Patent ID: 6963784

Claim:
A system for providing software based extended functionality of a target device in a home audio video network, the system comprising: a computer system included within a host device coupled to the home audio video network, the computer system having a processor coupled to a memory via a bus, the computer system configured to enable proxy control of a target device coupled to the home audio video network by executing software stored in the memory, wherein the software causes the computer system to implement: a DCM (device control module) operable for interfacing with the target device, wherein the DCM includes a first FCM (function control module) and a second FCM operable for controlling respective first and second functional components of the target device; the first FCM being a physical FCM operable for controlling the operation of the first functional component; and the second FCM being a virtual FCM operable for controlling the operation of a second functional component, wherein the second functional component is a virtual functional component implemented using software executing on the computer system within the host device.