USER INTERFACE FOR MULTI-DEVICE CONTROL

摘要

A control server, or similar central processor, manages the distribution of data (including audio and video), voice, and control signals among a plurality of system components (102-120) connected via a wired and/or wireless communications network (180). The system components (102-120) include audio/visual components (such as, televisions, monitors, PDAs, notepads, notebooks, MP3, portable stereo, etc.) as well as household appliances (such as, lighting, ovens, alarm clocks, etc.). A portable controller (108) allows a user to access and control the system components (102-120) from any location within a controlled residential and/or non-residential environment (100), including its surrounding areas. The portable controller (108) includes a user and management interface (e.g., 200, 600) that contains customized control screens (e.g., 204, 700) for the system components. The control screens are stored in a hierarchical architecture that is searchable by region (e.g., 200) or component (e.g., 600) type.