid on slaves at an Orion slave market on Verex III . ( ) General specifications . Consisting of a large touchscreen display and minimalistic manual interface or control panel ( generally only one or two buttons ) , the typical PADD was used for a variety of functions , including logging crew manifest s , compiling duty roster s or diagnostic reports , entering personal data , and / or accessing library computer systems using the LCARS Interface . Varying in size , shape and specification , PADDs were often distinguished by the species of their manufacturer or user . United Earth and Federation Starfleet PADDs were generally flat and rectangular in shape , while Klingon and Cardassian PADDs were often more angular . Starfleet . Standard issue during the 22nd century , PADDs utilized by Starfleet were rectangular in shape , dominated by a large display screen taking up much of the surface area of the device . Small buttons were located just below the screen , most often grouped in two , at the lower right - hand side of the interface . Varying control button arrangements were also in use . ( ) These PADDs were often used to display schematics , or subspace transmissions , and were capable of wireless computer networking as well as playing movie s , recording log s , and audio playback . ( ) At some point between 2144 and 2154 , Arik Soong was able to open all the locks in a San Francisco prison he was being held at using just a PADD . After this incident , he was only allowed to use paper when sketching and writing his ideas . ( ) In 2152 , a PADD was used by Captain Jonathan Archer in order to know how to arrange a series of log rings , while performing a ritual sectioning of an alvera tree as an apology to three Kreetassan chancellor s outside the Hall of Diplomacy on Kreetassa . ( ) Later that year , Commander Charles Tucker III left a PADD containing the schematic s of the starship with Q ' ell . ( ) A PADD of this type could be set up to work in conjunction with an amplifier , as Commander Tucker did in a successful attempt to distract Arkonian pilot Zho ' Kaan in 2152 . In addition , Tucker subsequently jury - rigged the PADD to work as a controller for a makeshift transceiver . ( ) While under the effects of trellium - D in 2154 , T ' Pol shattered a PADD on Captain Archer ' s desk . ( ) One of the most often used devices employed by personnel serving in Starfleet , PADDs were common aboard Federation starships , space station s , and planet ary facilities during the 23rd and 24th centuries . First appearing as late as 2266 aboard such starship types as the , PADDs of the 2260s were large , wedge - shaped devices , operated almost exclusively through the use of a stylus . These data PADDs were often carried by yeomen aboard starships , but additionally appeared in other locations , including Starfleet ' s Starbase 11 . ( ; ) By 2364 , PADDs had taken on a smaller profile and , while some models included one , the stylus was replaced by simple , touch - sensitive controls , typically located beneath a little , square - shaped display screen . Generally small and light - weight , the PADDs of the 2360s and 2370s were basically rectangular in shape , but varied in size , proportion , and even color – ranging from gray and muted blue colors , to red . Some PADDs , like one used by Dr . Lewis Zimmerman aboard Jupiter Station in 2376 , were translucent . ( ; ; , " et al . " ) When struck with enough force , the screen of a PADD could be shattered , resulting in shards sharp enough to cut Human skin . ( ) While the common function of these Federation PADDs was most often straight forward data entry or data retrieval , some PADDs were capable of more artistic tasks . Multiple PADDs , often larger in size than most of their counterparts , were used to draw up schematics or to create composite images or artwork . PADDs were also capable of predictive text functions , allowing users to enter a small amount of data to achieve full words or even sentences . In addition , a stylus could be used for text entry . PADDs could also order a site - to - site transport . PADDs may have been capable of sending text message s to other PADDs , based on events seen in a daydream of The Doctor ' s . ( , ) Andorian Imperial Guard . Roughly the same size as their Earth Starfleet counterparts , PADDs used by officers in the service of the Andorian Imperial Guard were rectangular in shape , highlighted by several square - shaped pieces at the sides and top , which itself was rounded . Unlike the Starfleet version , no obvious buttons or control panels were visible on the device , suggesting that the large , center - mounted display screen was