A recently published patent may answer users' concerns about being able to use gloves with an iPhone or iPod touch handset. The patent, as noted by AppleInsider, would allow users to interact with Apple's multi-touch devices via the use of specialized gloves and describes how capacitive touchscreens like those found on the iPhone and iPod touch are problematic in colder weather.

In such instances, the device depends on the electrical response from a user's fingertips, which is often blocked when the user wears insulated gloves. This forces the user to either take off their gloves or else sit tight until they return indoors.

The device described in the patent would give gloves a second, inner layer beyond the surface that would simulate the electrical feedback of human fingers when exposed to the outside. Apertures at each fingertip would let users peel back the outer, more weatherproof layer to leave a finger protected only by the inner layer but capable of using touchscreen devices with roughly the same responsiveness as bare skin.

Such a device could use either an elastic ring to open or close the openings on the fly, or could have protective caps instead.

The patent is credited to inventors Steven Hotelling and Ashwin Sunder. It's currently unknown whether the submitted patent reveals any of Apple's plans, as the company rarely makes specialized clothing and leaves such products to third party vendors should the market demand it.

The patent application was originally filed on June 28th, 2007, a day before the original iPhone's launch.