1. A method for configuring a universal controlling device to enable the universal controlling device to communicate commands to one or more target appliances, comprising: receiving identification data that specifies at least a brand and type of at least one appliance at a system having an associated database of original equipment remote control images that have been cross-referenced to configuration information for a respective plurality of appliances; using the system to discern one or more images from the associated database as being a match for the received identification data; displaying the one or more images from the associated database that were discerned as being a match for the received identification data; allowing for the selection of one or more of the displayed plurality of images; and using at least a subset of the configuration information that has been cross-referenced to the selected one or more of the displayed plurality of images to enable the universal controlling device to communicate commands to the one or more target appliances.