Abstract: An application control system and method is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display such as a monitor or TV and having display functions. A control device may be conveniently held by a user and employs an imager. The control system and method images the screen of the TV or other display to detect distinctive markers displayed on the screen. This information is transmitted to the entertainment system for control of an application or is used by the control device to control an application.

Abstract: An application control system and method is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display such as a monitor or TV and having display functions. A control device may be conveniently held by a user and employs an imager. The control system and method images the screen of the TV or other display to detect distinctive markers displayed on the screen. This information is transmitted to the entertainment system for control of an application or is used by the control device to control an application.

Abstract: An application control system and method using generated position information of a control device and adapted for use with a display is disclosed. The control device may be conveniently held by a user. An imager is employed to image the control device to detect reference fields and generate position information. This information is used by the control device to control an application.

Abstract: An application control system and method is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display such as a monitor or TV and having display functions. A control device may be conveniently held by a user and employs an imager. The control system and method images the screen of the TV or other display to detect distinctive markers displayed on the screen. This information is transmitted to the entertainment system for control of an application or is used by the control device to control an application.

Abstract: A remote control with a shared touch sensor such as a touch pad is disclosed. The touch sensor is responsive to input from two different surfaces of the remote control providing attendant space and cost advantages. The touch sensor may be responsive to continuous touch input or to tactile input buttons adapted to activate the touch sensor when depressed.

Abstract: A folding remote control with an inner touch surface such as a touch pad is disclosed. The touch surface is split in two sections which together span both inner surfaces of the two sections of the folding remote providing a large touch surface. This allows ease of use and also can provide features such as multi-touch control. Back lighting may provide a relatively large keyboard input spanning both sections which can be selected for display at the push of a button. Remote control embodiments without folding sections but large touch surface configurations are also disclosed.

Abstract: An application control system and method is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display such as a monitor or TV and having display functions. A control device may be conveniently held by a user and employs an imager. The control system and method images the screen of the TV or other display to detect distinctive markers displayed on the screen. This information is transmitted to the entertainment system for control of an application or is used by the control device to control an application.

Abstract: An application control approach using generated position information of a control device and adapted for use with a display, such as a monitor or TV, is disclosed. The control device may be conveniently held by a user. An imager is employed to image the control device to detect reference fields and generate position information. This information is used by the control device to control an application.

Abstract: A pointer control system is disclosed. A remote control device is adapted to be held and pointed by a user and controls functions based on both on screen and off screen pointing. The on screen pointing may control a cursor or other pointer.

Abstract: A multi-directional remote control system and method is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display such as a monitor or TV and having display functions employing a mouse type control. The remote controller may be conveniently held in one hand of a user and still provides full mouse type functionality using a two level switch tracking and drag control. The remote control system and method detects relative motion between the controller and screen. This position information is used for control of a cursor or other GUI interface.

Abstract: A remote control having a housing with a top surface and bottom surface. The top surface has a first set of one or more inputs adapted to be used when the housing is held in one hand of a user. The bottom surface has a plurality of second inputs configured in a recessed portion of the bottom surface corresponding at least in part to an area adapted to be held in one hand of a user when activating the first set of inputs. The remote control also has at least one short range transmitter responsive to activation of the first and second inputs.

Abstract: An application control approach using generated position information of a control device and adapted for use with a display, such as a monitor or TV, is disclosed. The control device may be conveniently held by a user. An imager is employed to image the control device to detect reference fields and generate position information. This information is used by the control device to control an application.

Abstract: A media system providing off screen pointer control is disclosed. A remote control device is adapted to be held and pointed by a user and controls a menu based on both on screen and off screen pointing. The on screen pointing may control a cursor or other pointer. The off screen pointing may provide a variable scrolling function or other control function.

Abstract: An application control system and method is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display such as a monitor or TV and having display functions. The control device may be conveniently held by a user and employs an imager. The control system and method images the screen of the TV or other display to detect distinctive markers displayed on the screen. This information is transmitted to the entertainment system for control of an application or is used by the control device to control an application.

Abstract: An automatic search system and method is disclosed which automatically displays a search menu on a TV in response to opening a remote control having an internal concealed keyboard. Since a text entry keyboard is known to be in use a streamlined search menu may be displayed without an on screen keyboard. A separate on screen keyboard search menu may be activated in a different mode by using the remote in a closed configuration.

Abstract: A multi-directional remote control system and method is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display (112) such as a monitor or TV and having display functions employing a mouse type control. The remote controller (110) may be conveniently held in one hand of a user and still provides full mouse type functionality. The remote control system and method images the screen of the TV or other display to detect relative motion between the controller (110) and screen. This position information is transmitted to the entertainment system for control of a cursor or other GUI interface.

Abstract: An automatic search system and method is disclosed which automatically displays a search menu on a TV in response to opening a remote control having an internal concealed keyboard. Since a text entry keyboard is known to be in use a streamlined search menu may be displayed without an on screen keyboard. A separate on screen keyboard search menu may be activated in a different mode by using the remote in a closed configuration.

Abstract: A search based video interface system and method is disclosed. Search results are dynamically filtered based on automatic combinations of search terms.

Abstract: An application control system and method is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display such as a monitor or TV and having display functions. The control device may be conveniently held by a user and employs an imager. The control system and method images the screen of the TV or other display to detect distinctive markers displayed on the screen. This information is transmitted to the entertainment system for control of an application or is used by the control device to control an application.

Abstract: A multi-directional remote control system and method is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display such as a monitor or TV and having display functions employing a mouse type control. The remote controller may be conveniently held in one hand of a user and still provides full mouse type functionality. The remote control system and method images the controller to detect relative motion between the controller and screen. This position information is used for control of a cursor or other GUI interface.