Method and apparatus for universally accessible command and control information in a network

Abstract

A method and system for performing a service on a home network, by: connecting a first and a second home device to the home network; providing a database including a plurality of application interface description data objects, where each application interface description data object includes information in a structured format for commanding and controlling of a home device by one or more other home devices connected to the network; the second home device accessing a first application interface description object for the first home device in the database; the first home device accessing a second application interface description object for the second home device in the database; sending control and command data from the first home device to the second home device utilizing the second application interface description object over the network; and sending control and command data from the second home device to the first home device utilizing the first application interface description object over the network. Whereby, the first and second home devices perform said service.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A method for performing a service on a network, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) querying a device to obtain application interface description data when the device is connected to the network, wherein the application interface description data includes information for commanding and controlling of the device by another device connected to the network;    (b) storing the obtained application interface description data in a database; and;    (c) providing an application interface description of a first device from the database to a second device, wherein the second devices interacts with that first device utilizing said application interface description of the first device for command and control.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein at least one application interface description data includes XML format.  
   
   
       20 . In a network system for providing a service, a controller comprising an agent that: (a) queries a device to obtain application interface description data when the device is connected to the network, such that the application interface description data includes information for commanding and controlling of the device by another device connected to the network, (b) stores the obtained application interface description data in a database, and (c) makes accessible to a first device an application interface description of a second device from the database wherein the first device interacts with the second device utilizing said application interface description of the second device for command and control.  
   
   
       21 . The controller of  claim 20 , wherein at least one application interface description data includes XML format.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein step (c) further comprises the steps of the first device accessing an application interface description for another device in the database and sending control and command data to that other device utilizing said application interface description.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the first device accesses an application interface description for another device in the database and sends control and command data to that other device utilizing said application interface description.