Interactive remote control system and method

A signal processing electronic device for use in receiving and rendering multimedia content via a display monitor of an audio-video system, comprising:

• a remote control unit having a receiver for receiving command code signals transmitted from a separate remote controller having a touch screen and a hard key;
• the remote control unit further comprising at least one signal processing unit for interpreting the command code signals received by the receiver,
• wherein a command code signal received by the receiver is generated when a soft key on the touch screen of the remote controller is tapped one time, and wherein a feedback is generated when the soft key is tapped at least two times in succession;
• and
• wherein the command code signal received by the receiver is generated when the hard key on the remote controller is semi-depressed, and wherein the feedback is generated when the hard key is fully-depressed;
• and
• at least one of said at least one signal processing units having software whereby at least one processor is configured:
• to retrieve an electronic graphic image file corresponding to a particular appearance of the remote controller from a stored database of electronic graphic image files,
• to send the electronic graphic image file to a display monitor so that the graphic image displayed on the display monitor corresponds to the remote controller from which the control code signal was received,
• to determine an action being requested by one of the command code signals,
• to generate a request for the feedback, the request in at least one of a visual form and an audible form for a confirmation of the action being requested, and
• to execute the action after the feedback via a further communication is received with the receiver of the signal processing electronic device, wherein the feedback is a re-transmission of the command code signal, and
• wherein the further command code signal, when a selection is a proper selection, comprises the confirmation, and when the selection is an undesired selection, comprises a user cancellation of the selection before any command is actually executed by a set-top box.