Handheld electronic devices with bimodal remote control functionality

Abstract

Handheld electronic devices are provided that have bimodal remote control functionality and gesture recognition features. The handheld electronic device may have gestural interface functionality in a first mode and graphical interface functionality in a second mode. The handheld electronic device may have remote control functionality in addition to cellular telephone, music player, or handheld computer functionality. The handheld electronic devices may have a touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may recognize gestures performed by a user on the touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may generate remote control signals from gestures that the handheld electronic device may recognize. A media system may receive the remote control signals and may take appropriate action. The touch sensitive display screen may be used to present the user with information about the media system such as listings of media on the media system and system parameters such as the current volume.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.