Abstract:
A user-configurable, tactile interface system that includes mechanical buttons with several mounting options, and several methods to interface with touch-sensing devices. A user can activate a touch on a touch sensing device by pressing a physical pad, which may be textured, or raised.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)(1) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/289,741, filed Dec. 23, 2009, entitled “Tactile Touch-Sensing Interface System”, and bearing Attorney Docket No. K1077.101.101; and the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Many devices use a touch-sensing system as the primary form of input. This method brings along some inherent disadvantages, which the present disclosure remedies. One of these disadvantages is the lack of tactile feedback. The touch-sensing systems are often associated with a smooth touch-receiving surface, lacking any texture or surface irregularities that the user can feel. 
         [0003]    Touch-sensing systems can take various forms, and generally entail one or more touch-receiving sensors or switches that are selectively actuated by a user and electrically connected to a processor or similar device programmed to perform certain operation(s) in response to a signal received from the touch-receiving sensor(s). The touch-receiving sensor(s) are presented to a user in various formats, but are typically located on, below, or within a display screen, located to sense a touch at one (or more) designated touch coordinates (or areas) along the display screen. For example, the touch-receiving sensor can be located immediately at (or below) the designated touch coordinates; alternatively, a series of touch-receiving sensors can be provided that collectively operate to recognize a touch at the designated touch coordinates. Various icons, symbols, pictures, characters (e.g., alphanumeric), etc., are displayed on the display screen at or “over” the designated touch coordinates so that a user viewing the display screen understands that by touching the display screen in the area of the indicia (and thus actuating the touch-receiving sensor(s)), a desired operation will be performed. By way of example,  FIG. 1  is a simplified view of a hand-held device  50  including a display screen  52 . Several touch-receiving sensors  54 ,  56  are associated with the display screen  52  to define two designated touch coordinates along the display screen  52 , and are shown in phantom in  FIG. 1  (i.e., the touch-receiving sensors  54 ,  56  are not readily visible to a viewer). In  FIG. 2 , the device  50  is operated to display indicia  60 ,  62  “over” each of the touch-receiving sensors  54 ,  56 . It will be understood that in other common configurations (e.g., capacitive touch systems described below), the touch-receiving sensors  54 ,  56  are not located immediately below the designated touch coordinates (i.e., coordinates of the indicia  60 ,  62 ), but instead are collectively located to respond to a touch at the designated touch coordinates. Regardless, the indicia  60 ,  62  effectively serve as virtual buttons, controllers, or keyboards, providing the user with an immediate visual clue as to what type of operation will be prompted should the user touch the display screen in the region of the indicia. 
         [0004]    Touch-receiving sensors are commonly of the “capacitive touch” variety. These touch-receiving sensors sense the electrical properties of a user&#39;s finger to determine if the user has touched the screen, and if so, where the touch occurred. It should be noted that these properties do not have to be present directly on top of the display screen to be sensed. For example, it is common practice to have a clear film (e.g., a screen protector) or other non-conductive material placed over the display screen; capacitive touch sensor systems are configured such that these non-conductive layers do not interfere with intended sensor operation. Another type of touch-receiving sensor is known as “resistive touch”. This type is simpler electrically, since it only requires mechanical pressure to register a touch, and does not require any certain electrical properties to be present. 
         [0005]    In the case of a “capacitive touch” sensing device, interfacing a button keypad is non-trivial. The pressure of a user&#39;s finger on a button alone is not enough for the system to sense a touch. Instead, the electrical properties of the user&#39;s finger must be communicated to, or replicated on, the touch-sensing system. 
         [0006]    There are several devices on the market today that use touch-sensing systems as the main format for user input, such as the Apple iPhone, the Apple iPod Touch, and the Microsoft Zune HD. The iPhone presents a use environment that will be familiar to many readers, and will be used for examples. In no way is the present disclosure intended to be restricted to this device, and in no way are the examples meant to suggest any kind of preferred form or application. On the iPhone, the display device and the touch-sensing system are the same size and shape, and the touch-sensing system is overlaid directly on top of the display. Therefore it may be helpful to use the term ‘touch screen’ to refer to the touch-sensing system and the display device. 
         [0007]    In many cases, the touch-sensing system and display device act in conjunction to mimic hardware input systems such as buttons. For example, on the iPhone users can input data using an on-screen virtual keyboard. The keyboard is displayed on the screen, and users can input or “select” a character by touching any of the displayed keys. The device can sense when the user has touched one of the displayed keys, and the system can respond with visual and/or auditory feedback to the user. 
         [0008]    The flat and smooth touch screen inherently provides a small level of tactile feedback to the user, and for many end-use applications, this is acceptable. However, the minimal feedback provided by the touch screen is noticeably different from the tactile feedback provided by a physical, spring-loaded button, such as commonly provided with hand-held video game controllers. In video games, tactile and sensory feedback can be especially important. There are added restraints on the user to provide the correct input at the correct time. For example, if a user&#39;s input is incorrect, the game may require them to repeat a section of the game. This higher cost of failure can result in added frustration to the user. In some cases, a user may be able to use his or her own visual feedback to verify that their fingers are touching the correct positions. However, with the added timing restrictions of video games, and the need to respond quickly to auditory or visual feedback, the user can rarely take his eyes from the display device. 
         [0009]    For example, the Apple iPhone allows users to play video game applications by interfacing with the touch screen. To give users a familiar experience, the hand-held device  50  will often display a control pad representation  70  on the touch screen  52  in conjunction with a particular gaming application, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The control pad representation  70  will “show” virtual buttons to the user in a fashion analogous to controllers commonly used with stand-alone video game systems. One common feature includes four touch-receiving sensors or buttons arranged underneath the control pad representation  70  that is otherwise has the visual appearance of a plus sign shaped piece, and is typically known as a directional pad. The directional pad  70 , or D-Pad, often controls the direction of something in the game. Other individual button representations  72 ,  74  are also often displayed, and are typically circular. Once again, the representations  70 - 74  are only displayed on the video display device  50 , and do not physically exist on device  50 , and thus are referred to as “virtual” buttons, controllers, keyboards, etc. The device  50  responds to a sensed touch at one of the virtual buttons, controllers, etc., in some prescribed manner. 
         [0010]    In light of the above, a need exists for systems and methods for improving a user&#39;s tactile interaction with a touch-sensing system, and in particular with touch-sensing systems provided with hand-held devices in performing video game applications and/or other applications such as keyboards. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    In some aspects, the present disclosure provides systems and methods of interfacing with or actuating touch sensors in a way that retains the advantages of physical buttons. The present disclosure is comprised of individual physical members, or buttons, that give tactile feedback to the user, and can communicate with a touch-sensing input system. In one embodiment, these members communicate to the touch-sensing device directly, without any external control circuitry. 
         [0012]    In this embodiment, each member, a single unit, functions both as the tactile feedback device, and also as the touch generating device. The touch generating device is the interface that provides the sensed touch on the touch-sensing device. In other words, it is the unit that causes the touch-sensitive device to sense that it was touched. This definition will be used throughout. 
