Remote control having hotkeys with dynamically assigned functions

Abstract

A remote control for a television is provided that can include at least one hotkey having an assigned function that depends on at least one of a currently selected silo and panel displayed by the television.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A television system, comprising:
 a handheld remote control including a joystick and configured to emit a control signal comprising one of a first control signal when the joystick is displaced under a first operation and a second control signal when the joystick is displaced under a second operation; and   a television in communication with the handheld remote control, including:
 a display screen configured to display a video content; 
 a receiver configured to receive the control signal from the handheld remote control; and 
 a processor configured to:
 slide a window panel on the display screen relative to the video content in a first manner in accordance with the first operation when the processor determines that the control signal received from the handheld remote control is the first control signal; and 
 slide the window panel on the display screen relative to the video content in a second manner in accordance with the second operation when the processor determines that the control signal received from the handheld remote control is the second control signal. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The television system of  claim 1 , wherein the joystick is displaced to an upper position of a joystick displacement aperture relative to the handheld remote control under the first operation and to a lower position of the joystick displacement aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The television system of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to slide the window panel downwards on the display screen when the processor determines that the control signal received from the handheld remote control is the first control signal. 
     
     
         4 . The television system of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to slide the window panel upwards on the display screen when the processor determines that the control signal received from the handheld remote control is the second control signal. 
     
     
         5 . The television system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to slide the window panel at substantially a same rate as how the joystick displaces. 
     
     
         6 . The television system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to accordingly compress the video content displayed on the displays screen as the window panel slides. 
     
     
         7 . The television system of  claim 1 , wherein the joystick is located on a side of the handheld remote control opposite to a side where other buttons of the handheld remote control are located. 
     
     
         9 . The television system of  claim 1 , wherein the window panel contains information about the video content. 
     
     
         10 . The television system of  claim 1 , wherein the window panel contains a navigation bar. 
     
     
         11 . The television system of  claim 10 , wherein the handheld remote control further comprises at least one button and wherein the processor is configured to activate operation of the navigation bar using the at least one button while the joystick is displaced. 
     
     
         12 . A method by a television system, comprising:
 displaying a video content on a display screen of the television system;   receiving a control signal from a handheld remote control where the handheld remote control including a joystick and configured to emit a first control signal when the joystick is displaced under a first operation and a second control signal when the joystick is displaced under a second operation;   determining whether the control signal is the first control signal or the second control signal;   sliding a window panel on the display screen relative to the video content in a first manner in accordance with the first operation when it is determined that the control signal received from the handheld remote control is the first control signal; and   sliding the window panel on the display screen relative to the video content in a second manner in accordance with the second operation when it is determined that the control signal received from the handheld remote control is the second control signal.   
     
     
         13 . The method  claim 12 , wherein the joystick is displaced to an upper position of a joystick displacement aperture relative to the handheld remote control under the first operation and to a lower position of the joystick displacement aperture. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein sliding the window panel in accordance with the first operation comprises sliding the window panel downwards on the display screen relative to the video content. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein sliding the window panel in accordance with the second operation comprises sliding the window panel upwards on the display screen relative to the video content. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein sliding the window panel comprises sliding the window panel at substantially a same rate as how the joystick displaces. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising accordingly compressing the video content displayed on the displays screen as the window panel slides. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the joystick is located on a side of the handheld remote control opposite to a side where other buttons of the handheld remote control are located. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the window panel contains a navigation bar. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the handheld remote control further comprises at least one button and the method further comprising activating operation of the navigation bar using the at least one button while the joystick is displaced.