Remote control for a remotely controlling a device

Abstract

 A remote control (100) is provided which comprises at least one function key. The function key (120-124) comprises a key surface protruding from a housing (110) of the remote control, with the function key being depressible towards the housing by a pressing action (022-026) of a user being applied to the key surface. The remote control further comprises a capacitive sensor (140) for sensing a one-dimensional swiping action (030-036) of the user performed on the key surface. Additionally, the remote control comprises a control circuit (150) for effecting a primary control function (200-204) of the remote control when the user depresses the function key and a secondary control function (300-306) when the user performs the one-dimensional swiping action. The function key, which may have the visual and tactile appearance of a conventional remote control key, therefore enables a user to effect two different control functions, namely by pressing the function key or by performing the one-dimensional swiping action on the key's surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a remote control. The invention further relates to a system comprising a remotely controllable device and a remote control. The invention further relates to a method for performing operations in a remote control.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Remote controls are widely used for remotely controlling various device functions of remotely controllable devices. For example, it is well known to use remote controls to remotely control televisions, stereo sets and other types of consumer electronic devices. However, remote controls also find use in other application areas, namely everywhere where it is convenient or necessary to control a device from a distance.

[0003] To enable the remote control of different device functions of a device, a remote control may comprise a plurality of different function keys which, when selected by a user, each effect a different control function of the remote control, such as the sending of a different control signal to the device, e.g., via infrared (IR) or radiofrequency (RF).

[0004] Conventionally, remote controls provide users with a plurality of physical function keys which provide tactile feedback to the user operating the remote control. Namely, such function keys physically protrude from the housing of the remote control and can be selected by the user by depressing a respective function key towards the housing.

[0005] A device may have a large number of device functions which a user may desire to remotely control. To avoid the remote control having to comprise a similarly large number of physical function keys, remote controls have been introduced which comprise touch screens, i.e., displays with a touch sensitive surface. On such touch-screens, the function keys can be represented as virtual graphical objects and thus dynamically reconfigured, structured in menus, etc. Accordingly, it is not needed to simultaneously display all virtual graphical objects of all device functions of the remotely controllable device.

[0006] An example of a remote control which comprises a touch screen is the Philips RC9800i Touch Screen Remote Control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It would be advantageous to obtain a remote control which enables a plurality of device functions to be controlled in an easier and more intuitive manner.

[0008] To better address this concern, a first aspect of the invention provides a remote control comprising:

• at least one function key comprising a key surface protruding from a housing of the remote control, the function key being depressible towards the housing by a pressing action of a user being applied to the key surface;
• a key press detector for detecting the depressing of the function key by the user, to generate a key press signal;
• a control circuit for effecting a primary control function of the remote control based on the key press signal;
• a capacitive sensor for sensing a one-dimensional swiping action of the user performed on the key surface, to generate a key swipe signal; and
• the control circuit being arranged for effecting a secondary control function of the remote control based on the key swipe signal.

[0009] In a further aspect of the invention, a method is provided for performing operations in a remote control, the remote control comprising at least one function key comprising a key surface protruding from a housing of the remote control, the function key being depressible towards the housing by a pressing action of a user being applied to the key surface, the method comprising:

• sensing the depressing of the function key by the user, to generate a key press signal;
• effecting a primary control function of the remote control based on the key press signal;
• sensing a one-dimensional swiping action of the user performed on the key surface, to generate a key swipe signal; and
• effecting a secondary control function of the remote control based on the key swipe signal.

[0010] The above measures provide a remote control with at least one function key. The function key is a physical key, i.e., non-virtual. In particular, the function key has a raised profile on the remote control in that it normally, in a non-depressed state, protrudes from the housing of the remote control. The function key is of a 'push-type' in that it is downward depressible by the user, i.e., towards the housing. Such depressing of the function key by the user is sensed by a key press detector, which then generates a key press signal causing a control circuit of the remote control to perform a primary control function. Typically, such control functions cause the remote control to a send a wireless control signal, such as an infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) signal, to the remotely controllable device which activates, modifies or otherwise controls a device function of the device.

[0011] It is noted that function keys, key press detectors and control circuits having the characteristics described in the above paragraph are known per se.

[0012] The remote control further comprises a capacitive sensor which is arranged in the remote control to sense a one-dimensional swiping action of the user performed on the key surface of the function key. Here, the term key surface refers to the frontal surface of the key to which the user's finger is to be applied for depressing the function key. Accordingly, the capacitive sensor senses when the user swipes over the key surface, i.e., with his/her finger. Having sensed the one-dimensional swiping action, the capacitive sensor generates a key swipe signal causing the control circuit to effect a secondary control function.

