Patent ID: 8516118

Claim:
A system that controls an environment comprising: an application service adapted to communicate with a control client, wherein said control client receives a user interface from said application service, receives commands from a user via said user interface and transmits said commands to said application service; a database that describes the environment, wherein the environment includes an output device and a source device, said source device adapted to output a signal via an output port in communication with a control switch and wherein said source device includes a source command port in communication with said application service, and wherein said output device includes an output command port in communication with said application service and wherein said output device is adapted to accept said signal via an input port in communication with said control switch, wherein said control switch is in communication with said application service and said control switch is capable of selectively connecting said source device and said output device in response to commands from said application service; a representing means for representing in said database a set of static connections and a set of nodes adaptable to allow communication between said output port and said input port via said control switch; a configuration means for said application service to issue commands to and configure said source device, said output device, and said control switch, such that said signal flows from said source device through said control switch to said output device; an event generator that generates an event; and an event handler that responds to said event generator and triggers an appropriate response by said configuration means; wherein said configuration means further comprises a recursive algorithm means for identifying and configuring a communications path through said set of static connections and said set of nodes such that said signal travels from said source device to said output device.