I wanted to design an interface that had the look and feel of an Apple OS. It needed to be clean, sophisticated, and most of all easy for the end user.

It is an activity based remote so the user will be "greeted" and the system will turn on with a macro. Then they will choose a source to watch, listen to, or control. All which will be done with a macro to change the Display and AV Receiver to the right input.

What makes my design unique is over all look of the remote. The blue and silver colors of the GUI make great contrast with the physical look of the remote, and are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The use of .PNG graphics is a great improvement on the original versions of URC software, and I utilized the alpha transparent graphics throughout the whole GUI. The ability to have smooth rounded edges is great and really looks slick when downloaded to the remote. I also included a camera device. In the case of using a Quad you can take a digital picture of what the camera is seeing, and have a macro set that picture up on the display in the room. It makes this easy for the end user and a good alternative to an expensive video capable touchscreen. Also included are some... (more)

This was my 2nd attempt at making a more graphical remote layout with some animated icons and bitmaps for a more interesting look. The remote's blue backlit buttons complement the background chosen.

This is my design for the MX-3000. The curtains opening are the most unique part of this program, as they open the system turns on leading to the main page.

This combines a local zone of control for a media rooms as well as whole house audio control for any room in the house using Axium multi zone amps being controlled by IR.

Grand Prize Winner! (Part 3 of 3)
This entry started out as a way to amuse my 2 year old daughter. I wanted something with plenty of colors and movement, and what do I end up with but a remote full of bubbles and fish? The transitions between pages on this one are also fun, the theme of course being 'bubbles'. There are also plenty of animated fish and underwater life. The best feature I think is the animation tied to the OFF macro (please check it out) … this is the soft of thing I just can’t do with Crestron :) It’s a simple remote, but still pretty cool (sometimes the simpler the better).

This entry is also more ‘fun’ than ‘functional’ but does offer the same simplified level of control that I generally give to my customers. It offers fun bubble-filled transitions from page to page (again to the liking of my toddler who isn’t even allowed to play with the remote anyway). The pages are colorful with no shortage of fish, bubbles, and seaweed to grab your attention. Under the advanced setup page, the code needed to enter is 911.

An entry in the Universal Remote Control Inc. MX-3000 design contest.

Original layout with easy to navigate buttons.

Second Place Winner!
Cutting edge graphics with a warm, classic feel. Designed around a modular concept allowing great freedom in layout, with numerous graphical elements including backgrounds and several positional overlay panels to accent the design. Includes dedicated panels for functions such as playing media, CD disc selection, and keypad entry. Maintains a clean design with clear, legible text. Under the Goodies device are included a large number of fully rendered buttons and titlebar text for other devices, an entire suite of blank buttons (and titlebar) set up for user text, blank menu, choice of title bars with discrete or toggle power, as well as a battery bar for the main menu.

A sample Home Theater Master MX-3000 RCC system confgiration file for MX-3000 Editor.

This is a file containing completley customized layout graphics for an HTM MX-3000. It contains backgrounds, buttons, animations, battery meter, and a generic template, for design ideas.