METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING PARAMETERS AND PRESENTING STATUS IN A DISTRIBUTED COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

摘要

A method and apparatus is described for providing a user interface that allows media appliances to establish virtual connections and display status information. A user control combines a momentary push button switch (for inputting user events) with a light emitting diode (for displaying status), called a "baton control". Pressing the switch with various patterns inputs configuration information to the device, and the light emitting diode flashes various patterns to indicate status information. The method and apparatus are conformable with various distributed communications interconnect standards, such as the IEEE 1394 "Standard for High Performance Serial Bus."