Patent ID: 8761050

Claim:
A network integration method, said method operating in conjunction with a network integration system, said system comprising: (a) smart gateway power controller (SGPC); (b) network gateway router (NGR); and (c) home automation network (HAN); wherein said SGPC interfaces said NGR with said HAN; said SGPC is configured to provide a user interface web page for direct access to data stored in said SGPC; said SGPC is configured to communicate with a home-bound content (HBC) server comprising content for an integrated web banner (IWB) to be displayed to a user on said user interface web page, wherein said content is derived from a switch status and energy consumption of consumer devices connected to said SGPC; said SGPC is configured to permit web access to said IWB through said NGR; said SGPC is configured to permit access to status information on home automation devices monitored by said SGPC via said user interface web page; said SGPC is configured to permit activation or deactivation of home automation devices controlled by said SGPC via said user interface web page; said NGR connects to an external computer network (ECN); said ECN is configured to exchange data using ECN network protocols; said HAN is configured to exchange data using a HAN communication protocol; said SGPC is configured to transfer data between said HAN and said ECN through said NGR using said network protocols of said ECN; and said network protocols of said ECN are different than said HAN communication protocol; wherein said method comprises the steps of: (1) searching for an access point (AP) for connection or reconnection with said SGPC; (2) exchanging network configuration messages from said SGPC to another SGPC within said HAN; (3) exchanging runtime or maintenance home automation (HA) messages between said SGPC and said another SGPC; and (4) proceeding to said step (1).