Abstract: A method for transmitting command and control information between at least two nodes of an IEEE 1394 based home entertainment network, includes dynamically generating a node navigation tree, transmitting the node navigation tree to a video display unit, receiving a node navigation input identifying a particular node in the node navigation tree, modifying a subset of the node navigation tree based on the node navigation input, transmitting the modified subset of the node navigation tree to the video display unit, generating a node function list including one or more functions pertaining to the identified node, transmitting the node function list to the video display unit, receiving a node function input corresponding to a particular node function in the node function list, and transmitting a command to the identified node based on the node function input.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a gateway device comprises a central processing unit, an external network interface, an internal network interface, and a positioning unit each coupled to the central processing unit. The gateway device further comprises a persistent memory, also coupled to the central processing unit, wherein the persistent memory is configured to store statistical data pertaining to content received through the external network interface as well as geographic location information. The gateway device is configured to collecting statistical geographic location information.

Abstract: A method for formatting and routing data between an external network and an internal IEEE 1394 network is provided. The method comprises receiving a data packet at a gateway device, separating data information from the data packet, reformatting the separated data information from a first digital format into a second digital format, selecting a transmission mode for communicating the data information in the second digital format to a particular node residing on the internal network, preparing a portion of the data information in the second digital format for transmission in the selected transmission mode, and transmitting the portion of the data information in the second digital format to the particular node via the selected transmission mode.

Abstract: A method is provided for remote monitoring and control of device (nodes) in a network system including a gateway device bridging the network system to an external network, wherein the method comprises: maintaining an address mapping table within the network system, the address mapping table comprising a node unique identifier column and node attribute information, receiving an input data packet from the external network at the gateway device, parsing the input data packet into an output request and input data, mapping the input data to a particular node on an internal network connected to the gateway device, transmitting the input data to the particular node, receiving a response from the particular node, generating an output data packet comprising the response from the particular node, and forwarding the output data packet to the external network.

Abstract: A method for address mapping in a home entertainment network system includes receiving a self identification packet; extracting a bus identifier and a physical identifier from the self identification packet; adding a new row to an address mapping table, the new row comprising a bus identifier field, a physical identifier field, and a node unique identifier field; inserting the physical identifier and bus identifier into the respective bus identifier and physical identifier field in the new row of the address mapping table; transmitting a read request packet to a node identified by the self identification packet; receiving a read response packet, the read response packet comprising a node unique identifier; extracting one or more identifiers from the read response packet, the one or more identifiers including a node unique identifier; and inserting the one or more identifiers into additional fields in the new row of the address mapping table.