METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING NETWORKED APPLIANCES WITH A REMOTE ACCESS DEVICE

摘要

A method for controlling devices coupled to a digital interface is provided. Initially, a user accesses a remote access device (118) coupled to the digital interface. The remote access device identifies devices (102) coupled to the digital interface. Based on the identified devices (102), the user selects a device to be controlled. A communication path is established passing through the remote access device (118) to communicate directly with the selected device over the digital interface. This path can be a communication channel established over an IEEE-1394 serial digital interface or any other digital communication link. Next, the user passes commands through remote access device (118) to control the selected device. In some cases, the user may also receive information directly from the selected device by passing the information through the remote access device (118) and to a display device or speaker device.