         [0013]    In addition, one embodiment is designed in such a way that allows the user to position the members themselves. This allows the user to configure the members to interface with existing software ad-hoc. In other words, the present disclosure may be used with software that was not designed with the intent of interfacing with the present disclosure. This is important, as it allows use of the present disclosure in more situations. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a simplified plan view of a hand-held device including a display screen and touch-receiving sensors; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the device of  FIG. 1  and illustrating virtual buttons being displayed thereon; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of another display of virtual controllers; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a button assembly in accordance with principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the button assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the button assembly of  FIG. 5 , taken along the line  6 - 6  and in a normal state; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the button assembly of  FIG. 5  in a depressed state; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a simplified plan view of two of the button assemblies of  FIG. 4  applied to a touch sensitive device; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of two of the button assemblies of  FIG. 4  applied to a touch sensing system in a different arrangement; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are cross-sectional views illustrating use of the button assembly of  FIG. 4  relative to a display screen; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a side view of another button assembly in accordance with principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the button assembly of  FIG. 11 , taken along the line  12 - 12 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the button assembly of  FIG. 11 , taken along the line  13 - 13 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of another button assembly in accordance with principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14B  is a side view of the button assembly of  FIG. 14A ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14C  is a cross-sectional view of the button assembly of  FIG. 14B , taken along the line  14 C- 14 C; 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another button assembly in accordance with principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a top view of the button assembly of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the button assembly of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 18 and 19  are side views illustrating use of the button assembly of  FIG. 15  relative to a touch sensitive display screen; 
           [0034]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of another embodiment button assembly in accordance with principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0035]      FIG. 21  is a top view of the button assembly of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 22  is a side view of the button assembly of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of the button assembly of  FIG. 22 , taken along the line  23 - 23 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 24  is a side view of a button body portion of the button assembly of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0039]      FIGS. 25 and 26  are simplified, top plan views of a virtual controller displayed on a touch sensitive display screen; 
           [0040]      FIG. 27  is a side view illustrating use of the button assembly of  FIG. 20  relative to a touch sensitive display screen; 
           [0041]      FIG. 28A  is a perspective view of another button assembly in accordance with principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0042]      FIG. 28B  is a side view of the button assembly of  FIG. 28A ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 28C  is a cross-sectional view of the button assembly of  FIG. 28B , along the line  28 C- 28 C; 
           [0044]      FIG. 29A  is a perspective view of another button assembly in accordance with principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0045]      FIG. 29B  is an exploded side view of the button assembly of  FIG. 29A ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 30  is a bottom plan view of a button body portion of the button assembly of  FIG. 29A ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 31  is a top plan view of frame and base portions of the button assembly of  FIG. 29A ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional view of the button assembly of  FIG. 29A ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 33  is a perspective view of a button assembly system in accordance with principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0050]      FIG. 34  is a top view of the system of  FIG. 33 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 35  is a perspective view of another embodiment button assembly system in accordance with principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0052]      FIG. 36  is a top view of the system of  FIG. 35 ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 37  is a cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 36 , taken along the line  37 - 37 ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 38  is an enlarged view of a portion of a button assembly of the system of  FIG. 37  along the line  38 - 38 ; and 
           [0055]      FIG. 39  is a block diagram of another button assembly system in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0056]    One embodiment of a button assembly  100  in accordance with principles of the present disclosure and useful with a touch-sensing system is shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . The button assembly  100  includes a button body or insert  102 , a frame  104  and a base  106 . As used throughout this disclosure, the term “button” is a general reference to, and broadly encompasses any conventional user input format such as keyboard keys, controller buttons, roller ball, directional pads, toggle switches, etc. Details on the various components are provided below. In general terms, however, the frame  104  retains the button body  102  above the base  106  (relative to the orientation of  FIGS. 4-6 ) in manner permitting the button body  102  to be selectively moved toward the base  106  in response to a user&#39;s pressing force upon the button body  102 . When the pressing force is removed, the frame  104  (or optionally other components) causes the button body  102  to revert back to the position of  FIGS. 4-6 . The base  106  facilitates selective mounting of the button assembly  100  to a touch screen at a location desired by the user. With this construction, the button assembly  100  can be mounted over a virtual controller, button, etc., otherwise displayed on a touch screen, and serves to prompt actuation of a corresponding touch-receiving sensor(s) while simultaneously providing the user with the tactile sensation or feedback highly akin to a physical, spring-loaded control pad or button. 
         [0057]    The button body  102  can assume various forms, and generally includes or defines a head  110  and a foot  112  as best shown in  FIG. 6 . The foot  112  extends from the head  110 , terminating in a contact face  114 . The contact face  114  selectively interacts (e.g., contacts) with a touch-screen surface or other surface as described below during use of the button assembly  100 , and thus can be relatively flat as shown. Other configurations (e.g., curved or arcuate) are also envisioned. In some constructions, the button body  102  is sized and/or shaped for assembly to the frame  104 , for example by forming the foot  112  to have a smaller outer dimension (e.g., diameter) that that of the head  110  to define a ledge  116 . Alternatively, the button body  102  can have other shapes and/or constructions differing from those implicated by  FIGS. 4-6 . 
         [0058]    The button body  102  can be formed as integral, homogenous structure, for example from plastic, metal, rubber, etc. Where the button assembly  100  is intended to be employed with capacitive-type touch sensing systems, the button body  102  is formed of an electrically conductive material (such as carbon impregnated silicone) with embodiments in which the button body  102  is a homogenous structure. An electrically non-conductive material (or electrically conductive material) can be used for the button body  102  with resistive-type touch sensing systems. 
         [0059]    The frame  104  is configured to capture the button body  102 , and in some embodiments is elastically deformable to permit resilient deflection of the button assembly  100  as described below. With this in mind, the frame  104  defines a rim  118  and an annular shoulder  120 . The rim  118  forms an aperture  122  sized to frictionally receive and retain the foot  112  of the button body  102 . The annular shoulder  120  extends from the rim  118  and is connected to the base  106 . In this regard, the annular shoulder  120  can have a web-like form, with a material and thickness of the frame  104  being selected to permit the annular shoulder  120  to deflect from a normal or natural state of  FIGS. 4-6  to a depressed or deflected state shown in  FIG. 7  in response to a user-applied force upon the button body  102 , and self-return to the normal state upon removal of the user-applied force. In some embodiments, the frame  104 , and in particular the annular shoulder  120 , is formed of a rubber-like material, such as silicone rubber, that provides the desired resiliency. The annular shoulder or webbing  120 , in addition to base  106 , can also be made of an optically clear silicone to minimize visual obstruction of the surface to which the assembly  100  is mounted. 
