Passive user input attachment engaging compressible conductive elements and method for using the same

A method, employing one or more controllers in an electronic device having a plurality of electrode nodes of configuring the electronic device in response to a passive user input attachment being attached, the method comprising:

• detecting, with the one or more controllers, an engagement signature of the passive user input attachment by sensing one of a voltage across or a current through each of the plurality of electrode nodes that depends upon compression of one or more compressible conductive elements of the passive user attachment against one or more complementary electrode nodes from the passive user input attachment being attached;
• identifying the passive user input attachment from the engagement signature;
• and
• placing the electronic device in an operating mode based upon the identifying the passive user attachment.

An electronic device, comprising:

• a plurality of electrode nodes, separate from each other across one or more surfaces of the electronic device;
• a passive user attachment configured for selective attachment to the electronic device;
• a plurality of compressible conductive elements disposed between the passive user attachment and the plurality of electrode nodes, thereby engaging each compressible conductive element against a complementary electrode node;
• and
• a controller, operable with the plurality of electrode nodes and configured to:
• detect an engagement signature defined by a surface area engagement of the each compressible element against the complementary node by sensing one of a voltage across or a current through each electrode node;
• and
• identify the passive user attachment from the engagement signature;
• wherein the controller is configured to change an operational mode of the electronic device upon identifying the passive user attachment.