Can Anything Other Than A Human Finger Register A "Touch"

[tybouff]

Greetings all,

I am in need of a stylus or anything that will register a "touch" on an iPod touchscreen without requiring a human finger. I purchased a stylus only to realize that my fingers had to touch it in order for it to work. Would the capacitive touch screen sense a battery operated device? I do not need to understand the technology... I just want something that I don't have to touch that can still register a "touch" on my iPod's touchscreen. I'll explain why I need it if I find something that works. Regards,

[zjzjn1]

You can use aluminium foil over a blunt stick (rubber of a pencil, cap of a marker). It won't damage your screen, but i can't guarantee it. It works for me, it's cheap but it doesn't look very well.

[strider42]

Originally Posted by tybouff

Greetings all,

I am in need of a stylus or anything that will register a "touch" on an iPod touchscreen without requiring a human finger. I purchased a stylus only to realize that my fingers had to touch it in order for it to work. Would the capacitive touch screen sense a battery operated device? I do not need to understand the technology... I just want something that I don't have to touch that can. still register a "touch" on my iPod's touchscreen. I'll explain why I need it if I find something that works. Regards,

There are tons of capacitive styluses available. Ypu can get them at target or amazon or many other places. You just need a stylus that can conduct a small amount if electricity

[fabian9]

the negative side of any battery should work!

[tybouff]

Hello everyone, thanks to all who took their time to respond to my original post. Unfortunately I was not clear enough in my request. The stylus I am looking for needs to operate without my fingers holding it. How is that possible? The stylus will be attached to a robotic device that taps my ipod touch for me. Therefore, my fingers will not be touching the stylus and will not be able to send a current to the screen through it. I need a stylus that can interact with a capacitive touch screen completely on its own. I have searched the internet high and low for such a stylus, but no one seems to understand what I am looking for. I may be the first person in need of such a thing but I doubt it. Any ideas?

[old-wiz]

You'd have to build such a stylus yourself. It would need to mimic the electrical characteristics of a human finger.

And no, cutting off someone's finger and attaching it is not going to work.

[nysegop]

You will need the tip to be clean and soft so it doesn't damage the screen. You will also need it to omit some sort of electrical signal or heat so it will register the device.

[marcusj0015]

Originally Posted by tybouff

Hello everyone, thanks to all who took their time to respond to my original post. Unfortunately I was not clear enough in my request. The stylus I am looking for needs to operate without my fingers holding it. How is that possible? The stylus will be attached to a robotic device that taps my ipod touch for me. Therefore, my fingers will not be touching the stylus and will not be able to send a current to the screen through it. I need a stylus that can interact with a capacitive touch screen completely on its own. I have searched the internet high and low for such a stylus, but no one seems to understand what I am looking for. I may be the first person in need of such a thing but I doubt it. Any ideas?

Why do you need this? War accident? Smelting accident?

Couldn't you just jailbreak and edit the Plist of the app?

Scripting would probably be easier as well, and if that doesn't work, I'm 98% sure you could make an app for that. Physical manipulation via machine is the most difficult way I can imagine doing that tbh.

[Orange Furball]

The bamboo is a wacom pen. For the bamboo computer touch accessory. They sell replacement pens at www.wacom.com

[coy-technocrat]

Originally Posted by Orange furball

The bamboo is a wacom pen. For the bamboo computer touch accessory. They sell replacement pens at www.wacom.com

It's actually this stylus solo for iPad although I do have the other pens for my Intuos 4.. wish I could use the same one :)

My Boxwave stylus works the same way (not needing my hand to touch for it to register input) ... But in the end I did notice that you need to able to apply more pressure than simply touching the surface of the display. The reason for your device not working with the stylus you have now may simply be due to weight. I know the iPad doesn't respond to pressure (i wish it did !!) but I think it's responding to the size of the "touch pad" or size of the "finger". When you add pressure the rubber tip squishes down and flattens out.

I would either add more weight to the stylus so that the pad deforms when pressing into the touch surface, or I would try a larger "stylus" like a hot dog... you may also try this from adonit it uses a disk so perhaps this gives the surface area required to register a touch regardless of "pen pressure". I was thinking about buying one to see if it's a better drawing stylus (because I feel like I'm using a crayon otherwise) - point is - I don't have one so I don't know if it'll work if you just lightly rest the Jot on the screen.

Bonne chance.

[bpaluzzi]

Originally Posted by coy-technocrat

My Boxwave stylus works the same way (not needing my hand to touch for it to register input) ... But in the end I did notice that you need to able to apply more pressure than simply touching the surface of the display. The reason for your device not working with the stylus you have now may simply be due to weight. I know the iPad doesn't respond to pressure (i wish it did !!) but I think it's responding to the size of the "touch pad" or size of the "finger". When you add pressure the rubber tip squishes down and flattens out.

