In computing, astylus(orstylus pen) is a smallpen-shaped instrument whose tip position on acomputer monitorcan be detected. It is used to draw, or make selections by tapping. While devices withtouchscreenssuch aslaptops,smartphones,game consoles,[1]andgraphics tablets[2]can usually be operated with a fingertip, a stylus can provide more accurate and controllable input.[3]
History
editThe earliest computer-related usage for a stylus was in 1643 withPascal's calculator.[4]The device had rotary dials that rotated in accordance with the selected numbers; with gears, drums, and clever engineering, it was capable of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division (using 9's constant). A stylus was used to turn the dials.
Later devices of this type include theArithmometer,in the 1860s; and theAddiator,in 1920.[5]The Addiator was a pocket mechanical adding machine that used a stylus to move tiny rigid slices of sheet-metal that were enclosed in a case. On the side of a slice of metal there were numbers that became visible to display the result. It was capable of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. In 1967 there was a HEXADAT model,[6]which allowed 4-function math to be applied to hexadecimal numbers for use in programming. The first use of a stylus in an electronic computing device was theStylator,demonstrated by Tom Dimond in 1957.[7][8]
Types
editCapacitive
editCapacitive (also called passive) styluses emulate a finger by using a tip made of rubber orconductive foam;or metal such as copper. They do not need to be powered and can be used on anymulti-touchsurface that a finger can be used, typicallycapacitive screensthat are common insmart phonesandtablet computers.Stylus tips made of rubber or foam are often large, making it rather difficult to get precise notes or drawings.
Capacitive styluses work by distorting the screen’s electrostatic field.[9]Screens that receive input from a capacitive stylus (as well as human fingers) can't register pressure applied by the pen; tilting of the pen; and can't distinguish between a capacitive stylus, your finger, or a resting palm as input - it will register all of these touches as marks on the screen.
Capacitive styluses are made of a conductive material (typically as a metal rod or barrel) to transmit electrical charge between the hand and a rubber[10]or metal tip such as copper. Being free of any digital components, capacitive styluses can be cost effective to manufacture.DIYcapacitive styluses can also be made with materials found at home.[11]
Capacitive screens are very widely used onsmart phonesandmulti-touch surfaces,where simultaneous use of several fingers is detected.[12]Capacitive styluses tend to work on anymulti-touchsurface that accepts input from a finger.
Active
editActive (also calleddigital[2]) styluses include digital components or circuitry inside the pen that communicates with a digitizer on the touch device. This communication allows for advanced features such as pressure sensitivity, tilt, programmable buttons, palm detection, eraser tips, memorizing settings, and writing data transmission. In order for an active stylus to function, its digital component protocol must match the digitizer technology it is interacting with. Active styluses are powered by a removable or chargeable battery, or operate passively by inductance.
Active styluses use different protocols by different manufacturers in order to communicate with the digitizer of agraphic tabletormulti-touchdevice. The digital protocol of the pen must match the device digitizer, otherwise input from the pen will not register on the device.
Resistive
editA resistive stylus works by applying pressure to the screen, causing two layers (a conductive and a resistive layer) to make contact. This registers as a touch input.[citation needed]
Gallery
edit-
Asmartphonebeing operated with a stylus -
Samsung Galaxy Note seriesof smartphones, as well asGalaxy S22 Ultra,come with an integrated stylus calledS-Pen. -
ANintendo DS Litewith its stylus -
An LG Stylo 2 Plus smartphone, with its integrated stylus
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Giz Explains: The Magic Behind Touchscreens".Gizmodo.13 August 2008.Archivedfrom the original on 26 November 2009.Retrieved3 November2009.
- ^abShelly, Gary B.; Misty E. Vermaat (2009).Discovering Computers: Fundamentals.Cengage Learning.ISBN978-0-495-80638-7.Archivedfrom the original on 15 February 2017.Retrieved3 November2009.
- ^Charles Arthur (20 October 2009)."Windows Mobile: where's the love? And where's the sales figure?".The Guardian.London.Archivedfrom the original on 11 October 2016.
- ^"CNUM - 8KU54-2.5: P.245 - im.249".
- ^"Addiator - Rechnerlexikon".
- ^"Addiator Hexadat - Rechnerlexikon".
- ^Dimond, Tom (1957-12-01)."Devices for reading handwritten characters".Proceedings of Eastern Joint Computer Conference. pp. 232–237.Archivedfrom the original on 2008-07-05.Retrieved2008-08-23.
- ^Dimond, T. L. (1958)."Devices for Reading Handwritten Characters".December 9–13, 1957 Eastern Joint Computer Conference: Computers with Deadlines to Meet.Association for Computing Machinery:232–237.doi:10.1145/1457720.1457765.S2CID17961928.
- ^Kazmeyer, Milton (September 28, 2018)."How Does a Stylus Pen Work?".Techwalla.RetrievedJune 1,2020.
- ^"The Science Behind Capacitive Styluses".Nelson-Miller, Inc.2019-07-15.Retrieved2020-06-01.
- ^Bell, Donald."How to make a capacitive stylus (photos)".CNET.Retrieved2020-06-01.
- ^Brandon, John (15 December 2008)."The Age of Touch Computing: A Complete Guide".PC World.Archivedfrom the original on 27 December 2017.
External links
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