Method, system and apparatus for monitoring and measuring power usage by a device

• US 9,760,140 B1
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Best Energy Reduction Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Best Energy Reduction Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Krummey, Michael, Yetter, Scott J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cavallari, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US13/798,162
• Time in Patent Office: 1,644 Days
• 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: H01R 13/70 with built-in switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7038 making use of a remote controlled switch, e.g. relais, solid state switch activated by the engagement of the coupling parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/003 the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• 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: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 Home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/128 involving the use of Internet protocol

Abstract

A system and method for remotely monitoring, measuring and controlling power to an electrically powered device is disclosed herein. The system preferably comprises an apparatus, an electrically-powered device and a controller. The apparatus preferably comprises a cord, an alternating current outlet socket, an alternating current input plug, an electro-mechanical relay, a processor and a transceiver. The system preferably uses a WiFi communication signal to transmit commands from the remote controller to the apparatus.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring and controlling electrical power to an electrically-powered device, the method comprising:

monitoring and measuring a power usage of an electrically powered device connected to an apparatus;

transmitting the power usage of the electrically powered device to a remote controller;

transmitting a command from the remote controller over a network, the command to disable power to the electrically powered device;

receiving the command at a transceiver of the apparatus;

communicating the command from the transceiver to a processor of the apparatus;

switching an electro-mechanical relay from an enabling state to a disabling state to disable power to the electrically powered device, the electro-mechanical relay receiving instructions from the processor to switch from an enabling state to a disabling state;

transmitting a response to the remote controller from the transceiver of the apparatus, the response updating the status of the electrically powered device; and

receiving the response from the apparatus over the network at the remote controller.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the remote controller is a smartphone.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the remote controller is a personal computer.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the network is the Internet.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the remote controller is located in a different office of a building where the at least one apparatus is located.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the remote controller is located in a first building and wherein the at least one apparatus is located in a different building.

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising storing the power usage data by one of hour, day, week, month and year.

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

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the system utilizes 802.11.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the electrically-powered device is one of a vending machine, a computer, a monitor, a television, a printer, a lamp and a radio.

11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the command is automatically sent at a predetermined time of day.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the command is automatically sent in response to a request to load change demand.