Abstract:
An infrared hand-held remote control for handling a single or plural devices such as lights, shades, drapes and the like contains ergonomically selected and placed control buttons that are self-describing and easy to use. It allows explicit, easy-to-use control of different functions by providing for each function to be controlled vertically disposed discrete buttons that provide “all or nothing” control of some physical feature and similar, vertically disposed and horizontally aligned “adjust” buttons that allow for fine and continuous control of the physical quantities between the extremes or limits of the discrete button functions. Successive groups of buttons provide for the control of different appliances or devices, where each group of buttons is identified by easy to comprehend icon or alphabetic representations. A preset button is also provided for setting and recalling an operational preset value for the device(s) from memory.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application incorporates by reference U.S. application Ser. No. 10/142,146 filed May 7, 2001 and entitled “Infrared Hand-Held Remote Control”. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to remote controls for appliances such as lights, shades, etc., and, more particularly, relates to ergonomically improved remote controls that are operable with one or several or a variety of appliances. 
   Remote controls for appliances are ubiquitous. Many existing remote controls incorporate and provide a large array of buttons, functions and features which present a daunting challenge to a new user, all the more so in this age where we are constantly exposed to a very large variety of new electronic devices and need to master and learn them all. Remote controls, such as those referred to in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/142,146, may be provided for home and office based appliances such as lights, window shades and the like, in a particularly ergonomic manner. That is, such remote controls enable the mastering of functionality without having to resort to complex and lengthy manuals or instruction books or the investment of precious time to visually study the remote control. 
   The basic construction of remote controls, including remote controls that operate in the infrared electromagnetic spectrum are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,205 entitled “Infrared Energy Transmissive Member and Radiation Receiver” which has issued to the assignee of the present invention describes preferred embodiments of circuits and other features of a remote control. The content of the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,205 are incorporated by reference herein. An appliance that can be controlled with the infrared hand-held remote control of the present invention is described in the present assignee&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,266 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,387, and the contents of these two patents are incorporated by reference herein as well. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to improve an ergonomic hand held remote control, such as the remote control referred to in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/142,146. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ergonomic hand held remote control with a preset (i.e., favorite) functionality for at least one device to be controlled. In this manner, an operator of the remote control may store a desired or favorite device setting in a memory, and then recall the preset setting from the memory at a subsequent time. For example, if the remote control is operable to control the illumination setting of a light, the remote control would allow the operator to store a desired illumination setting in memory, and then recall the stored illumination setting at a subsequent time when desired. 
   To recall the preset setting from memory, the operator may, for example, press a special key, such as a preset key. Thus, for example, if the operator wished to recall the preset setting for illumination of the lights, he/she may press the “preset” button to recall the setting. 
   To store a new preset setting for the device to be controlled, the operator may press and hold the “preset” button for a time exceeding a predetermined threshold time, such as two seconds. In this manner, the current setting for the device may be stored as the preset (i.e., favorite) setting. Thus, for example, to store the current illumination setting of the lights as the preset setting, the operator would press and hold the “preset” button for a time exceeding, for example, two seconds. 
   The present invention is embodied in one exemplary embodiment, in which a control system is provided to set a variable physical property of a structure to an operational setting between a maximum setting and a minimum setting. The system includes a control device having first, second, third, fourth buttons and at least one preset button; and a receiving arrangement communicatively coupled to the control device and to the structure. The receiving arrangement includes a memory to store at least one preset setting of the variable physical property, and each of the buttons of the control device is operable to cause a transmission of a respectively assigned signal from the control device to the receiving arrangement when pressed. The receiving arrangement is operable to set the operational setting of the variable physical property to the maximum setting when the control device transmits the signal assigned to the first button, set the operational setting of the variable physical property to the minimum setting when the control device transmits the signal assigned to the second button, increase the operational setting of the variable physical property toward the maximum setting when the control device transmits the signal assigned to the third button, decrease the operational setting of the variable physical property toward the minimum setting when the control device transmits the signal assigned to the fourth button, to set the operational setting of the variable physical property to the preset setting stored in the memory if the preset button is depressed for a time less than a predetermined threshold time, and to store the operational setting of the variable physical property in the memory if the preset button is depressed for a time exceeding the predetermined threshold time. 
