Patent ID: 7039858

Claim:
A method for providing an interface for accessing home devices that are currently connected to a home network, the method comprising the steps of: generating a device list file in an autonomous and dynamic manner, wherein the device list file identifies home devices that are currently connected to the home network, and periodically refreshing the device list file by: autonomously detecting that a home device is currently connected to the home network, associating a logical device name with the home device, and storing the logical device name in the device list file; creating a device link page, wherein the device link page contains at least one graphical or textual representation of corresponding devices that are identified in the device list file; associating a hyper-text link with each device representation, wherein the hyper-text link provides a link to a web page that is contained in the device that is associated with the device representation; and displaying the device link page on a browser based device.