Multiple function inline controller with buttons extending along different axes

An apparatus comprising:

• a circuit board;
• a plurality of switches, the plurality of switches being mounted on the circuit board along a first axis, wherein the circuit board is arranged such that a first switch of the plurality of switches is arranged to be actuated along a second axis and a second switch of the plurality of switches is arranged to be actuated along a third axis, the third axis being approximately perpendicular to the second axis;
• a base, the base being arranged to support the circuit board;
• and
• a cover, the cover being configured at least over the plurality of switches, base, and circuit board, wherein the cover is a fastening means to hold the plurality of switches, base, and circuit board to form a single unit, whereby a user applies a force directly to the cover to actuate at least one of the plurality of switches.

An apparatus comprising:

• a cable;
• and
• an inline switch assembly coupled to the cable, the inline switch assembly including a first button, a second button, and a third button aligned along a longitudinal axis, wherein the second button is oriented at an angle of up to approximately ninety degrees relative to the first button and the third button, the inline switch assembly further including a circuit that supports the first button, the second button, and the third button, the inline switch assembly still further including a common cap shaped to directly cover the first button, the second button, and the third button, the cap being arranged to protect the circuit, the first button, the second button, and the third button,
• wherein the first button, the second button or the third button are arranged to be actuated through the cap, whereby a user applies a force to the cap to actuate at least one of the first button, the second button or the third button.

An inline controller for use in controlling a portable electronic device, comprising:

• an inline switch assembly, the inline switch assembly including:
• a circuit board;
• a base, the base being arranged to support the circuit board;
• a plurality of user input surfaces aligned along a longitudinal axis of the circuit board, wherein adjacent ones of the user input surfaces are oriented at different angles;
• and
• a tube arranged over the plurality of user input surfaces to cover the plurality of user input surfaces, wherein the tube is the only means to hold the base and plurality of user input surfaces to form a unit with the circuit board, yet still permits a user of the inline controller to interact with any of the user input surfaces through the tube.

An inline switch assembly comprising:

• a circuit board having a second axis and a third axis;
• a plurality of switches, the plurality of switches being mounted on the circuit board along a first axis, wherein a first switch of the plurality of switches is arranged to be actuated along the second axis and a second switch of the plurality of switches is arranged to be actuated along the third axis;
• a base, the base being arranged to support the circuit board;
• a cap, the cap positioned over the circuit board and the plurality of switches, wherein the cap is shaped to cover the plurality of switches and includes a plurality of landing points, the plurality of landing points including a first landing point and a second landing point, the first landing point being positioned over the first switch, the second landing point being positioned over the second switch;
• and
• a pliable tube, wherein the circuit board, the plurality of switches, the base, and the cap form a single unit contained within the pliable tube, the pliable tube being the only means to hold the unit together yet still permit a user of the inline switch assembly to interact with any of the switches through the pliable tube.