Patent ID: 8456284

Claim:
A wireless remote control unit that selectively transmits a control signal for a given function to remotely control an electronic device, the wireless remote control unit defining an imaginary cut plane that substantially bisects the wireless remote control unit, the wireless remote control unit comprising: a plurality of input features collectively disposed on a surface of the remote control in a substantially symmetric manner with respect to the imaginary cut plane, the plurality of input features including at least a first input feature and a second input feature, the first and second input features disposed on opposite sides of the imaginary cut plane and symmetric to each other; a sensor that detects at least a first holding position and a second holding position of the wireless remote control unit, where the orientation of the device in the first holding position differs from the orientation of the device in the second holding position; and a controller that associates the control signal with the first input feature when the sensor detects the first holding position and that associates the control signal with the second input feature when the sensor detects the second holding position, wherein the wireless remote control unit has a single immutable surface that defines two imaginary cut planes that bisect each other at right angles, and wherein the first and second input features are disposed symmetrically to each other on opposite sides of one of the two imaginary cut planes and disposed on the other of the two imaginary cut planes, enabling a user to pick up and use the remote control unit with either right hand or left hand without regard to initial orientation of the remote control unit prior to picking up.