touch - sensitive . ( ) Bajoran Militia . In use during the 24th century aboard Bajoran spacecraft and stations ( including New Bajor and starbase Deep Space 9 ) , Bajoran PADDs were small , roughly oval - shaped devices , nearly the same size as ( though slimmer than ) the small Federation PADD variant . Capable of the same general function as their alien counterparts , Bajoran PADDs could be used to download information from primary computer sources , including text documents as large as novel s . They were also able to display information in Bajoran as well as other languages . ( ) Cardassian Union . Used by both civilians and military personnel , the typical PADD used throughout the Cardassian Union could be found aboard warship s and on Cardassia Prime . Consisting of a brown and gold - colored unit , the Cardassian PADD was angular and irregularly shaped , featuring an oval - shaped display screen and a number of trapezoidal and irregularly shaped buttons . The Cardassian PADD was capable of a variety of functions , from displaying visual recordings to operating door mechanisms to torturing prisoners . ( ; ) Denobulan . In 2152 , Charles " Trip " Tucker read the instructions for a neutron microscope off a Denobulan PADD . ( ) Enolian . The Enolian s also used a type of PADD . It was colored bronze . An Enolian official used one of these devices aboard in 2152 , to view some mugshots of Jonathan Archer and Charles Tucker III . ( ) Ferengi Alliance . A mainstay in business dealings involving Ferengi in and outside of the Ferengi Alliance , Ferengi PADDs were often units which each had an elongated - hexagonal shape . Muted gold in color , these PADDs featured a number of button controls and a hexagon - shaped viewscreen often displaying the Ferengi interface layout , which was usually circular . Ferengi PADDs were most often geared toward business and profit , capable of cataloging inventory , inputting voucher s , or drawing up business plans . Chief amongst their capabilities was currency transfer , allowing transactions to take place with simple thumb print verification . These PADDs were utilized by Ferengi Commerce Authority liquidator s and could be found at the Tower of Commerce on Ferenginar , as well as aboard Ferengi vessels like Nunk ' s Marauder and at Quark ' s Bar , Grill , Gaming House and Holosuite Arcade on Deep Space 9 . ( ; ; ) Other Ferengi PADD variants included a flat , black and green device with an angular display screen . This PADD variant could be used to view auction catalogs . ( ) Klingon Empire . In 2154 , a type of Klingon PADD was used by a group of Klingon intruders who invaded . This device was used to sabotage the " Enterprise " computer by uploading Klingon subroutine s onto it . ( ) Another Klingon PADD was later used by Doctor Antaak to show Dr . Phlox that , by interrupting the transcription sequence in the Klingon augment virus , they could stop the virus from proceeding past its initial stage . ( ) At least two models of data PADDs were used by warrior s in the service of the Klingon Defense Force during the 24th century . Both harshly angular compared to their Federation counterparts , Klingon PADDs came in hand - held and larger , landscape - style varieties . Both displaying information in Klingonese , these PADDs could be found in the chambers of the Klingon High Council on Qo ' noS as well as aboard Klingon vessels such as the . The smaller model was dark green in color and featured several button controls running up the center of the device to a rectangular - shaped display screen capable of recorded - video playback . The larger model was brown and was held horizontally with a handle attached to the left of an angular , touchscreen display . ( ) Numiri . The Numiri of the Delta Quadrant were also known for using PADDs . In 2371 , the captain of a Numiri patrol ship used a PADD to identify Tom Paris aboard a Type 8 shuttlecraft . ( ) Quarren . An example of PADDs appearing as distant as the Delta Quadrant , similar devices were utilized by the slavers of the planet Quarra in 2377 . Golden - brown in color , these PADDs were roughly the same size as their counterparts from the Alpha and Beta Quadrant s , but featured circular display screens with several button controls below . Among their functions , they were used to display missing persons reports . ( ) Tandaran military . During the 22nd century , a silver - colored , metallic style of Tandaran PADD was available . It had a touch - sensitive screen and could be linked to retrieve information from other sources , such as from a and the Tandaran intelligence agency . ( ) V ' radian . A V ' radian PADD had a brown frame