Tokyo ? Japanese companies are developing ovens that can cook dishes after downloading recipes, and home-heating systems that can be adjusted from mobile phones.

To make all those appliances talk to one another, four electronic makers have agreed to create a common standard. Besides making appliances compatible, the standard should help cut development costs.

Toshiba Corp., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Sharp Corp. and Sanyo Electric Co. are calling their system “iReady” — as in “Internet ready” or “I am ready.”

The companies are asking others to join in developing the technology, including possibilities for offering it overseas. The first iReady products are expected by next year, Sanyo spokesman Ryan Watson said.

Net-linking home appliances without iReady are already available in Japan, though they have yet to catch on.