         [0060]    The user force required to press the button body  102  from the normal state ( FIG. 6 ) to the depressed state ( FIG. 7 ) is a function of a thickness of the annular shoulder  120 . By increasing the thickness, a greater amount of force is required. Along these same lines, in some embodiments, the shoulder  120  is configured to generate an audible and/or tactile “click” noise during forced transition from the normal state to the depressed state, duplicating the “click” reaction commonly found with physical buttons of gamepads, keyboards, and other devices. Due to a shape of the annular shoulder  120 , the force (i.e., downward force on the button body  102 ) required to initiate deformation of the shoulder  120  (from the normal state) is greater than the force necessary to continue deflection to the depressed state (i.e., once the shoulder  120  begins to deflect, it more readily transitions to the depressed state). As a result, once a sufficient initial force is applied, the button body  102  rapidly moves to the depressed state, resulting in a “click” as the contact face  114  contacts the surface to which the assembly is mounted. In other embodiments, the button assembly  100  can include other features (e.g., spring, living hinge, etc.) that permit downward movement of the button body  102  relative to the base  106  in response to a user-applied pressing force, and self-return of the button assembly  100  to the normal state shown. 
         [0061]    Returning to  FIGS. 4-6 , the base  106  can have a ring-like shape, and projects radially outwardly from the annular shoulder  120 . Other perimeter shapes (regular or irregular) are equally acceptable. Regardless, the base  106  forms a passage  124  that is axially aligned with the button body  102  upon final assembly. As described below, the passage  124  is sized and shaped to permit the button body  102 , and in particular the contact face  114 , to contact a component located below the base  106  (relative to the orientation of  FIGS. 4-6 ) in the pressed state. 
         [0062]    The base  106  can, in some constructions, be integrally or homogeneously formed with the frame  104  (e.g., a singularly molded body) and thus can be a rubber-like material. Alternatively, the base  106  and the frame  104  can be separately formed and subsequently assembled. In any event, the base  106  defines a mounting face  126  adapted for assembly to a separate component, such as a touch-screen. In this regard, the button assembly  100  can further include an adhesive layer  128  on the mounting face  126 . The adhesive layer  128  can be a pressure sensitive adhesive. Alternatively, other materials, such as a clear polished silicone rubber, are also acceptable. These and other materials can also be employed for the button body  102 , the frame  104 , and the base  106 , resulting in a washable product that is efficiently manufacturable. In yet other embodiments, the material of the base  106  creates an inherent tackiness at the mounting face  126  such that the adhesive layer  128  can be eliminated. In related embodiments, the base  106  (and the optional adhesive layer  128 ) are substantially translucent or clear. For example, where at least the base  106 , and in particular the mounting face  126 , is a clear polished silicone rubber, the mounting face  126  will be a tacky surface that sticks well to a separate flat surface (such as a touch screen). The button assembly  100  can incorporate other features that facilitate mounting to a touch screen. For example, a static-charged material can be employed for the layer  128 , providing static cling-type mounting. Alternatively, a suction effect can be generated at the passage  124  when pressing the button assembly  100  on to a touch screen. In yet other constructions, two or more of the above-described mounting features are combined. For example, a material with inherent tackiness can be formed in a shape that generates the suction effect. 
         [0063]    Construction of the button assembly  100  includes connecting the button body  102  to the frame  104 , for example via frictional capturing of the foot  112  within the aperture  122 . Optionally, an adhesive can be employed to effectuate a more robust or permanent connection. As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the ledge  116  nests against the rim  118 ; with this but one acceptable arrangement, a force applied to the head  110  is directly transferred to the frame  104  via the ledge  116 /rim  118  interface. 
         [0064]    Prior to use, the button assembly  100  can be provided to a user in various formats. For example, where the user desires to temporarily use the button assembly  100  to play a video game on a hand-held, touch-sensing system based device, the user can have one or more of the button assemblies  100  with him or her (e.g., a small bag containing the button assemblies  100 ); under these circumstances, the user simply retrieves the desired number of button assemblies  100  and applies them to desired locations along the touch screen. By way of example,  FIG. 2  described above illustrates the touch screen  52  displaying virtual buttons  54 ,  56 . In  FIG. 8 , a first button assembly  100   a  is applied over the first virtual button  54  and a second button assembly  100   b  is applied over the second virtual button  56 . Once again, application or mounting of the button assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  to the touch screen  52  can be accomplished in multiple fashions (e.g., adhesive, static cling, suction effect, etc.). Regardless, the user freely chooses the location along the touch screen  52  at which the button assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  are applied. Thus, where the particular game (or other application) being run by the hand-held device  50  locates virtual button(s) at a location or locations differing from those of  FIG. 2 , the user can easily position the button assembly or assemblies  100  over the so-displayed virtual buttons (and thus over the desired touch coordinates associated with each virtual button).  FIG. 9  illustrates another arrangement of the button assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  to the touch screen  52  as selected by the user. It will be understood that the arrangements of  FIGS. 8 and 9  are in no way limiting; depending upon the particular application, one, two, or more of the button assemblies  100  will be employed. 
         [0065]    To effectuate a touch-related prompt or actuation on to the touch screen  52 , the user simply presses down on button body  102  of the desired button assembly  100   a ,  100   b . For example  FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate the button assembly  100  mounted to the touch screen  52  in a normal state ( FIG. 10A ) and a depressed state ( FIG. 10B ). In the normal state, the button body  102 , and in particular the contact face  114 , is retained above (i.e., spaced from) the touch screen  52 , and in particular a touch-receiving sensor  130  (shown in block form) carried thereby. In response to a user-applied pressing force placed upon the head  110 , the annular shoulder  120  elastically deforms and the button body  102  is allowed to move toward the touch screen  52  as shown in  FIG. 10B . In some embodiments, this action generates an audible and/or tactile “click” as described above. The contact face  114  is directed through the passage  124  in the base  106  and contacts or interfaces with the touch screen  52 /touch-receiving sensor  130 . Thus, the depressed state of  FIG. 10B  replicates a user touch that can be recognized by the touch-receiving sensor  130 . For example, with a resistive-type touch-receiving sensor  130 , the contact face  114  applies a force that is sensed or received by the touch-receiving sensor  130 . With a capacitive-type touch-receiving sensor  130 , the electrical properties of the user&#39;s finger are transmitted from the head  110 , through the button body  102 , and to the contact face  114  that in turn transmits the electrical properties to the touch-receiving sensor  130 , it being understood that with capacitive touch sensors, the sensor  130  need not be located directly below the desired touch coordinates as otherwise depicted in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . Further, the button body  102  does not need to be connected to an electrical ground or common ground as the sensor  130 . Instead, the conductive element(s) of the button assembly  100  do not need to conduct to a common element other than the touch-sensing surface of the touch screen  52 ; the human body inherently has electrical properties that alter a signal present on or detected by the capacitive-type touch-receiving sensor. Finally, the button body  102  does not have to conduct all the way down to the touch screen  52 , but rather down to just a certain level. Thus, a clear film screen protector (not shown) can be disposed between the assembly  100  and the touch screen  52  without affecting performance. 
         [0066]    Regardless of the particular touch-sensor technology, while the shoulder  120  will readily deflect from the normal state of  FIG. 10A  to the depressed state of  FIG. 10B , a discernable resistance to the user-applied force is generated and is perceived by the user. Thus, operation of the button assembly  100  provides a tactile sensation to the user, highly akin to a conventional, spring-biased button. 
