Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE  
       [0001]     The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “PARALLEL TELEVISION REMOTE CONTROL,” with attorney docket number 16868US01, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “CONTROL DEVICE WITH LANGUAGE SELECTIVITY,” with attorney docket number 16869US01, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “PHONE BASED TELEVISION REMOTE CONTROL,” with attorney docket number 16871US01 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “PARALLEL TELEVISION DOCKING ADAPTER,” with attorney docket number 16874US01, each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     [Not Applicable] 
       SEQUENCE LISTING  
       [0003]     [Not Applicable] 
       MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE  
       [0004]     [Not Applicable] 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0006]     Various aspects of present invention relate to remote control devices used with a variety of home entertainment equipment and more particularly, with a plurality of types of media equipment produced by a corresponding plurality of manufacturers.  
         [0007]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0008]     In home entertainment systems, remote controls are commonly used to support user interaction with a piece of media equipment from a distance. Supporting such interaction, remote controls are typically hand held, portable devices configured with multiple predefined buttons. Typical functions performed by such predefined buttons include controlling television channel selection, audio and video settings, media storage and playback, and media equipment power. Specifically, the remote control responds to a user&#39;s button selection by wirelessly sending a corresponding control signal to a piece of media equipment using infrared or RF transmission. The receiving media equipment responds to the control signal by implementing the requested changes.  
         [0009]     Televisions receive channels from service providers, either directly or indirectly, via cable, fiber and satellite set top box. In addition to televisions and set top boxes, many other types of media equipment are used to provide supplemental or alternate audio and video to televisions or other media equipment. Some types directly source locally accessed media, and others alternatively or in addition include television broadcast tuners for managing television channel selection and video and audio settings. Exemplary types of media equipment include DVD (Digital Video Disk) players, audio systems, PVR (Personal Video Recorder) systems, game consoles, camcorders, digital cameras, etc. Each of these media systems is controlled through direct interaction or via one or more remote controls.  
         [0010]     Each home entertainment system installation usually comprises more than one piece of media equipment. For example, a home entertainment system might comprise two televisions, two set top boxes, a DVD player, an audio system and a PVR system. Each piece of media equipment usually has a separate dedicated remote control that has a plurality of pseudo-unique buttons and button layout. Understanding buttons of each dedicated remote control is difficult, tedious and often a practically impossible task.  
         [0011]     Some remote controls exist that attempt to control multiple pieces of media equipment. These “non-dedicated” or “universal” remote controls employ various techniques to carry out such control. Some universal remotes are constructed to work with multiple types of media equipment produced by a single manufacturer. As long as the home entertainment system comprises media equipment of that manufacturer, the universal remote control work will prove adequate. However, if a different manufacturer&#39;s media equipment is added, the universal remote will not suffice.  
         [0012]     Other universal remote controls exist that attempt to support media equipment of multiple manufacturers. One type of such universal remotes requires the user to reference a catalog of manufacturer&#39;s media equipment to identify a programming code that is entered into the universal remote to cause it to adapt to support such equipment. When further media equipment is added to the home entertainment system or a battery change-out is required, the user must re-reference the catalog to reprogram the universal remote. If the media equipment is not identified in the catalog or the catalog is lost, the universal remote will not provide adequate support and additional remote control units are needed. Also, because latest media equipment releases typically occur after the catalog and universal remote control are created, both the catalog and the universal remote control often fail to support future media equipment additions and modifications.  
         [0013]     Another type of universal remote exists that attempts to overcome such problems by “learning” their operation from dedicated remote controls. For example, the user is required to aim the dedicated remote control at the universal remote control and press each button on the dedicated remote control followed by pressing a corresponding button on the universal remote such that the universal remote learns the wireless signaling to deliver with a user&#39;s future universal remote control button presses. This training process is very time consuming, has to be repeated for each piece of media equipment in the home installation, and may have to be repeated if battery power is lost. Also, if buttons exist on the dedicated remote control that are not on the universal, they may not be supported.  
         [0014]     Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art through comparison of such systems with various aspects of the present invention.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     A remote control that interacts with a variety of types of entertainment equipment and controls settings and display of videos on screens of the entertainment equipment, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of illustrative aspects thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     For various aspects of the present invention to be easily understood and readily practiced, various aspects will now be described, for purposes of illustration and not limitation, in conjunction with the following figures:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram illustrating interaction between a control unit, a television, a television channel broadcaster and a storage device, the control unit adapts itself to control display on a screen of the television in accordance with various aspects of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the control unit of  FIG. 1  wherein the control unit controls display on the screen of the television via a set top box;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the control unit of  FIG. 1  wherein the control unit further comprises a screen and adapts itself to control settings of an audio player;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a control unit that accesses a plurality of configurations corresponding to a plurality of media equipments and configures itself to control the plurality of media equipments in accordance with various aspects of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the control unit of  FIG. 4  further supporting retrieval of the plurality of configurations from a plurality of remote storage servers that are accessible via Internet;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the control unit of  FIG. 4 , wherein the plurality of media equipments are part of a plurality of entertainment systems, and the control unit interacts with the plurality of entertainment systems and a remote media server via Internet;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram illustrating yet another embodiment of the control unit of  FIG. 4  further supporting interaction with a plurality of media sources and transcoding functionality in the control unit;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a schematic block diagram illustrating interaction between a control unit, a plurality of media players, a transcoding unit, a plurality of multimedia sources and commication pathways in accordance with various aspects of the present invention; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the control unit of  FIG. 8  wherein the control unit comprises a screen that is touch sensitive, the screen displaying user interface information corresponding to the plurality of media players one at a time.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram illustrating interaction between a control unit  103 , a television  121 , a television channel broadcaster  131  and a storage device  141 , the control unit  103  adapts itself to control display on a screen  123  of the television  121  in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The control unit  103  comprises processing circuitry  105 , a memory  107 , a user interface  111 , a first communication interface  113  and a second communication interface  115 . The control unit  103  interacts with the storage device  141  via the second communication interface  115 . The television  121  comprises the screen  123 , an identifier  125 , a first TV communication interface  127  and a second TV (television) communication interface  129 . The television  121  communicates with the television channel broadcaster  131  via the second TV communication interface  129 . The storage device  141  comprises at least a TV configuration  143 , a DVD player configuration  145  and a storage device communication interface (referred henceforth as SD communication interface)  147 . The storage device  141  responds to the control unit  103  via the SD communication interface  147 .  
