Patent ID: 8350971

Claim:
A method executable by a local device to process an input received at the local device from a user via a remote control, the method comprising: receiving a media stream at the local device from a remote device via a network; presenting the media stream on a display associated with the local device as the media stream is received via the network, wherein the media stream is presented with an interface feature having a first plurality of options, and wherein the presentation of the media stream is shrunken to occupy less than a full screen of the display so that a periphery extends from the presentation of the media stream to an edge of the display, and so that the first plurality of options is spatially arranged on the periphery so as to not obscure the presentation of the media stream; receiving a directional input having a direction corresponding to a direction from the presentation of the media stream toward one of the first plurality of input options spatially arranged on the periphery; in response to the directional input, presenting second imagery on the display, wherein the second imagery comprises a second plurality of input options that is presented adjacent to the presentation of the media stream on the display in a direction from the presentation of the media stream that corresponds to the direction of the directional input; receiving the input from the remote control at the local device associated with the display, wherein the input indicates one of the second plurality of options; determining if the input is intended for the local device or the remote device that provides the media stream; if the input is intended for the local device, processing the input at the local device; and if the input is intended for the remote device, transmitting a signal from the local device to the remote device via the network to thereby allow the remote device to respond to the input.