I've had the same results, using a Just Mobile Alupen and a Kensington Virtuoso Touch. No contact with human hand needed, but a bit more downward pressure, spreading out the rubber "nib" at the end.

[Scalleez]

Mt daughters is quadriplegic and uses a head pointer which is home made. I bought 50 styli pens (styluses?) online from China cost $39 delivered. I cut them in half and slipped the tube with the rubber tip onto the end of a length of golf club shaft (titanium). The pointer is approx 15" long and is attached to her head by a band and fastened with Velcro...never touches skin. Works a treat

[Orange Furball]

Originally Posted by marcusj0015

Why do you need this? War accident? Smelting accident?

Couldn't you just jailbreak and edit the Plist of the app?

Scripting would probably be easier as well, and if that doesn't work, I'm 98% sure you could make an app for that. Physical manipulation via machine is the most difficult way I can imagine doing that tbh.

He already said it was so he could collect points in an app while at work

[tehpea]

Capacitive styli will do. Out of curiosity... did you guys know water drops can register as touches due to the ions that are in the fluid?

[marcusj0015]

Originally Posted by Orange furball

He already said it was so he could collect points in an app while at work

Yeah, hence the edit. lol

[mackmgg]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBpo7...layer_embedded

That video tells you how to make one. The one thing you need is one of those anti-static bags that hard drives and other sensitive devices come in.

[steviem]

Originally Posted by tybouff

Greetings all,

I am in need of a stylus or anything that will register a "touch" on an iPod touchscreen without requiring a human finger. I purchased a stylus only to realize that my fingers had to touch it in order for it to work. Would the capacitive touch screen sense a battery operated device? I do not need to understand the technology... I just want something that I don't have to touch that can still register a "touch" on my iPod's touchscreen. I'll explain why I need it if I find something that works. Regards,

Other appendages work too

[dazcox5181]

Am I the only one think this is HUGE overkill to collect 'points' in an app? How much Farmville do you play!

[samdev]

Originally Posted by tybouff

Greetings all,

I am in need of a stylus or anything that will register a "touch" on an iPod touchscreen without requiring a human finger. I purchased a stylus only to realize that my fingers had to touch it in order for it to work. Would the capacitive touch screen sense a battery operated device? I do not need to understand the technology... I just want something that I don't have to touch that can still register a "touch" on my iPod's touchscreen. I'll explain why I need it if I find something that works. Regards,

"Capacitive" means something that can hold an electrical charge.

To simulate the touch of a human finger, you would need a capacitive material.
A material that can hold and deliver an electrical charge, without the need
of the human body.

But, most importantly, this capacitive material has to mimick the surface area of
the human finger. Like a foamy, silicone-rubber tip. A pencil tip won't work.
It has to cover a modest surface area. Not a pinpoint.

[riptide747]

There has got to be a d**k joke here somewhere...

[inscrewtable]

I know what might work but only on pr0n sites [!]

[grace4star]

Stylus. Seriously, use a stylus. There are many ones, but before you buy it make sure it isn't under $3 because they could be pretty crappy. There are millions - but I think they have some at the Apple Store which is probably the best one. Not sure though.

Source: mum owns a stylus, so does nanna, all my aunties and cousin.

[micros]

Originally Posted by grace4star

Stylus. Seriously, use a stylus. There are many ones, but before you buy it make sure it isn't under $3 because they could be pretty crappy. There are millions - but I think they have some at the Apple Store which is probably the best one. Not sure though.

Source: mum owns a stylus, so does nanna, all my aunties and cousin.

I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you Tybouff, but at least I read the question! Incredible how many people only read topic titles and post useless answers here...

[ImpKali]

Typical stylii in the vein of the Nintendo DS stylus don't work with multitouch screens. You need one that makes something resembling the electric current in a human finger. Here's the one I used when I still had my iTouch.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Targus-Sty...-iPad/15406798

[Clipboard88]

I too had the same issue. In fact it also was dealing with an app. I went a little overboard...I have access to old used plc's. One Plc, two ice cube relays, and a car door lock actuator later created my master piece. However, I quickly realized I had nothing to "touch" the screen as the door actuator pushed out and sucked in. After doing some reading on capacitive screens, I realized a penny connected to earth ground should work just the same as a human finger. (I'm an electrical engineer by day, extreme tinker by night). So I swapped my power cord to a three prong to pick up earth ground (my house is properly grounded). Landed the ground to a terminal block on my din rail, connected a wire between it and tapped the other end to a penny. That wire runs through a hole on the end of the actuator...so it moving slides the penny...it being grounded slides the screen around while I'm at work! The Plc makes it actuate every 30 seconds.

One could also use copper tape stuck to the screen (grounded), but ran through a normally open set of contacts. Having a cycling timer close the coil on the relay every 30 seconds (or whatever time you need). It would perfectly simulate someone tapping the screen where the tape has been placed.