         [0027]     The identifier  125  corresponding to the television  121  may be, for example, one or a combination of a model number of the television  121  and a product registration number of the television  121 . The control unit  103  receives the identifier  125  corresponding to the television  121  via the user interface  111 . A user inputs the identifier  125  into the control unit  103  using the user interface  111  of the control unit  103 . The processing circuitry  105  of the control unit  103  determines that the TV configuration  143  corresponds to the identifier  125  using the identifier  125  and tries to access the TV configuration  143 . The control unit  103  interacts with the storage device  141  via the second communication interface  115  and requests the storage device  141  for the TV configuration  143 . The control unit  103  subsequently receives the TV configuration  143  from the storage device  141  via the second communication interface  115 . The control unit  103  is shown in the  FIG. 1  to be communicatively coupled to the storage device  141  via a first wireless link. The first wireless link may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of wireless link types, for example, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, UltraWideBand, any of a variety of cellular link types, any of a variety of infrared or other optical link types, standard or propriety link types, etc.  
         [0028]     In one embodiment, the control unit  103  may be communicatively coupled to some more storage devices other than the storage device  141 . In the one embodiment, the control unit  103  learns, using the identifier  125 , that the TV configuration  143  is stored in the storage device  141 . Subsequently the control unit  103  accesses the storage device  141  to retrieve the TV configuration  143 . The control unit  103  interacts with the television  121  via the first communication interface  113  and the television  121  responds to the control unit  103  via the first TV communication interface  127 . A physical link may exist between the control unit  103  and the television  121 . The control unit  103  and the television  121  may agree to communicate over the physical link after the control unit  103  receives the TV configuration  143 . In another embodiment, the control unit  103  receives a user input via the user interface  111 . The user input comprises an address of the storage device  141 . The control unit  103  reaches the storage device  141  using the address and retrieves the TV configuration  143  from the storage device  141 .  
         [0029]     In yet another embodiment, the control unit  103  receives the identifier  125  corresponding to the television  121  from the television  121  through the first communication interface  113 . In the yet another embodiment, the control unit  103  may be aware of and/or may learn that the TV configuration  143  corresponding to the identifier  125  is available with the storage device  141 . The control unit  103  receives the TV configuration  143  from the storage device  141  via the second communication interface  115 . The control unit  103  is shown in the  FIG. 1  to be communicatively coupled to the television  121  via a second wireless link. The second wireless link may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of wireless link types, for example, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, UltraWideBand, any of a variety of cellular link types, any of a variety of infrared or other optical link types, standard or propriety link types, etc. In some other embodiments, the communication link between the control unit  103  and the television  121  may comprise characteristics of a wired link, a tethered optical link etc.  
         [0030]     The control unit  103  stores the TV configuration  143  in the memory  107  after receiving the TV configuration  143  from the storage device  141 . The control unit  103  configures itself based on the TV configuration  143  to control settings of the television  121  and to control display on the screen  123  of the television  121 . The control unit  103  may receive a channel selection via the user interface  111 . The channel selection identifies a television channel from a plurality of television channels broadcast by the television channel broadcaster  131 . The control unit  103  subsequently sends a control signal to the television  121  via the first communication interface  113  directing the television  121  to receive the television channel from the television channel broadcaster  131  and display the received television channel on the TV screen  123 . The television  121  receives the control signal from the control unit  103  via the first TV communication interface  127 . The television  121  is connected to the television channel broadcaster  131  over a communication link. The communication link is, for example, one or a combination of an infrared link, a satellite link, a microwave link, an optical link, a cellular network link, an Intranet link, an Internet link, etc. Next, the television  121  receives the television channel from the television channel broadcaster  131  via the second TV communication interface  129  and displays the received television channel on the screen  123 . The control unit  103  may in addition or alternately receive a setting selection via the user interface  111 . Subsequently, the control unit  103  directs the television  121  to implement setting changes corresponding to the setting selection. The setting selection may be, for example and without limitation, a power control command, an increase in brightness of the TV screen  123 , a decrease in volume of a speaker of the television  121  etc.  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the control unit  103  of  FIG. 1  wherein the control unit  203  controls display on the screen  225  of the television  223  via a set top box  229 . The control unit  203  comprises processing circuitry  205 , a memory  209 , a user interface  213  and communication interfaces  215 . The control unit  203  is communicatively coupled to the set top box  229  and the storage device  251  via the communication interfaces  215 . The set top box  229  is a part of an entertainment system  221 . The entertainment system  221  comprises the television  223  and the set top box  229 . The set top box  229  may be a Cable TV set top box, a satellite TV set top box, a PVR (Personal Video Recording) system set top box, etc. The control unit  203  interacts with the entertainment system  221  via the set top box  229 . The television  223  comprises a TV screen  225  and a communication interface  227  via which the television  223  communicates with the set top box  229 . The set top box  229  comprises STB (set top box) processing circuitry  231 , an identifier  235 , a STB (set top box) configuration  237  and communication interfaces  239 . Media sources  271  comprise a satellite channel broadcaster  273 , a cable TV broadcaster  275  and a DVD (Digital Video Disk) player  277 . The set top box  229  interacts with one of the media sources  271  or all of the media sources  271  but one at a time. The satellite channel broadcaster  273  comprises communication interface  274  via which it communicates with the set top box  229 . The cable channel broadcaster  275  comprises a communication interface  276  via which it communicates with the set top box  229 . The DVD player  277  interacts with the set top box  229  through communication interface  278 .  
         [0032]     The set top box  229  and the television  223  interact with each other over one or more of an infrared link, a radio frequency link, a Bluetooth link, a wireless LAN (local area network), a phone network, an optical fiber or any tethered wire via the communication interface  227 . The set top box  229  receives a multimedia element (e.g., a movie, a television program, etc.) from the media sources  271  and forwards the multimedia element to the television  223  for display on the TV screen  225 . The set top box may be adapted to control settings of the television  223 . The set top box  229  may have a second user interface that may be used to select the multimedia element. The television  223  may in addition have a third user interface that may be used to select the multimedia element and control settings of the television  223 . The television  223  interacts with the media sources  271  via the set top box  229 .  