         [0067]    When the user is done playing the game (or otherwise utilizing the application on the hand-held device  50  giving rise to the need for the button assembly  100 ), the button assembly  100  is simply removed from the touch screen  52 . The button assembly  100  can be stored for later use and/or discarded. 
         [0068]    While the button assembly  100  has been described as including the button body  102  has an integral or homogenous structure, other configurations are also envisioned. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the button body  102  is omitted. The aperture  122  formed by the frame  104  remains open, or a thin element extended across the aperture  122 . Regardless, when the frame  104  is applied over the desired touch coordinates on the touch screen  52 , the user&#39;s finger (not shown) can pass through the frame  104  or otherwise be brought into sufficient proximity to the touch screen  52  to register a touch event. As part of this action, the shoulder  120  will deflect as described above, generating the desired tactile sensation and optionally the audible and/or tactile “click”. 
         [0069]      FIGS. 11-13  illustrate another alternative button assembly  150  highly useful with capacitive-type touch-sensing systems and akin to the button assembly  100  described above. The button assembly  150  includes a button body  152 , a frame  154 , and a base  156 . The frame  154  and the base  156  can be identical to the frame  104  ( FIG. 4 ) and the base  106  ( FIG. 4 ) described above. The button body  152  is akin to the button body  102  ( FIG. 4 ) described above, but incorporates additional components. More particularly, and with specific reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the button body  152  includes a head  158 , a capacitive element  160  and a conductive body  162 . The capacitive element  160  is mounted to an underside of the head  158 , and has or exhibits at least some capacitance, resistance and inductance. The capacitive element  160  is electrically coupled to the conductive body  162  by terminals  164 ,  166 . Finally, the conductive body  162  forms a contact face  168 . 
         [0070]    The button assembly  150  can selectively generate an electrical “touch” to a capacitive-type touch-receiving sensor apart from any electrical “property” of a user&#39;s finger via the capacitive element  160  and the conductive body  162 . As a point of reference, replicating a user touch with a physical button in a manner that is registered by a capacitive-type touch-receiving sensor is non-trivial. The pressure of a user&#39;s finger on the button alone is not enough for the sensor to detect an intended touch. Instead, electrical properties akin to those of the human body must be communicated to, or replicated at, the designated touch coordinates with which the capacitive touch sensor is associated. The embodiments of  FIGS. 11-13 , as well as other embodiments described elsewhere, provide this effect without requiring direct or indirect electrical connection between the user&#39;s finger and the touch screen. Thus, the head  158  can be formed of any desired electrically non-conductive material (e.g., plastic), and can have an appearance and/or “feel” more closely akin to common user interface designs (e.g., keyboards, controllers, etc.). 
         [0071]    Use of the button assembly  150  is highly akin to previous embodiments, with a user selectively applying the button assembly  150  to a desired location along a touch display. To effectuate a “touch” or actuation of the touch-receiving sensor(s) associated with the desired touch coordinates over which the button assembly  150  is disposed, the user simply presses down on the head  158 . The frame  154  resiliently deflects, permitting downward movement of the button body  152  into the base  156  until the contact face  168  contacts (or is in close proximity to) the touch screen. Optionally, the button assembly  150  generates the audible and/or tactile “click” as described above. A capacitance maintained by the capacitive element  160  is conducted to the conductive body  162  via the terminals  164 ,  166 , such that the contact face  168  can transfer an electrical charge on to the corresponding touch-receiving sensor(s); the touch-receiving sensor(s), in turn, interprets or “senses” the contact, prompting the operation or action desired by the user. Upon removal of the user-applied pressing force, the frame  154  self-reverts to the normal state as previously described, with the contact face  168  no longer “actuating” the designated touch coordinates or the corresponding touch-receiving sensor(s). 
         [0072]    Another alternative button assembly  170  in accordance with principles of the present disclosure and akin to the button assembly  100  ( FIGS. 4-6 ) is shown in  FIGS. 14A-14C . The button assembly  170  includes first and second buttons  172   a ,  172   b , first and second frames  174   a ,  174   b , and a base  176 . The button bodies  172   a ,  172   b  can be identical to the button body  102  ( FIG. 4 ) described above. Alternatively, the button bodies  172   a ,  172   b  can incorporate a capacitive element and a conductive body akin to the button body  150  of  FIGS. 11-13 . The frames  174   a ,  174   b  can be identical to the frame  104  ( FIG. 4 ) described above. As with previous embodiments, the button bodies  172   a ,  172   b  and the frames  174   a ,  174   b  have a complimentary configuration such that a respective one of the button bodies  172   a ,  172   b  is retained by a corresponding one of the frames  174   a ,  174   b . Further, the base  176  is akin to the base  106  ( FIG. 4 ) described above, and defines a mounting face  178 . In general terms, then, the button assembly  170  of  FIGS. 14A-14C  differs in some respects from the button assembly  100  by incorporating two of the button bodies  172   a ,  172   b , with the base  176  locating the frames  174   a ,  174   b , and thus the button bodies  172   a ,  172   b  at spatial positions relative to one another that corresponding with the spatial relationship commonly provided between two virtual buttons on a touch screen (not shown). 
         [0073]    In addition,  FIGS. 14A-14C  illustrate the base  176  has including an optional lift tab  180  and optional ribs  182   a ,  182   b . The tab  180  extends from a perimeter shape  184  of the base  176 , and provides a convenient grasping surface for a user when attempting to lift the button assembly  170  from a touch screen (or other surface). The ribs  182   a ,  182   b  project downwardly (relative to the orientation of  FIGS. 14A-14C ) from the mounting face  178 , extending from a respective side  184   a ,  184   b  of the base  176  to a region of the corresponding frame  174   a ,  174   b . The ribs  182   a ,  182   b  are, in some constructions, aligned with one another, intersecting a centerline of the frames  174   a ,  174   b . While two of the ribs  182   a ,  182   b  are shown, in other embodiments, a single rib, or three or more ribs can be included. Regardless, the ribs  182   a ,  182   b  effectuate formation of a small air escape gap between the mounting face  178  and the touch screen (not shown) during use; under circumstances where the mounting face  178  overtly sticks to the touch screen (e.g., where the mounting face  178  is a highly polished silicone rubber), the air escape gap allows a user to more easily remove the button assembly  170  from the touch screen when desired. One or both of the lift tab  180  and the rib(s)  182   a ,  182   b  can be incorporated into any of the button assemblies of the present disclosure. In other constructions, one or both of the lift tab  180  and the rib(s)  182   a ,  182   b  can be omitted. 
         [0074]    While the button assemblies have been described as providing a single contact face and/or axial movement relative to the touch screen, a wide variety of other constructions are envisioned. For example,  FIGS. 15-17  illustrate another embodiment button assembly  200  in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. The button assembly  200  is akin to previous embodiments, and includes a button body  202 , a frame  204 , and a base  206 . The button body  202  includes a head  208 , a post  210 , and a plurality of feet  212  each terminating in a contact face  214 . The frame  204  includes or forms a plurality of frame segments  216  each configured to receive respective ones of the feet  212 . As described below, the frame segments  216  serves to guide the feet  212  during user manipulation of the button assembly  200 . 
