A method for controlling a functional operation of an intended target appliance (106, 108, 112, 120), comprising: in response to a detected presence of the intended target appliance (106, 108, 112, 120) within a logical topography of controllable appliances using identity information associated with the intended target appliance to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device (200, 202) 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 (106, 108, 112, 120); and in response to a sensed activation of the icon representative of the intended target appliance (106, 108, 112, 120) as added to the graphical user interface of the controlling device (200, 202) causing the controlling device to be placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while causing the Universal Control Engine to use at least one of a plurality of communication methods in the listing of communication methods that has been associated with the intended target appliance to transmit to the intended target appliance at least one command to place the intended target appliance into a predetermined operating state, wherein placing the controlling device (200, 202) into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance (106, 108, 112, 120) comprises causing the controlling device to display a graphical user interface page having activable icons representative of controllable functions of the intended target appliance, wherein the activable icons of the graphical user interface page comprise activable icons having logos representative of media content that is accessible via the intended target appliance (106, 108, 112, 120), and wherein the logos representative of media content that is accessible via the intended target appliance are automatically populated on the activable icons via use of the identity information associated with the intended target appliance (106, 108, 112, 120). in response to a detected presence of the intended target appliance (106, 108, 112, 120) within a logical topography of controllable appliances using identity information associated with the intended target appliance to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device (200, 202) 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 (106, 108, 112, 120); and in response to a sensed activation of the icon representative of the intended target appliance (106, 108, 112, 120) as added to the graphical user interface of the controlling device (200, 202) causing the controlling device to be placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while causing the Universal Control Engine to use at least one of a plurality of communication methods in the listing of communication methods that has been associated with the intended target appliance to transmit to the intended target appliance at least one command to place the intended target appliance into a predetermined operating state, wherein placing the controlling device (200, 202) into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance (106, 108, 112, 120) comprises causing the controlling device to display a graphical user interface page having activable icons representative of controllable functions of the intended target appliance, wherein the activable icons of the graphical user interface page comprise activable icons having logos representative of media content that is accessible via the intended target appliance (106, 108, 112, 120), and wherein the logos representative of media content that is accessible via the intended target appliance are automatically populated on the activable icons via use of the identity information associated with the intended target appliance (106, 108, 112, 120).