   The control device may be a portable hand-held unit with an infrared coupling system to couple the control device to the control input and the control elements are preferably arrayed over the surface of the portable hand-held unit for manual operation by a user. The underlying electronics can be configured so that only a single one of said first, second, third and fourth control elements are individually operable at any time to initiate the setting of said variable property. The control elements can be depressable switch elements. At least one second structure can be provided separate from the first-mentioned structure. It has a respective single variable second property and fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth control elements that are identical to said first, second, third and fourth control elements, respectively, for controlling said variable property of said second structure in a process identical to the control of said first-mentioned variable structure. The first structure can be a lamp and the variable property, its luminous output. The second structure can be a motor-operated window covering or shade or the like, and its variable property may be its amount of openness. 
   Preferably, the first and third control elements are laterally adjacent one another and the second and fourth control elements are laterally adjacent to one another. The first control element is disposed vertically above the second control element, whereby the operation of said control elements is easily discernable to a user from the placements of said control elements. 
   Preferably, the remote control device can operate a single structure or appliance, or several different such structures or appliances. The control device can also be configured with preset buttons that enable the control device to set the physical property to a location or value between the maximum setting and the minimum setting. 
   Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a prior art infrared hand-held remote control. 
       FIG. 1   a  shows an exemplary remote control having a preset button according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows a first embodiment of hand-held remote control in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C show different button appearances for the “adjust” buttons of the device of  FIG. 2  and various decals or legend choices therefor. 
       FIG. 3  shows further button shapes and/or decals for the remote control. 
       FIG. 3A  shows pictorial decals useable with the hand-held device of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3B  shows a further embodiment of the hand-held remote control of the present invention which is operable to control a variety of appliances. 
       FIG. 4  shows a further embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing an operational sequence for operating and programming a preset setting according to the present invention. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  show another embodiment of the present invention that provides fully on and fully off control in conjunction with preset controls for a plurality of appliances. 
       FIG. 6C  shows a further embodiment of the invention involving different ergonomically selected button placements. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are block diagrams showing major circuit and software sections of the hand-held remote control of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  shows various views of the exemplary remote control of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a functional block diagram of the remote control of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a block diagram of an exemplary receiver arrangement according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing an operational sequence of the remote control of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 13  is a block diagram showing an operational sequence of the receiver arrangement of  FIG. 11 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art infrared hand-held remote control  10  which is manufactured and sold by the assignee of the present invention. It features two large buttons  26   a  and  26   b  disposed in vertical arrangement on the left side of the control. These buttons  26   a  and  26   b  comprise on and off controls for a light or open and close commands for a shade. Immediately to the right of these buttons, is a slim vertically disposed rocker button  28 . This button may be “rocked” forward and back to cause the light to brighten or dim or the shades to open or close in a continuous fashion between the two extremes that are controlled by the on and off (or the open and close buttons) buttons  26   a  and  26   b.    
   Referring to  FIG. 2  there is seen an ergonomic set of button controls for an otherwise conventional infrared hand-held remote control such as the control  10  of  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2 , a distinct “open” button  14  and a corresponding “close” button  16  are vertically aligned and these discrete buttons, which provide “full limit” control of some variable physical feature, are accompanied by a pair of horizontally adjacent and vertically aligned “adjust” buttons  20  and  22 . Also provided is a preset button  36  for selecting one or more preset values, as more fully described below. 
   In operation, open and close buttons  14 ,  16  operate to set a controllable device to “full limit” maximum and minimum settings, respectively. For example, if open and close buttons  14 ,  16  control drapes, open button  14  would operate to fully open the drapes, whereas close button  16  would operate to fully close the drapes. 
     FIG. 3A  shows a variety of useable icons such as  30   a  for lights,  30   b  for roller shades,  30   c  and  30   d  for draperies and  30   e  for roman shades. These icons can be incorporated into the remote control  10  shown in  FIG. 3B  which is provided to control three appliances including drapes, roller shades, and lights. Thus, the icons  30   c ,  30   b  and  30   a  are placed adjacent open and close buttons  14  and  16  and the accompanying adjust buttons  20  and  22 . A corresponding icon is located adjacent the open and close buttons  14   a  and  16   a  as well as adjust buttons  20   e  and  22   e  for the drapes. The remote control of  FIG. 3B  also provides buttons  14   b  and  16   b  and accompanying adjust buttons to control lights. In all cases the on/off buttons are vertically aligned and symmetrically arranged relative to similarly, vertically aligned adjust buttons. 