         [0033]     The control unit  203  receives a user input via the user interface  213 . The user input comprises the identifier  235 . The identifier  235  may, for example, be a model number corresponding to the set top box  229 . The processing circuitry  205  of the control unit  203  determines the identity of the manufacturer of the set top box  229  using the model number. The storage device  251  stores configurations of equipments (e.g., electronic devices) manufactured by the manufacturer. For example, the storage device  251  stores at least the STB configuration  237 , a first configuration  255  and a second configuration  257 . An address of the storage device  251  is stored in the memory  209  of the control unit  203 . The control unit  203  is aware that the storage device  251  stores configurations of equipments manufactured by the manufacturer. The control unit  203 , after determining identity of the manufacturer of the set top box  229 , contacts the storage device  251  using the address. The storage device  251  may comprise a lookup table that is a mapping between an identifier and a corresponding configuration. The processing circuitry  205  of the control unit  203  reads the lookup table and determines that the STB configuration  237  corresponds to the identifier  235 . Next, the control unit  203  requests the STB configuration  237  and subsequently receives the STB configuration  237  from the storage device  251  via the communication interfaces  215 . The control unit  203  is connected to the storage device  251  via one or more of a tethered or non-tethered connection. In one embodiment, the control unit  203 , after determining identity of the manufacturer of the set top box  229 , establishes a communication link between the control unit  203  and the storage device  251  using the address and contacts the storage device  251  over the communication link using an agreed upon protocol. In some embodiments, the control unit  203  does not have the address of the storage device  251  stored in the memory  209 . In such cases, the user input received by the control unit  203  may comprise the address of the storage device  251 . The processing circuitry  205  of the control unit  203  resolves the address, and the control unit  203  communicates with the storage device  251  using the communication interfaces  215 . Next the control unit  203  receives the STB configuration  237  from the storage device  251 .  
         [0034]     In another configuration, the control unit  203  receives the identifier  235  from the set top box  229 . The above action may be preceded by a request from the control unit  203  to the set top box  229  for the identifier  235 . The control unit  203  stores the received STB configuration  237  in the memory  209 . In yet another configuration, the control unit  203  receives the STB configuration  237  from the set top box  229 . In the yet another configuration the control unit  203  might not interact with the storage device  251 .  
         [0035]     The processing circuitry  205  of the control unit  203  configures the control unit  203  using the received STB configuration  237 . The STB configuration  237  may comprise a plurality of functionalities performed by the set top box  229 . Configuring may include mapping the plurality of functionalities to the user interface  213  of the control unit  203 . For example and without limitation, the user interface  213  comprises a plurality of buttons. The processing circuitry  205  assigns each of the plurality of functionalities to a corresponding one of the plurality of buttons. The user interface  213  of the control unit  203  is now used to control the plurality of functionalities performed by the set top box  229 . The plurality of functionalities, for example and without limitation, comprises a ‘power off’ functionality, a ‘screen brightness increase’ functionality and ‘channel up’ functionality. The processing circuitry  205  assigns the ‘power off’ functionality to a first button from the plurality of buttons, the ‘screen brightness increase’ functionality to a second button from the plurality of buttons and the ‘channel up’ functionality to a third button from the plurality of buttons. If the first button of the user interface  213  is selected, then the control unit  203  sends a first control signal to the set top box  229  directing the set top box  229  to stop functioning. If the second button of the user interface  213  is selected, then the control unit  203  sends a second control signal to the set top box  229  directing the set top box  229  to actuate an increase in brightness of the TV screen  225 . If the third button of the user interface  213  is selected, then the control unit  203  sends a third control signal to the set top box  229  directing the set top box  229  to receive a next television program (channel) from the media sources  271 . Each of the media sources  271  comprises a plurality of programs, also called channels, which are numbered.  
         [0036]     Once the control unit  203  is adapted to control the set top box  229 , the user interface  213  of the control unit  203  receives a selection identifying a multimedia element available with one of the media sources  271  to be displayed on the TV screen  225 . The control unit  203  directs the set top box  229  to receive the multimedia element from the one of the media sources  271 . The set top box  229  receives the multimedia element from the one of the media sources  271  and forwards the multimedia element to the television  223  for display on the TV screen  225 . For example and without limitation, the set top box  229  is a Cable TV set top box. The multimedia element identified by the selection is a television program broadcast by the cable channel broadcaster  275 . The set top box  229  receives the television program (the multimedia element) from the cable channel broadcaster  275  (the one of the media sources  271 ) and forwards the television program to the television screen  225 . For example and without limitation, the multimedia element may comprise characteristics of a movie, a music video, a television program, a television channel, a sporting or other entertainment event, a news report, a computer game or any of a variety of recorded or live multimedia information.  
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the control unit  103  of  FIG. 1  wherein the control unit  303  further comprises a screen  305  and adapts itself to control settings of an audio player  351 . The control unit  303  comprises a screen  305 , processing circuitry  307 , a memory  309 , a user interface  315  and communication interfaces  317 . The control unit  303  receives a first user input via the user interface  315 . The first user input triggers the control unit  303  to acquire a television configuration  311 . The control unit  303  acquires the television configuration  311  via a communication link between the control unit  303  and the television  331 . The communication link may exist between the control unit  303  and the television  331  and/or may be established by the control unit  303  after receiving the first user input. The control unit  303  stores the television configuration  311  in the memory  309 . The processing circuitry  307  of the control unit  303  configures the control unit  303  to control the television  331  using the television configuration  311 . For example and without limitation, the user interface  315  of the control unit  303  comprises a plurality of buttons, and the television configuration  311  comprises a button layout image. The control unit  303  displays the button layout image on the screen  305 . The button layout image on display reveals a mapping between each of the plurality of buttons and a corresponding functionality performed by the television  331 . The processing circuitry  307  of the control unit  303  configures the control unit  303  such that each of the plurality of buttons actuates the corresponding functionality in the television  331  on selection. A typical functionality may be a ‘power off’ functionality, a ‘screen brightness increase’ functionality, a ‘next program’ functionality, etc. The button layout image educates a user to use the control unit  303  for controlling the television  331 . The mapping may comprise a correspondence between some of the plurality of buttons and a functionality, which some of the plurality of buttons actuate on selection.  
         [0038]     The control unit  303  receives a second user input via the user interface  315 . The second user input identifies a first television program to be displayed on television screen  333  and a second television program to be displayed on the screen  305  of the control unit  303 . The control unit  303  sends a signal to television  331  directing the television  331  to display the first television program on the television screen  333 . The television retrieves the first television program from media sources  371  and displays the first television program on the television screen  333 . The control unit  303  communicates with the media sources  371  and retrieves the second television program from the media sources  371 . The control unit  303  displays the second television program on the screen  305 .  
         [0039]     The control unit  303  receives a third user input via the user interface  315 . The third user input triggers the control unit  303  to retrieve an audio player configuration  313  from the audio player  351 . The control unit  303  sets up a communication link with the audio player  351 . The communication link may be, for example, a wireless link. In some configurations, a physical wired link might already exist between the control unit  303  and the audio player  351 . The setting up of the communication link may include an exchange of addresses between the control unit  303  and the audio player  351  and an agreement of communication protocol between the control unit  303  and the audio player  351 . The control unit  303  receives the audio player configuration  313  from the audio player  351  via the communication link and stores the audio player configuration  313  in the memory  309 . The audio player configuration  313  may comprise a second button layout image that reveals correspondence between buttons (the user interface  315 ) of the control unit  303  and a plurality of functionalities the buttons will actuate in the audio player  351  on selection. The control unit  303  displays the second button layout image on the screen  305 . The control unit  303  configures itself using the audio player configuration  313 . The control unit  303  is now ready to be used to control the audio player  351 . A user, who interacts with the control unit  303  visually, makes a selection using the second button layout image and inputs the selection via the buttons (the user interface  315 ) of the control unit  303 . The control unit  303  receives a fourth user input that identifies an audio element to be played on the audio player  351 . The control unit  303  sends a second signal to the audio player  351  directing the audio player  351  to retrieve the audio element from the media sources  371 . The audio player  351  receives the audio element from the media sources  371  and plays the audio element in the audio player  351 .  
