Patent ID: 7962130

Claim:
A convergence and automation system, comprising: an Internet Protocol (IP) based network; a plurality of devices connected to the network, each device being configured to perform at least one of a plurality of services; a server connected to the network and configured to control the devices to converge and automate the plurality of services thereof according to a Web Services for Devices (WSD) protocol; and a portable device connected to the network and configured to control at least one of the plurality of devices and perform at least one of the plurality of services, wherein the server is further configured to collect information necessary for controlling the at least one of the plurality of devices and provides the collected information to the portable device, wherein the WSD protocol comprises: a first communication layer configured to logically interface the portable device; a second communication layer configured to physically interface the plurality of devices; and a service provider layer comprising one or more components provided corresponding to one or more device categories, respectively, each component including at least one of the plurality of devices of the same device category, wherein each component comprises: one or more Web Services provided corresponding to one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category, respectively, each Web Service configured to function as a Web Service host for the corresponding device; one or more device bridges provided corresponding to the one or more Web Services, respectively, each device bridge configured to translate communication between the corresponding Web Service and device; and a controller configured to communicate with the one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category, and wherein the portable device comprises a dual core-based chipset and the server is implemented with Windows sideshow to provide the collected information to the portable device.