Extended functionally remote control system and method therefore

A handheld device for remote program guide viewing and program selection, comprising:

• a memory system for receiving and storing program guide data, wherein said program guide data includes a program guide containing a plurality of scheduled programs;
• a software application for implementing each of said plurality of scheduled programs into encoded data;
• a touch screen display system for displaying said program guide containing said plurality of scheduled programs;
• a processor for receiving user input indicating a selection of at least one of said scheduled programs through at least said touch screen display system;
• and
• a wireless transmitter subsystem for receiving said encoded data corresponding to said selected scheduled program from said software application, for generating a signal derived from said encoded data for said selected scheduled program, and for transmitting said signal to a remote receiver device, whereby said remote receiver device is caused to tune to said selected scheduled program.

A handheld device for remote program guide viewing and program selection, comprising:

• a memory system for receiving and storing program guide data, wherein said program guide data is received over an Internet connection, and wherein said program guide data includes a program guide containing a plurality of scheduled programs;
• a software application for implementing each of said plurality of scheduled programs into encoded data;
• a touch screen display system for displaying said program guide containing said plurality of scheduled programs;
• means for receiving user input indicating a selection of at least one of said scheduled programs through at least said touch screen display means;
• a wireless transmitter subsystem for receiving said encoded data corresponding to said selected scheduled program from said software application means, for generating a signal derived from said encoded data for said selected scheduled program, and for transmitting said signal to a remote receiver device, whereby said remote receiver device is caused to tune to said selected scheduled program.

A handheld device for remote program guide viewing and program selection, comprising:

• a first communications system for receiving program guide data, wherein said program guide data includes a program guide containing a plurality of scheduled programs;
• a software application for implementing each of said plurality of scheduled programs into encoded data;
• a memory system for storing said program guide data,
• a touch screen display system for displaying said program guide containing said plurality of scheduled programs;
• means for receiving user input indicating a selection of at least one of said scheduled programs through at least said touch screen display means;
• and
• a second communications system comprising a wireless transmitter subsystem for receiving said encoded data corresponding to said selected scheduled program from said software application means, for generating a signal derived from said encoded data for said selected scheduled program, and for transmitting said signal to a remote receiver device, whereby said remote receiver device is caused to tune to said selected scheduled program.

A handheld system for remote program guide viewing and program selection, comprising:

• a handheld device, comprising:
• a touch screen display for displaying program guide data, wherein said program guide data includes a program guide containing a plurality of scheduled programs, and for receiving a first user input;
• a software application for implementing each of said plurality of scheduled programs into encoded data;
• and
• a first serial port for communicating with a second serial port;
• and
• an attached device comprising:
• a keypad subsystem for receiving a second user input;
• said second serial port;
• a microcontroller for handling communications between said first serial port and said second serial port;
• and
• an infrared transmitter subsystem for receiving said encoded data corresponding to said selected scheduled program from said software application, for generating a signal derived from said encoded data for said selected scheduled program, and for transmitting said signal to a remote receiver device, whereby said remote receiver device is caused to tune to said selected scheduled program.