A remote control system and method comprising a television and a light
pointing apparatus adapted, in a first embodiment, to transmit a first
narrow beam having a first frequency corresponding to visible light,
which is used to give an indication of where the pointer is pointed, and
a second expanded beam surrounding the first beam and comprising a second
frequency corresponding to infrared light. In a second embodiment, the
pointer transmits a single frequency modulated light beam. In operation,
the beam of light is shown on the television screen to activate an on
screen menu based user interface via a photo sensor, microprocessor and
onscreen display controller. Screen menu items appear on the screen
positioned around the periphery of the screen. The user then moves the
beam of light on the screen to the periphery of the screen to optically
engage one of the plurality of photo conductors, which triggers an
appropriate menu sequence or the performance of a television function
such as, e.g., channel up.