         [0075]    The button assembly  200  is highly useful with touch sensor-related applications involving games, but is also useful with any application requiring an input of several points in close proximity to one another. In many games, the main method of user controller interface is via what is known as a “directional pad”. The directional pad has a plurality of poles or directions that can be pressed to input a “direction” to the game. As the name implies, this “directional pad” often controls the direction of something in the game. With this in mind, and as best shown in  FIG. 15 , the head  208  can form or define a direction-indicating shape  218  (referenced generally). The direction-indicating shape  218  can have the “+” shape as shown and/or can include other directional-type indicia. With the one configuration of  FIG. 15 , however, four directional indicators  220   a - 220   d  are provided, with each of the directional indicators  220   a - 220   b  being aligned with a respective one of the feet  212 . 
         [0076]    The post  210  projects from the head  208 , and terminates in a curved face  222 . As described in greater detail below, the curved face  222  serves as a pivot point or fulcrum in facilitating user manipulation of the button body  202 . Thus, the post  210  serves as a central axis of the button body  202 . 
         [0077]    The feet  212  are radially offset from the post  210 , and in some embodiments are equidistantly spaced from one another relative to a circumference (or other shape) of a perimeter of the head  208 . As best shown in  FIG. 17 , the feet  212  can be identical and have a length that is less than that of the post  210 . In other words, relative to the orientation of  FIG. 17 , the curved face  222  of the post  210  is “below” the contact face  214  of each of the feet  212 . Further, the contact faces  214  each define a tapered angle in a direction away from the post  210 . 
         [0078]    In some constructions, the button body  202 , including the head  208 , the post  210 , and the feet  212 , is an integrally formed, homogenous structure, and can be formed of an electrically conductive material. Alternatively, one or more embedded capacitive elements and conductive bodies (not shown), but akin to the capacitive element  160  and the conductive body  162  described above, can be employed. 
         [0079]    The frame  204  is, in many respects highly similar to the frame  154  ( FIG. 11 ) described above, with each of the frame segments  216  including or providing a deflectable annular shoulder  224 . A relationship between individual ones of the feet  212  and the frame segments  216  is identified in  FIG. 17  relative to a first foot  212   a  and a first frame segment  216   a . The frame segment  216   a  forms an aperture  226  through which the foot  212   a  is received and retained. As a point of reference, the foot  212   a  and the frame segment  216   a  are axially aligned with the first directional indicator  220   a  otherwise illustrated in  FIG. 15 . When a pressing force is applied over the first foot  212   a , the shoulder  224  of the first frame segment  216   a  will deflect from the normal state of  FIG. 17 , permitting the first foot  212   a  to move downwardly (and optionally generate the audible and/or tactile “click” as described above). 
         [0080]    The base  206  can be akin to the base  106  ( FIG. 4 ) described above. In this regard, the base  206  forms peripheral passages  228 , respective ones of which are aligned with respective ones of the frame segments  216 . Further, a central passage  230  is formed and through which the curved face  222  of the post  210  projects. 
         [0081]    Though not shown, the button assembly  200  can further include any of the touch screen mounting structures described above. 
         [0082]    During use, the button assembly  200  can be mounted to a touch screen in any of the manners described above, and conventionally is located over a virtual “directional pad”.  FIGS. 18 and 19  illustrate use of the button assembly  200  relative to the touch screen  52 , with the frame  204  ( FIG. 15 ) removed for ease of explanation. As shown, the curved face  222  of the post  210  is in contact with the touch screen  52 , and serves as a fulcrum or pivot point. In the natural state of  FIG. 18 , the contact face  214  of each of the feet  212  is displaced from the touch screen  52 , and thus not making contact with the touch screen  52 . In response to a user-applied force (shown by an arrow in  FIG. 19 ), the button body pivots at the curved face  222 , causing the contact face  214  of one of the feet (identified in  FIG. 19  as the foot  212   a ) to contact the touch screen  52  in a manner by which the touch-receiving sensor(s) (not shown) will register as a user-intended touch at the corresponding, designated touch coordinates. The taper angle of the contact face  214  provides an enlarged surface area of interface with the touch screen  52  with pivoting of the button body  202  at the curved face  222 . The frame segment  214  (not shown) associated with the foot  212   a  optionally generates an audible and/or tactile “click” and/or the “click” can be generated when the contact face  214  contacts the touch screen  52 . Once the pressing force is removed, the button assembly  200  self-reverts back to the upright or normal state of  FIG. 18 , for example, due to the resiliency of the frame  204  ( FIG. 15 ). Effectively, then, the post  210  serves to prevent all of the contact faces  214  from making contact with the touch display  52  at the same time. 
         [0083]    Another embodiment button assembly  250  akin to the button assembly  200  is shown in  FIGS. 20-24  in accordance with principles of the present disclosure and includes a button body  252 , a frame  254 , and a base  256 . In general terms, the frame  254  retains the button body  252  in a manner permitting 360° of touch responsiveness. 
         [0084]    The button body  252  includes or defines a head  260 , a post  262 , and a ring  264 . The head  260  can include or form direction-indicating features  266  as best shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 . In some constructions, the head  260  has a circular perimeter. The post  262  is centrally positioned relative to a shape of the head  260 , and extends to and defines a curved face  268 . As described below, the curved face  268  serves as a pivot point or fulcrum during user manipulation of the button assembly  250 . Finally, the ring  264  projects from the head  260 , and circumferentially surrounds the post  262 . In this regard, the ring  264  terminates at a contact face  270 . Relative to the orientation of  FIG. 23 , the contact face  270  is “above” the curved face  268  of the post  262 . 
         [0085]    In some constructions, the button body  252 , including the head  260 , the post  262 , and the ring  264 , is an integrally formed, homogenous structure, and can be formed of an electrically conductive material. Alternatively, any of the embedded capacitor/conductive body constructions described above can be employed. 
         [0086]    The frame  254  is akin to the frame  104  ( FIG. 4 ) described above. In general terms, then, the frame  254  is deflectable from the normal or natural state of  FIGS. 20-23  to a depressed state in response to a user-applied force to the button body  252 . In this regard, the frame  254  can facilitate generation of an audible and/or tactile “click” as described above. The base  256  can be identical to the base  106  ( FIG. 4 ) described above. Finally, the button assembly  250  can incorporate any of the touch screen mounting structures previously mentioned. 
         [0087]    The button assembly  250  does not necessarily provide touch-registering contact at discrete positions, but instead is uniquely configured to make contact at an infinite number of positions around a center pivot point generated by the post  262 . The button assembly  250  is highly useful to input an angle to the touch-sensing device in question. In some cases, this controls the direction of a character or object in a video game. For example,  FIGS. 25 and 26  show one arrangement of a “virtual controller” or directional pad  280  that is “rotationally analog” meaning that the virtual controller  280  can be used to input any angle between 0-360°. This is often used to denote the direction of something in the game or application. In  FIG. 25 , the virtual controller  280  otherwise displayed on the touch screen  52  can include a directional indictor  282  situated inside a ring  284 . During intended operation, the directional indicator  282  can be dragged at various angles around its center point as shown in  FIG. 26 . If the touch screen  52  is touched at various points around the ring  284 , the directional indicator  282  may appear below the user&#39;s finger. The virtual controller  280  is used to express the angle made by the user&#39;s finger relative to the center point of the ring  284 . In some instances, it can also input the distance from the touch to the center of the ring  284 , which is often interpreted as magnitude. As a point of reference,  FIG. 26  illustrates movement of the directional indicator  282  toward the upper right of the ring  284 . 
