The Patently Apple site has revealed that a patent which was published on Thursday, "insists that the company's Apple TV remote is to work with a clearly defined television beyond what we know as Apple TV - the set top box style unit". Considering the details provided, it can be assumed that the basic remote can operate a notebook computer and a set-top box connected to the screen predictably termed as Apple TV Box, along with what looks like an iPad.

Apple's patent Figure 2 displays a computer display-like machine. But Apple states that the device is neither a desktop computer nor a computer display, but is termed as "television".

It has been observed that Apple, when making a filing, uses "Apple TV" and "television" differently.

According to the application, the remote is capable of functioning for a number of electronic devices that include a television, set top box, a laptop and "mobile phone/portable music player docking station 212 with mobile phone 214".