[0013] The effect of the above measures is that a remote control is provided comprising a physical function key which provides tactile feedback to the user, namely by the function key protruding from the housing in a non-depressed state and by being physically depressible and thus providing tactile feedback upon actuation. However, contrary to known remote controls with function keys of the above type, the remote control enables the user to additionally perform a one-dimensional swiping action on the key's surface which effects a secondary control function. Hence, the function key, which may have the visual and tactile appearance of a conventional remote control key, enables a user to effect two different control functions, namely by performing the pressing action or the swiping action.

[0014] Conventionally, an additional function key would be needed to provide such additional control. The remote control thus needs fewer function keys to control a given number of device functions, or can control more device functions with a given number of function keys. Advantageously, the remote control enables easy and intuitive operation.

[0015] It is noted that it is known from US2014035856 to provide a track pad, such as those integrated into the palm rest of a laptop computer, with button functionality. Accordingly, pushing down on the surface of the track pad can be sensed to effect a function on the laptop, namely a mouse click. However, such track pads are different from buttons of remote controls in various aspects, e.g., in size, power requirements, cost, etc. Additionally, compared to function keys protruding from the remote control, track pads are not constructed for providing tactile feedback and thus mounted substantially level with the surface of the palm rest.

[0016] Optionally, the key surface of the function key has an elongated shape, and the capacitive sensor is arranged for sensing the one-dimensional swiping action being performed along a longitudinal dimension of the key surface. A function key with an elongated shape is well suited for enabling one-dimensional swiping actions to be performed since the swiping orientation follows intuitively out of the function key's shape, i.e., having a distinctly longest dimension. Advantageously, the key surface provides sufficient space for the one-dimensional swiping action.

[0017] Optionally, the capacitive sensor is arranged for sensing a direction and/or speed of the one-dimensional swiping action along the longitudinal dimension, and the control circuit is arranged for effecting a different secondary control function based on the direction and/or speed of the one-dimensional swiping action. The term 'direction' refers to from which side the function key is swiped, e.g., from left-to-right or from right-to-left in case the key surface has a right side and a left side, i.e., the function key is oriented transversely on the remote control. By taking into account the direction and/or speed, different secondary control functions can be effected which enables more (aspects of) device functions to be controlled. Conventionally, additional function keys would have been needed to provide such additional control.

[0018] Optionally, the function key is separately depressible at opposite sides of the key surface along the longitudinal dimension;

• the key press detector is arranged for detecting the depressing of the function key at a first one of the opposite sides;
• a further key press detector is provided for detecting the depressing of the function key at a second one of the opposite sides; and
• the control circuit is arranged for effecting a different primary control function based on which one of the opposite sides of the function key is depressed.

[0019] The function key thus provides two different primary control functions depending on which side of the elongated key surface is depressed by the user.

[0020] Optionally, the capacitive sensor comprises two or more sensing elements distributed along the longitudinal dimension of key surface. By distributing the sensing elements along the longitudinal dimension of key surface, the capacitive sensor is well suited for sensing one-dimensional swiping actions along the longitudinal dimension.

[0021] Optionally, the capacitive sensor comprises an elongated array of sensing elements matching the elongated shape of the key surface. By matching the shape of the array of sensing elements to the elongated shape of the key surface, one-dimensional swiping actions of the used can be more accurately sensed over the entire key surface of the function key.

[0022] Optionally, the elongated array of sensing elements is comprised in the housing of the remote control between the key press detector and a printed circuit board of the remote control. By including the elongated array of sensing elements below the key press detector, a conventional function key and key press detector can be used as it is not needed to integrate the sensing elements into the function key itself.

[0023] Optionally, the primary control function and the secondary control function provide different types of control of a device function of a remote controllable device. Hence, the primary control function and the secondary control function control a particular device function, such as volume, playback, channel selection, etc., in a different manner.

[0024] Optionally, the change in the device function effected by the secondary control function is different in magnitude than the change effected by the primary control function. For example, the primary control function may effect a small change in the device function and the secondary control function may effect a large change in the device function, or vice versa, e.g., a smaller/larger volume change, a smaller/larger channel change, etc.