   The button arrangement for the hand-held control shown in  FIG. 4  retains the vertical and horizontal alignment of the adjust buttons  20 ,  22  but replaces the dual buttons  14 ,  16  of the embodiment of  FIG. 3B  with a single button  34  which is designed (together with the electronics within the remote control  10 ) to provide alternate action on and off or open and close commands for the light, shade, etc. In addition, the control of  FIG. 4  provides for at least one of the appliances being controlled via a “preset” button  36  which, when actuated, automatically selects a particular adjust position, e.g., a light output level or roller shade position, etc. 
     FIGS. 6A–6D  show further ergonomic button arrangements for infrared hand-held remote controls, including, in  FIG. 6A , three button groups  46 ,  48  and  50 , to control, respectively, lights, roller shades and drapes, including within each of the groups a respective preset button  36 ,  37  and  39  which replaces the “adjust” buttons previously described. By depressing any of these preset buttons  36 ,  37 ,  39 , the light or shade assumes a preset output level or roller shade and drape “preset” position. 
   The preset buttons  36 ,  37 ,  39  can be preset at the factory for particular settings or they may be programmable such as by depressing them sufficiently long, e.g., three seconds or more, whereby the underlying electronics would then start continuously adjusting the particular light level or roller position, etc., and when the preset button is released, the “preset” position is stored. Preset buttons  36 ,  37 ,  39  may also have at least one respective default setting, which may be programed by the factory. For example, preset button  36  for light control may have a default setting that causes the lights to illuminate at 25% maximum illumination. 
   The variation presented in the embodiment of  FIG. 6B  provides a pair of preset buttons  37   a  and  37   b  for the roller shades of a control of  FIG. 6A  to enable selection of two separate preset positions and further provides “select” buttons  51   a  and  51   b  for the drape button group  50  of  FIG. 6A . These buttons  51   a ,  51   b  allow an operator to select which window drapes are selected to be controlled by the remote control. 
   Yet another button arrangement is shown in  FIG. 6C  in which both the on/off and open/close buttons are still vertically aligned but are now vertically separated by locating the preset buttons in vertical alignment therewith, as indicated by the preset buttons  39 ,  37  and  36   c ,  36   d  and  36   e . The buttons  36   c ,  36   d  and  36   e  provide several preset positions for the lights so that one can readily select between three preset positions without having to adjust or reprogram the preset buttons. 
   The operation of the various remote control  10  is elucidated by the circuit and software block diagram of  FIGS. 7 and 8 . In  FIG. 7 , the system  70  includes a microcontroller  72  and other electronic components that are powered by a power supply  74 , e.g., a battery. A reset circuit  76  is coupled to the microcontroller and a ceramic resonator  78  provides the basic clock signal that controls the sequential steps of the computer instructions executed within the microcontroller  72 . 
   For input/output, the button matrix block  80  comprises the circuitry that senses and communicates to the microcontroller  72  which buttons have been depressed and/or which indicators on the face of the control  10  need to be illuminated. The actual drive signals for LED or other display devices are supplied to the LED drive circuit  82 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 8 , the software  84  implements an algorithm that executes a power-up routine at block  86  when the device is first turned on and proceeds to carry-out the initialization of various variables at step  88 . The refreshing of button positions and other functions within the system  70  is carried out by the software at block  90 . The button reader  92  constantly queries the various buttons as part of the overall process  84 , noting which buttons have been depressed and storing those settings in a table or register  94 . 
   The overall process nerve center at  96  selects one of a plurality of functions such as those provided in the encoder block  98 , button group handling block  100 , the transmitter block  102  and the sleep manager  104  which handles power conservation. Based on the determination at the decision block  104   a , when the sleep time has been determined to have run, the wake up routine  110  is invoked and the process then repeats as indicated. If the sleep time has not run up, then the decision block software  106  queries whether the 1 bit time is up and proceeds to refresh the driver, so that the LEDs are properly strobed to obtain the proper display visibility. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is seen an operational sequence  500  for operating and programming a preset setting according to the present invention. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the remote control  700  may include more than one preset setting respectively assigned to more than one device to be controlled. However, for the sake of brevity, only operation of preset button  36  for light control will be described. 
