Method, system, and computer program product for managing controlled residential or non-residential environments

A method of presenting programming information on a display coupled to a processing device, comprising:

• accessing user input to activate a channel object depicted on the display and associated with a programming channel;
• transmitting instructions to switch a device to the programming channel associated with the channel object if the channel object is activated for a time period that does not exceed a specified value;
• transmitting instructions to display a quick-view object that presents programming information for a program listed for transmission on the programming channel associated with the channel object if the channel object is activated for a time period equivalent to the specified value;
• and
• transmitting a command to display a jump-to-guide object that presents an electronic program guide listing programming information for a plurality of programming channels if the channel object is activated for a time period exceeding the specified value.

A method of displaying programming information, comprising:

• displaying a plurality of channel objects depicted on the user interface, wherein each channel object is associated with a programming channel;
• displaying at least one timer associated with the plurality of channel objects, wherein the at least one timer is responsive to a signal indicating the activation of a channel object;
• displaying a quick-view object that presents programming information for a program listed for transmission on the programming channel associated with an activated channel object, wherein the quick-view object is composited on an image that includes the activated channel object;
• and
• displaying a jump-to-guide object that presents an electronic program guide listing programming information for the programming channels associated with the plurality of channel objects, wherein the jump-to-guide object is composited on an image that includes the activated channel object.

A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code functions embedded in the medium for causing a computer to present programming information on a display, comprising:

• a first computer readable program code function that causes the computer to display a plurality of channel objects, wherein each channel object is associated with a programming channel;
• a second computer readable program code function that causes the computer to access user input indicating activation of a channel object from the plurality of channel objects;
• a third computer readable program code function that causes the computer to display a quick-view object that presents programming information for a program listed for transmission on the programming channel associated with the activated channel object;
• and
• a fourth computer readable program code function that causes the computer to display a jump-to-guide object that presents an electronic program guide listing programming information for the programming channels associated with the plurality of channel objects.

A cradle for a remote control device, comprising:

• a receptacle configured to hold the remote control device;
• a communications interface for exchanging communications with a plurality of network components located throughout a controlled environment;
• and
• a power supply port having an electrical connection to the receptacle, wherein the power supply port is configured to supply power to the remote control device when the remote control device is being held within the receptacle.

A system for distributing information within a controlled environment, comprising:

• a plurality of network components located throughout the controlled environment;
• a remote control device configured to send a control request to one or more of the network components;
• and
• a cradle, wherein the cradle includes a receptacle for holding the controller means, and wherein the cradle further includes a communications interface for exchanging communications with one or more of the network components.

A method of distributing information within a controlled environment, comprising:

• operating a remote control device to send a request to a control center located in a cradle that includes a receptacle for holding the portable device;
• receiving the request and processing the request by the control center;
• and
• controlling an operation or a function of one or more devices or applications in response to the request.