High-Tech in Your Home

The Burke-Contes' house is organized by their talking home computer, which they named Cleopatra. "It's sort of like a home personality," Brian says. "Someone there to assist you and your family and manage the house when you're away."

When the first person in the family goes to bed, Cleopatra begins her nightly powering down. First, she wishes them a good night and turns down all music and announcements. When the second person goes to bed, Cleopatra goes into full sleep mode—the lights and fireplace go off, the alarm on the doors and windows are armed and the motion sensor is activated.