Remote control

Abstract

A remote control for use with a media player coupled to an output device, where the media player is configured to receive signals from the remote control, to read and execute information stored on a game medium, and to cause the output device to transmit one or more generated signals in response to reading and executing portions of the information stored on the game medium. The remote control includes a controller, an input coupled to the controller, a transmitter coupled to the controller, and a receiver coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to selectively operate in a first mode that causes the transmitter to transmit a signal upon user actuation of the input, and a second mode that causes the transmitter to transmit no signal upon user actuation of the input. The reception of a first generated signal by the receiver causes the controller to operate in the first mode. The reception of a second generated signal by the receiver causes the controller to operate in the second mode.

1 . A remote control for use with a media player coupled to an output device, wherein the media player is configured to receive signals from the remote control, to read and execute information stored on a game medium, and to cause the output device to transmit one or more generated signals in response to reading and executing portions of the information stored on the game medium, the remote control comprising: 
 a controller;    an input coupled to the controller;    a transmitter coupled to the controller;    a receiver coupled to the controller;    wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate in: 
 a first mode that causes the transmitter to transmit a signal upon user actuation of the input; and  
 a second mode that causes the transmitter to transmit no signal upon user actuation of the input; and  
   wherein reception of: 
 a first generated signal by the receiver causes the controller to operate in the first mode; and  
 a second generated signal by the receiver causes the controller to operate in the second mode.  
   
   
   
       2 . The remote control of  claim 1 , wherein the media player is a digital video disc player, and the game medium is a digital video disc.  
   
   
       3 . The remote control of  claim 2 , wherein the remote control is a universal remote control programmable for use with a plurality of digital video disc players.  
   
   
       4 . The remote control of  claim 1 , wherein the output device is a speaker, the one or more generated signals are audio signals, and the receiver is a microphone.  
   
   
       5 . A remote control for use with a media player coupled to an output device, wherein the media player is configured to receive signals from the remote control, to read and execute information stored on a game medium, and to cause the output device to transmit one or more generated signals in response to reading and executing portions of the information stored on the game medium, the remote control comprising: 
 a controller;    an input coupled to the controller;    a transmitter coupled to the controller;    a receiver coupled to the controller;    wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate in: 
 a first mode that causes the transmitter to transmit a first signal upon user actuation of the input; and  
 a second mode that causes the transmitter to transmit a second signal upon user actuation of the input; and  
   wherein reception of: 
 a first generated signal by the receiver causes the controller to operate in the first mode; and  
 a second generated signal by the receiver causes the controller to operate in the second mode.  
   
   
   
       6 . The remote control of  claim 5 , wherein the media player is a digital video disc player, and the game medium is a digital video disc.  
   
   
       7 . The remote control of  claim 6 , wherein the remote control is a universal remote control programmable for use with a plurality of digital video disc players.  
   
   
       8 . The remote control of  claim 5 , wherein the output device is a speaker, the one or more generated signals are audio signals, and the receiver is a microphone.  
   
   
       9 . The remote control of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to operate in a third mode that that causes the transmitter to transmit no signal upon user actuation of the input, and wherein reception of a third generated signal by the receiver causes the controller to operate in the third mode.  
   
   
       10 . A remote control for use with a media player coupled to an output device, wherein the media player is configured to receive signals from the remote control, to read and execute information stored on a game medium, and to produce a game in response to reading and executing the information, and wherein upon reading and executing portions of the information, the media player causes the output device to transmit one or more generated signals that each include information related to the progress of the game, the remote control comprising: 
 a controller;    a receiver coupled to the controller and configured to receive the one or more generated signals; and    a display device coupled to the controller;    wherein the controller is configured to cause the display device to visually display the information related to the progress of the game upon reception of the generated signal by the receiver.    
   
   
       11 . The remote control of  claim 10 , wherein the media player is a digital video disc player, and the game medium is a digital video disc.  
   
   
       12 . The remote control of  claim 11 , wherein the remote control is a universal remote control programmable for use with a plurality of digital video disc players.  
   
   
       13 . The remote control of  claim 10 , wherein the signal generator is a speaker, the generated signal is an audio signal, and the receiver is a microphone.  
   
   
       14 . The remote control of  claim 10 , wherein the information related to the progress of the game includes a score of the game.  
   
   
       15 . The remote control of  claim 10 , wherein the display device is digital.  
   
   
       16 . The remote control of  claim 10 , wherein the controller includes a memory for temporarily storing the information related to the progress of the game.