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

A network system for providing a service, comprising:

• (a) a physical layer, wherein the physical layer provides a communication medium that can be used by devices to communicate with each other;
• (b) first home device;
• (c) a second home device;
• (d) a controller that queries the first home device to obtain first application interface description data, and queries the second home device to obtain second application interface description data, wherein each application interface description data includes information for commanding and controlling of the corresponding home device by another device connected to the network, wherein the controller stores the obtained first and second application interface description data in a data base;
• the second home device including application control means for accessing the first application interface description data for the first home device in the database and sending control and command data from the second home device to the first home device utilizing said first application interface description data;
• and
• the first home device including application control means for accessing the second application interface description data for the second home device in the database and sending control and command data from the first home device to the second home device utilizing said second application interface description data;
• whereby the first and second home devices autonomously perform said service.

A method for performing a service on a home network, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) connecting a first home device to the home network;
• (b) connecting a second home device to the home network;
• (c) providing a database including a plurality of application interface description data objects, each application interface description data object including information for commanding and controlling of a home device by one or more other home devices connected to the network;
• (d) the first home device accessing an application interface description object for the second home device in the database;
• and
• (e) the first device sending control and command data to the second home device utilizing said application interface description object for the second home device over the network, whereby the first and second home devices autonomously perform said service.