Scripting of soap commands

#This invention relates generally to scripting simple object access protocol (SOAP) commands using extensible markup language (XML) and to providing the resulting XML script to a device for execution.

#An apparatus may contain an embedded controller or agent software to monitor and control its operation. Any type of apparatus may have an embedded controller or agent including, but not limited to, home appliances, office equipment, medical devices, and industrial tools. Other examples include robots, blood analyzers, multifunction copiers, and air conditioners.

#Embedded devices are often connected to an internal network, such as a local area network (LAN), with an interface to the Internet. Other devices on the internal network may communicate with an embedded device over the internal network. However, the embedded device is not generally addressable from the Internet. To address this problem, the embedded device may initiate communications with an addressable external device. That is, the embedded device may access the external device (e.g., a server) periodically to obtain necessary data.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network containing a server and a device having an embedded controller;

#FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process for translating human-readable code into XML script;

#FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process by which the embedded controller retrieves XML script for the device from the server; and

#FIG. 1 shows a network 10. Network 10 includes a device 11 containing an embedded controller 17. Device 11 is any type of apparatus or system having functions that are monitored and controlled by embedded controller 17.

#Device 11 is connected to an internal network 12, such as a LAN. A router or modem 14 couples internal network 12 to an external network 15, such as the Internet/World Wide Web (Web). External network 15 runs TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) or some other suitable protocol. Network connections are via Ethernet, telephone line, wireless, or other transmission media.

#External network 15 contains a server 19, which is a computer or any other processing device. Server 19 communicates with embedded controller 17 over external network 15 and internal network 12. Embedded controller 17 has a local IP (Internet Protocol) address that can be resolved within internal network 12. However, this local IP address may not be recognizable by devices on external network 15, such as server 19. As such, server 19 may not be able to directly address device 11.