Patent ID: 8056104

Claim:
A network system comprising a central control unit (CCU), a primary video display and audio output device (PDD) coupled to the CCU, a plurality of input audio-video devices coupled to the CCU, wherein the plurality of input audio-video devices include one or more analog audio-video devices and one or more digital audio-video devices, a means for generating a non-device specific graphical user interface (GUI) from the CCU of the network system and displaying the GUI on the PDD, wherein the GUI includes an input device selection menu and a device transport menu, and wherein the input device selection menu includes an icon corresponding to each of the one or more analog audio-video devices and the one or more digital audio-video devices, a means for receiving CCU specific user input commands corresponding to selection and operation of a plurality of input audio-video devices and network system functions at the CCU, a means for translating within the CCU the CCU specific user input commands received by the CCU to device specific output messages to operate the plurality of input audio-video devices, and a means for transmitting the output messages from the CCU to the plurality of input audio-video devices, wherein the output messages are transmitted to the one or more analog audio-video devices by directing an IR signal incorporating the output message from the CCU to the analog audio-video device, wherein the output messages are transmitted to the one or more digital audio-video devices over a bidirectional bus, and wherein the one or more analog audio-video devices being incapable of receiving or sending messages over a bidirectional bus.