   To begin the sequence, an operator depresses preset button  36 , which causes the operational sequence  500  to progress from step  505  to step  510 . In step  510 , an internal timer within the infrared hand-held remote control is reset and then started. In step  515 , it is checked whether the timer has exceeded a predetermined threshold value, for example, two seconds. If not, it is checked whether preset button  36  is still depressed in step  520 . If so, the operational sequence reverts back to step  515  to check whether the timer has exceeded the predetermined threshold value. If not, the sequence  500  proceeds to step  525 , in which the lights are set to an illumination setting defined by the preset level for light control stored in a memory. Then, the internal timer is stopped in step  530 , with the sequence  500  ending at done step  535 . 
   If it is determined that the internal timer has exceeded the predetermined threshold in step  515 , the operational sequence  500  proceeds to step  540 , in which the current illumination value of the lights is stored in memory as the preset level for light control. The memory may reside in any circuit communicatively coupled to the remote control system. For example, the memory may reside in the remote control itself and/or in the remote control receiver unit. Then, the sequence  500  proceeds to step  545 , in which a confirmation signal is communicated to the operator to inform him/her that a new preset for light control has been stored. The internal timer is then stopped in step  530 , and sequence  500  ends at done step  535 . 
   The confirmation signal communicated to the operator may comprise any observable characteristic capable of informing the operator that a new preset for light control has been stored, and the confirmation signal may be generated by the infrared remote control or by any other device communicatively coupled to the infrared remote control. For example, the confirmation signal may comprise an audible “beep” produced by the infrared hand-held remote control or by the infrared remote control receiver. Or, for example, the confirmation signal may comprise a flash of light produced by a light emitting element (e.g., a light bulb, and LED, an LED backlight illuminating the preset button itself, etc.) on the infrared hand-held remote control and/or on the infrared remote control receiver. 
   In a preferable embodiment, the confirmation signal is communicated by the device to which the preset value is assigned. For example, with respect to preset button  36  for light control, the confirmation signal may be communicated to the operator by the lights themselves. For example, to confirm that a new preset value for light control has been stored, the infrared remote control may cause the lights to flash in succession, for example, to flash in rapid succession. Or, for example, to confirm that a new preset  37  for shade control has been stored, the infrared remote control may cause the shades to rise and fall quickly before settling to the preset height. Or, for example, to confirm that a new preset  39  for drape control has been stored, the infrared remote control may cause the drapes to open and close quickly before settling to the desired preset. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1   a , there is seen an exemplary infrared remote control  700  operable to control lights and to set and/or recall at least one preset setting assigned to the lights, according to the present invention. Remote control  700  includes an infrared emitter  720  and two large buttons  705   a ,  705   b  disposed in vertical arrangement on the left side of the control. Buttons  705   a ,  705   b  comprise on and off controls for a light. Immediately to the right of buttons  705   a ,  705   b , is a set of vertically disposed buttons  710   a ,  710   b , which may be pressed to cause the light to brighten or dim in a continuous fashion between the two extremes that are controlled by the on and off (or the open and close buttons) buttons  705   a ,  705   b . Remote control  700  is also provided with a preset button  715  for setting and/or recalling a preset value for light control from memory, as more fully described above with respect to the operational sequence  500  of  FIG. 5 . Preferably, preset button  715  is colored in stark contrast to the colors used for the remaining buttons and the remote control housing. For example, preset button  715  may be colored bright orange.  FIGS. 9   a – 9   f  show various views of remote control  700  of  FIG. 1   a.    
   It should be appreciated that, although  FIG. 1  a illustrates an exemplary remote control having a single preset control for lights, remote control  700  may control more than one device, and may have a separate preset control assigned to each device to be controlled. For example, remote control  700  may have inputs to control lights, shades, and drapes, with a separate preset controls being respectively assigned to each. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is seen a functional block diagram  1000  of remote control  700  of  FIGS. 7 and 9 . Remote control  700  includes a processing arrangement  1005  communicatively and electrically coupled to buttons  705   a ,  705   b ,  710   a ,  710   b ,  715 , a transmitter arrangement  1010  communicatively and electrically coupled to processing arrangement  1005 , a power supply  1015  to distribute electrical power to processing arrangement  1005  and transmitter arrangement  1010 , and a power source  1020  to provide the electrical power distributed by power supply  1015 . 
