Controlling content receiver using customizable gestural commands of remote control

A method comprising:

• receiving user input specifying a customization function for a user, wherein the customization function defines at least one transformation of inertial data into a horizontal movement, a vertical movement, and a rate of movement of a cursor on a display, wherein the inertial data includes at least one linear component and at least one rotational component indicating a movement of a remote;
• receiving the inertial data from the remote control;
• transforming, using the customization function, a combination of the at least one linear component and the at least one rotational component into a horizontal cursor movement and a vertical cursor movement based on the rate of movement defined by the customization function;
• and
• controlling movement of the cursor on the display for the user using the horizontal cursor movement and the vertical cursor movement.

A remote control comprising:

• a housing configured to be held between a first finger and a second finger of a user;
• one or more buttons, wherein each of the one or more buttons is configured to be operable by the first finger or the second finger of the user while the user is holding the housing of the remote control between the first finger and the second finger;
• an inertial measurement unit configured to collect inertial data, wherein the inertial data includes at least one linear component and at least one rotational component that indicate a movement of the remote control;
• a wireless transmitter configured to transmit horizontal cursor movement data and vertical cursor movement data from the remote control to a content receiver;
• one or more memories configured to collectively store computer instructions and a customization function for the user, wherein the customization function defines at least one transformation of the inertial data into the horizontal cursor movement data and the vertical cursor movement data to customize control of a cursor on a display for the user;
• and
• one or more processors configured to execute the computer instructions to:
• define a default orientation of the remote control using a user-positioned orientation of the remote control for the user;
• obtain the inertial data from the inertial measurement unit;
• modify the customization function based on the default orientation;
• transform, using the modified customization function, a combination of the at least one linear component and the at least one rotational component into the horizontal cursor movement data and the vertical cursor movement data;
• and
• transmit, by the wireless transmitter, the horizontal cursor movement data and the vertical cursor movement data to the content receiver for controlling the cursor on the display.