US Patent 7464035 Voice control of home automation systems via telephone

A method and system for controlling a home automation system by voice input provided via a telephone unit. A voice portal server receives a signal transmitted by the telephone unit, processes the signal to interpret the voice input, and generates command signals for controlling a home device in the home automation system based on the interpreted voice input. The voice portal server transmits the command signals over a data network or a telephone network to a home interface for receiving the command signals transmitted by the voice portal server. The home interface controls the home device in accordance with the received command signals.