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BACKGROUND

Home automation and security systems currently are con trolled by equipment installed at a customer premises. By programming an in-house device, a user controls the opera tion of appliances connected to the system. For example, a user can program an in-house device to turn on a light at a specific time. The in-house device also can monitor sensors located throughout the house and can Sound an alarm or phone a monitoring agency when the sensors are triggered. Some systems offera remote-access feature allowing a user to access the in-house device through the public switched tele phone system.

There are several disadvantages associated with conven tional home automation and security systems. First, most systems use relatively simple user interfaces that limit the user's control over the system. To provide a more elaborate and friendly user interface, some systems incorporate, or …