Patent ID: 7821504

Claim:
A method for using a universal controlling device comprised of a touch-sensitive surface to command functional operations of one or more appliances located remotely from the controlling device, comprising: accepting via the touch-sensitive surface of the universal controlling device a first input type indicative of a static touch made upon the touch-sensitive surface; causing the universal controlling device to transmit first data used to command at least a first functional operation of the one or more appliances, the first data being representative of the static touch made upon the touch-sensitive surface; accepting via the touch-sensitive surface of the universal controlling device a second input type indicative of a moving touch made across the touch-sensitive surface; causing the universal controlling device to transmit second data used to command at least a second functional operation of the one or more appliances, the second data being representative of the moving touch made across the touch-sensitive surface; and causing the universal controlling device to distinguish the first input type received via the touch-sensitive surface from the second input type received via the touch-sensitive surface.