Patent ID: 7954126

Claim:
A network system comprising a plurality of input audio-video (AV) devices including a mix of a first set of devices comprising one or more devices controllable over a bidirectional digital bus and a second set of devices comprising one or more devices incapable of being controlled over the bidirectional digital bus, and a television comprising a primary display and coupled to the plurality of input AV devices, the television comprising a control system being adapted to translate user input television specific commands to device specific output messages to directly drive the first set of input devices via signals communicated from the television over a bidirectional bus and drive the second set of devices via IR signals sent from the television to the second set of devices, wherein the control system being adapted to generate a user interface (UI) displayable on the primary display screen, the UI including a device selection menu corresponding to the plurality of input devices, and wherein the control system is adapted to direct an audio and/or video signal from a first source device of a plurality of input AV devices to the television via device specific output messages transmitted from the control system to the plurality of input AV devices and, in response to a user input television specific command, switch to directing a signal from a second source device of the plurality of input AV devices to the television, wherein the first and second source devices include one device selected from the first set of input AV devices and one selected from the second set of input AV devices.