A SOAP-oriented component-based framework supporting device-independent multimedia Web services

A Web service is a programmable Web application accessible using standard Internet protocols. A three-layer architecture has been suggested for Web services: service providers, service brokers, and service requesters. We propose a SOAP-oriented component-based framework to support device-independent multimedia Web services. Two intelligent agents are introduced and embedded into a proxy server and service provider server, respectively. Separating metadata from multimedia content leads to enhance SOAP flexibility. Composite capability/preference profile-based user profile management provides an easy and flexible way to split and adapt multimedia services to appropriate composite devices as well as increasing the flexibility for users to manage multiple devices. Together with an XML/XSL strategy, we ensure device independency of the system. By utilizing local caches, our agents enable the caching and streaming of multimedia transportation. In addition, our framework seamlessly incorporates cutting-edge technologies relating to Web services: SOAP, XML/XSL, and CC/PP.