Remote control device for controlling the presentation of broadcast programming

1. A system for presenting broadcast programming, the system comprising:

a set top box incorporated in or coupled to a receiver of broadcast programming;

a processor provided in the set top box for receiving and processing broadcast programming and selecting a selected program for presentation; and

a presentation device for receiving and presenting the selected program; and

an external remote control device, wherein the remote control device incorporates:

a processor able to generate menus detailing programs and other options available by way of the set top box for processing broadcast programming;

a display for displaying the menus, and hence the programs and options available; and

a user interface enabling the user to make choices amongst the available options and programs displayed;

wherein, upon user request by way of the user interface, the processor of the remote control device is arranged to issue commands to the set top box to cause the set top box to switch to the options or programs which have been selected by the user on the control device;

wherein the processor of the remote control device performs state-machine processing work for the set top box while the processor in the set top box performs graphics and stream processing;

wherein the processor of the set top box is arranged to receive updates for the remote control device and, in response, to communicate a stimulus to the remote control device; and

wherein, upon receiving a stimulus from the set top box, the processor of the remote control device is arranged to process the stimulus and to make required changes to the internal set up of the remote control device.

2. A system for presenting broadcast programming according to claim 1 , wherein the state machine processing work performed by the processor of the external remote control device comprises presenting a series of multiple options to the user, receiving user selections for each of the multiple options and issuing commands to change the state of the set top box only after all of the user inputs for each of the multiple options have been received.

3. A system for controlling broadcast programming according to claim 1 , wherein, upon receiving a stimulus from the set top box, or from a user, or internally, the processor of the remote control device determines whether any user input is required and, if so, produces a display on the remote control device.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein state processing for the set top box is shifted from the processor of the set top box to the processor of the remote control.

5. A method for controlling broadcast programming by way of a system including a set top box for receiving and processing broadcast programming, and a processor of the set top box for causing a selected program to be provided to a presentation device for presentation, the method comprising:

displaying at an external remote control device menus detailing programs and other options available to the set top box for processing broadcast programming;

enabling the user to make selections amongst the available options and programs displayed;

causing the external remote control device to issue commands to the set top box to cause the set top box to switch to the options or programs which have been selected by the user by way of the external remote control device;

performing state-machine processing work for the set to box by a processor in the remote control device while the processor in the set top box performs graphics and stream processing;

receiving at the set top box updates for the remote control device and, in response, communicating a stimulus to the remote control device; and

upon receiving a stimulus from the set top box, causing the remote control device to process the stimulus and make required changes to its internal set up.

6. A method for controlling broadcast programming according to claim 5 , wherein the state machine processing work performed by the processor of the remote control device comprises presenting a series of multiple options to the user, receiving user selections for each of the multiple options, and issuing commands to change the state of the set top box only after all of the user selections for each of the multiple options have been received.

7. A method for controlling broadcast programming according to claim 5 , further comprising displaying the available options and programs available on a touchscreen of the external remote control device, and enabling selection of a program or option by way of the touchscreen.

8. A method for controlling broadcast programming according to claim 5 , further comprising storing the menus detailing programs and other options available by way of the system locally in the external remote control device.

9. A method for controlling broadcast programming according to claim 5 , further comprising downloading the menus detailing programs and other options available by way of the system to the external remote control device.

10. A method for controlling broadcast programming according to claim 5 , the method further comprising:

upon receiving at the remote control device a stimulus from the set top box, from a user, or internally, the remote control device determines whether an user input is required and, if so, produces a display on the remote control device.

11. The method of claim 5 wherein state processing for the set top box is shifted from the processor of the set top box to the processor of the remote control.

12. A remote control device for use in controlling a set top box that presents broadcast programming on a presentation device, the remote control comprising:

a processor configured to generate a series of menus detailing programs and other options available by way of the set top box for processing the broadcast programming;

a display configured to present the series of menus, and hence the programs and options available; and

a user interface enabling the user to make choices amongst the available options and programs displayed in the series of menus;

wherein, upon receiving the user choices for each of the series of menus, the processor of the remote control device is arranged to issue commands to the set top box to cause the set top box to switch to the options or programs which have been selected by the user on the control device so that the processor of the remote control device performs state-machine processing work for the set top box while the set top box performs graphics and stream processing in response to the state machine processing work performed by the processor of the remote control device.

13. The remote control device of claim 12 wherein the set top box is arranged to receive updates for the remote control device and, in response, to communicate a stimulus to the remote control device.

14. The remote control device of claim 13 wherein, upon receiving a stimulus from the set top box, the processor of the remote control device is arranged to process the stimulus and to make required changes to the internal set up of the remote control device.

15. The remote control device of claim 12 wherein the commands are issued to the set top box only after all of the user choices for each of the series of menus have been received so that the presentation of the broadcast programming on the presentation device is uninterrupted while the series of menus is presented on the display of the remote control.

16. The remote control device of claim 15 wherein state processing for the set top box is shifted from the set top box to the processor of the remote control.

17. The remote control device of claim 12 wherein, upon receiving a stimulus from the set top box, the processor of the remote control device is arranged to process the stimulus and to make required changes to the internal set up of the remote control device.

18. The remote control device of claim 12 wherein state processing for the set top box is shifted from the set top box to the processor of the remote control.