         [0088]    With the above understanding of one conventional virtual controller  280  in mind, use of the button assembly  250  relative to the touch screen  52  is provided in  FIG. 27  (with the frame  254  and the base  256  removed for ease of explanation). As shown, when a user-applied pressing force is generated along a perimeter of the head  260  (to the right in  FIG. 27 ), the button body  252  will pivot at the curved face  268  of the post  262 . This motion, in turn, brings the contact face  270  of the ring  264  into contact with the touch screen  52  at a location directly below (or aligned with) the point or location at which the force is applied to the head  260 . The touch-receiving sensor(s) (not shown) associated with the touch screen  52  thus registers a user-intended touch at the corresponding designated touch coordinates. Upon removal of the user-applied force, the button assembly  250  self-reverts back to the natural, upright state in which an entirety of the contact face  264  is displaced from (or otherwise not in contact with), the touch screen  52 . Further, if the user-applied force is moved along a perimeter of the head  260 , the button body  252  pivots or rotates about the curved surface  268 , with the zone of touch-registering interface between the contact face  264  and the touch screen  52  “moving” in a corresponding manner. In other words, the touch-registering interface “rotates” about the center point with “rotating” or scrolling movement of the user&#39;s finger along the head  260 . 
         [0089]    Another embodiment button assembly  250 ′ in accordance with principles of the present disclosure is shown in  FIGS. 28A-28C , and is in many respects identical to the button assembly  250  described above. The button assembly  250 ′ includes a button body  252 ′, a frame  254 ′, and a base  256 ′. The button body  252 ′ can be identical to the button body  252  ( FIG. 20 ), and includes a head  260 ′, the post  262  and the ring  264 . While the head  260 ′ can be identical to the head  260  ( FIG. 20 ) described above, with the construction of  FIGS. 28A-28C , the head  260 ′ forms one or more keying structures  290  (one of which is illustrated in  FIG. 28C ). The keying structure  290  protrudes radially from a perimeter of the head  260 ′, and is sized to be received within a corresponding slot  292  defined by the frame  254 ′. Assembly of the button body  252 ′ to the frame  254 ′ includes inserting the keying structure(s)  290  within a corresponding slot  292 , with a frictional interface between the keying structure  290  and the slot  292  promoting robust engagement there between. Other mounting configurations are also acceptable. The base  256 ′ can generally be identical to the base  256  ( FIG. 20 ) previously described, and further includes an optional lift tab  294 . 
         [0090]    Another embodiment button assembly  300  is shown in  FIGS. 29A and 29B , and includes a button body  302 , a frame  304 , and a base  306 . In general terms, the button assembly  300  is akin to the button assembly  250  ( FIG. 20 ), with the frame  304  retaining the button body  302  in a manner permitting 360° of touch responsiveness. 
         [0091]    The button body  302  can be constructed of any of the materials described above, and can have the generally circular perimeter shape as shown. Regardless, the button body  302  forms a user face  308  and a mounting bore  310 . The user face  308  can be formatted for convenient interface there with by a user&#39;s finger(s) or thumb, and thus can define a plurality of raised shoulders  312  having an inwardly tapering height to collectively define a concave-like shape. Other formats are also acceptable. 
         [0092]    The bore  310  is open at a lower contact face  314  of the button body  302 , and is generally configured to facilitate assembly of the button body  302  with a corresponding features of the frame  304 . For example, and as best shown in  FIG. 30 , in one embodiment the bore  310  includes a central aperture  316  and slots  318   a ,  318   b . The central aperture  316  extends longitudinally from the lower face  314 . The slots  318   a ,  318   b  are located at opposite sides of, and are open relative to, the central aperture  316 . A width of the slots  318   a ,  318   b  is less than a diameter (or other width-related dimension) of the central aperture  316 . 
         [0093]    Returning to  FIG. 29B , the contact face  314  defines a slight upward angle in radial extension from bore  310 . As described below, during use of the button assembly  300  in which the button body  302  is manipulated in a pivoting fashion relative to the base  306 , segments of the button body  302  will be brought into contact with the base  306  to effectuate a touch registering event. By incorporating the upward taper along the contact face  314 , a sufficiently large surface area of the button body  302  will contact the base  306  when the pivoted. Alternatively, the contact face  314  can have other shapes or features. 
         [0094]    The frame  304  includes an annular shoulder  320 , a head  322 , and a post  324 . The annular shoulder  320  can assume any of the forms previously described, and maintains the head  322  and the post  324  at a desired elevation relative to the base  306 . As with previous embodiments, the annular shoulder  320  is resiliently deflectable, and can be deflected from the normal or natural state of  FIGS. 29A and 29B  to a depressed state in response to a user-applied force to the button body  302 . Further, a flexibility of the annular shoulder  320  permits the head  322  and the post  324  (and thus the button body  302  otherwise attached to the head  322 ) to pivot relative to the base  306  in response to user manipulations of the button body  302 . 
         [0095]    The head  322  is configured to facilitate mounting of the button body  302 , and thus can incorporate complimentary mounting features. For example, with the one embodiment in which the button body  302  includes the bore  310  as described above, the head  322  includes a central pin  326  and keying structures  328   a ,  328   b  as best shown in  FIG. 31 . With cross-reference between  FIGS. 30 and 31 , the central pin  326  extends from the annular shoulder  320  in a direction opposite the base  306 , and defines a diameter commensurate with a diameter of the central aperture  316 . The keying structures  328   a ,  328   b  project radially from opposite sides of the central pin  326 , and are sized and shaped in accordance with the slots  318   a ,  318   b . With this construction, assembly of the button body  302  to the head  322  includes inserting the pin  326  into the central aperture  316 . In this regard, the keying structures  328   a ,  328   b  are inserted into, and rotationally captured by, a corresponding one of the slots  318   a ,  318   b . Upon final mounting, then, the button body  302  is rotationally locked relative to the frame  304 , with a frictional interface between the head  322  and the bore  310  effectuating relatively fixed engagement. An adhesive can optionally be employed to provide further fixation between the button body  302  and the head  322 . 
         [0096]    Returning to  FIG. 29B , the post  324  projects from the annular shoulder  320  in a direction opposite the head  322 , and terminates at a stop face  330 . The stop face  330  is, in some embodiments, curved (e.g., uniform convex curvature). Regardless, an exterior of the post  324  is spaced from an interior of the annular shoulder  320  (best seen in  FIG. 32 ) such that the post  324  can pivot relative to the annular shoulder  320 . In some embodiments and end uses, the area of interface between the annular shoulder  320  and the post  324  effective serves as a pivot point or fulcrum during user manipulation of the button assembly  300 . Alternatively or in addition, the stop face  330  serves as the pivot point, for example when the stop face  330  is disposed against a flat surface (such as a touch screen) and a rocking force is applied by a user at the head  320  (via the button body  302 ). 
