Remote control method using remote control device with keyboard

A method for short range remote control of a digital device responsive to text input commands and having an associated display, the method comprising:

• providing a remote control device having at least two sections foldable relative to each other, a first plurality of inputs on at least one of the sections and a text entry keyboard comprising separate keys of each letter of the alphabet on both of the sections, the remote control device being reconfigurable between a closed configuration wherein first inputs are exposed and the keyboard is inaccessible and an open configuration wherein the keyboard is exposed and the text entry keys are split across two sections, wherein at least one of the two sections has a thickness greater than the other section and wherein the text entry keys on that section are oriented so that the thicker section is oriented closer to the digital device and the thinner section farther away during text entry in the open configuration;
• providing a first set of control signals to the digital device, in response to operation of the first inputs when the remote control device is in the closed configuration;
• and
• providing a second set of control signals to the digital device in response to operation of the keyboard when the remote control device is in the open configuration, the second set of control signals including text based commands responsive to activation of keyboard keys on both of said at least two sections.

An information display system, comprising:

• a display;
• an information processing device associated with the display and employing the display as an information display device, the device responsive to remote control signals including text input commands;
• and
• a remote control, having a housing with at least two sections connected together so as to be reconfigurable between an open configuration and closed configuration, the remote control further having one or more first inputs on the outside surface of the housing for inputting first commands to the information processing device and a keyboard comprising a plurality of text entry keys comprising separate keys for all the letters of the alphabet configured on inner surfaces of said at least two sections and split across the two sections, wherein at least one of the two sections has a thickness greater than the other section and wherein the text entry keys on that section are oriented so that the thicker section is oriented closer to the digital device and the thinner section farther away during text entry in the open configuration.