Method and system for defining and discovering proxy functionality on a distributed audio video network

A method of communicating between a plurality of consumer electronic media devices, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) establishing a first consumer electronic media device as a proxy device for a second consumer electronic media device of said plurality of consumer electronic media devices, wherein said plurality of consumer electronic media devices are coupled together as a network by an IEEE 1394 bus, wherein step a) comprises the step of storing a data structure in memory of said first consumer electronic media device, wherein said data structure defines proxy services that said first consumer electronic media device performs for said second consumer electronic media device;
• b) transmitting a signal to said first consumer electronic media device indicating a particular proxy service to be performed;
• c) said first consumer electronic media device receiving said signal;
• d) in response to receiving said signal, said first consumer electronic media device performing said particular proxy service for said second consumer electronic media device;
• and
• e) said first consumer electronic media device transmitting resultant information to said second consumer electronic media device, said resultant information identified in said signal.

A communication network comprising:

• a plurality of consumer electronic media devices;
• an IEEE 1394 communication bus coupled to each of said plurality of consumer electronic media devices;
• and
• a data structure stored within a memory space of a first consumer electronic media device, said data structure containing information defining proxy services to be performed by said first consumer electronic media device for a second consumer electronic media device, said proxy services for causing said first consumer electronic media device to perform a selected proxy service for said second consumer electronic media device in response to signals received over said IEEE 1394 communication bus that indicate said selected proxy service to be performed.