USER-INTERFACE TECHNOLOGIES FOR HOME APPLIANCES AND NETWORKS

The design and implementation of portable, lightweight user-interfaces to provide access to remote embedded home-systems and home-networks I s described. This:paper Is focussed on emerging standards in the consu mer electronics field, including embedded-Java, the handheld device ma rkup language (HDML) and remote frame buffer (RFB) technology as imple mented in the public-domain virtual network computer (VNC.) software. A key goal of the present paper is to provide an objective technical a ssessment of the applicability of each of these technologies to the de velopment of practical consumer applicances and handheld terminals pro viding enhanced user-access to the home environment.