Remote control device with multiple active surfaces

A remote control unit for controlling a controlled component, the remote control comprising:

• two or more sides capable of being active, the two or more active sides including:
• a first side capable of receiving user input when active for controlling the controlled component;
• a second side, spaced from the first side, the second side capable of receiving user input when active for controlling the controlled component;
• and
• sensors for determining which side is facing upward with respect to a direction of gravity, the side facing upward being active and the side facing downward being inactive.

A remote control unit for controlling a controlled component, the remote control comprising:

• a first side capable of receiving user input when active for controlling the controlled component;
• a second side, spaced from the first side, the second side capable of receiving user input when active for controlling the controlled component;
• sensors for determining which side is facing upward with respect to a direction of gravity, the first side activating and at least partially illuminating when the first side is turned facing upward, the second side deactivating and going dark when the first side is turned facing upward, the first side deactivating and going dark when the second side is turned facing upward, and the second side activating and at least partially illuminating when the second side is turned upward;
• a first user interface on the first side for receiving the user input when the first side is active, the first user interface including a plurality of function indicator regions, wherein a swiping contact across different function indicator regions of the plurality of function indicator regions performs different functions on the controlled component;
• and
• a second user interface on the second side for receiving the user input when the second side is active, the second user interface including an alphanumeric keypad.