Patent ID: 8359351

Claim:
A method for enabling a computing device to be remotely accessed to control media device and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, the method comprising: configuring the computing device as a central control point, the computing device capable to generate control requests and data requests related to operation of the media device and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system using a core module of a management system of the computing device; separating the core module of the management system from a remote graphical user interface of the management system, by using a Web application of a Web server to generate the remote graphical user interface and to make the remote graphical user interface available to a browser of a remote device via a network to allow the browser to render the remote graphical user interface to provide access and use of the management system to a remote user; providing a Web service of the Web server to allow the remote device to communicate with the core module; providing a remoting layer to allow the Web application and the Web service to communicate with the core module; providing a local graphical user interface for simultaneous access and use of the management system by a local user; suppressing on-screen display of messages on at least one of the media device or the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system that is accessed by the remote user; receiving a message from at least one of the media device or the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system accessed by the remote user; and displaying the message via the remote graphical user interface in lieu of the suppressed on-screen display of the messages.