[0025] Optionally, the primary control function effects an incremental volume change on the remotely controllable device, and the secondary control function effects a muting or un-muting. Optionally, the primary control function toggles a play/pause state on the remotely controllable device, and the secondary control function effects a fast forward or fast rewind. Both are examples of the primary control function and the secondary control function controlling a particular device function in a different manner. Both examples have been found to provide the user with easy and intuitive control over the device function.

[0026] Optionally, the capacitive sensor is configured in sensing sensitivity for sensing the one-dimensional swiping action on the key surface when the function key is non-depressed. Accordingly, the one-dimensional swiping action can be sensed in a non-depressed state of the function key. This may be used to restrict the one-dimensional swiping action to only the non-depressed state in that the control circuit may effect the secondary control function only in the non-pressed state. This avoids the depressing action inadvertently registering also as a one-dimensional swiping action.

[0027] Optionally, the function key comprises a plastic or rubber housing. Plastic and rubber housings are conventionally used for function keys and thus are familiar to users.

[0028] Optionally, a system is provided comprising a remotely controllable device and a remote control for remotely controlling said device.

[0029] In summary, a remote control may be provided which comprises at least one function key. The function key may comprise a key surface protruding from a housing of the remote control, with the function key being depressible towards the housing by a pressing action of a user being applied to the key surface. The remote control further comprises a capacitive sensor for sensing a one-dimensional swiping action of the user performed on the key surface. Additionally, the remote control comprises a control circuit for effecting a primary control function of the remote control when the user depresses the function key and a secondary control function when the user performs the one-dimensional swiping action. The function key, which may have the visual and tactile appearance of a conventional remote control key, may therefore enable a user to effect two different control functions of the remote control, namely by pressing the function key or by performing the one-dimensional swiping action on the key's surface.

[0030] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that two or more of the above-mentioned embodiments, implementations, and/or aspects of the invention may be combined in any way deemed useful.

[0031] Modifications and variations of the method, which correspond to the described modifications and variations of the remote control, can be carried out by a person skilled in the art on the basis of the present description.

[0032] The invention is defined in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 shows a remote control comprising a plurality of function keys;

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the remote control;

Fig. 3 shows a close-up view of a function key and a capacitive sensor for sensing a one-dimensional swiping action of the user performed on the key surface of the function key;

Fig. 4 shows an array of sensing elements forming a capacitive sensor;

Figs. 5a-b schematically illustrate pressing actions on opposite sides of the function key effecting volume changes on the device, i.e., volume up and down;

Fig. 5c schematically illustrates a downward swiping action performed on the key surface of the function key effecting a muting of the device;

Fig. 5d schematically illustrates an upward swiping action performed on the key surface of the function key effecting an un-muting of the device;

Figs. 6a-b schematically illustrate a pressing action on the key surface of the function key effecting a play/pause toggle on the device;

Fig. 6c schematically illustrates a left-to-right swiping action performed on the key surface of the function key effecting a fast-forward on the device;

Fig. 6d schematically illustrates a right-to-left swiping action performed on the key surface of the function key effecting a fast-rewind on the device;

Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of circuits of the remote control; and

Fig. 8 shows a method for performing operations in a remote control.

List of reference numerals in Figs. 1-7:

[0034] 

020 finger of user operating remote control

022-026 pressing actions

030-036 one-dimensional swiping actions

040 electric field

100 remote control

110 housing of remote control

120-124 function keys

130 key press detector

132 key press signal

140 capacitive sensor

142 key swipe signal

150 control circuit

152 control signal

160 wireless transmitter

162 wireless signal

170 printed circuit board

200-204 primary control functions

300-306 secondary control functions

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a remote control 100 comprising a housing 110 which includes a plurality of function keys. The remote control 100 is an example of a remote control which comprises i) at least one function key comprising a key surface protruding from a housing of the remote control, with the function key being depressible towards the housing by a pressing action of a user being applied to the key surface, ii) a key press detector for detecting the depressing of the function key by the user, to generate a key press signal, and a iii) control circuit for effecting a primary control function of the remote control based on the key press signal. In this respect, it is noted that the key press detector and the control circuit are not visible Figs. 1-2 by being internal components of the remote control 100.

[0036] In the example of Figs. 1-2, at least two of the function keys 120, 122 of the remote control 100 are physical function keys which protrude from the housing 110. This protrusion can be seen in Fig. 2, which shows a cross-sectional view of the housing 110 and the function keys 120, 122 along the dashed line II-II as indicated in Fig. 1. It is noted that Figs. 1-2 are not drawn to scale, and that the protrusion may be, but not limited to, 5-6 mm.

