US Patent 7870232 Messaging in a home automation data transfer system

An automation network includes automation network devices connected to the network and a system layer interface that interfaces with a transport layer and an application layer of the automation network. The system layer interface includes messaging command libraries configured to implement human-readable messages for the automation network devices, where the automation network devices include at least one message output device. The system layer interface may provide commands and functions to establish messaging in the network, the length of supported messages, and scrolling of messages on output display devices.