   Processing arrangement  1005  may include any circuitry operable to process signals communicated by buttons  705   a ,  705   b ,  710   a ,  710   b ,  715  to perform a desired remote control operation. For example, processing arrangement  1005  may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), discrete logic components, and/or any combination of these electrical components. In operation, processing arrangement  1005  formats the signals communicated by buttons  705   a ,  705   b ,  710   a ,  710   b ,  715  into a pre-transmit signal  1025  for communication to transmitting arrangement  1010 . 
   Transmitter arrangement  1010  may include any circuitry operable to convert pre-transmit signal  1025  into a transmit signal  1030  suitable for communication to a remote control receiving unit. For example, if remote control  700  is an infrared remote control, transmitter arrangement  1010  may include an infrared led  720  and accompanying circuitry configured to communicate transmit signal  1030  to a remote control receiver unit having an infrared receiver. Or, for example, if remote control  700  is an RF remote control, transmitter arrangement  1010  may include an RF antenna (not shown) and accompanying circuitry configured to communicate transmit signal  1030  to a remote control receiver unit having a radio frequency receiver. The transmit signal  1030  is communicated to the remote control receiver unit through a medium (e.g., air, space, etc.), as more fully described below. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 12 , there is seen an operational sequence for operation of the hand-held remote control  700  to control a device, for example, lights. In step  1205 , processing arrangement  1005  checks whether any of buttons  705   a ,  705   b ,  710   a ,  710   b ,  715  has been pressed. If not, remote control  700  remains in step  1205  until a button press is detected. Once detected, operational sequence  1200  proceeds to step  1210 , in which processing arrangement  1005  determines which of buttons  705   a ,  705   b ,  710   a ,  710   b ,  715  has been pressed. Then, in step  1215  processing arrangement formats and generates a unique pre-transmit signal  1025  assigned to the button detected as pressed in step  1210 . Transmitter arrangement  1010  then converts the pre-transmit signal  1025  into transmit signal  1030  for transmission to a remote control receiver and reverts back to step  1205  to await the next button press. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11 , there is seen a functional block diagram of an exemplary remote control receiver  1105  according to the present invention. Remote control receiver  1105  includes a signal receiving unit  1105 , a receiver processing arrangement  1110  communicatively and electrically coupled to signal receiver unit  1105 , a memory unit  1140  communicatively and electrically coupled to processing arrangement  1110 , dimming circuitry  1115  communicatively and electrically coupled to processing arrangement  1110 , a power supply  1120  to provide electrical power to signal receiving unit  1105 , receiver processing arrangement  1110 , and dimming circuitry  1115 , and a power source  1125  (e.g., a line voltage supplied by a structure in which the receiver  1105  is arranged) to provide the electrical power provided by power supply  1120 . Power source  1125  may also be directly connected to dimming circuitry  1115 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
   It should be appreciated that, although  FIG. 11  shows a functional block diagram for a remote control receiver  1105  configured to control lights via dimming circuitry  1115 , remote control receiver  1105  may include circuitry configured to control other devices. For example, remote control receiver  1105  may include circuitry to control shades, drapes, windows, doors, etc. 
   Signal receiving unit  1105  includes any circuitry operable to receive transmit signal  1030  from remote control  700  and convert it into receive signal  1130  for communication to receiver processing arrangement  1110 . If remote control receiver  1105  is operable to receive an infrared signal from remote control  700 , for example, signal receiving unit  1105  may include an infrared receiving diode and accompanying circuitry. Or, for example, if remote control receiver  1105  is operable to receive an RF signal from remote control  700 , signal receiving unit  1105  may include an RF receiving antenna (not shown) and accompanying circuitry. 
   Receiver processing arrangement  1110  may include any circuitry operable to process receive signal  1130  communicated by signal receiving unit  1105 . For example, processing arrangement  1110  may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), discrete logic components, and/or any combination of these electrical components. In operation, receiver processing arrangement  1110  communicates a dimming signal  1135  to dimming circuitry  1115  in accordance with the illumination information contained in the transmit signal  1030 . 
