System and methods for interacting with a control environment

A computer-readable media embodied in a non-transient, physical memory device having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for providing an alterable user interface comprised of a user interface page having a plurality of user interface elements displayed on a touch screen display of a portable electronic device, the instructions performing steps comprising:

• defining within the touch screen display of the portable electronic device a first area for accepting user input indicating a desire to modify a first interface characteristic of the user interface page displayed on the touch screen display;
• accepting user input via the first area of the touch screen display, the user input being a motion made across a surface of the touch screen display for indicating a desire to modify a first interface characteristic of the user interface page displayed on the touch screen display;
• and
• in response to the user input, causing the first interface characteristic of the user interface page displayed on the touch screen display to be modified such that a first interface state of a plurality of interface states for the user interface page is displayed on the touch screen display;
• wherein each of the plurality of interface states for the user interface page displayed on the touch screen display comprises a unique subset of the plurality of user interface elements;
• wherein the first area of the touch screen display defines a region of the touch screen display comprising a middle portion, a first end portion and a second end portion;
• and wherein user input on the first area of the touch screen display from the first end portion to the middle portion causes the first interface characteristic of the user interface page displayed on the touch screen display to be modified such that the first interface state of the plurality of interface states for the user interface page is displayed on the touch screen display, and user input on the first area from the middle portion to the second end portion causes the first interface characteristic of the user interface page displayed on the touch screen display to be modified such that a second interface state of the plurality of interface states for the user interface page is displayed on the touch screen display.