[0037] Each of the function keys 120, 122 can be depressed towards the housing 110 by the user. In the example of Figs. 1-2, the function keys 120, 122 each have an elongated shape and are each separately depressible at opposite sides of the key surface along the longitudinal dimension of the elongated shape. Accordingly, the function key 120 labeled "V+" at one side and "V-" at the opposite side, being a volume key 120, can be used to increase the volume on a remotely controllable device, namely by depressing the side of the volume key 120 labeled "V+", and to decrease the volume on the device, namely by depressing the side of the volume key 120 labeled "V-". Although not visible in Figs. 1-2, the remote control 120 may, to this end, comprise separate key press detectors which each sense the depressing of the volume key 120 at its respective side. Such key press detectors are known per se from the field of remote controls, and may be constituted by electronic and/or mechanical switches. In addition, the function key 122 labeled "CH+" at one side and "CH-" at the opposite side may be a channel key 122 and operate in a similar manner as the volume key 120. However, instead of controlling the volume, the depressing of the channel key 122 at the side labeled "CH+" may cause the remotely controlled device to switch to a higher-numbered channel and the depressing of the channel key 122 at the side labeled "CH-" may cause the device to switch to a lower-numbered channel.

[0038] The remote control 100 may be provided with a capacitive sensor for sensing a one-dimensional swiping action of the user performed on the key surface, e.g., on the frontal surface of the volume key 120 and/or the channel key 122. Such a capacitive sensor may take various forms, with Figs. 3 and 4 illustrating one example. In Fig. 3, a close-up view of the cross-section of Fig. 2 is shown, corresponding to the dashed rectangle marked III in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 shows part of the volume key's housing 120, a printed circuit board 170 and, located as a layer between the volume key 120 and the printed circuit board 170, a capacitive sensor 140. The capacitive sensor 140 is shown to establish an electric field 040. Fig. 4 shows a top-down view of the capacitive sensor 140. It can be seen that the circuit 140 comprises an array of sensing elements 144, with each sensing element being constituted by a capacitor at the intersections of columns 146 and rows 148 of the array. It is noted that capacitive sensors 140 of the type shown in Fig. 3 and 4 are known per se from the field of capacitive sensing, and that many variants of such circuits may be suitably employed to sense one-dimensional swiping actions being performed on the key surface. For example, mutual capacitance may be used by providing a matrix of transmit- and receive-electrodes, thereby establishing an array of touch nodes, with each touch node detecting a distinct touch position.

[0039] The control circuit of the remote control may be arranged for effecting a secondary control function of the remote control based on the key swipe signal. This aspect of the remote control will be further elucidated with reference to Figs. 5a-7.

[0040] Fig. 5a illustrates a primary control function 200 being effected in response to the user depressing 022 with his/her finger 020 the upper side of the volume key 120, i.e., labeled "V+", namely the sending of a wireless signal from the remote control to the remotely controllable device which causes the device to increase its volume. As such, the primary control function 200 constitutes an "increase volume" control function.

[0041] Fig. 5b shows a different primary control function 202 being effected in response to the user depressing 024 with his/her finger 020 the lower side of the volume key 120, i.e., labeled "V-", namely the sending of a wireless signal from the remote control to the remotely controllable device which causes the device to decrease its volume. As such, the primary control function 200 constitutes a "decrease volume" control function.

[0042] Fig. 5c illustrates a secondary control function 300 being effected in response to the user swiping 030 with his/her finger 020 downwards from the upper side of the volume key 120, i.e., labeled "V+", towards the lower side of the volume key 120, i.e., labeled "V-", namely the sending of a wireless signal which causes the device to mute its volume. As such, the secondary control function 300 constitutes a "volume mute" control function.

[0043] Fig. 5d illustrates a different secondary control function 302 being effected in response to the user swiping 030 with his/her finger 020 upwards from the lower side of the volume key 120, i.e., labeled "V-", towards the upper side of the volume key 120, i.e., labeled "V+", namely the sending of a wireless signal which causes the device to un-mute. As such, the secondary control function 302 constitutes an "un-mute" control function.

