Abstract: A method and apparatus system for recognizing touch operation of a user on a user interface. The apparatus includes a housing including an at least one characteristic surface; a vibration detector to detect vibrations generated on interaction of the user with the characteristic surface; a proximity detector to detect deformations generated on the interaction of the user with the characteristic surface; a processor to process the vibrations obtained from the vibration detector to determine a vibration pattern specific to the interaction of the user on the characteristic surface and to process the detected deformation related information to determine a force applied by the user to the characteristic surface; a controller to identify and process an instruction to control an operation of a device in accordance with the vibration pattern and the detected deformation; and a communication interface to communicate the instruction to the device.