         [0040]     The control unit  303  is located at a first premises, the television  331  is located at a second premises, the audio player  351  at a third premises and the media sources  371  at a fourth premises. In some embodiments the television  331  and the audio player  351  are located at the second premises. In one embodiment, after receiving the first user input the control unit  303  searches for the television configuration  311  and the audio player configuration  313  in the memory  309 . If not found, then the control unit  303  tries to retrieve the television configuration  311  and the audio player configuration  313  from the television  331  and the audio player  351  respectively. The control unit  303  adapts itself to be used as a remote controlling device for the television  331  or as a remote controlling device for the audio player  351  as per input received via the user interface  315  of the control unit  303 . In one embodiment, the control unit  303  does not store the television configuration  311  and the audio player configuration  313  in the memory  309 . The control unit  303  receives a configuration (the television configuration/the audio player configuration) as per the input and configures itself for remotely controlling corresponding media equipment (the television/the audio player).  
         [0041]      FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a control unit  403  that accesses a plurality of configurations corresponding to a plurality of media equipments  411  (or devices) and configures itself to control the plurality of media equipments  411  in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The control unit  403 , at a regular interval of time, searches for media equipments in its neighborhood. The control unit  403  tries to establish communication with the media equipments in its neighborhood. The control unit  403  may use, for example and without limitation, optical fiber, copper wire or wireless medium and communication techniques like infrared, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, UltraWideBand, GSM, CDMA, any of a variety of cellular standards, satellite communication and any of a variety of communication standards/protocols to establish communication with the media equipments  411 . The neighborhood comprises a geographical area that is accessible using the communication techniques the control unit  403  uses to establish the communication. The control unit  403  establishes communication links with a plurality of media equipments  411  that are situated in its neighborhood. The plurality of media equipments  411  comprises at least a first media equipment  413  (or device) and a second media equipment  419  (or device). The plurality of media equipments  411  may, for example and without limitation, comprise a television, an audio player, a PVR system, a DVD player, a home theater system, a video game system, etc. The plurality of media equipments  411  may be products from the same and/or different manufacturers. Each of the plurality of media equipments  411  comprises an identifier. The first media equipment  413  comprises a first identifier  415 , and the second media equipment  419  comprises a second identifier  421 . The identifier corresponding to one of the plurality of media equipments  411  may comprise identity of manufacturer, model number and registration number of the one of the media equipments  411 . The plurality of media equipments  411  may not be of the same type. The plurality of media equipments  411  might not be from the same manufacturer.  
         [0042]     The control unit  403  accesses the plurality of media equipments  411  using the established communication links to get identifiers corresponding to the plurality of media equipments  411 . The control unit  403  receives the first identifier  415  from the first media equipment  413  and receives the second identifier  421  from the second media equipment  419  and so on. The control unit  403  tries to retrieve a first configuration  445  corresponding to the first media equipment  413  and a second configuration  449  corresponding to the second media equipment  419 . In one configuration the control unit  403  is communicatively coupled to a plurality of storage devices  441 . The control unit  403  searches for the first configuration  445  and the second configuration  449  in the plurality of storage devices  441  using the first identifier  415  and the second identifier  421 . The plurality of storage devices  441  comprises at least a first storage device  443  and a second storage device  447 . The control unit  403  retrieves the first configuration  445  from the first storage device  443  and the second configuration  449  from the second storage device  447 .  
         [0043]     In another embodiment the control unit  403  is not communicatively coupled to the plurality of storage devices  441 . The first identifier  415  may comprise a first address of the first storage device  443  and the second identifier  421  may comprise a second address of the second storage device  447 . The control unit  403  sets up a first communication link between the control unit  403  and the first storage device  443  using the first address and a second communication link between the control unit  403  and the second storage device  447  using the second address. Setting up of the first communication link and the second communication link does not include establishing a physical link between the control unit  403  and the first storage device  443  and between the control unit  403  and the second storage device  447 , respectively. The setting up may comprise the control unit  403  and the first storage device  443  agreeing on a set of rules to be followed during interaction. The control unit  403  subsequently receives the first configuration  445  corresponding to the first media equipment  413  from the first storage device  443  via the first communication link and the second configuration  449  corresponding to the second media equipment  419  from the second storage device  447  via the second communication link. The control unit  403  stores the first configuration  445  and the second configuration  449  in its memory.  
         [0044]     The control unit  403  receives a first input. The first input identifies, for example, the second media equipment  419 . The control unit  403  configures itself using the second configuration  449  stored in the memory. The control unit  403  can be subsequently used to control settings and display of media elements in the second media equipment  419 . Media elements may comprise, for example and without limitation, a movie, a television program, a stored video, a live snippet, a video game, an audio portion of the television program, a radio program, etc. The control unit  403  may subsequently receive a second input where the second input identifies the first media equipment  413 . The control unit  403  configures itself using the first configuration  445  stored in the memory. The control unit  403  is now used to control settings and display of media elements in the first media equipment  413 . In another embodiment, the control unit  403  receives a search request. The search request triggers the control unit  403  to search for the media equipments in its neighborhood.  
         [0045]     Once the control unit  403  acquires a plurality of configurations (e.g., the first configuration  445 , the second configuration  449 , etc.) corresponding to the plurality of media equipments  411 , the control unit  403  can be adapted to control all of the plurality of media equipments  411 , one at a given time (or a plurality at a given time, in various alternative scenarios). If a new media equipment (or device) enters into the neighborhood, the control unit  403  tries to establish communication with the new media equipment. If the control unit  403  establishes a communication link with the new media equipment, then the control unit  403  receives a new identifier from the new media equipment. The control unit  403  next retrieves a new configuration corresponding to the new media equipment using the new identifier. The control unit  403  adapts itself to control the new media equipment using the new configuration on request.  
