A core device that is connected to a network, and that is interconnected via a digital audio/video interface with audio/video devices that are connected to the network, provided with a collecting unit that collects interface-connected device information, including at least unique identification information, from the audio/video devices via the digital audio/video interface, and a transferring unit that transfers the interface-connected device information to a portable terminal device that is connected to the network.

In order to provide a remote control system that is easy to use, a first displaying unit displays a remote controller side display information. Since a first operation unit is used to select the remote controller side display information and then drag towards an image display apparatus, a display position of the remote controller side display information on the display surface of the first displaying unit is visually moved towards an image display apparatus. In accordance with the movement operation of the remote controller side display information, operational information associated with the remote controller side display information is transmitted from a first communicator to a second communicator.

A user terminal device, a method for controlling the user terminal device, and a system for providing content are disclosed. The user terminal device may include a communicator configured to communicate with a display device, a detector configured to detect a distance between the user terminal device and the display device, a plurality of inputters configured to receive input of a user command, and a controller. The controller is configured to activate at least one of the plurality of inputters in response to a detection that the user terminal is within a predetermined distance with respect to the display device. The user terminal device may control an operation of the display device according to the distance between the user terminal device and the display device.

An image display device includes: a processor; a memory configured to store channel information corresponding to at least one channel; and at least one program which is stored in the memory and executed by the processor. The program may include instructions for controlling a display so as to move a channel indicator in a first or second direction on a channel scroll bar and to display channel information of a channel corresponding to a point at which the channel indicator is located, in response to a first input of pressing a channel-up or channel-down key for a long time, and for switching a current channel to the channel corresponding to the point at which the channel indicator is located and displaying an image corresponding to the switched channel, in response to a second input of releasing the channel-up or channel-down key.

An image display apparatus including a display unit a data on a screen; a communication unit receiving a signal transmitted from a remote control device; and a control unit configured to detect whether an external device is connected to the apparatus; display a menu allowing an user to select whether or not to transmit an image being displayed on the external device to the screen; and display the image on the screen.

A remote control apparatus for setting a mode according to a state of a broadcast receiving apparatus is provided. The remote control apparatus sets operation modes based on information regarding a state of a broadcast receiving apparatus received from the broadcast receiving apparatus. The operation mode of the remote control apparatus is automatically set based on information regarding a state of a broadcast receiving apparatus, so less power is consumed in the remote control apparatus.

The present invention supports the control of a plurality of controlled devices. With three dimensional accelerometer components, detection of a user action on a remote controller and the orientation of the remote controller are viable through small electronic devices. Aspects of the invention are based on the three dimensional accelerometer components to provide a remote controller that can detect the user action. Based on the user action, the remote controller transmits a signal to the controlled device which conveys the corresponding command. A selected controlled device may be matched to the remote controller. The remote controller and controlled device may also support a learning mode, in which the controlled device sends a list of supported commands to the remote controller. The remote controller then matches an associated action with each command in the command list.

An approach is disclosed that places a first side of an optical communication mounting frame (OCMF) onto a surface of a device with some of the device's display and its digital camera being are hidden from view from outside of the OCMF. A second device is received at another side of the OCMF, with some of the device's display and its digital camera being are hidden from view from outside of the OCMF. Each display is viewable from the other device's digital camera. Optical communications between the devices is performed by displaying data on one display that is read by the other device's digital camera and this communication is allowed while the OCMF is present. However, communication between the devices is inhibited when the OCMF is not present.

A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for receiving a controllability indicator at a portable communication device, the controllability indicator received from a stationary communication device. The controllability indicator indicates whether a trickplay feature is available for controlling a presentation of multimedia content, and is determined from a characterization of the multimedia content. The method further includes presenting a trickplay indicator at the portable communication device according to the controllability indicator to indicate whether the trickplay feature is available. Other embodiments are disclosed.

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.