         [0097]    The base  306  can assume any of the forms previously described, and optionally includes or forms a lift tab  332  as shown in  FIG. 29A . As with previous embodiments, the base  306  can be integrally formed with the frame  304  (e.g., a molded, highly polished silicone body), and defines a mounting face  334  and a central passage  336  as best illustrated in  FIG. 32 . A button face  337  is defined opposite the mounting face  334 . The central passage  336  is aligned with the post  324 , such that the stop face  330  can project through the passage  336  (in response to a user-applied force to the button body  302 ). 
         [0098]    Upon final assembly, the normal arrangement of the annular shoulder  320  locates the stop face  330  slightly above the mounting face  334 . Further, the contact face  314  of the button body  302  is spaced above the button face  337  of the base  306 . The button assembly  300  does not necessarily provide touch-registering contact at discrete positions, but instead is configured to effectuate touch-registering events at an infinite number of positions around a center pivot point generated by the post  324  in a manner akin to the descriptions provided above with respect to the rotationally analog-type virtual controller  280  ( FIGS. 25 and 26 ). In response to a user-applied force upon a perimeter of the button body  302 , the button body  302  will pivot relative to the base  306  via pivoting of the head  322 /post  324  and deflection of the annular shoulder  320 . This motion, in turn, brings a segment of the contact face  314  of the button body  302  into contact with the button face  337  of the base  306 . This segmented contact, in turn, is transferred through a thickness of the material of the base  306  and registered at the touch screen (not shown) at a location directly below (or aligned with) the point or location at which the force is applied to the button body  302 . The touch-receiving sensor(s) (not shown) associated with the touch screen thus register a user-intended touch at the corresponding designated touch coordinates. Upon removal of the user-applied force, the button assembly  300  self-reverts back to the normal, upright state in which an entirety of the contact face  314  is displace from, or otherwise not in contact with, the base  306 . Further, if the user-applied force is moved along a perimeter of the button body user face  308 , the button body  302  pivots or “rotates” along or relative to the button face  337  (via pivoting of the head  322 /post  324  relative to the annular shoulder  320 ), with the zone of touch-registering interface between the contact face  314  and the button face  337 , and thus between the base  306  and the touch screen, “moving” in a corresponding manner. In other words, the touch-registering interface “rotates” about the center point with “rotating” or scrolling movement of the user&#39;s finger along the button body user face  308 . 
         [0099]    In related embodiments, the user can apply sufficient downward force onto the button body  302  to cause the stop face  330  to come into contact with the touch screen. Under these circumstances, pivoting or rolling-type movements of the button body  302  (in response to user manipulations thereof) are effectively centered at the region of contact between the stop face  330  and the touch screen. By providing a small gap between the stop face  330  and the mounting face  334  of the base  306  in the normal state of the button assembly  300 , the distance of travel necessary to bring the stop face  330  into contact with the touch screen corresponds with deflection of the annular shoulder  320  sufficient to produce the audible “click” described above and provide desired tactile feedback to the user. 
         [0100]    Though not shown, the button assembly  300  can further include any of the touch screen mounting structures described above. 
         [0101]    While various embodiments have been described as effectuating touch-type interface with designated touch coordinates directly beneath the corresponding contact face, in other embodiments, the button assembly can be discretely located (i.e., off-set from) the designated touch coordinates. For example, a button assembly system  400  in accordance with principles of the present disclosure is shown in  FIGS. 33 and 34 . The system  400  includes a button assembly  402 , a substrate  404 , a touch generating pad  406 , and conductive traces  408 . The button assembly  402  can assume any of the forms described above. The substrate  404  physically connects the button assembly  402  with the touch generating pad  406 . The button assembly  402  is further selectively electrically connected to the contact pad  406  by the circuitry traces  408 . 
         [0102]    The button assembly  402  includes a button body  410  and a frame  412 . The button body  410  can assume any of the forms described above, and generally include a head  414  and conductive elements  416 . The button body  410  can be formed of an electrically conductive material, and thus a user&#39;s electrical properties can be transmitted from the head  414  to the conductive elements  416 . Alternatively, the embedded capacitive element structures previously described can be employed. The frame  412  can be identical to the frame  104  ( FIG. 4 ) described above, and thus can optionally be configured to facilitate generation of an audible and/or tactile “click” with forced transition from the normal or natural state of  FIG. 33  to a depressed state as described above. 
         [0103]    The touch generating pad  406  is configured to generate a charge sufficient to be registered as a touch by one or more touch-receiving sensors (not shown) associated with the touch screen to which the system  400  is applied. For example, the touch generating pad  406  can be formed of a conductive metal (e.g., copper, aluminum, gold, silver, etc.), conductive silicone rubber, carbon impregnated rubber, etc. 
         [0104]    The conductive traces  408  can be formed of any electrically conductive material as conventional known (e.g., metal, conductive silicone rubber, carbon impregnated rubber, etc.). 
         [0105]    During use, when pressed, the button body  410  provides electrical conductivity from a user&#39;s finger down to the conductive elements  416 . The user&#39;s electrical properties are then transmitted through the conductive traces  408  to the touch generating pad  406 . Thus, when overlaid upon a touch screen, a press on the head  414  will generate a touch registerable event at a location directly below the touch generating pad  406 . Though not shown, the system  400  can further include any of the touch screen mounting structures described above. 
         [0106]    Separating a location of the button assembly  402  from the touch generating pad  406  (and thus a location of a user-applied button press from the location of the generated touch event) creates several advantages. For example, where just the touch generating pad  406  portion of the system  400  is placed on top of a device with a touch screen (e.g., an iPhone), the system  400  has minimal effect on visual obstruction of the touch screen. By way of further example, in a typical hand-held device (such as the device  50  of  FIG. 1 ), there is a section of the device that is outside of the touch screen  52 . The system  400  can be oriented relative to the touch screen such that the button assembly  402  portion is located at this “outside area”, and the touch generating pad  406  portion placed on the touch screen  52 . This allows the user to keep his or her fingers outside of the touch screen  52 , thus reducing possible visual obstruction of the touch screen. 
         [0107]    Further, by separating the button assembly  402  (or additional button assemblies) from the touch generating pad(s)  406 , the shape and alignment of each separate interface can be designed according to its desired advantages. For example, the user interface, or button assemblies, can be designed to be easy to press, and the portion of the system  400  that is otherwise overlaid onto the touch screen can be designed to be less visually intrusive. For example, the button assembly  402  can be shaped like a 4-point directional pad, while the touch generating pad(s)  406  could be shaped in a line. 
         [0108]    With the above techniques, by keeping the button assembly  402  (or multiple button assemblies  402 ) “off” of the touch screen, the user can mount the system  400  to the display screen, but still will be able to use other functions (e.g., send email, take pictures, etc.). 