         [0046]      FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the control unit  403  of  FIG. 4  further supporting retrieval of the plurality of configurations from a plurality of remote storage servers that are accessible via Internet  513 . The control unit  503  comprises a screen  505 , a first communication interface  507  and a second communication interface  509 . The control unit  503  is communicatively coupled to Internet access point  511  via the first communication interface  507 . The control unit  503  communicates with a media equipment  521  via the second communication interface  509 . The control unit  503  communicates with the Internet access point  511  over a wireless link. The wireless link may comprise characteristics of IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15 and any standard or proprietary wireless protocol. The Internet access point  511  is connected to the Internet  513 , for example, via one or a combination of an Ethernet link, a microwave link, a satellite link, a cellular phone link, a landline phone link and an optical fiber link. The control unit  503  is connected to the Internet  513  via the Internet access point  511  and the first communication interface  507 . In some embodiments, the control unit  503  may be connected to the Internet access point  511  via a wired link that may be, for example, an optical fiber, an Ethernet link, a copper cable or a twisted pair.  
         [0047]     The Internet  513  is communicatively coupled to a first storage server  531 , a second storage server  533 , a third storage server  534  and a remote media server  541 . A plurality of configurations corresponding to a plurality of media equipments are stored in the first storage server  531 , the second storage server  533  and the third storage server  534 . The remote media server  541  stores a plurality of multimedia elements. The plurality of multimedia elements may be a combination of a movie, a video game, a stored video, a news portal and a radio program. The control unit  503 , the media equipment  521 , the first storage server  531 , the second storage server  533 , the third storage server  534  and the remote media server  541  are located at different premises.  
         [0048]     The control unit  503  receives an identifier corresponding to the media equipment  521  to which it is communicatively coupled. In one embodiment, the control unit  503  receives the identifier from the media equipment  521  via the second communication interface  509 . In another embodiment, the control unit  503  receives the identifier via one or more of a plurality of buttons of the control unit  503 . The plurality of buttons are at least a portion of a user interface of the control unit  503 . A user inputs a selection using the plurality of buttons. In some embodiments, the user interface may be one or more of a touchpad, a pen, a mouse and a thumbwheel. The control unit  503  searches for a configuration corresponding to the identifier (i.e., corresponding to the media equipment  521 ) in the first storage server  531 , in the second storage server  533  and in the third storage server  534 . The control unit  503  uses the identifier for searching. The control unit  503  uses the Internet access point  511  and the Internet  513  to access the first storage server  531 , the second storage server  533  and the third storage server  534 . The control unit  503  and three storage servers  531 ,  533  and  534  agree to communicate using any standard protocol such as IP (Internet protocol) or any proprietary protocol over the Internet  513 . If the control unit  503  locates the configuration in any of three storage servers  531 ,  533  and  534 , then the control unit  503  fetches the configuration.  
         [0049]     In some embodiments, the identifier comprises an IP address of the second storage server  533 . The identifier, in addition, comprises model number and make of the media equipment  521 . The control unit  503  connects to the second storage server  533  using the IP address. The second storage server  533  may comprise the configuration of another media equipment of a different model number and of a different and/or same make. The control unit  503 , using the identifier, retrieves the configuration corresponding to the media equipment  521  and downloads the configuration. In another embodiment, the second storage server  533  comprises the configuration corresponding to the media equipment  521  only.  
         [0050]     In yet another embodiment, the identifier comprises the model number and the make of the media equipment  521 . The control unit  503  has a lookup table stored in its memory. The lookup table includes names of manufacturers and corresponding IP addresses. From the lookup table the control unit  503  determines a second IP address where the configuration corresponding to the media equipment  521  is available. The control unit  503  communicates with a device identified by the second IP address and subsequently receives the configuration corresponding to the media equipment  521  from the identified device.  
         [0051]     The configuration comprises a mapping between some or all of the plurality of buttons (user interface of the control unit  503 ) of the control unit  503  and a plurality of functionalities the media equipment  521  performs. The control unit  503  configures itself using the mapping information so that the media equipment  521  performs the plurality of functionalities when the some or all of the plurality of buttons are selected. The control unit  503  displays the mapping on the screen  505 . The user, via visual interaction with the control unit  503 , learns which of the plurality of buttons performs which of the plurality of functionalities on selection. The control unit  503  and the remote media server  541  agree to communicate using any standard protocol such as IP (Internet protocol) or any proprietary protocol over the Internet  513 . The control unit  503  receives a media guide from the remote media server  541  via the Internet  513  and displays the media guide on the screen  505 . The media guide identifies a plurality of multimedia elements supplied by the remote media server  541 . The control unit  503  subsequently receives an input via the plurality of buttons (the user interface). The input identifies a first multimedia element and a second multimedia element from the plurality of multimedia elements. The Internet  513  may be communicatively coupled to media servers other than the remote media server  541 . The control unit  503  receives the first multimedia element from the media server  541  using the agreed-upon protocol via the first communication interface  507  and the Internet access point  511 . The control unit  503  forwards the first multimedia element to the media equipment  512  via the second communication interface  509 . The media equipment  512  may, for example, be a television, a computer, a PVR system or a DVD player. The media equipment  512  plays the first multimedia element. The control unit  503  receives the second multimedia element from the media server  541  using the agreed-upon protocol via the first communication interface  507  and the Internet access point  511 . The control unit  503  displays the second multimedia element on the screen  505 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the control unit  403  of  FIG. 4  wherein the plurality of media equipments are part of a plurality of entertainment systems, and the control unit  603  interacts with the plurality of entertainment systems and a media server  631  via Intranet  613 . The control unit  603  communicates to the Intranet  613  via a first communication interface  607  and Internet access point  611 . A first entertainment system  641 , a second entertainment system  643 , a third entertainment system  645 , a fourth entertainment system  647  and the media server  631  are communicatively coupled to the Intranet  613 . The control unit  603  interacts with a storage server  621  via a second communication interface  609 . The control unit  603  and the storage server  621  are located at a first premises. The media server  631  is located at a second premises. The control unit  603  comprises a screen  605 . The control unit  603  is identified by an IP address. Using the IP address, the control unit  603  may access any device communicatively coupled to the Internet  613 .  
         [0053]     The control unit  603  is communicatively coupled to Global Positioning System (GPS). The control unit  603  gets triggered to search for media equipments whenever the control unit  603  changes its location. The control unit  603  may comprise a triggering unit that directs the control unit  603  to start the searching whenever the triggering unit senses a change in location. How much change in location triggers the control unit  603  to search for the media equipments is decided by a user and/or preset by the manufacturer of the control unit  603 . The control unit  603  searches for the media equipments accessible via the Intranet  613 . The control unit  603  determines that there are four entertainment systems, namely the first entertainment system  641 , the second entertainment system  643 , the third entertainment system  645  and the fourth entertainment system  647 , accessible via the Intranet  613 . The control unit  603  finds out if there are any interaction overlays corresponding to any of the four entertainment systems stored in the storage server  621 . The control unit  603  determines that interaction overlays corresponding to the first entertainment system  641  and the second entertainment system  643  are stored in the storage server  621 . The control unit  603  does not retrieve the interaction overlays stored in the storage server  621  again. The control unit  603  receives a first interaction overlay (keys, display, user interface, a first Internet address, etc.) for the third entertainment system  645  from the third entertainment system  645  and a second interaction overlay (keys, display, user interface, a second Internet address, etc.) for the fourth entertainment system  647  from the fourth entertainment system  647 . In one embodiment the control unit  603  receives the first interaction overlay and the second interaction overlay from an Intranet server accessible via the Intranet  613 .  
