Method for controlling network devices via a MMI

1. A method for controlling network devices via a home network, the network devices being connected to said home network via different protocol standards, comprising:

displaying generated icons of the network devices having a plurality of functions regarding a reproducing and/or recording of an audio/video signal, icons of a plurality of services provided by each device grouped according to the type of services provided, and menus including the functions which are operable with the associated network device or service;

at least partially displaying the generated icons with a hierarchical structure so as to show a relationship of network connections of the network devices in the home network;

receiving a selection of a network device or a service by a user selecting one of the displayed icons;

selectively displaying the menu of a selected network device or service, the menu including the functions which are operable with the selected network device or service;

receiving a selection of a function in the selectively displayed menu; and

controlling the network device or service to execute the selected function based on a respective one of the protocol standards,

wherein the execution of the selected function results in a data stream of an audio/video signal stored in a providing network device being sent from the providing network device to the selected network device or to a device capable of receiving said data stream via the home network.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said network devices include all compatible devices that are connected to the home network.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said home network, further includes one or more sub-networks integrated into said home network via a bridge.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein at least partially displaying the icons with a hierarchical structure further includes organizing the icons according to the kind of sub-networks connected to said network.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the selected function in the displayed menu is a “send to” function.

6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising selecting a providing network device.

7. The method according to claim 6 , further comprising selecting an audio/video signal stored on the selected providing network device.

8. A controller including a man-machine interface for controlling network devices vi a home network, the network devices being connected to said home network via different protocol standards, comprising:

means for displaying generated icons of the network devices having a plurality of functions regarding a reproducing and/or recording of an audio/video signal, icons of a plurality of services provided by each device according to the type of services provided, and menus including the functions which are operable with the associated network device;

means for at least partially displaying the generated icons with a hierarchical structure so as to show a relationship of network connections of the network devices in the home network;

means for receiving a selection of a network device or service by a user selecting one of the displayed icons;

means for selectively displaying the menu of a selected network device or service, the menu including the functions which are operable with the selected network device or service;

means for receiving a selection of a function in the selectively displayed menu; and

means for controlling the network device or service to execute the selected function based on a respective one of the protocol standards,

wherein the execution of the selected function results in a data stream of an audio/video signal stored in a providing network device being sent from the providing network device to the selected network device or to a device capable of receiving said data stream via the home network.

9. The controller according to claim 8 , wherein said network devices include all compatible devices that are connected to the home network.

10. The controller according to claim 8 , wherein said home network, further includes one or more sub-networks integrated into said home network via a bridge.

11. The controller according to claim 10 , wherein means for at least partially displaying the icons with a hierarchical structure further includes means for organizing the icons according to the kind of sub-networks connected to said network.

12. The controller according to claim 8 , wherein the selected function in the displayed menu is a “send to” function.

13. The controller according to claim 8 , further comprising means for selecting a providing network device.

14. The controller according to claim 13 , further comprising means for selecting an audio/video signal stored on the selected providing network device.

15. A computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code stored thereon for causing a computer to provide a man-machine interface for controlling network devices via a home network, the network devices being connected to said home network via different protocol standards, the computer readable medium comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

displaying generated icons of the network devices having a plurality of functions regarding a reproducing and/or recording of an audio/video signal, icons of a plurality of services provided by each device according to the type of services provided, and menus including the functions which are operable with the associated network device or service;

at least partially display the generated icons with a hierarchical structure so as to show a relationship of network connections of the network devices in the home network;

receive a selection of a network device or service by a user selecting one of the displayed icons;

selectively display the menu of a selected network device or service, the menu including the functions which are operable with the selected network device or service;

receive a selection of a function in the selectively displayed menu; and

control the network device or service to execute the selected function based on a respective one of the protocol standards,

wherein the execution of the selected function results in a data stream of an audio/video signal stored in a providing network device being sent from the providing network device to the selected network device or to a device capable of receiving said data stream via the home network.