Patent ID: 7564369
Filing Date: 2009-07-21
Classification: G08C,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for using a handheld remote control device to communicate in a telephony system, comprising: (a) determining a first mode of the handheld remote control device, wherein the remote control device includes a plurality of buttons; (b) receiving an incoming telephone call indicating to change the first mode of the handheld remote control device to a telephone mode for communication in a telephony system; and (c) automatically changing the mode of the handheld remote control device from the first mode to the telephone mode to enable communication in the telephony system upon receiving the incoming telephone call, wherein more than one of the same buttons are used for input in both the first mode and the telephone mode, and wherein when the handheld remote control device is in the telephone mode, upon actuation of numerical buttons located on the handheld remote control device, a telephone signal is output; (d) wherein the handheld remote control device is functional to control a Media Computing Device including a plurality of audio/visual devices and wherein the telephone mode changes to the first mode automatically when communication in the telephone mode is complete.