         [0054]     The control unit  603  next communicates with the third entertainment system  645  using the first Internet address and communicates with the fourth entertainment system  647  using the second Internet address. The control unit  603  stores the first interaction overlay and the second interaction overlay in the storage server  621 . The control unit  603  may in addition store the first interaction overlay and the second interaction overlay in its memory. The control unit  603  displays an entertainment system guide on the screen  605 . The entertainment system guide comprises a list of entertainment systems the control unit  603  may control. The entertainment system guide reveals the identity of the four entertainment systems. In another embodiment, the control unit  603  displays the entertainment system guide on the screen  605  after receiving an entertainment system guide perusal request via its user interface. The entertainment systems may be, for example and without limitation, a media player like a DVD player, a VCD player, a radio, a television, a PVR system, a television set top box and a video game system. The user interface of the control unit  603  is typically a plurality of buttons.  
         [0055]     The control unit  603 , after displaying the entertainment system guide on the screen  605 , receives a first selection via the user interface of the control unit  603 . For example and without limitation, the first selection identifies the third entertainment system  645 . Consequently the control unit  603  retrieves the first interaction overlay from the storage server  621  via the second communication interface  609 . The control unit  603  configures itself using the first interaction overlay. The control unit  603  is now ready to be used for controlling settings and the playing of media elements on the third entertainment system  645 . The user interface of the control unit  603  receives selections, and the control unit  603  sends control signals to the third entertainment system  645  directing the third entertainment system  645  to actuate utilities as per the selections. The utilities typically include a program/track selection, audio and video settings, media storage and playback, and entertainment system power control. The third entertainment system  645  is communicatively coupled to the media server  631 . The control unit  603  may subsequently receive a second selection. The second selection identifies a first media element and the second media element available with the media server  631 . The second selection, in addition, identifies a storage request for the second media element. The third entertainment system  645  is, for example, a television. The first media element is, for example, a first movie, and the second media element is, for example, a second movie. The first movie and the second movie are available with the media server  631 . The control unit  603  sends a signal to the third entertainment system  645  directing the third entertainment system  645  to receive the first movie (the first media element) from the media server  631  and display a video portion of the first movie (the first media element) on a television screen and play an audio portion of the first movie on a television speaker. The control unit  603  receives the second movie (the second media element) from the media server  631  via the Intranet  613  and the first communication interface  607  and displays a video portion of the second movie (the second media element) on the screen  605 . The control unit  603 , in addition, forwards the second movie (the second media element) to the storage server  621  via the second communication interface  609 . The storage server  621  stores the second movie.  
         [0056]     The control unit  603  may subsequently receive a third selection. The third selection identifies a media-swapping request. The control unit  603  directs the third entertainment system  645  to receive the second movie (the second media element) from the media server  631  and display a video portion of the second movie (the second media element) on the television screen and play an audio portion of the second movie on the television speaker. The control unit  603  receives the first movie (the first media element) from the media server  631  via the Intranet  613  and displays a video portion of the first movie (the first media element) on the screen  605 .  
         [0057]     The control unit  603  receives a fourth selection. The fourth selection triggers the control unit  603  to configure itself using the second interaction overlay such that the control unit  603  now controls the fourth entertainment system  647 . The user interface of the control unit  603  has a fixed number of buttons. To control settings of the fourth entertainment system  647 , more buttons may be needed. The second interaction overlay comprises a mapping between a combination of two or more buttons of the control unit  603  and a corresponding functionality of the fourth entertainment system  647  so that all of functionalities of the fourth entertainment system  647  are actuated by selecting only one or a combination of buttons of the control unit  603 . In some embodiments, to control settings of the fourth entertainment system  647 , fewer buttons may be needed. The second interaction overlay in the some embodiments does not comprise any mapping from a few of the buttons of the control unit  603  so that the few of the buttons of the control unit  603  remain unused when the control unit  603  is used for controlling settings of the fourth entertainment system  647 .  
         [0058]     The control unit  603  changes its location and reaches a new location after an interval of time. The control unit  603  gets triggered to search for media equipments in the new location. The control unit  603  might not remain communicatively coupled to the Intranet  613  in the new location. The control unit  603  accesses a second Intranet and discovers a new set of entertainment systems communicatively coupled to the second Intranet.  
         [0059]      FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram illustrating yet another embodiment of the control unit  403  of  FIG. 4  further supporting interaction with a plurality of media sources and transcoding functionality in the control unit. The control unit  703  comprises a CU (control unit) screen  705 , processing circuitry  707 , a memory  709 , a user interface  711 , a first transcoding unit  713  and communication interfaces  715 . An entertainment system  731  comprises an ES (entertainment system) screen  733 , an ES speaker  735 , a user interface  737 , a second transcoding unit  739 , media control circuitry  741  and communication interfaces  743 . The entertainment system  731  interacts with media sources  751 . The media sources  751  comprise a first media source  761 , a second media source  771  and a third media source  781 . The entertainment system  731  interacts with the first media source  761 , the second media source  771  and the third media source  781  via the communication interfaces  743 . The control unit  703  acquires interaction information corresponding to the entertainment system  731 . The interaction information may comprise an address of the entertainment system  731 , information regarding the user interface  737  of the entertainment system  731  and information regarding the ES screen  733 . The processing circuitry  707  of the control unit  703  configures the user interface  711  of the control unit  703  using the interaction information such that the user interface  711  of the control unit  703  controls and actuates functionalities identical to functionalities controlled and actuated by the user interface  737  of the entertainment system  731 . The control unit  703  is located at a first premises, and the entertainment system  731  is located at a second premises. The control unit  703  is used to control settings and display of media elements on the entertainment system  731  remotely. The media elements are typically a movie, a television program, a news feed, a video game, web content, a live snippet and a stored video.  
