DEVICE ABSTRACTION LAYER FOR LOCAL NETWORKING SYSTEM

摘要

A local networking system comprises a processing platform (110) and target devices (151-153), such as home appliances. The platform supports an open services gateway framework, such as that of the Open Services Gateway Initiative (OSGi), and executes applications (130) to control the target devices (151-153). The target devices are each represented by an entity (133) which can be manipulated by the application (130) across an application programming interface (API, 134). The entities follow a common hierarchical structure of device types, in which an entity representing a device type lower in the hierarchy inherits the properties of device types higher in the hierarchy. This presents a consistent API to applications. The entities can form part of an abstraction layer which uses a common language, such as the Home Uniform Control Language (HUCL). Each entity can be registered with the framework as a device service or a single device service (146) can be registered with the framework which represents multiple entities (147).