A digitizer tablet is a device used to input graphical data into a computer using a stylus and special software. It can be used as a pointing device and is preferred by some over a mouse. The first tablets were created in the 1950s and have evolved to include various technologies. They are used by artists, engineers, and designers, and can also be used for handwriting recognition and non-Latin languages.
A digitizer tablet is a device used to enter two- or three-dimensional graphical data into a computer. An image, diagram or text can easily be drawn or traced on the flat surface of the digitizer. A stylus and special software take the place of pen and paper. Digitizer driver software can usually detect the height of the stylus above the graphics pad, its angle with the pad, and any pressure exerted on it. The two-dimensional absolute position of the stylus is always known, unlike that of a mouse: a digital tablet can be used as a pointing device in addition to or instead of a mouse.
The stylus used with a digitizing tablet often looks like a thick pen or pencil. Contains a small amount of circuitry and may also include a battery. It also usually has a few buttons. The buttons may not match those of a mouse – you may need to tap a stylus on the pad to “double click”. Like a pencil, the opposite end of the stylus can often be used to “erase” a line.
Some people who have repetitive strain injuries, or want to avoid them, use a digitizer instead of a mouse. They prefer the longer, wider arm movements of a stylus. Without it, prolonged mouse movements heavy on the wrist often aggravate their condition.
A digitizing tablet often comes with a mouse-like “puck” in addition to the stylus. It may have an optical lens attached to facilitate computer aided design (CAD) work. It is also likely to include some buttons. These can often be programmed as shortcuts to common graphics software operations.
The first computer-based digitizing tablets were created in the late 1950s and early 1960s. They have been used with handwriting motion analysis and CAD systems. By the mid-1970s, they had evolved enough to make high-end CAD a commercial success. During the 1980s, tablets came bundled with some personal computers. Often handwriting and paint recognition programs were also included.
A digitizing tablet may also be known as a graphics tablet or graphics tablet. Many technologies have been used in this type of computer input device. Electromagnetic properties can be used on both the stylus and the tablet to determine position. A passive induction design can eliminate the need for an AA battery.
In an acoustic design, the stylus can generate clicks that are triangulated by the tablet. An optical pad can use a very small camera in the stylus along with pattern matching software. A capacitive tablet is somewhat similar to a touchscreen, but has much higher accuracy. Like most other designs, it is able to detect the position of the stylus above the surface of the tablet.
Variations on modern digitizers are used in interactive whiteboards and some handheld games. A tablet computer integrates a graphics pad and a fully functional computer system. Many artists, engineers, architects and other designers often use a digitizer tablet in their daily work. Some people also find it a natural way to enter characters from Asian and other non-Latin languages.
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