Provided is a system and method for creating a configuration for a plurality of devices. The method includes monitoring user interaction with a control device to control each of the plurality of devices, recording, while monitoring the user interaction with the control device, at least one configuration setting based on at least one user input provided to the control device, in response to further user input, storing the at least one configuration setting in at least one memory of the control device, associating a plurality of configuration settings with a scene object, the plurality of configuration settings comprising the at least one configuration setting, and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, transmitting a plurality of control signals, the plurality of control signals based on the plurality of configuration settings and configured to control the plurality of devices.

A browser device communicates via Wi-Fi with a central function device. The function device has information regarding all the various remote controls needed by the consumer. The function device communicates wirelessly with the browser device and in turn then operates all of the consumer's electronic devices

Techniques for suggesting accessory devices controlled by an application executing on a mobile device are disclosed. A method includes measuring one or more sensor values using one or more sensors of a mobile device and the one or more sensor values are determined from one or more signals emitted by a first one or more accessory devices. An area of a physical space for the first one or more accessory devices can be determined based on the one or more sensor values. A second one or more accessory devices associated with the same area as the first one or more accessory devices can be suggested to a user.

A system and method whereby an user interface editing device is used to create a user interface for a controlling device, the created user interface including user interface elements that are associated with functional operations of a virtual equivalent of an appliance. After the created user interface is transferred to the controlling device, the virtual equivalent of an appliance is caused to be linked to an intended target appliance whereupon activation of those user interface elements of the graphical user interface that were associated with functional operations of the virtual equivalent of an appliance will cause the controlling device to transmit commands to control corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance.

A universal remote control (URC) is programmed to control a particular type and make of electronic consumer device using a graphical user interface. A plurality of images is displayed on the user-interface. Each image of the plurality of images is a digital photograph of an electronic consumer device or a remote control device usable to control the corresponding electronic consumer device. A user selects the digital photograph of the particular type and make of electronic consumer device or its corresponding remote control device. Codeset information associated with the selected device is transmitted to the URC such that the URC is programmed to control the selected device. If the codeset information is a codeset identifier, then it is displayed on the user interface. The user enters the codeset identifier into the URC such that the URC is programmed to control the selected device.

A first remote control application is configured to cause a smart device to transmit at least one command for controlling at least one functional operation of a controllable appliance in response to a user interface element of the smart device being activated while a second remote control application of a bridge device is configured to cause the bridge device to transmit at least one command for controlling at least one functional operation of the controllable appliance in response to receiving at the bridge device the at least one command transmitted from the smart device. The at least one command is transmitted from the smart device using a first transmission protocol and the at least one command is transmitted from the bridge device using a transmission protocol recognized by the controllable appliance.

A communication terminal includes: a network communication section configured to communicate with a device that possesses a target to be accessed and access information; a setting section configured to set, for a transmission means that is used to carry out transmission by communication carried out by a program for exchanging messages, (i) specifying information for specifying the target and (ii) an action that the device is caused to execute with respect to the access information, the specifying information and the action being set by an operation of a user so as to be associated with each other; and an execution control section configured to send the transmission means to the device, and cause the device to execute, with respect to the access information on the target that is specified by the specifying information having been set for the transmission means, the action having been set for the transmission means.

A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an interactive instruction set and associated programming. The programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions and prompts to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for configuration of another controllable device (e.g., DVD, VCR, DVR, etc) available to the user.

In response to a detected presence of an intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances identity information associated with the intended target appliance is used to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device an icon representative of the intended target appliance and to create at a Universal Control Engine a listing of communication methods for use in controlling corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance. When the icon is later activated, the controlling device is placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while the Universal Control Engine uses at least one of the communication methods to transmit at least one command to place the intended target appliance into a predetermined operating state.

A system includes a master controller disposed on a transit vehicle, a peripheral device disposed on the transit vehicle, a first wireless subsystem communicably coupled to the master controller, and a second wireless subsystem communicably coupled to the peripheral device. The master controller is operable to send a signal to the peripheral device via the first wireless subsystem, the signal comprising a command related to operation of the peripheral device. The peripheral device is operable to receive the signal via the second wireless subsystem and execute the command. The system utilizes a wireless protocol that specifies a unique identification for the system. The master controller and the peripheral device are each configured via the wireless protocol. The configuration includes storage of the unique identification and operability to restrict wireless communication to wireless communication with other devices so configured.