Abstract: A method of operating a plurality of electrical and/or electronic devices connected with a data processing apparatus is disclosed as including the steps of (a) detecting occurrence of events of the devices (b) recording data relating to some of said detected events in a database; (c) ordering the recorded events into sequences of events chronologically and/or geographically; (d) comparing a detected event with the sequences of events for finding a matched sequence of events; and (e) performing the remaining events in the matched sequence.

Abstract: There is disclosed an integrated programmable system for controlling the operation of a number of electrical and/or electronic appliances of a premises, the application being controllable electrically, electronically, wirelessly, by infrared and/or by radio frequency, the system including a central data processing apparatus, e.g. a home server, or a central controller, connected with a common digital communication backbone, and the central data processing apparatus is connectable with the appliances via the digital communication backbone.

Abstract: A method of operating a security system is disclosed as including sensors for detecting occurrence of at least one security related event, e.g. motion, and alarm devices, in which the sensors and alarm devices are operatively associated with each other, e g. by being connected with each other via a digital communication backbone (124), including the steps of assigning a threat level to each security-related event; determining the current threat level of the system; comparing the current threat level of the system with a predetermined threshold threat level; causing the alarm devices to produce alarm signals when the current threat level reaches or exceeds the threshold threat level.