A dynamically adaptable
remote control and status
system comprising a
server computer comprising interface means for
interfacing via a
computer network with a remotely located
client computer; at least one device interface adapted to provide control signals to and receive status signals from a remotely controllable device coupled thereto;
processing means adapted to execute a core
processing program comprising a communications node for allowing a
client computer to connect to the core
processing program via the interface means; an
XML data store for storing and managing an object
list of all objects in the
system, wherein creation of new objects and modification or destruction of existing objects is broadcast to a
client computer connected to the
server computer; and a
web server program adapted to serve web pages to a remotely located
web browser program operating on a client computer, for operating in conjunction with the device interface to allow
remote control of a remotely controllable device coupled to the device interface; and a client computer operating a
web browser for retrieving a
web page served by the
web server program over a network and for displaying the retrieved
web page to a user, the
web page displaying a plurality of icons to a user, said icons associated with at least one remotely controllable device coupled to the device interface, wherein selection of an icon from said web page causes a
control signal to be sent via the device interface to the remotely controllable device associated with the selected icon, the
control signal effecting a desired change in operation of said remotely controllable device.