Multi-directional activation button

A method of operating a multi-directional control device on an electronic device disposed in a protective case using a multi-directional activation button comprising:

• providing an interactive extension in said multi-directional activation button that has a plurality of directional surfaces and a contact surface for engaging said multidirectional control device;
• providing a membrane that is connected to said interactive extension that holds said interactive extension in a recessed position and that allows said interactive extension to extend in a plurality of directions by an amount that is sufficient to engage said multi-directional control device with said contact surface of said interactive extension;
• asserting a force on a first directional surface of said plurality of directional surfaces to cause said interactive extension to extend in a first direction that is substantially aligned with said first directional surface and cause said contact surface to engage said control device on said electronic device to operate said control device in said first direction;
• asserting a force on a second directional surface of said plurality of directional surfaces to cause said interactive extension to extend in a second direction that is substantially aligned with said second directional surface and cause said contact surface to engage said control device on said electronic device to operate said control device in said second direction.