Integrated remote control unit for operating a television and a video game unit

A remote control unit, comprising:

• (a) a plurality of pushbuttons arranged on a housing of the remote control unit for operating the remote control unit in a first hand-held position to control a first electronic device;
• (b) a subset of the plurality of pushbuttons for operating the remote control unit in a second hand-held position to control a second electronic device;
• (c) a CPU for receiving input from the pushbuttons and generating control signals for controlling either the first or second electronic device;
• and
• (d) a first and second transmitter for transmitting control signals to control the respective first and second electronic devices.

A remote control unit for controlling the operation of a plurality of applications of at least one electronic audio/video device, comprising:

• (a) input means for providing user input, wherein a user enters input by operating the remote control in a first hand-held position when controlling the operation of a first application and by operating the remote control in a second hand-held position when controlling the operation of a second application;
• (b) removable face plate means for indicating functions operating the remote control for different applications;
• (c) transmitting means for transmitting signals to the at least one electronic audio/video device to operate an application indicated by user input to the input means;
• and
• (d) switching means for switching the operation of the remote control unit between the plurality of applications.

A method for controlling access to operation of video games, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a controller unit to users for operating video games on video game consoles, wherein the controller unit includes a keypad with a plurality of keys for controlling the operation of video games;
• (b) designing face plates that are removably attachable to the controller keypad for operating different video games, wherein each face plate covers keys on the keypad that are unnecessary for controlling a particular video game, and the face plate provides an access code to the controller when attached to the keypad for accessing operation of the particular video game;
• and
• (c) selling the face plates to users.