Systems and methods for dual use remote-control devices

#The technical field relates to remote-control devices, and more particularly, to apparatuses, systems and methods for a dual use remote-control device having a sensor to control cursor movement on a display.

#In one embodiment, a remote-control device is provided. In this embodiment, the remote-control device includes a remote-control device housing with controls on both sides of the housing. On one side of the housing there may be various buttons to control operations of a television or other media device while on the other side is an optical sensor or other sensor to control cursor movement on a television or other display. In a first mode, the optical sensor may be slid across an object such as, for example, a table, couch or user's lap to control the cursor movement. In a second mode, a user may move their finger across the optical sensor to control the cursor movement. There may also be a QWERTY keyboard on the same side of the remote-control device as the optical sensor for textual input. The remote control device may have a switch coupled to a system control module of the device to switch the remote-control device between modes, either automatically or manually. While in the first mode, a user may push a button on a different side of the device than the optical sensor to select an item on the display with the cursor. In the second mode, a user may push the optical sensor itself to select an item with the cursor.

#In another embodiment, a method for controlling operation of a remote-control device is provided. The method includes receiving a mode input signal indicating that the remote-control device is in a first mode or second mode. Then particular controls on either side of the remote-control device may be activated or deactivated based on the mode input signal received. The optical sensor of the remote-control device may also be automatically adjusted accordingly to better detect movement of a finger across the optical sensor to control a cursor versus movement of the optical sensor over an object such as a table, couch or user's lap to control the cursor movement.

#The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example environment in which various embodiments of a dual use remote may be implemented.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components of an example embodiment of a dual use remote-control device.

#A. Environment Overview

#FIG. 1 is an overview block diagram illustrating an example environment in which various embodiments of a dual use remote-control device (“dual use remote”) 100 may be implemented. It is to be appreciated that FIG. 1 illustrates just one example of a customer premises 116 environment and that the various embodiments discussed herein are not limited to use of such systems. Customer premises 116 can include a variety of communication systems and can use a variety of communication devices, presentation devices and media including, but not limited to, satellite wireless media.

#Audio, video, and/or data service providers, such as, but not limited to, television service providers, provide their customers a multitude of audio/video and/or data programming (hereafter, collectively and/or exclusively “programming”). Such programming is often provided by use of a receiving device 118 communicatively coupled to a presentation device 120 configured to receive the programming.