Abstract: A media event of a host system is controlled by a controller as a function of Device Independent Instructions (software not specific to the host system); Device Dependent Instructions (software specific to the host system); and user input. The Device Independent Instructions may be specific to the media event, especially where the media event is presentation of particular media content. The controller may include a removable user interface (RUI); a graphical user interface (GUI); and/or a peripheral user interface (PUI). Accompanying media content may be included with the Device Independent Instructions for presentation by the controller, which may be specific to the media event. The controller may be utilized to control media events in multiple host systems preferably executes conditional programming. Methods of combining the Device Independent Instructions with the media content are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling presentation of media content of a DVD by a DVD player includes a console that communicates with the DVD player and an overlay that is specific to media content of the DVD. When the overlay is coupled to the console, the console communicates a command to the DVD player resulting in presentation of media content of the DVD. An overlay presents buttons configured as shapes such as numbers, letters, and animals. When such an overlay is coupled to a console and upon the pressing of such a button, the console communicates a command to a DVD player resulting in the player presenting media content related to the button of the overlay pressed.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a media event of a host system, such as a presentation of particular media content by a media device, includes a controller and a peripheral user interface (PUI) having user inputs. The PUI is preferably separable from the controller and communicates with the controller wirelessly or by releasable cabled connection. Optionally, a PUI includes a communications component and a subRUI that is capable of being removably coupled to the communications component or to the controller. Upon actuation of a user input, a program executed by a processor of the controller accesses both Device Independent Instructions that relate to the media event and Device Dependent Instructions that relate to a protocol for controlling the host system.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a media event and optionally presenting additional media content includes a removable user interface (RUI) having graphical indicia for guiding a user in selectively actuating a user input, and a controller capable of communicating commands to a media device responsively to the actuation of a user input. A determination of the location of a selector actuating a user input is made to interpret the selection of the user and to control a media event accordingly. The command sent by the controller depends on the selection of the user and Device Independent Instructions with regard to a selecting a media event, and depends on Device Dependent instructions with regard to controlling a particular media device of the host system to present the media event. Additional media content is optionally presented through a component of the controller.

Abstract: A host system includes a machine readable medium containing media content and an apparatus for controlling presentation thereof. The apparatus includes a removable user interface (RUI) and a controller coupled together. The RUI includes user inputs and machine executable instructions that are specific to the media content. The controller includes a processor, a program executed by the processor that interprets the machine executable instructions of the RUI, and a library of instructions accessible to the program for communicating to the host system, in a protocol of the host system, commands relating to presentation of the media content. The program, in response to actuation of a user input, performs the steps of reading machine executable instructions of the RUI, accessing instructions of the library in accordance with the instructions read from the RUI, and communicating commands to the host system based on the accessed instructions of the library.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a media event includes a controller capable of communicating with a media device and an overlay removably attached to the controller. The controller includes a processor for performing machine executable instructions for communicating one or more commands to the media device. The overlay includes a plurality of user inputs and a machine readable medium having machine executable instructions comprising commands for controlling a media event. Each user input is disposed for direct contact by a user in actuating the user input. Upon actuation of a user input, the processor performs a device independent instruction of the overlay resulting in performance of a device specific instruction of the controller, thereby communicating a device specific command to the media device.

Abstract: A combined chalk and chalkboard eraser dispenser includes a vertical planar rear wall, a vertical planar front wall spaced forward from the rear wall by approximately the height of a standard blackboard eraser, and a horizontal planar bottom ledge projecting forward from the lower edge of the rear wall, an eraser dispenser opening being defined between a lower edge of the front wall and a forward edge of the bottom ledge. Chalk receptacles are substantially in the form of rectangular boxes having a open horizontal forward face. The depth of the chalk dispenser is preferably slightly less than the length of a standard piece of chalk.