Patent ID: 8176499

Claim:
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform a method for presenting a graphical user interface, the method comprising: identifying when communication is established between a first electronic device and a second electronic device via a communication medium; identifying one or more characteristics of the second electronic device; based on the one or more identified characteristics, identifying a plurality of data structures conforming to syntax rules defined for a declarative programming language, the plurality of data structures including a first data structure storing items of first data, a particular item of first data representing a visible object presentable via a graphical user interface of the first electronic device, the visible object configured to provide a user experience associated with the second electronic device, and a second data structure hierarchically associated with the first data structure, the second data structure storing items of second data, a particular item of second data usable to indirectly access a particular resource for providing a particular user experience associated with the second electronic device; and after communication is established between the first electronic device and the second electronic device, arranging for the first electronic device to use the identified data structures to display a graphical user interface to a user; wherein a user experience is selected from the group comprising: presentation of an aspect of the physical appearance of the second electronic device; identification of a status of the second electronic device; identification of a source of the second electronic device; presentation of an advertisement; control of a user-selectable function provided via the second electronic device; and control of a user-selectable function provided via a network-based service.