Remote control device and method for using television schedule information

A remote control device for navigating a television screen having a plurality of different screen areas for displaying different information, the remote control device comprising:

• a casing having an exterior surface;
• an input assembly located on the exterior surface of the casing, the input assembly including a local controller having a first scroll mechanism for displacing a movable cursor within each screen area and a global controller having a second scroll mechanism for displacing the cursor between the plurality of different screen areas wherein, each of the first and the second scroll mechanisms adapted for displacing the cursor in a X direction and a Y direction on the television screen;
• and
• a transmitter within the casing for transmitting signals from the input assembly.

A method of navigating a television screen having a plurality of screen areas comprising the steps of:

• manipulating a local controller on a remote control device having a first scroll mechanism to generate signals for displacing a movable cursor within each screen area;
• manipulating a global controller on a remote control device having a second scroll mechanism to generate signals for displacing the cursor between the plurality of screen areas wherein, each of the first and the second scroll mechanisms adapted for displacing the cursor in a X direction and a Y direction on the television screen;
• remotely transmitting the generated signals;
• and
• displacing the movable cursor on the screen in response to the transmitted signals.

A television schedule system comprising:

• a television including a screen having a plurality of screen areas for displaying information;
• a television program guide displayed in one of the plurality of screen areas for displaying television schedule information;
• and
• an input device for inputting user commands, the device including a local controller having a first scroll mechanism for displacing a movable cursor within each screen area and a global controller having a second scroll mechanism for displacing the cursor between the plurality of screen areas wherein, each of the first and the second scroll mechanisms adapted for displacing the cursor in a X direction and a Y direction on the television screen.