   Dimming circuitry  1115  includes all circuitry operable to cause the lights to illuminate at a level defined by dimming signal  1135  communicated by the receiver processing arrangement  1110 . For this purpose, dimming circuitry  1115  may include phase control dimming circuitry and/or ballast control circuitry if the lights to be dimmed are controlled by an external ballast. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 13 , there is seen an operational sequence for operation of remote control receiver  1105 . In step  1305 , signal receiving unit checks whether a transmit signal  1030  has been received from remote control  700 . If not, remote control receiver  1105  remains in step  1305  until a transmit signal  1030  is detected. Once detected, operational sequence  1300  proceeds to step  1310 , in which receiver processing arrangement  1110  processes the received signal  1130  to determine which transmit signal  1030  was transmitted by the remote control  700 . Then, in step  1215  receiver processing arrangement  1110  properly illuminates the lights in accordance with the transmit signal  1030  by communicating an appropriate dimming signal to dimming circuitry  1115 . For example, if receive signal  1130  indicates that the maximum level button  705   a  was pressed, receiver processing arrangement  1110  causes the lights to illuminate at maximum illumination. Or, for example, if receive signal  1130  indicates that the minimum level button  705   b  was pressed, receiver processing arrangement  1110  will cause the lights to illuminate at minimum illumination. Or, for example, if receive signal  1130  indicates that the preset button  715  was pressed, receiver processing arrangement  1110  will perform the operational sequence described above with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
   In any event, remote control receiver  1105  may store the current level of illumination in memory  1140  in case of a power cycle or outage. In this manner, remote control receiver  1105  may recall the last illumination setting once power is restored. 
   The foregoing description of various devices and properties or parameters to be controlled by the remote control of the present invention is extendable to a virtually limitless list of other devices and parameters. Thus, the remote control of the present invention is intended to be applicable to such devices as audio/video equipment, projection screens, motorized sky lights, various doors, e.g., garage doors, heating and cooling appliances, cooking appliances, and the like. The parameters or variables of these appliances include such variables as temperature, heat capacity, light, sound, humidity, ventilation, and other electrical and mechanical properties such as, for example, torque, pressure, force, power, energy, speed, etc. 
   In accordance with the further concept illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the various control buttons need not be square or rectangularly shaped. They can be shaped to allow immediate association with the device being controlled. Thus, the buttons for controlling a light may be shaped to convey the image of a light fixture, a button for a roller shade can be in the shape of a roller shade symbol and so on. These shapes include the shapes  31   a  and  31   b  for “light-off” and “light-on”, respectively;  31   c  and  31   d  for “shade down” and “shade up”, respectively;  31   e  and  31   f  for “roman shade down” and “roman shade up”, respectively; and  31   g  and  31   h  for “drapery close” and “drapery open”, respectively. Alternatively, the shapes  31   a – 31   h  can be used as decals on differently shaped buttons. 
   Thus, as described above, in accordance with the various embodiments of the present invention, the invention is directed to a hand-held remote control that includes at least the following features and functionalities. The device is a hand-held remote control for controlling at least two device types chosen from a group that includes lights, roller shades, draperies, and any of the devices listed above or even others. The device includes a plurality of buttons in ordered arrangement, with all buttons relating to a single device type grouped together, within each device type group organized as a first pair of proximate buttons operable to cause the associated device type to go to one of two extreme states, and a second pair of proximate buttons operable to cause the associated device type to go to a state intermediate said two extreme states. 
   The control device can be a multiple device type hand-held remote control with all buttons associated with a single device type grouped together with each group including a pair of course adjust buttons and a pair of fine adjust buttons. This generic multiple device type can be configured with each pair of proximate buttons being differently sized from the other of said pair of proximate buttons within each device type button group. The relative size of each pair of buttons can be related to the magnitude of the change the particular pair of buttons is capable of controlling. Or the shape of the buttons in the device type group can be the same and be related to the device type. Or, the shape for each device type group can be different from the shapes of all of the other device type groups. The shape of each button within each device type group can be different and related to the function performed by that button. Functionally corresponding buttons in different device type groups can have the same shape. And, the shape of a button can be a visual representation of the end result achieved by actuating the button. 
   The various features noted above can be selected for any particular implementation of the remote control of the present invention by choosing the features to evolve a particular remote control having a specific selection of features and functionalities and appearance. Those functionalities and features further include each pair of proximate buttons being spaced vertically from each other and each pair of proximate buttons being spaced horizontally from each other and/or each pair of proximate buttons being axially spaced from each other, and the pair of buttons within each device type group being axially spaced from the other pair of proximate buttons orthogonally to the first pair. Buttons can also be differentiated based on their functionality being different as indicated by button color, texture, material, tactile feel and the like. The remote control can have each button provide a single function different from all other functions within each device group. Similarly, buttons can have decals formed directly thereon or adjacent thereto which are different from all of the decals associated with other buttons within each group. 
   Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.