State-sensitive navigation aid

A computer readable memory device storing navigation logic configured to guide a user in the use of a remote control (RC) device, wherein the RC device includes a plurality of input mechanisms, the navigation logic comprising:

• logic configured to determine a current state of a user's interaction with a list that can be browsed through within an application, to provide a determined state of browsing the list by the user;
• logic configured to determine at least one input mechanism that is relevant to the determined state of browsing the list, to provide at least one relevant input mechanism capable of performing an operational function specific to the determined state of browsing the list;
• logic configured to display a representation of said at least one relevant input mechanism on a user interface presentation of a presentation device,
• wherein the representation de-emphasizes irrelevant input mechanisms of the RC device, distinguishing irrelevant input mechanisms from relevant input mechanisms, wherein irrelevant input mechanisms are not capable of performing an operational function specific to the determined state of browsing the list;
• and
• logic configured to display a representation of an advance forward input mechanism and de-emphasize a representation of a retreat backward input mechanism when it is determined that the current state comprises that the user is at a first element of the list that can be browsed through.

A system for presenting media programs to a user, comprising:

• a presentation device configured to present the media programs;
• a processing device, coupled to the presentation device, configured to present the media programs on the presentation device;
• a remote control (RC) device configured to interact with the processing device, wherein the RC device includes a plurality of input mechanisms,
• wherein the processing device includes navigation logic, and wherein the navigation logic comprises:
• logic configured to determine a current state of a user's interaction with a list that can be browsed through presented by the processing device, to provide a determined state of browsing the list by the user;
• logic configured to determine at least one input mechanism that is relevant to the determined state of browsing the list, to provide at least one relevant input mechanism capable of performing an operational function specific to the determined state of browsing the list;
• logic configured to display a representation of said at least one relevant input mechanism on a user interface presentation of the presentation device,
• wherein the representation resembles a physical layout of said at least one relevant input mechanism on the RC device,
• wherein the representation de-emphasizes irrelevant input mechanisms of the RC device, distinguishing irrelevant input mechanisms from relevant input mechanisms, wherein irrelevant input mechanisms are not capable of performing an operational function specific to the determined state of browsing the list, and
• wherein the displaying comprises:
• a media program or a display of digital pictures for user consumption, on a first part of the user interface presentation, and the at least one relevant input mechanism on a second part of the user interface presentation;
• and
• logic configured to display a representation of an advance forward input mechanism and de-emphasize a representation of a retreat backward input mechanism when it is determined that the current state comprises that the user is at a first element of the list that can be browsed through.