The remote control is, let’s face it, the fulcrum of family life. Whoever has it, has power, while those who don’t have it try to stage mutinies on a regular basis. A newly patented design by Microsoft will do little to solve this issue (that’s more of a family therapy thing to be fair) but it’s still damn cool.

The new Microsoft design.

Microsoft appears to be working on a new touch-screen remote control that has a six-axis sensor capable of detecting what way you are holding the device. The new remote control has controls on multiple sides and by mixing the six-axis sensor into the package, it can detect which way it is being held and activate the appropriate controls.

This, according to one report, is based on which side the effect of gravity is observed. “If side A is facing up (and side B is facing down) side A illuminates with control options while side B is inactive and if side B faces up, it illuminates with options while side A remains inactive,” said BeingManan, referring to the diagram picture above.

Meanwhile Gadget Venue adds that the transparent touch-screen will only activate when needed. “The six-axis sensor also can detect when the remote control is sitting still and switch it’s self off when not needed. Picking it back up would re-enable the correct control screen,” added the report.

It al sounds great in theory obviously but for those of us who no longer have to look at the remote such is the ninja-esque skills for knowing which button is which based on too much time in front of the box (okay, there’s nothing really ‘ninja’ about it, but a lot of men are pretty impressed they can do this) a touch-screen remote may not be that attractive.

Full info on the patent application can be found here.