         [0060]     Once the control unit  703  is ready to be used as a remote control for the entertainment system  731 , the control unit  703  communicates with the entertainment system  731  using the address of the entertainment system  731  through the communication interfaces  715 . The control unit  703  communicates with the entertainment system  731  typically via one or a combination of an optical fiber, a copper cable, an IEEE 802.11 link, an IEEE 802.15 link, a cellular network, a phone network, an infrared link, a satellite link, etc. The control unit  703  looks for availability of communication links between the control unit  703  and the first media source  761 , the second media source  771  and the third media source  781 . The control unit  703 , for example and without limitation, finds a first communication link between the control unit  703  and the first media source  761  and a second communication link between the control unit  703  and the third media source  781 . The first communication link and/or the second communication link may be a direct link between the control unit  703  and corresponding media source or an indirect link that goes via some other devices such as a set top box or a media server. The control unit  703  communicates with the first media source  761  over the first link and communicates with the third media source  781  over the second link.  
         [0061]     The control unit  703  receives a media guide perusal selection via the user interface  711 . The control unit  703  receives a first media guide from the first media source  761 . The control unit  703  displays the first media guide on the CU screen  705 . The control unit  703 , in addition, receives a second media guide from the third media source  781  and displays the second media guide on the CU screen  705 . The first media guide and the second media guide identify a first plurality of media elements available with the first media source  761  and a second plurality of media elements available with the third media source  781 , respectively. The control unit  703  may subsequently receive a media selection via the user interface  711  from a user who interacts with the control unit  703  visually. The media selection, for example and without limitation, identifies a first media element from among the first plurality of media elements for the entertainment system  731  and a second media element from among the second plurality of media elements for the control unit  703 . The control unit  703  sends a signal to the entertainment system  731  directing it to receive the first media element from the first media source  761 . The entertainment system  731  consequently receives the first media element from the first media source  761  via the communication interfaces  743 . The entertainment system  731  plays an audio portion of the first media element in the ES speaker  735  and displays a video portion of the first media element on the ES screen  733 .  
         [0062]     The control unit  703  receives the second media element from the third media source  781  via the communication interfaces  715 . A video portion of the second media element is, for example and without limitation, in HDTV (High Definition Television) format while the CU screen  705  supports QVGA (Quarter Video Graphics Array) format. The communication interface  715  of the control unit  703  forwards the second media element to the first transcoding unit  713 . The first transcoding unit  713  converts the video portion of the second media element from HDTV format to QVGA format and forwards the formatted video portion of the second media element to the CU screen  705  for display. For example, the video portion of the first media element is in VGA (Video Graphics Array) format while the ES screen  733  supports HDTV format. The first media source  761  comprises a transcoding unit  765 . The transcoding unit  765  of the first media source  761  converts the video portion of the first media element from VGA format to HDTV format before sending the first media element to the entertainment system  731 . The entertainment system  731  receives the first media element with the video portion in HDTV format, a format that is supported by the ES screen  733 . In one embodiment, the entertainment system  731  receives the video portion of the first media element in VGA format and passes the first media element through the second transcoding unit  739 . The second transcoding unit  739  converts the video portion of the first media element from VGA format to HDTV format and forwards the video portion to the ES screen  733  for display.  
         [0063]     In some embodiments, the entertainment system  731  is not communicatively coupled to the first media source  761 , the second media source  771  and the third media source  781  a priori. The control unit  703 , after adapting itself to control the entertainment system  731 , looks for availability of communication links between the entertainment system  731  and the first media source  761 , the second media source  771  and the third media source  781 . The control unit  703 , for example and without limitation, finds a third communication link between the entertainment system  731  and the first media source  761  and a fourth communication link between the entertainment system  731  and the second media source  771 . The control unit  703  receives a selection via the user interface  711 . The selection identifies a third media element stored in the first media source  761 . The selection, in addition, identifies the entertainment system  731 . The control unit  703  triggers the entertainment system  731  to receive the third media element from the first media source  761  via the third communication link. In another embodiment, the entertainment system  731  receives the third media element from the first media source  761  via the control unit  703  on unavailability of a direct communication path between the entertainment system  731  and the first media source  761 .  
         [0064]      FIG. 8  is a schematic block diagram illustrating interaction between a control unit  803 , a plurality of media players  841 , a transcoding unit  811 , a plurality of multimedia sources  821  and communication pathways  813 . The control unit  803  comprises a user interface. The user interface may be one or a combination of a plurality of buttons, a touchpad, a thumbwheel, a voice based interface, a pen based interface, a mouse, etc. The control unit  803  adapts to support media players in its neighborhood. Protocols, standards and/or communication media the control unit  803  uses to interact with the media players  841  may determine the neighborhood. For example, when the control unit  803  is placed in a bedroom, the control unit  803  adapts to support media players in the bedroom. Location of the control unit  803  is monitored by a GPS system. When the control unit  803  changes its location, the control unit  803  is directed by the GPS system to search for media players in its neighborhood. The control unit  803  subsequently discovers the media players in its neighborhood and determines communication pathways  813  between the discovered media players and the control unit. The communication pathways  813  may comprise characteristics of an Intranet link  815 , an Internet link  816  and a phone link  817 . For example and without limitation, the control unit  803  is in the bedroom, and the control unit  803  discovers the following media players, a personal computer  844 , a television  853  and a DVD player  864 . The control unit  803  subsequently communicates with the discovered media players (the personal computer  844 , the television  853  and the DVD player  864 ) using the communication pathway  813  and receives identifiers from the discovered media players. The identifiers may comprise registration numbers, model numbers, name and/or codes corresponding to manufacturers of the discovered media players and addresses where user interface information corresponding to the discovered media players is available.  
         [0065]     In some embodiments the control unit  803  periodically searches for media players in its neighborhood. A time interval between two consecutive searches may be set using the user interface of the control unit  803 . The control unit  803  stores the identifiers corresponding to the discovered media players in a local storage system  833 . The control unit  803  and the local storage system  833  are located at the same premises. The control unit  803  may comprise the local storage system  833 . After a time span, the control unit  803  performs a second search for media players. There may be few media players common to the two consecutive searches. In yet other embodiments, the control unit  803  is triggered manually to search for media players in its neighborhood. For example and without limitation, an audio player  873  is kept inside the bedroom after the control unit  803  has discovered the personal computer  844 , the television  853  and the DVD player  864 . The GPS system does not trigger the control unit  803  to search for audio player  873 , as location of the control unit  803  has not changed. A manual triggering of the control unit  803  helps the control unit  803  to discover the audio player  873  in the bedroom.  
         [0066]     Once the control unit  803  receives the identifiers corresponding to the discovered media elements (the personal computer  844 , the television  853 , the DVD player  864  and the audio player  873 ), the control unit  803  retrieves the user interface information corresponding to the discovered media elements from the addresses identified by the identifiers. The control unit  803  configures itself using the user interface information. For example, the control unit  803  retrieves first user interface information corresponding to the personal computer  844 , second user interface information corresponding to the television  853 , third user interface information corresponding to the DVD player  864  and fourth user interface information corresponding to the audio player  873 . The control unit  803  stores the first user interface information, the second user interface information, the third user interface information and the fourth user interface information in the local storage system  833 .  
