Systems and methods for operating an appliance control device for controlling the operation of a variety of appliances are provided. The appliance control device may acquire a list identifying one or more functions executable by an appliance. The list may further identify a corresponding protocol corresponding to each function included in the list. The appliance control device may transmit a request to the appliance for execution of a desired function selected from the list using a specified protocol selected based on the corresponding protocol corresponding to the desired function. In turn, the appliance may transmit the list to the appliance control device upon request. Further, the appliance may also receive the request to execute the desired function in accordance with the selected specified protocol, and execute the desired function in response to the request.