In computing, a stylus is a small pen-shaped instrument whose tip position on a touchscreen can be detected by the screen. It is used to draw, or make selections by tapping, on devices with touchscreens such as computers, mobile devices, game consoles, and graphics tablets. While touchscreens can usually be operated with a fingertip, a stylus provides more accurate and controllable input. The stylus has the same function as a mouse or trackpad as a pointing device; its use is commonly called pen computing.
History
The first use of a stylus in a computing device was the Styalator, demonstrated by Tom Dimond in 1957.
Types of styluses
Different types of stylus are used for graphics tablets, and resistive and capacitive touchscreens. Capacitive screens are very widely used on smart phones and multi-touch surfaces, where simultaneous use of several fingers is detected; a stylus cannot replicate this.
Capacitive stylus
Capacitive styluses emulate a finger by using a tip made rubber or conductive foam; or metal such as copper. They do not need to be powered and can be used on any multi-touch surface that a finger can be used, typically capacitive screens that are common in smart phones and tablet computers. Stylus tips made of rubber or foam are often large so it's difficult to get precise notes or drawings. Capacitive styluses work by distorting the screen’s electrostatic field. Screens that receive input from a capactive stylus 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.
Construction
Capactive styluses are made of a conductive material to transmit electrical charge between your hand, and a rubber/foam or metal tip such as copper. Being free of any digital components, capacitive styluses can be cost effective to manufacture. DIY capactive styluses can also be made with materials found at home.
Compatibility with devices
Capactive styluses tend to work on any multi-touch surface that accepts input from a finger.
Active stylus
See also Active pen, Digital pen Active styluses include digital components or circuitry inside the pen that communicates with a digitizer on the touch device. This communication allows for advanced features like 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 in the touch screen it is interacting with. Active styluses are powered by a removeable or chargeable battery, or operate passively by inductance.
Compatibility with devices
Active styluses use different protocols by different manufacturers in order to communicate with the digitizer of a graphic tablet or multi-touch device. The digital protocol of the pen must match the device digitizer, otherwise input from the pen will not register on the device. These types of active stylus protocols available are:
# Palm rejection or detection, which prevents a touch device from registering or marking the screen when a hand or palm is resting on the screen surface, relies on a combination of technology in the stylus, the OS software and the screen digitizer technology, to work effectively.