         [0067]     The first, the second, the third and/or the fourth user interface information may comprise a visual representation of button (user interface) response functionality. Such user interface information helps if the control unit  803  comprises a screen and the user interface of the control unit  803  comprises a plurality of buttons. The control unit  803  configures itself using the user interface information. The control unit  803  displays the visual representation of button response functionality on the screen of the control unit  803 , and a user controls functionalities and/or settings of the personal computer  844 , the television  853 , the DVD player  864  and/or the audio player  873  by visually interacting with the screen of the control unit  803 .  
         [0068]     In few embodiments, the control unit  803  does not comprise a screen, and the user interface of the control unit  803  comprises the plurality of buttons. The plurality of buttons typically comprise for example and without limitation, an ‘up’ button, a ‘down’ button, an ‘increase volume’ button, etc. The control unit  803  configures itself using the first user interface information. The control unit  803  is now ready to control settings of the personal computer  844 . If the ‘up’ button is selected, the control unit  803  directs the personal computer  844  to open and display a next media file on a PC screen  845 . Suppose the control unit  803  configures itself using the second user interface information. The control unit  803  is now ready to control settings of the television  853 . If the ‘up’ button is selected, the control unit  803  directs the television  853  to receive a next channel from a television broadcaster and display the next channel on a screen  854  of the television  853 .  
         [0069]     The user interface information may comprise an image that displays a plurality of icons where each of the plurality of icons corresponds to a different functionality. Such user interface information helps if the control unit  803  comprises a touch screen. The control unit displays the image on the touch screen. The user enters a selection by touching the touch screen at an icon location. The control unit  803  instructs the personal computer  844 , the television  853 , the DVD player  864  and/or the audio player  873  to perform a functionality corresponding to the selected icon.  
         [0070]     The control unit  803  retrieves the first user interface information, the second user interface information, the third user interface information and the fourth user interface information from corresponding media players after a first search. The control unit  803  may retrieve more than four sets of user interface information from a storage server  834 . The control unit  803  is located at a first premises, and the storage server  834  is located at a second premises. If, during a second search, the control unit  803  comes across a media player already discovered in the first search, then the control unit  803  does not retrieve user interface information corresponding to the media player after the second search.  
         [0071]     For example and without limitation, the control unit  803  configures itself using the second user interface information corresponding to the television  853 . The control unit  803  next receives a media storage selection via the user interface of the control unit  803 . The media storage selection identifies a program (media element) broadcast by a television broadcaster and a PVR (Personal Video Recorder)  857 . The control unit  803  sends control signal to the television  853  directing the television  853  to receive the program (media element) from the television broadcaster and store the program in the PVR  857 . The control unit  803  also receives the program from the television broadcaster and displays a video portion of the program on the screen of the control unit  803 . The media storage selection may be preceded by a plurality of media selections wherein each of the plurality of media selections identifies a different program broadcast by the television broadcaster. The control unit  803  receives and displays a video portion of each of the different programs on the screen of the control unit  803 .  
         [0072]     The control unit  803  receives the user interface information. The control unit  803  may adapt itself to control the personal computer  844 , the television  853 , the DVD player  864  and the audio player  873 , one at a time. The control unit  803 , via the communication pathway  813 , interacts with all of multimedia sources  821 . In yet another embodiment the control unit  803  stores a media guide in the local storage system  833 . The media guide identifies a plurality of media elements available with the multimedia sources  821 . When the control unit  803  changes location, the control unit  803  might not remain communicatively coupled to the all of the multimedia sources  821 . The control unit  803  might remain communicatively coupled to some of the multimedia sources  821  due to a change in location. Content of the media guide consequently changes.  
         [0073]      FIG. 9  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the control unit  803  of  FIG. 8  wherein the control unit  901  comprises a screen  903  that is touch sensitive, the screen  903  displaying user interface information corresponding to the plurality of media players  841  one at a time. The control unit  901  receives a plurality of identifiers corresponding to the plurality of media players  841  from the plurality of media players  841 . The control unit  901  receives a plurality of user interface information corresponding to the plurality of media players  841  using the plurality of identifiers. The control unit  901  stores the plurality of user interface information. The control unit  901  comprises a plurality of buttons  905 . The plurality of buttons  905  and the touch sensitive screen  903  are the user interface of the control unit  903 .  
         [0074]     A first user interface information (or unit of user interface information) corresponds to one of the plurality of media players  841 . The first user interface information comprises an image of a plurality of icons where each of the plurality of icons corresponds to a different functionality from a first plurality of functionalities performed by the one of the plurality of media players  841 . The plurality of icons thus refer to the first plurality of functionalities. The image, in addition, comprises a mapping between the plurality of buttons  905  and a second plurality of functionalities performed by the one of the plurality of media players  841 . The plurality of buttons  905  thus refer to the second plurality of functionalities. The control unit  901  displays the image on the screen  903 . A user, via visual interaction, sees a correspondence between the user interface of the control unit  901  and the first and the second plurality of functionalities. The user may, for example, select a functionality (or function) by touching the screen  903  at a location where an icon corresponding to the functionality is displayed. The control unit  901  responds to the selection by generating and sending a control signal that directs the one of the plurality of media players  841  to execute the functionality.  
         [0075]     For example and the without limitation, the first user interface information corresponds to an audio player (media player). The control unit  901  displays the user interface information of the audio player on the screen  903 . The user interface information comprises an icon showing a ‘speaker’. The user selects the ‘speaker’ icon by touching the screen  903  at a location where the ‘speaker’ icon is displayed on the screen  903 . The user next selects a button corresponding to an ‘increase’ functionality from the plurality of buttons  905 . The control unit  901  sends a control signal to the audio player directing the audio player to increase volume of the speaker of the audio player. Consequently the audio player increases the volume of the speaker.  
         [0076]     As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the term “communicatively coupled,” as may be used herein, includes wireless and wired, direct coupling and indirect coupling via another component, element, circuit, or module. As one of average skill in the art will also appreciate, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes wireless and wired, direct and indirect coupling between two elements in the same manner as “communicatively coupled.” 
         [0077]     The present invention has also been described above with the aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.  
         [0078]     The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the performance of certain significant functions. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.  
         [0079]     One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.  
         [0080]     Moreover, although described in detail for purposes of clarity and understanding by way of the aforementioned embodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It will be obvious to one of average skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit and scope of the invention, as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 5