Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

David Wm Plummer

Joseph H Matthews, Iii

David A Barnes

A system, method, and medium for enhancing a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Enabling a user to fully navigate and operate a computer through the use of a remote control device, the present invention includes at least a PC mode of operation and a theater mode of operation, wherein the theater mode is designed for distance use with the remote device. While operating in theater mode, received function key signals are interpreted by the computer system to operate various functions which have been modified to accommodate remote viewing and control. To enable the remote device to fully control the applications executable on the computer, the disclosed process notifies the various applications of the current operating mode.

User friendly remote system interface with menu highlighting

User friendly remote system interface

User friendly remote system interface with menu sizing

User friendly remote system interface with menu scrolling

A system, method, and medium for switching between application modes is disclosed. The computer system for operating in one of two display modes of operation comprises a storage storing at least one application which is operable in a first display mode and second display mode, wherein a displayed menu of the application in the first display mode includes first menu options operable from a keyboard and a displayed menu of the application in the second display mode includes second menu options operable from a remote control device; a display device for displaying said menu options; a receiving device for receiving input from a user comprising a request for a menu; a processor for alerting the application in which display mode the processor is currently operating, for retrieving menu options appropriate for at least one of the first and second display modes, and for controlling the display device to display the first display menu options or the second menu options in accordance with the current display mode.

User interface for switching between application modes

A user friendly remote interface system which provides previews in a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Upon highlighting a selection on a menu, the system accesses and displays a description of the selection stored apart from the selection without having to retrieve into memory the entire application corresponding to a selection. The description may include text, audio, and video descriptions of the selection. Further, the description may be independent from the content contained within the application.

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Redmond, WA, United States of America

David Wm Plummer