Do you remember that announcement about Zilog working on home appliances that could connect to each other?  There was to be a Springboard module that allowed Visor owners to control all of these appliances.  We now have some new information on the Handhelper Springboard module, as well as some of the appliances that you will be able to control.  I may have to buy a house just so I'll have an excuse to use it all!

The end product is called Thalia Products (thinking and linking intelligent appliances).  Thalia Products is a new company created by appliance maker Sunbeam that uses Home Linking Technology™ (HLT)™ to allow appliances to communicate via electric wiring or radio signals.  What makes HLT special is that no computer is needed for the HLT appliances to talk to one another; the HLT appliances should be competively priced in relation to normal appliances.

Here's an example of how Thalia appliances can work.  Say, you normally get up at 7:00 AM but need to get up at 6:00 AM for a special meeting, so you change your TimeHelper™ alarm clock.  This changes your entire routine for the day.  Other HLT appliances pick up on this change, so your HLT-Smart™ coffeemaker that starts 10 minutes before your alarm goes off changes itself to the new time.  Your Sunbeam Blanket with a Brain® electric blanket (that turns itself off 10 minutes after your alarm goes off) also adjusts itself accordingly.  So instead of having to adjust three different things, you only need to change one.

Here are some other uses for the clock which are listed in the company's press release:

• When one of the HLT™ products needs your attention – for example, if you forgot to put water in the kitchen coffeemaker – the TimeHelper™ clock in your bedroom alerts you with a message.  And in the case of an emergency – when an HLT-Smart™ Sunbeam smoke alarm sounds anywhere in the house – the TimeHelper™ alarm sounds at the bedside.  Not only does the Thalia™ TimeHelper™ clock “sound the alarm,” it also displays the location of the active smoke alarm, helping you react appropriately from the first instant.
• A modem on the TimeHelper™ clock will enable it to call out to the Internet during the night, so that when you wake up in the morning, you’ll be able to read today’s weather forecast on the clock face, or even read the morning’s news headlines.

• Thalia TimeHelper™ alarm clock (see uses above)
• Thalia HomeHelper™ console (kitchen console) - Allows people to communicate with and control all HLT-Smart™ appliances in the home from the kitchen.  It can connect to the Internet with its built-in 56K modem and has additional memory to store specific information – recipes, schedules, appointments and calendars for the family and more.  Uses a simple, water-proof touch-pad.
• Thalia HandHelper™ PDA (Springboard module) - a portable version of the HomeHelper™ console that can receive shopping lists, daily schedules and coupons electronically from the HomeHelper.  Its small size and portability make it perfect for trips to the store (with electronic coupons ready to go).  You can also use it as a cordless phone around the house.
• Sunbeam HLT-Smart Coffemaker® (see uses above)
• Sunbeam HLT-Smart Blanket with a Brain® electric blanket - When the TimeHelper™ alarm clock sounds, the blanket shuts off; you can also preset the blanket to turn on at a specific time and temperature.
• Health-o-Meter HLT-Smart Bathroom Scale® - Regular charting of weight gets easier with a smart scale that whispers your weight to the HomeHelper console, where an ongoing record is kept for your review.  Four different people in a home can chart their weights based on age, body type, etc., get recipe recommendations if dieting is in order and, if desired, automatically transmit the information to their doctors without having to think about it.  Of course, there’s a feature that keeps a person’s data private inside the household!
• Sunbeam HLT-Smart Blood Pressure Monitor® - Records readings and stores them for review and/or transmits to your doctor’s office.
• Sunbeam HLT-Smart Mixmaster® - Now I can finally cook!  This mixer has a built-in measuring device, and when used in a home with the Thalia™ HomeHelper™ kitchen console, it will automatically measure any ingredient poured into its bowl – no more measuring cups.   The Thalia™ HomeHelper™ console and Sunbeam HLT-Smart™ Stand Mixer will do the math when adjusting recipes for a different number of servings.  Running low on flour?  The HLT-Smart™ stand mixer and HomeHelper™ console will add flour to your shopping list, with just the touch of a button.  And you will be able to receive an electronic coupon right in the kitchen and take it to the store with you in the HandHelper™ PDA.
• Sunbeam’s HLT-Smart™ Smoke/CO Detector - Automatically tells the TimeHelper™ clock and HomeHelper™ console where the problem is.  When the battery is low, it will tell the TimeHelper™ clock and the HomeHelper™ console that it’s time for its battery to be replaced.

Links
Thalia Products - http://www.thaliaproducts.com