Stylus

A pen-shaped instrument that interacts with a touch-sensitive surface to make selections, write, draw, or control a device.

Capacitive sensing: A method that detects touch by measuring changes in electrical capacitance. A passive stylus can imitate a conductive finger to activate capacitive screens.
Touchscreen: A display that detects touch input and uses it to control a computing device. A stylus works only when the screen can sense its kind of input.
Digital handwriting: The creation of handwritten text with an electronic input device. A stylus lets users write directly on a digital screen.
Finger tracking: The detection and interpretation of a user's finger movements on an input surface. Finger tracking is the touch input that passive styluses often imitate.
Electromagnetic resonance: A technology that transfers energy and signals between resonant electromagnetic circuits. Some screens use resonance to locate a pen without requiring its tip to touch the display.
Resistive touchscreen: A touchscreen that detects pressure closing a gap between conductive layers. Its pressure-based sensing can register many objects, including simple plastic styluses.
Digital illustration: Artwork created or edited using digital tools and media. Pen pressure and tilt can control the appearance of drawn strokes.
Graphics tablet: A computer input device that records pen movement on a tablet surface, often separate from its display. It uses a dedicated pen surface rather than necessarily writing on the screen itself.
Digitizer: A device or sensor system that converts physical input into digital coordinates. A screen digitizer detects the stylus position and reports it to the device.
Conductive rubber: A rubber material formulated to conduct electricity. A broad conductive-rubber tip allows passive styluses to operate capacitive screens.

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