[0044] To distinguish between the downward swiping action 030 of Fig. 5c and the upward swiping action 032 of Fig. 5d, the capacitive sensor may be arranged for sensing a direction of the one-dimensional swiping action 030-036 along the longitudinal dimension of key surface. It is noted that the sensing of swiping directions using capacitive sensors is known per se, and may be performed by comparing subsequently sensed finger positions. Accordingly, the control circuit may be arranged for effecting a different secondary control function based on the direction of the one-dimensional swiping action. It is noted that additionally or alternatively, the capacitive sensor may be arranged for sensing a speed of the one-dimensional swiping action 030-036 along the longitudinal dimension of key surface, and the control circuit may be arranged for effecting a different secondary control function based on the speed of the one-dimensional swiping action. Also sensing the speed of swiping actions using capacitive sensors is known per se, e.g., by comparing subsequently sensed finger positions as well as time stamps which indicate when the finger positions were sensed. As such, the primary control function may effect an incremental/decrement channel change on the remotely controllable device, and the secondary control function may effect an incremental/decrement of ten channels if the user performs a slow swiping action and incremental/decrement of hundred channels if the user performs a fast swiping action, thereby establishing +/- 10 channel and +/- 100 channel secondary control functions.

[0045] Figs. 6a-d show another example of a function key, namely a play/pause key 124. Contrary to the function keys shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5a-5d, the play/pause key 124 is not separately depressible at opposite sides of the key surface in that a pressing action 026 applied by the user with his/her finger 020 only causes one primary control function 204 to be effected, namely a sending of a wireless signal which causes the play/pause state of the remotely controllable device to be toggled between "play" and "pause". As such, the primary control function 204 constitutes a "play/pause toggle" control function.

[0046] Fig. 6c illustrates a secondary control function 304 being effected in response to the user swiping 034 with his/her finger 020 from the left-hand side towards the right-hand side of the play/pause key 124, namely the sending of a wireless signal from the remote control to the remotely controllable device which causes the device to fast forward. As such, the secondary control function 304 constitutes a "fast forward" control function.

[0047] Fig. 6d illustrates a different secondary control function 306 being effected in response to the user swiping 036 with his/her finger 020 from the right-hand side towards the left-hand side, namely the sending of a wireless signal from the remote control to the remotely controllable device which causes the device to fast rewind. As such, the secondary control function 306 constitutes a "fast rewind" control function.

[0048] It is noted that in general, the primary control function and the secondary control functions may control different device functions, different aspects of a device function, or may provide different types of control of a device function. An example of the latter is that the change in the device function effected by the secondary control function may be different in magnitude than the change effected by the primary control function. Device functions may relate, but are not limited to, playback, volume, channel selection, source selection, adjustment of audio parameters, adjustment of picture parameters, etc.

[0049] Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of circuits of the remote control. The block diagram depicts a key press detector 130 which generates a key press signal 132 when a depressing of the function key by the user is sensed. The key press signal 132 is shown to be provided to a control circuit 150 which may then effect a primary control function of the remote control based on the key press signal 132. In the example of Fig. 7, the primary control function concerns the transmitting of a wireless signal 162 to the remotely controllable device. To this end, the control circuit 160 may provide a particular type of control signal 152 to a wireless transmitter 160 being part of the remote control. The wireless transmitter may take any suitable form, such as an IR or RF transmitter or a wireless transmitter based on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or ZigBee wireless technology. Fig. 7 further shows a capacitive sensor 140 which generates a key swipe signal 142 when a one-dimensional swiping action of the user performed on the key surface is sensed. The key swipe signal 142 is shown to be provided to the control circuit 150 which may then effect a secondary control function of the remote control based on the key swipe signal 142. To this end, the control circuit 150 may provide a particular type of control signal 152 to the wireless transmitter 160.

[0050] Fig. 8 shows a method 400 performing operations in a remote control. The remote control comprises at least one function key comprising a key surface protruding from a housing of the remote control, the function key being depressible towards the housing by a pressing action of a user being applied to the key surface. The method 400 may be performed by circuits of the remote control, e.g., sensing and/or control circuits. Each of the circuits may be a hardware circuit or a mixture of hardware and software. The latter may involve a microprocessor executing instructions which are stored in a local memory and which cause the microprocessor to perform one or more operations of the method 400.

[0051] The method 400 comprises, in an operation titled "DETECTING PRESSING ACTION", detecting 410 the depressing of the function key by the user, to generate a key press signal. The method 400 further comprises, in an operation titled "EFFECTING PRIMARY CONTROL FUNCTION", effecting 420 a primary control function of the remote control based on the key press signal. The method 400 further comprises, in an operation titled "SENSING ONE-DIMENSIONAL SWIPING ACTION", sensing 430 a one-dimensional swiping action of the user performed on the key surface, to generate a key swipe signal. The method 400 further comprises, in an operation titled "EFFECTING SECONDARY CONTROL FUNCTION", effecting 440 a secondary control function of the remote control based on the key swipe signal.