         [0109]    The button assembly system  400  is not limited to incorporating a single button assembly  402 . For example, two (or more) of the button assemblies  402  can be carried by the substrate  404 . The button assemblies  402  can each be electrically connected to a discrete touch generating pad, or can be commonly connected to the single touch generating pad  406 . In related embodiments, a button assembly system is provided that includes two (or more) of any of the button assemblies described above carried by a common substrate (e.g., akin to a keyboard), or differing button assemblies (e.g., one of the button assemblies  100  of  FIG. 4  and one of the button assemblies  200  of  FIG. 15 ). With these and other embodiments, the system may or may not incorporate the offset touch generating pad (e.g., the carrier substrate is sized to be laid directly over the virtual controller, with the various button assemblies naturally residing directly over the corresponding desired touch coordinates). 
         [0110]    In yet other, related embodiments, the plurality of button assemblies carried by a substrate can be linked to a common capacitive element.  FIGS. 35-38  illustrate another button assembly system  450  in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. The system  450  includes two (or more) button assemblies  452   a ,  452   b , a substrate  454 , a capacitive element  456 , and conductive traces  458 . 
         [0111]    The button assemblies  452   a ,  452   b  can be identical, and can generally assume any of the formats described above. In general terms, each of the button assemblies  452   a ,  452   b  includes a button body  460 , a frame  462 , and a base  464 . The first button assembly  452   a  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 38 , it being understood that the second button assembly  452   b  can have an identical construction. As illustrated, the button body  460  includes a head  470  and a conductive element  472 . The conductive element  472  is mounted to an underside of the head  470 . With this construction, the head  470  need not be formed of an electrically conductive material. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the head  470  is electrically conductive such that the conductive element  472  can be omitted. The frame  462  can be identical to the frame  104  ( FIG. 4 ) described above, and thus can be optionally be configured to facilitate generation of an audible and/or tactile “click” with forced transition from the normal or natural state of  FIG. 38  to a depressed state as described above. Similarly, the base  464  can be identical to the base  106  ( FIG. 4 ) described above. 
         [0112]      FIG. 38  further illustrates first and second contact elements  480   a ,  480   b  maintained by the substrate  454  immediately beneath the button body  460 . The contact elements  480   a ,  480   b  are spaced from one another (and thus electrically isolated), and electrically connected to respective segments of the conductive traces  458 . The conductive element  472  and the contact elements  480   a ,  480   b  are configured in accordance with one another, such that when the button body  460  is transitioned from the normal state of  FIG. 38  to a depressed state (for example via deflection of the frame  462 ), the conductive element  472  intimately contacts the contact elements  480   a ,  480   b  to generate an electrical connection therebetween. To better ensure desired electrical interface, one or more of the conductive element  472  and the contact elements  480   a ,  480   b  can have separate ledges or tears. As referenced generally in  FIG. 37 , contact elements  482   a ,  482   b  are similarly provided with respect to the first button assembly  452   a.    
         [0113]    Returning to  FIGS. 35 and 36  with the above construction of the assembly  400 , the capacitive element  456  is commonly “shared” by the button assemblies  452   a ,  452   b , and facilitates generating a touch-registerable action upon pressing of the corresponding button body  460 . For example, with additional reference to  FIG. 38 , when the button body  460  is depressed, the conductive element  472  is brought into contact with the electrical contacts  480   a ,  480   b . Electrical conductivity is thus established with the capacitive element  456  via the traces  458 . As a result, a charge is generated at the conductive element  472  at a level sufficient to be recognized as a touch event directly below the button body  460 . The first button assembly  452   a  functions in a similar manner. Notably, the conductive traces  450   a  do not, in and of themselves, register a touch event on the touch screen when the button assemblies  452   a ,  452   b  are in their normal state (i.e., not pressed). This can be due to the traces  458  being smaller than the minimum required, the substrate  454  having sufficient thickness, etc. 
         [0114]    The assembly  450  is useful with touch sensing systems that employ electrical properties to sense a touch. These and other embodiments, can more generically be described with reference to  FIG. 39 . A button assembly system  500  including an element containing typical user&#39;s electrical properties  502 , a switching interface  504 , and a touch generating pad  506 , is mounted to the touch sensing device  50 . The element  502  can be embedded within a provided button assembly (as in  FIG. 12 ) or can be separated from the button assembly (as in  FIG. 35 ). Similarly, the touch generating pad  506  can be provided with the button assembly (as in  FIGS. 6 ,  12 ,  17 ,  23 ,  38 ) or separate from the button assembly (as in  FIG. 33 ). Regardless, a switching interface  504  (e.g., a transistor) controls whether or not the touch generating pad  506  is electrically charged, and thus whether or not a touch registerable action occurs. This may be advantageous when trying to minimize the area of the touch screen covered by the button assembly system. In one case, instead of having one touch sensitive area linked to one and only one button assembly, there can be multiple actions linked to the single touch sensitive area. This can be accomplished by interpreting or designating encoding a button press into multiple touch registering actions. For example, consider a button press as representing a 1, and a button not being pressed as representing a 0. This introduces a system that can interpret information longer than one bit. For example, a first button could be represented by the electronic code  1010 , and a second button represented by the electronic code  1110 . There are various details such as a start or stop bits, number of bits, clock cycles, etc., that could be employed, as will be apparent to one of skill. Thus, the embodiments of  FIG. 39  can be used to transmit streams of digital information to the touch screen via button touching, and is not limited to actuating only in response to a button press. This may be advantageous for transmitting serial numbers, or other information that is advantageous to encode with more than one bit. 
         [0115]    In one or more of the above embodiments, the button body and the frame are formed of similar materials. 
         [0116]    With any of the above embodiments, the button assemblies may be used on a handheld device, such as an iPod, iPhone, or iPAD (all available from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.). The portability of these devices is desirable. In one construction, the button assembly could be made as part of a case that would enclose the portable device. This would allow the device to both protect the iPod from falls or scratches, and would also provide the tactile feedback of the physical buttons or members. One embodiment of an enclosure would feature button assemblies on the front, but not on the back. The case would allow access to the touch-screen in either orientation. Two orientations are offered so that under normal use, the buttons or members do not interfere at all, but under other scenarios, the case can be flipped and the buttons assembly or assemblies can be used. 
         [0117]    In related embodiments, the button assemblies could be part of what is typically called a ‘screen protector’. This embodiment would both protect the screen from scratches, but would also provide the desired user interface. 
         [0118]    Other button assembly configurations are also envisioned. For example, another embodiment may feature a button or member that can be pressed downwards onto the display screen, but can also be pushed laterally in the x or y directions. This would allow what is commonly referred to as ‘button gestures’. The gestures allow an application to use a virtual button that can be pressed, but can also sense which way the user&#39;s finger was sliding when it was pressed. 
         [0119]    Another embodiment features round button bodies that are made with multiple tiers of conductive rings. Each ring would contact at different time, and could be made to determine what amount of force the user is exerting. Another similar embodiment could use one conductive piece that would deform when pressed with force. The piece would deform such that the area contacting the touch-sensitive device increases with increasing force. This also could be used to determine what force the user was applying. 
         [0120]    Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.