1. A method of controlling a remote device with a local display device, said local display device coupled to a communication network, said method comprising: receiving in said local display device information including a user interface object used to define a user interface on said local display device and a device driver object used to control said remote device from said local display device; accessing a database to obtain a control code for said remote device; displaying a portal object corresponding to the received user interface object on said local display device, wherein the portal object corresponds to at least one object oriented method; displaying on said local display device a view corresponding to the user interface object for said remote device when said user selects said portal object; and transmitting said control code to said remote device based on the received device driver object.