Although this interface is cumbersome/lacking, it might actually prove to be useful for the purposes of this thread:

http://empeg.comms.net/php/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=empeg_general&Number=73262&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=all

In summary, it deals with inputting remote control style search patterns without having the remote present. Basically, a menu (not unlike the current hijack release menu) would pop up, and provide you with the option of choosing ABC or DEF or GHI and so on, and then it would pass that value onto the search function. That way, one could search without the remote present at all (OR one could configure their steering wheel remote to manipulate the search, using only three buttons: left, right and acknowledge).

Merely a thought...