RUNNER UP! This PCF is a modified version of the one I use on my remote. It has continued to change and be enhanced almost every day for two months! Most of the buttons have been redone several times to look right on the actual remote. Things you might miss a first glance are:

Buttons that blend into the background (on the side and top bars).

Shadows on some buttons and text. On the actual remote the home page buttons actually seem to float above the background.

In the “Power Center”, rocker switches that seem to work when pressed.

All buttons have a “pressed” state.

“Filmstrip” Dish Network TV icons on the favorite pages

“Visual” independent lighting control for the Home Theatre.

Password protection lockout sample on the home page; click on the padlock.

Animated countdown timers runs in macros, giving user feedback to wait.

Magnifying glass on help page.

A tools “mini remote” page for the basic TV and AV receiver functions from most devices.

Cursor buttons on the screen as well as the hard buttons. My wife likes the soft buttons and I like the hard buttons. One remote does it both ways!

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RUNNER UP! This is a completely custom PCF, with an emphasis on navigation and simplicity. The top area of the design remains consistent from one screen to the next, making operation of the remote fairly intuitive. An "All Devices" button on every screen gives the user access to a given device within two button presses. I've avoided duplicate buttons (like having 4-way toggles on screen) that might confuse novice users. All graphics (with the exception of the Favorites show icons) are 100% original.

A sample PCF file from Philips with three sample cursor control interfaces.

A sample PCF file from Philips, used at the CEDIA 2003 show. Similar to the default configuration, but with some different buttons and backgrounds.

This remote features for the user:

Inviting splash screen introduces the location of the remote, the designer, and features inviting background art.

Color-coded functionality, allowing easy discernment between video and audio functions. The user may simply glance at the remote to find where they are.

Directions are provided on pages that may need instructions to continue use.

Subdued background art demonstrates the selected function without overpowering displayed buttons.

Latching source buttons that glow to let the user know exactly where they are.

Pages are titled to further assist the user in navigating through the remote.

Sides of the touchscreen and hard buttons are reserved for consistent mode buttons. The center of the remote is the active use area.

Maximum icons are used to minimize required reading. Text is provided only when icons will not suffice to explain the button’s function.

Well-placed and sized buttons allow a wider variety of finger sizes to use it.

Button placements are consistent, regardless of the function, source, or mode selected, allowing less required reading for the user during normal use.

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This design was created with specific ergonomic objectives in mind:

1. Ease-of-vision, particularly by senior citizens. This dictated using relatively large, primary-color icons against a white background. The color scheme was devised by Mr. Gary Hoover, a retired famous movie-industry colorist and graphic artist.
2. To provide self-contained instructions. On each page, depressing the owl "professor" icon leads to one or more text instruction pages.
3. No more than two screens to operate any single device.
4. To use the hard buttons as much as possible.
5. K.I.S.S. i.e., pass the "wife" test.

Most of the graphics are original and were created with Paint Shop Pro 8. The instruction screens were created with Photoshop Elements 2.0.

I took a few of the elements of the others and combined them to match my system with my programming style.

This layout is an evolution of my TSU3000 layout. It is activity-based and makes heavy use of macros to control my two zones of equipment and home automation. The layout of hard and soft buttons for each device follows a pattern, making it fairly simple to learn to use. It also contains a fairly extensive help system. This look is the result of me playing around with transparent buttons.

This is a PCF file that I designed 100%. It contains many devices and has a consistent easy-to-use layout throughout. The system page contains a modified version of the chrome Pronto symbol that is used as a home page button. There are two satellite boxes, each with all available DirecTV channel icons, as well as channel icons for my cable TV channels - located in the TV device. The DVD jukebox contains jackets for over 300 DVDs and allow you to jump directly to that disc. The CD jukebox currently has a sample page with CD jackets, I haven't loaded my changer yet. In the discrete codes section there are macros to get to any of the 400 discs in the DVD jukebox and the 400 discs in the CD jukebox.

The file is large, but will download to the remote and simulates very well. The learning curve is very small. Enjoy it!

My system design is based in a completely custom operating environment with all custom graphics and animation. It was designed for ease of use and to have a high WAF rating. (That’s Wife Appreciation Factor!) It can operate on either device or action based depending on the user’s preference.

Device based operation is accessible by simply touching the device banner at the top of the screen and selecting the desired device from the list. Action based operation, including system power, is accessed by pressing the home button. The lower left hard action buttons are direct access to a surround mode and a multi zone page. All page navigation within each device can be accessed with either the side toggle or the 4 screen hard buttons, which have selection feedback to identify each page. All page transitions use a simple morphing animation. I believe that the design’s best feature is that my wife actually uses it to control my bedroom system without my help and with very little explanation of how it works.