Abstract: A method and system for performing purchase transactions such as credit and charge card transactions includes a home entertainment (HE) device having a display screen. A signature capturing sensor such as a remote control having a touch pad is operable for generating touch pad signals as a function of being touched by a consumer. A controller is operable with the HE device for controlling the HE device to display on the display screen purchase transaction form such as a credit card slip having a signature entry area. The controller is further operable with the HE device and the touch pad for controlling the HE device to display on the display screen a signature of the consumer in the signature entry area of the credit card slip in response to touch pad signals being generated by the touch pad as the consumer touches the touch pad and enters the signature on the touch pad. The controller uses the credit card slip and the entered signature displayed on the display screen to effect a credit card transaction.

Abstract: A remote control for controlling a home entertainment (HE) device such as an Interactive television having a display screen. The remote control includes a touch pad mapped to the display screen of the HE device as a function of the ratio of the areas of the touch pad and the display screen such that each location of the touch pad corresponds to a respective location of the display screen. The remote controller further includes a controller operable with the touch pad to enable a control function associated with a location of the display screen in response to the corresponding location of the touch pad being touched for controlling the HE device. The display screen may include on-screen keyboards, control panels and menus, an Internet page, an electronic program guide, and the like.

Abstract: A remote control includes a touch pad operable in two or more touch pad modes and a switching mechanism for controlling devices having display screens such as home entertainment (HE) devices, slide projectors, and computers. The switching mechanism is operable with the touch pad for switching the touch pad between the touch pad modes. The touch pad modes include an absolute touch pad mode, a relative touch pad mode, and an annotate touch pad mode. The remote control includes a control button operable in two or more control button modes. Each of the control button modes corresponds to a respective touch pad mode. The switching mechanism is operable with the control button for switching the control button to the control button mode corresponding to the respective touch pad mode. The remote control also includes an indicator operable for displaying control button indicator modes each indicative of a respective control button mode.

Abstract: A remote control includes a touch pad operable in two or more touch pad modes and a switching mechanism for controlling devices having display screens such as home entertainment (HE) devices, slide projectors, and computers. The switching mechanism is operable with the touch pad for switching the touch pad between the touch pad modes. The touch pad modes include an absolute touch pad mode, a relative touch pad mode, and an annotate touch pad mode. The remote control includes a control button operable in two or more control button modes. Each of the control button modes corresponds to a respective touch pad mode. The switching mechanism is operable with the control button for switching the control button to the control button mode corresponding to the respective touch pad mode. The remote control also includes an indicator operable for displaying control button indicator modes each indicative of a respective control button mode.

Abstract: Home entertainment devices may be controlled and on-screen games played with a single controller. At least one gesture by a user is made on a touch pad. If the gesture was made for controlling the home entertainment device, at least one control signal is generated for the home entertainment device based on the gesture. If the gesture was made for playing a game, a game activity based on the gesture is performed and the results displayed on a display screen.

Abstract: A method and system for performing purchase transactions such as credit and charge card transactions includes a home entertainment (HE) device having a display screen. A signature capturing sensor such as a remote control having a touch pad is operable for generating touch pad signals as a function of being touched by a consumer. A controller is operable with the HE device for controlling the HE device to display on the display screen purchase transaction form such as a credit card slip having a signature entry area. The controller is further operable with the HE device and the touch pad for controlling the HE device to display on the display screen a signature of the consumer in the signature entry area of the credit card slip in response to touch pad signals being generated by the touch pad as the consumer touches the touch pad and enters the signature on the touch pad. The controller uses the credit card slip and the entered signature displayed on the display screen to effect a credit card transaction.

Abstract: A remote control for controlling a home entertainment device having a display screen provided with a movable object includes a touch pad. The touch pad is operable with the display screen such that the display screen is mapped to the touch pad area. The touch pad generates a signal in response to an operator touching the touch pad. The signal is indicative of the location of the touch on the touch pad. A controller is operable with the touch pad for receiving a signal from the touch pad in response to an operator touching the touch pad. In response to an operator touching the touch pad the controller moves the movable object on the display screen to the location on the display screen corresponding to the location of the touch on the touch pad. The touch pad also generates a gesture signal in response to a gesture performed on the touch pad. The gesture signal is indicative of the gesture performed on the touch pad. Each gesture performed on the touch pad corresponds to a control function.

Abstract: A hand-held remote computer input peripheral for communicating with a host computer having a display screen. An operator holds the input peripheral in space with a first hand. The input peripheral includes activation mode buttons each corresponding to a respective activation mode of the touch pad for controlling the display screen. The activation modes include a text entry mode for entering text on the display screen and a cursor control mode for controlling a cursor on the display screen. The input peripheral further includes a touch pad. The operator manipulates the touch pad using a second hand while holding the input peripheral with the first hand to perform functions associated with the activation modes for controlling the display screen. The text entry mode includes an annotation mode for enabling the operator to draw on to the display screen and a type mode for enabling the operator to print text on to the display screen.

Abstract: A remote control for controlling a device having a display screen provided with a movable object includes a touch pad. The pad is operable such that the screen is mapped to the pad area. The pad generates a signal indicative of an operator's touch on the pad. A controller moves the object on the screen to the location on the screen corresponding to the location of the touch on the pad. The pad generates a gesture signal indicative of a gesture performed on the pad corresponding to a control function. In response to an operator performing a gesture on the pad the controller controls the device to enable the control function corresponding to the gesture performed on the pad.

Abstract: A hand-held remote computer input peripheral is operable to be held by a human operator with one hand while both hands harmoniously manipulate a touch pad, function keys, and a click button provided with the input peripheral. The touch pad is positioned in a housing to be held by one hand while comfortably being addressed by the other hand, either with a finger or stylus, for controlling typical computer mouse functions and/or entering graphic images. The fingers of the hand holding the input peripheral rest naturally on the function keys and the click button such that keys and button can be activated simultaneously, or in conjunction with, activities of the hand manipulating the touch pad. The input peripheral is advantageously used in electronic meeting room applications having a computer and communication peripherals such as electronic white boards, presentation projectors, and video conferencing systems.