and a blue screen . The device ' s frame had sharply shaped outer edges . A keypad was below the screen . A V ' radian PADD was used by V ' radian chemist B ' Rat Ud to provide a recipe for trellium - D to Charles " Trip " Tucker and Malcolm Reed . ( ) Vulcan . In service as early as the 22nd century , Vulcan PADDs came in a variety of builds and sizes , from angular to oval - shaped devices . These PADDs were used by Vulcans stationed on distant planets , including Vulcans serving in the Interspecies Medical Exchange on Dekendi III . ( ) Xindi . In 2154 , Xindi - Primate Degra used a Xindi PADD to show Jannar evidence that had time travel ed . A short time later , Degra held a Xindi PADD while speaking with Captain Archer in his ready room . Mid - conversation , Degra showed the PADD to Archer , pointing out it contained the coordinates of the Xindi Council planet and instructions on how to access a subspace corridor which would shorten ' s journey there . ( ) Appendices . Background information . The PADDs depicted from TNG onwards were conceived and designed by Rick Sternbach , who submitted the first version of the design in . He also designed the vast majority of the variations following his first version . ( ) On the PADD concept , Sternbach has noted , " " The PADD was initially scaled to be about the size of a paperback book , with a larger , more comfortable screen than the tricorder s , and its internal isolinear circuitry was supposed to be many thousands of times more compact than in the clipboard Kirk was used to signing . I always assumed that the PADD would be a highly capable device , able to communicate with other tech devices . The fact that we have devices like it today doesn ' t surprise me in the least . They ' re all very , very cool , but I expected them to show up eventually . The only aspect about today ' s gadgets that I don ' t think I saw coming in 1987 was how multifunction they ' ve become . I ' m not sure if I designed the PADD and tricorder and other devices to be so limited in comparison or if they were just used on screen in limited ways . You don ' t see people talking into a PADD or a tricorder , though there ' s no good reason why they couldn ' t have . " " As foreseen by Rick Sternbach , not long after their debut in TNG , PADD - like devices became indeed a real - world technology with the introduction of s ( PDAs ) . Since then , devices with touch - sensitive displays and user input systems which reconfigure themselves depending on the task at hand have become common , the most notable one being ' s , introduced to the general public on by CEO . The iPad carries a name that sounds suspiciously like that of the fictional " Star Trek " device , a circumstance not lost on , including " Star Trek " actor Brent Spiner . Sternbach himself took a more laid - back position on the similarities issue , having stated in , " " I can understand why there ' s been some hoopla over the comparison to recent tablet computers , particularly the Apple iPad , but I really see the PADD as simply an outgrowth of science fiction data displays imagined for decades in literature and on screen . " " Still , other former " Star Trek " staffers such as Michael Okuda and Doug Drexler truly reveled in the advent of the iPad , as was evidenced by a remark from Drexler , " " It ' s uncanny to have a PADD that really works . The iPad is the true " Star Trek " dream . " " Like competitor ( having done so for the personal computer in the documentary " How William Shatner Changed the World " ) , Jobs has on at least one occasion acknowledged " Star Trek " as a possible source of inspiration , though not for the iPad , but rather for an earlier , predecessor device , the . Unlike their real world counterparts , most PADDs on TNG , DS9 and VOY were nonfunctional – hence Drexler ' s above - quoted " really works " remark – rarely even incorporating lighted display screens , but rather printed " okudagram s " . Lighted PADDs did eventually make their way to screens for , with custom and store - bought devices like the Cabin Light Box being used through and into " Enterprise " . According to frequent background performer Guy Vardaman , TNG extras often referred to the PADD props they carried down corridor s as " hall passes " . A Risian PADD used by Freebus appears in a deleted scene from . From the device , he sees that " Enterprise " crew members who have decided to visit Risa on shore leave have selected " a wide variety of locales and activities . " However , he also sees from the PADD that T ' Pol has decided not to go with them . FASA ' s " " referred to their full name as " Portable Auxiliary Data Display " .