Overview
ISO/IEC 29341-27-1:2017 (part of the ISO/IEC 29341 UPnP Device Architecture series) defines the Friendly information update service of the Friendly Device Control Protocol. Aligned with UPnP Device Architecture 1.0, this standard specifies a service that lets UPnP control points perform orderly, moderated updates to a device’s Device Description Document (DDD) - specifically the device’s human-readable identity fields (for example, the device and ). It addresses the need to indicate pending versus advertised values while a device remains online and may be performing ongoing activities.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Service model and XML description: normative service type and XML service description for the FriendlyInfoUpdate service consistent with UPnP DCP conventions.
- State variables: definitions such as FriendlyNameStatus and FriendlyIconListStatus plus argument data types (e.g., A_ARG_TYPE_NewName, A_ARG_TYPE_IconURI, A_ARG_TYPE_Token).
- Actions: standardized operations for control points, including GetFriendlyName(), GetFriendlyIconList(), SetFriendlyName(), SetFriendlyIconList(), and RestoreFriendlyInfo().
- Eventing and moderation: event notifications and moderation rules to ensure consistent update sequencing and visibility of pending changes in the DDD.
- Security/Access control: support for DeviceProtection (UPnP DP) semantics - the standard identifies restrictable vs non-restrictable actions and allows restricting updates to control points with specific Roles.
- Error handling and state transitions: defined error codes and allowed icon/status transitions to ensure predictable device behavior during updates, reboots or network loss.
- Patent disclosures: the document records patent declarations by multiple technology companies; implementers should review intellectual property statements.
Practical applications
- Ensures consistent, race-free updates of device identity information in networked environments where devices cannot leave the network while changing attributes.
- Useful for smart home hubs, media devices, IoT endpoints, printers, gateways and any UPnP-enabled consumer electronics that advertise human-readable names or icons.
- Enables UX scenarios where remote management tools or provisioning systems update device names/icons while preserving advertised state consistency.
Who should use this standard
- UPnP device manufacturers and firmware developers implementing device description management.
- UPnP stack authors and middleware vendors adding FriendlyInfoUpdate support.
- Systems integrators and OEMs building provisioning or device-management platforms.
- Test labs and certification bodies validating UPnP DDD update behavior and DeviceProtection role-based restrictions.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 29341 series (UPnP Device Architecture) - base DCP and other device/service parts
- UPnP Device Architecture 1.0 (original UPnP specifications)
Keywords: ISO/IEC 29341-27-1:2017, UPnP, FriendlyInfoUpdate, Device Description Document, DDD, FriendlyNameStatus, SetFriendlyName, SetFriendlyIconList, DeviceProtection, UPnP Device Architecture.