A method of communicating between a physical control device and an electronic device is disclosed herein, the physical control device having a plurality of conductive protrusions detectable by a touch screen of the electronic device when placed in contact with the touch screen. The method comprises identifying, via the electronic device, the physical control device in contact with the touch screen based on a conductive pattern of the conductive protrusions detected by a capacitive touch sensor panel of the touch screen. The method further includes performing a first action at the electronic device in accordance with an input to the physical control device that causes a change in a characteristic of the conductive pattern of the plurality of conductive protrusions detected by the capacitive touch sensor panel, and ignoring a touch input at the capacitive touch sensor panel from a housing of the physical control device.