Revolution controller inspiration?

Just where did Nintendo get inspiration for their radically designed Revolution game controller?
One Joystiq reader may have an idea. He writes: "I took a flight on Singapore Air recently... They have entertainment systems built into each chair (including economy). Each entertainment system features a TV remote that doubles as game controller when turned on it's side."

While the pictured remote could represent partial inspiration for the Revolution's controller, remote-shaped controllers have been part of interactive TV-top boxes for over 10 years. At least the aesthetic concept of the "Rev-mote" is nothing new.

[Thanks for the image scan, Mark2000]