1. A non-transitory, computer readable media having instructions for configuring a portable controlling device to control functional operations of one of a first controllable appliance located in a first environment and a second controllable appliance located in a second environment, the instructions, when executed by the portable controlling device, performing steps comprising: causing a first location definition for the first environment to be stored in a memory of the portable controlling device in association with a first identifying characteristic that is indicative of a signal that is transmitted from a first device within the first environment, the first location definition specifying a first command code set and a first user interface, displayable in a display of the portable controlling device, having a first set of user interface elements which are activable to cause the portable controlling device to use the first command code set to transmit commands for controlling functional operations of the first controllable appliance; causing a second location definition for the second environment to be stored in the memory of the portable controlling device in association with a second identifying characteristic that is indicative of a signal that is transmitted from a second device within the second environment, the second location definition specifying a second command code set and a second user interface, displayable in the display of the portable controlling device, having a second set of user interface elements which are activable to cause the portable controlling device to use the second command code set to transmit commands for controlling functional operations of the second controllable appliance; determining if a signal received by the portable controlling device while in an operating mode of the portable controlling device has the first identifying characteristic or the second identifying characteristic; and when it is determined that the received signal has the first identifying characteristic causing the portable controlling device to configure itself using the first location definition and, when it is determined that the received signal has the second identifying characteristic causing the portable controlling device to configure itself with the second location definition whereupon the portable controlling device will be configured with a corresponding one of the first user interface and the second user interface and to transmit signals using a corresponding one of the first command code set and the second command code set to control functional operations of a corresponding one of the first controllable appliance located in the first environment and the second controllable appliance located in a second environment.