Method, system and apparatus for monitoring and measuring power usage

• US 9,331,524 B1
• Filed: 02/21/2013
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Best Energy Reduction Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Best Energy Reduction Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Yetter, Scott J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Hai
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bousono, Orlando
• Application Number:
  US13/772,337
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 340/3.1, 340/3.8, 340/11.4, 340 1222- 1336
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00024 by means of mobile telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00026 involving a local wireless network, e.g. Wi-Fi, ZigBee or Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0005 the elements or equipment being or involving power plugs or sockets
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 using wireless data transmission

Abstract

A system and method for remotely monitoring, measuring and controlling power to furniture having an electrically powered feature is disclosed herein. The furniture is preferably modular furniture (such as a cubicle) and the electrically powered feature is at least one of lighting or a power outlet. Alternatively, the furniture is a lectern and the electrically powered feature is at least one of lighting or a power outlet. Alternatively, the furniture is a charging cart and the electrically powered feature is at least one of lighting or a power outlet.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring and controlling electrical power to a cubicle, the system comprising:

a facility having a source of electrical power;

a cubicle having a plurality of walls;

a first electrically-powered device positioned within the cubicle;

a second electrically-powered device positioned within the cubicle;

a power control assembly comprising

a processor configured to monitor and measure data for electrical power usage through the power control assembly,

a first power outlet in a first wall of the plurality of walls having an alternating current socket and a USB socket,

a second power outlet in a second wall of the plurality of walls,

a relay between the source of electrical power and the first power outlet and the second power outlet wherein the relay is a latching relay, an electro-mechanical relay or an electrical relay, and

a wireless transceiver for receiving a plurality of commands to the power control assembly and for transmitting data for electrical power usage from the power control assembly,

wherein the power control assembly is integrated into a wall of the plurality of walls of the cubicle and in hard wired electrical communication with the source of electrical power;

wherein the first electrically-powered device is connected to the first power outlet, and the second electrically-powered device is connected to the second power outlet; and

a controller for transmitting the plurality of commands to the power control assembly;

wherein a command of the plurality of commands from the controller can control electrical power to the first electrically-powered device and the second electrically-powered device through the processor of the power control assembly which is configured to control electrical power to the first electrically-powered device and the second electrically-powered device, and wherein the controller receives data for electrical power usage for the first electrically-powered device and the second electrically-powered device from the wireless transceiver of the power control assembly.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the controller is a smart phone, a computer, or a mobile phone.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the system utilizes an 802.11 communication format.

4. A method for monitoring and controlling electrical power to a cubicle within a facility, the method comprising:

monitoring and measuring data for electrical power usage of a first electrically powered feature and a second electrically-powered feature both positioned within a cubicle within a facility, the cubicle having a plurality of walls, a power control assembly integrated into a wall of the plurality of walls of the cubicle, the power control assembly hard wired into an electrical power source for the facility and wherein a relay is electrically positioned between the electrical power source and a first power outlet having an alternating current outlet socket and a USB socket, and the relay also electrically positioned between the electrical power source and a second power outlet having an alternating current outlet socket;

wirelessly transmitting the data for electrical power usage of the first electrically powered feature and the second electrically-powered feature to a remote controller;

wirelessly transmitting a command from the remote controller over a network, the command to disable power to the first electrically powered feature and the second electrically-powered feature;

receiving the command at a transceiver of the power control assembly;

communicating the command from the transceiver to a processor of the power control assembly;

switching power from an enabling state to a disabling state to disable power to the first electrically powered feature and the second electrically-powered feature by utilizing the relay of the power control assembly to disable electrical power to the first electrically powered feature and the second electrically-powered feature;

wirelessly transmitting a response to the remote controller from the transceiver of the power control assembly, the response updating a status of the first electrically powered feature and the second electrically-powered feature; and

receiving the response from the power control assembly over the network at the remote controller.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the remote controller is a smartphone.

6. The method according to claim 4 wherein the remote controller is a personal computer.

7. The method according to claim 4 wherein the network is the Internet.