Patent ID: 7616099

Claim:
A remote control transmitter for enabling a user to control remotely a security system, the security system having a base unit with a communication module, the remote control transmitter comprising: a processor; a display coupled to the processor to display information to the user under control of the processor; a first input device coupled to the processor to allow the processor to read state of the first input device, the state of the first input device being selected by the user; a second input device coupled to the processor to allow the processor to read state of the second input device, the state of the second input device being selected by the user; a transmitter coupled to the processor, the transmitter being configured to send remote commands to the communication module of the base unit under control of the processor; and a memory module coupled to the processor, the memory module storing code executed by the processor; wherein: the processor under control of the code is configured to display to the user various menu items on the display, enable the user to scroll among the menu items to point to one of the menu items using the first input device, and enable the user to select using the second input device the menu item that is pointed to; the transmitter is configured to send commands to the communication module of the base unit over a wireless link; the first and second input devices comprise a scroll wheel with an internal push-to-activate switch operable by depressing the scroll wheel in a radial direction of the scroll wheel toward center of the scroll wheel and releasing the scroll wheel; the remote control transmitter is configured to enable the user to select the state of the first input device by rotating the scroll wheel; and the remote control transmitter is configured to enable the user to select the state of the second user device by depressing and releasing the scroll wheel.