An apparatus and method for controlling a plurality of electronic devices, such as consumer electronic devices, or the like, via a digital bus. In particular, the present invention provides for improved interoperability of such devices over the digital bus. In one embodiment, the present invention transfers identifying information from a peripheral device to a display device during a discovery mode for providing a device selection screen having a plurality of device icons displayed thereon. The device icons are generated by the display, or controlling device, in response to identifying information, such as keywords stored in a configuration ROM of the peripheral device.