[0052] It will be appreciated that the operations of the method 400 may be performed in any suitable order. Typically, a pressing action or a swiping action of the user is sensed and the respective control function of the remote control is effected, with then again a pressing action or swiping action being sensed to effect the respective control function.

[0053] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. A remote control (100) comprising:

- at least one function key (120-124) comprising a key surface protruding from a housing (110) of the remote control, the function key being depressible towards the housing by a pressing action (022-026) of a user being applied to the key surface;

- a key press detector (130) for detecting the depressing of the function key by the user, to generate a key press signal (132);

- a control circuit (150) for effecting a primary control function (200-204) of the remote control based on the key press signal;

- a capacitive sensor (140) for sensing a one-dimensional swiping action (030-036) of the user performed on the key surface, to generate a key swipe signal (142); and

- the control circuit (150) being arranged for effecting a secondary control function (300-306) of the remote control based on the key swipe signal.

2. The remote control (100) according to claim 1, wherein:

- the key surface of the function key (120-124) has an elongated shape; and

- the capacitive sensor (140) is arranged for sensing the one-dimensional swiping action (030-036) being performed along a longitudinal dimension of the key surface.

3. The remote control (100) according to claim 2, wherein:

- the capacitive sensor (140) is arranged for sensing a direction of the one-dimensional swiping action (030-036) along the longitudinal dimension; and

- the control circuit (150) is arranged for effecting a different secondary control function (300-306) based on the direction of the one-dimensional swiping action.

4. The remote control (100) according to claim 2, wherein:

- the capacitive sensor (140) is arranged for sensing a speed of the one-dimensional swiping action (030-036) along the longitudinal dimension; and

- the control circuit (150) is arranged for effecting a different secondary control function (300-306) based on the speed of the one-dimensional swiping action.

5. The remote control (100) according to claim 2, wherein:

- the function key (120, 122) is separately depressible at opposite sides of the key surface along the longitudinal dimension;

- the key press detector (130) is arranged for detecting the depressing (022) of the function key at a first one of the opposite sides;

- a further key press detector is provided for detecting the depressing (024) of the function key at a second one of the opposite sides; and

- the control circuit (150) is arranged for effecting a different primary control function (200, 202) based on which one of the opposite sides of the function key is depressed.

6. The remote control (100) according to claim 2, wherein the capacitive sensor (140) comprises an elongated array of sensing elements (144) matching the elongated shape of the key surface.

7. The remote control (100) according to claim 6, wherein the elongated array of sensing elements (144) is comprised in the housing (110) of the remote control between the key press detector (130) and a printed circuit board (170) of the remote control.

8. The remote control (100) according to claim 1, wherein the primary control function (200-204) and the secondary control function (300-306) provide different types of control of a device function of a remote controllable device.

9. The remote control (100) according to claim 8, wherein the change in the device function effected by the secondary control function (300-306) is different in magnitude than the change effected by the primary control function (200-204).

10. The remote control (100) according to claim 8, wherein the primary control function (200, 202) effects an incremental volume change on the remotely controllable device, and wherein the secondary control function effects a muting or un-muting (300, 302).

11. The remote control (100) according to claim 8, wherein the primary control function (204) toggles a play/pause state on the remotely controllable device, and wherein the secondary control function (304, 306) effects a fast forward or fast rewind.

12. The remote control (100) according to claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor (140) is configured in sensing sensitivity for sensing the one-dimensional swiping action (030-036) on the key surface when the function key (120-124) is non-depressed.

13. The remote control (100) according to claim 1, wherein the function key (120-124) comprises a plastic or rubber housing.

14. A system comprising a remotely controllable device and a remote control (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims for remotely controlling said remotely controllable device.

15. A method (400) for performing operations in a remote control, the remote control comprising at least one function key comprising a key surface protruding from a housing of the remote control, the function key being depressible towards the housing by a pressing action of a user being applied to the key surface, the method comprising:

- detecting (410) the depressing of the function key by the user, to generate a key press signal;

- effecting (420) a primary control function of the remote control based on the key press signal;

- sensing (430) a one-dimensional swiping action of the user performed on the key surface, to generate a key swipe signal; and

- effecting (440) a secondary control function of the remote control based on the key swipe signal.

Drawing