HOMEPNP BENEFITS

Wide Range of Functionality

When traditional home electronic products are outfitted with HomePnP "network features," they can work together to offer a new generation of functionality.

• Consumers could save on utility costs by having their homes automatically respond to variable time-of-day pricing by utility companies.

• Security systems could display a home's floor plan on a bedroom TV to show trouble spots as they happen.

• Household appliances could offer self-diagnostic options that notify residents when maintenance is due, and call to schedule a repairman's visit if so desired.

• Multitasking home PCs could monitor conversations between other household products, and let the home's resident tell products what they want done.

• Household clocks could always keep the right time, even after power outages.

• Security system occupancy sensors could let the home's lighting and temperature-control equipment know when the home, or individual rooms, are occupied.

• Other home applications that have not yet been dreamed about.