Patent ID: 8078290

Claim:
A method for controlling embedded devices using a device style sheet, the method comprising: receiving at an embedded device controller a data signal identifying a single device style sheet declaration in one or more previously stored device style sheets, the single device style sheet declaration enabling manipulation of multiple types of embedded devices, the declaration comprising: a property identifier that identifies a style property to be altered; a prioritized list of property values that identifies a style property value to be applied, wherein the prioritized list of property values comprises a sequence of two or more property values, wherein a first listed property value is used if supported, and wherein if the first listed property value is not supported, an attempt is made to use a next property value in the sequence until a supported property value is found; and a scope selector that identifies a scope of a style to be applied; identifying at least two of the embedded devices within the identified scope in electronic communication with the embedded device controller; determining capabilities of the identified embedded devices to receive and process complex control signals; formulating, at the embedded device controller, a control signal for each of the identified embedded devices based on the capabilities of the identified embedded devices, the property identifier, and property value, wherein if it is determined that a particular embedded device does not support complex control signals, translating any complex control signal for the particular embedded device into a simple control signal that the particular embedded device supports; and transmitting the control signals to each of the identified embedded devices; wherein the previously stored device style sheets comprise cascading style sheets arranged hierarchically, wherein changing a feature in the device style sheet of a higher hierarchical level also changes the feature in the device style sheet that incorporated that feature.