Abstract: A method of representing user tasks to be performed by one or more of a plurality of electronic devices in a task orchestration system. Each device includes therein a function description specifying a function that the device can perform. The function descriptions are obtained from one or more of the devices, task descriptions that describe device functionalities required for certain tasks are obtained, and task suggestion are generated based on the obtained device function descriptions and task descriptions. Each task suggestion represents a user task as an abstraction of on or more of the obtained device descriptions and task descriptions. The tasks suggestion are displayed on a display for the user to select from, wherein the user selected task suggestion is to be performed by orchestration (automation) of one or more of the devices based on task descriptions that use device functionalities described in the device function descriptions.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a remote user interface (UI) client is provided, the method comprising: establishing a first connection with a UI server; receiving a document over the first connection; closing the first connection; running the document, wherein the document contains first instructions on how to operate a user interface and second instructions on establishing a persistent connection with the UI server; and establishing a second connection with the UI server based on the second instructions.

Abstract: A system and method in a network of devices, which ascertains the user's context to suggest the most preferred task for the user to perform. User's context includes his/her location, the content he/she is interested in, the devices which are being used by him/her, and the devices and content allowed to be used by the user. Using this context, the system suggests tasks to the user that are appropriate to that context. The determination of context and the suggestion of tasks are performed by keeping track of the content and the devices available to the user at any given time. The suggestion of tasks is performed in accordance with certain policies. For example, the user can control the behavior of the system by changing the rules in the policy. Tasks are in the form of simple sentences that can be easily understood by the user. If, based on certain context, more than one task is possible, the system suggests the task with the highest priority to the user.

Abstract: A method and system for generating location information for a network space is provided. Generating location information for a network space involves maintaining location profiles for spaces familiar to a client device, and performing location detection for the client device in a current space utilizing a signature of the current space and the location profiles. Location detection for the client device in a current space can also be performed utilizing information indicating the probable presence of familiar resources in the current space.

Abstract: A method and system for access to information using search engines is provided. A search engine is selected for executing a query based on search engine characteristic information and the query. The characteristic information for each search engine includes information representing searching capabilities of each search engine. Selecting a search engine further involves determining a similarity between the query and the characteristic information for each search engine, and selecting a search engine based on the similarities such that a search engine with the highest similarity may be selected for executing the query and returning search results.

Abstract: A method and system that enable an automatic invocation of device functionalities on devices in a network. Invocation mechanisms are provided to support heterogeneous invocation mechanisms including new invocation mechanisms. Invocation mechanisms using scripts can be added without the need for recompilation of support systems such as home-networking middleware systems. This further enables the use of scripts that can coordinate the use of multiple devices in accomplishing a task.

Abstract: Health data measurement devices may be used in a UPnP home network to obtain health data and have the data stored in personal health records in an application hosting device in the network. Various types of devices may be used to access the data and to render the data on displays in the home network, such as televisions, using UPnP protocols. A health sensor device has an IP-LAN UPnP health service module and a possible a control point. An application hosting device, which stores and manages the health data, has a host UPnP health service module and may also have a control point. A remote device, such as a cell phone, may be used to remotely access health data on the application hosting device. A remote device description is dynamically generated by the hosting device based on a configuration set in a remote access service on the hosting device. The remote device description is generated dynamically (“on the fly”) as the remote device attempts to access data in the UPnP network.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing single sign-on in a network having a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) portion and a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) portion is provided, the method performed at a gateway and comprising: receiving an HTTP request for an assertion from a requester over the HTTP portion; generating a SIP request using the request for assertion; sending the SIP request to a SIP registrar over the SIP portion; receiving a SIP response including information regarding an assertion from the SIP registrar; and sending the information regarding the assertion in an HTTP response to the requester, such that the requester can use the information regarding the assertion in authenticating the requester to a web server.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating access to content on an electronic device is provided. Facilitating access involves maintaining a temporal log of metadata for content accessed by one or more users, segregated based on time slots; searching the log to detect a pattern related to the metadata for one or more times slots; and constructing a temporal usage profile based on the pattern. The temporal usage profile may be used for recommending appropriate content to a user at an appropriate time.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for establishing Quality of Service (QoS) in a home network is provided. The method comprises: receiving a request for bandwidth in a virtual private network (VPN); receiving a traffic specification of an application on a control point retrieving a traffic policy; retrieving path characteristics of the VPN; and reserving resources in the VPN based on the path characteristics, the traffic policy, and the traffic specification.

