What is on tip of PDA pen?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brett
  • Start date Start date
B

Brett

What is on the tip of a PDA pin or even the credit card readers at some
stores that allows you to write on a screen with the pen?

I've noticed a regular pen (restracted of course) does not work.

Thanks,
Brett
 
What is on the tip of a PDA pin or even the credit card readers at some
stores that allows you to write on a screen with the pen?

I've noticed a regular pen (restracted of course) does not work.

Thanks,
Brett
Click to expand...
PDA's, of the Palm and most WinCE varieties have nothing special in the tip
of the stylus. It is just soft enough matrial to not scratch the screen
surface. Most plastics (not metal) should work on most PDAs. On the
Signature capture screens of the credit card systems, those can be
magnetic, or they can have a sensor in the stylus. Not the same technology.

I have used fingernails and chopsticks (among other things) as a stylus on
my palm/casio/handspring/symbol pda's with no problems. Why your regular
pen (retracted of course) didn't work I don't know unless it was not on a
normal PDA.

JT
 
What is on the tip of a PDA pin or even the credit card readers at some
stores that allows you to write on a screen with the pen?

I've noticed a regular pen (restracted of course) does not work.

Thanks,
Brett
Click to expand...

Some of them use synthetic ruby balls, but likely more-modern cheaply
constructed parts use something less expensive... there is no special
propery of the stylus tip (like magnetic or electrical) needed.


Dave
 
JT said:
PDA's, of the Palm and most WinCE varieties have nothing special in the tip
of the stylus. It is just soft enough matrial to not scratch the screen
surface. Most plastics (not metal) should work on most PDAs. On the
Signature capture screens of the credit card systems, those can be
magnetic, or they can have a sensor in the stylus. Not the same technology.

I have used fingernails and chopsticks (among other things) as a stylus on
my palm/casio/handspring/symbol pda's with no problems. Why your regular
pen (retracted of course) didn't work I don't know unless it was not on a
normal PDA.

JT
Click to expand...

I recently tried something similar to a rubber tipped pen. It didn't work.
I guess the pen needs to have a magnetic tip. The bottom of the card reader
pen at Wal-Mart is hard. Meaning, I guess it isn't rubber.

Brett
 
I recently tried something similar to a rubber tipped pen. It didn't work.
I guess the pen needs to have a magnetic tip. The bottom of the card reader
pen at Wal-Mart is hard. Meaning, I guess it isn't rubber.

Brett
Click to expand...

What did you use it on? A PDA or one of the credit card terminals? Makes a
difference, as they are not the same.
 
Credit card terminal.

Brett
Click to expand...
Most Credit Card terminals and similar terminals, require the special pens.
They usually have a sensor or transmitter, usually magnetic, in the tip. It
is an active device with power. It is to keep you from using anything but
that stylus on the terminal. It outlast what could be done with a PDA type
screen. It keeps stray touches from interfering. And of course, it keeps
the price up ;-). Different technology than an PDA altogether.

JT
 
JT said:
Most Credit Card terminals and similar terminals, require the special pens.
They usually have a sensor or transmitter, usually magnetic, in the tip. It
is an active device with power. It is to keep you from using anything but
that stylus on the terminal. It outlast what could be done with a PDA type
screen. It keeps stray touches from interfering. And of course, it keeps
the price up ;-). Different technology than an PDA altogether.

JT
Click to expand...
Does the attached wire supply power to the pen or is that a security device
to keep the pen from being stolen?

I was hoping to avoid touching the pen. I like using my own pen, which I
always carry around. Wal-Mart is the only place with an attached pen.
Maybe I'll just wrap paper around the pen or something when I go to WW.

Brett
 
Back
Top