Patent ID: 7496627

Claim:
A convergence and automation system, comprising: an Internet-protocol (IP) based network; and hardware implemented with a web service for devices (WSD) protocol, said hardware comprising: a plurality of devices connected to the network, each device being configured to perform at least one service; and a server connected to the network and configured to control the plurality of devices to converge and automate the at least one service; said hardware being configured to establish communication among the server and the plurality of devices and perform a logging function to record an event and an error occurring in the convergence and automation system, wherein said logging function comprises generating a message describing the event and error occurring in the convergence and automation system, wherein said message comprises: a trace message describing the event; and an error message describing the error, wherein said error message comprises: a configuration error message comprising a record of an error related to a setting or a triggering of at least one of the plurality of devices; a network error message comprising a record of an error related to a communicate failure between the hardware and the software; a missing system file message comprising a record of an error related to a missing file; and a scripting/scheduling error message comprising a record of an error related to a script or a scheduling of the script.