Add-on capacitive touchscreen aid

Abstract

An apparatus that allows a glove wearer or the wearer of a prosthetic limb to operate a device having a capacitive touchscreen is disclosed. The first embodiment of the disclosed invention is a conductive finger sock that can be applied to the tip or all of a digit of a non-conductive artificial limb. The second embodiment is an adhesive element having a conductive material such as conductive thread or a conductive sponge material. The adhesive element can be attached to a glove or to a prosthetic limb or may be used as an actual bandage. The third embodiment is directed to a factory integrated conductive tip that is part of a digit of a non-conductive artificial limb. The conductive element may be attached to the wearer's skin by a conductive line or may be used without the conductive line and thus may function in isolation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen, the adhesive attachment comprising:
 a flexible body;   an adhesive surface formed on at least part of said flexible body; and   a conductive portion composed of a conductive material, said conductive surface being operatively associated with said flexible body.   
     
     
         10 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 9  wherein said conductive portion is formed through said flexible body. 
     
     
         11 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 9  wherein said conductive portion is formed on said flexible body. 
     
     
         12 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 11  further including a conductive line. 
     
     
         13 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 12  further including an adhesive patch connected to said conductive line. 
     
     
         14 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 13  wherein said adhesive patch includes a conductive portion, said conductive line being connected to said conductive portion. 
     
     
         15 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 9  wherein said flexible body includes a first extension, a second extension, and a third extension. 
     
     
         16 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An adhesive attachment for placement on a finger for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen, the adhesive attachment comprising:
 a body;   an adhesive surface formed on at least part of said body; and   a conductive portion composed of a conductive material, said conductive surface being operatively associated with said body.   
     
     
         22 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 21  wherein said conductive portion is formed through said body. 
     
     
         23 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 21  wherein said conductive portion is formed on said body. 
     
     
         24 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 23  further including a conductive line. 
     
     
         25 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 23  further including for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 12  further including an adhesive patch connected to said conductive line. 
     
     
         26 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 24  wherein said adhesive patch includes a conductive portion, said conductive line being connected to said conductive portion. 
     
     
         27 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 21  wherein said body includes a first extension, a second extension, and a third extension. 
     
     
         28 . An adhesive attachment for placement on a finger for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen, the adhesive attachment comprising:
 a body having a central portion and an underside;   an adhesive surface formed on at least part of said underside of said body; and   a conductive portion composed of a conductive material, said conductive surface being operatively associated with said central portion of said body.   
     
     
         29 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 28  wherein said conductive portion is formed through said central portion of said body. 
     
     
         30 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 28  wherein said conductive portion is formed on said central portion of said body. 
     
     
         31 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 30  further including a conductive line. 
     
     
         32 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 30  further including for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 12  further including an adhesive patch connected to said conductive line. 
     
     
         33 . The adhesive attachment for use in the operation of a capacitive touchscreen of  claim 31  wherein said adhesive patch includes a conductive portion, said conductive line being connected to said conductive portion.