Abstract: A method and system implementing a process for generating a signature for a network space using existing resources in the space. The process for generating a signature for a space involves discovering the resources in the space and generating a signature for the space using the identification of the devices.

Abstract: A method for remote access to one or more Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) resources in a network is provided. An access policy for discovery of a UPnP resource in the network is maintained. Upon receiving a remote discovery request from a remote requester over a communication link, the access policy is consulted and it is determined if the resource is discoverable. If the resource is discoverable, then resource information is provided to the requester over the communication link.

Abstract: A method and system for providing services in a network including a control point and plural UPnP devices is provided. Surrogates are used to functionally replace the original UPnP device/service functionalities without new hardware or firmware/software updates. The surrogates enable proper operation in UPnP networks where devices that implement surrogates can coexist in the same network with UPnP devices that do not. This allows updating existing device functionalities without requiring new hardware or firmware/software updates.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for playing media items on a home network device in a home network is provided, the method comprising: retrieving, from a content directory service in the home network, a first object in a series of objects representing a first list in which the first object is a member, wherein the first object contains metadata regarding a first media item, a link to a next object in the first list, and relationship information regarding members of the first list, wherein the relationship information includes information about how members of the first list are related, wherein the next object contains metadata regarding a second media item; and playing the first media item.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a group of networked, heterogeneous devices, wherein the group of devices are regarded as a logically single “device”. This method separates the state management aspect from control aspect, such that applications using this method need not manage the devices and data directly, and as a result can interact with a simplified, single ‘device’, or focus on controlling the simplified, single ‘device.

Abstract: A method and system for remote access to a device is provided. This involves establishing a connection between a local device connected in a local network and a remote device via a communication link; sending a message from the local device to the remote device via the communication link, indicating an online status of the local device; and maintaining an online status indication for the local device at the remote device, until arrival of a message indicating an offline status of the local device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for selecting a combination of devices from a plurality of available devices, each device having service description information associated therewith. A user request is received into a coordinating device which processes the service description information for any available electronic devices to identify functionally responsive combinations of electronic devices, each functionally responsive combination responsive the user request. A score is calculated for each functionally responsive combination, using user preference information. One of the functionally responsive combinations is selected according to it having the best scores. A user preferences and experience computer-implemented method is provided for selecting an ad-hoc combination of electronic devices.

Abstract: A method and system for searching for Web services with a search engine is described. Information pertaining to Web services is gathered from a publisher or through the use of a publication tools manager. Service definition files are constructed based on the gathered information, and are stored in a searchable service definition file. Service consumers then search for Web services stored in the service definition file via a search engine. Optionally, evaluation information related to the Web services is obtained and also stored in a searchable service definition file.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restricting disclosure of information about a network device during a Remote Access (RA) service are provided, in which a virtual device is activated by an RA service device, a device or service for which information is to be disclosed to an external network is determined from among devices discovered by the RA service device and registered as an embedded device or service of the virtual device, a device description of the virtual device including the embedded device or service is dynamically generated, a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the RA service device, from which the device description of the virtual device is acquired, is generated and opened to a device of the other party which has remotely accessed the RA service device, and the device description of the virtual device is provided, upon receipt of a request for the device description of the virtual device through the URL.

Abstract: A method and system for providing QoS in a network using traffic management including traffic stream admission and traffic control, is provided. The traffic stream admission and control is achieved using parameterized QoS within a network. Such parameterized QoS enhances QoS service in the UPnP QoS architecture.