Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a remote control for an interactive media can include a printed publication and/or a storage media and/or a data button. One embodiment of a remote control includes a printed publication (such as a book, magazine or a catalog) and one or more buttons physically attached to the printed publication to allow users to remotely control use of associated electronic content by a host device. Another embodiment of a remote control has a housing capable of removably holding a storage media encoded with electronic content associated with a button of the remote control. Yet another embodiment of a remote control has at least one data button which permits the user to select the data to be displayed by the host device. An autostart driver in the host device detects insertion of a storage media into a peripheral and automatically starts an application. The application interprets button codes transmitted by the remote control and displays the results or initiates other events.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a novel stick-on peel-off fastener, comprising one or more conductive sticky elements, sandwiched between one or more terminals of a first object such as an electrical device and one or more terminals of a second object such as battery, can keep the battery affixed to the electrical device while the battery supplies power to the electrical device. One embodiment of a conductive sticky element includes a layer of conductive adhesive, such as a polymer resin that has a number of microscopic silver filings. Another embodiment of a conductive sticky element includes a number of hooks, such as those in Velcro.TM. elements. Yet another embodiment of a conductive sticky element includes a magnet that when used with another magnet, prevents improper coupling of the two objects due to magnetic repulsion.

Abstract: A hand held electronic remote control device having orientation sensors, signal processing electronics, power supply and an infrared transmitter contained therein. The sensors include two angular position detectors. A first angular position detector is aligned in a first plane and provides a first detector output. The first and second detector outputs provide responsive inputs to a dividing analog-to-digital converter which transforms the input to a digitally compatible output that is used as an input to a transmitter controller which compares the input to a reference signal and provides a modulation output for driving an infrared light source. The resulting infrared light beam is then carries the modulation signal to a remote receiver via the apparatus to be controlled. The present invention is used to replace the conventional mouse. The receiver would convert a form commensurate with the usual mouse output for compatibility with the usual serial mouse port.

Abstract: A multi-media pointing device including a handheld, self-contained remote unit having a set of command buttons and a microphone mounted on the exterior of the remote unit housing. Contained within the housing are a pair of angular motion detectors, keyboard and motion data processing circuitry, and infrared or radio frequency transmission circuitry. The preferred embodiment further includes a separate base module having infrared or radio frequency receiver circuitry, circuitry for interfacing to a computer, and output ports for sending the received keyboard, motion and audio signals to the computer.