Method, system and apparatus for monitoring and measuring power usage
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9331524-B1
Publication Date
2016-05-03
Expiration Date
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.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a system for monitoring and controlling electrical power to a cubicle within a facility. A cubicle includes a plurality of walls, and electrically-powered devices positioned within the cubicle are connected to power outlets in different walls. The system includes a wall-integrated power control assembly that is in hard wired electrical communication with an electrical power source.
The power control assembly includes a processor configured to monitor and measure data for electrical power usage through the power control assembly. A relay is electrically positioned between the electrical power source and a first power outlet and between the electrical power source and a second power outlet. The relay is a latching relay, an electro-mechanical relay or an electrical relay, and the power control assembly uses wireless transceiver communications to receive commands and transmit power usage data.
Remote control is performed by a controller that transmits a plurality of commands to the power control assembly over a network, where commands can control electrical power to the electrically-powered devices through the processor. The system transmits data for electrical power usage from the power control assembly to the controller, and the method transmits a response updating a status of the electrically-powered devices back to the remote controller. The wireless transceiver receives the command at the power control assembly, communicates the command to the processor, and switches power from an enabling state to a disabling state to disable power to the electrically-powered devices.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims, one directed to a system and one directed to a method. Across the independent claims, the main inventive features are a wall-integrated, hard wired power control assembly with monitoring and measurement, wireless command/data exchange with a remote controller, and relay-based switching between enabling and disabling states for multiple electrically-powered features/devices within a cubicle.
Wall-integrated power control assembly with monitoring and relay switching
A power control assembly integrated into a wall of the plurality of walls of the cubicle and in hard wired electrical communication with the source of electrical power, with a processor configured to monitor and measure data for electrical power usage through the power control assembly, and a relay positioned between the electrical power source and the power outlets, the relay being a latching relay, an electro-mechanical relay or an electrical relay.
Wireless transceiver receiving commands and transmitting electrical power usage data
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, where the controller transmits the plurality of commands to the power control assembly and receives data for electrical power usage for the electrically-powered devices from the wireless transceiver.
Remote controller network commands to disable multiple electrically-powered devices via processor
A command from the controller controls electrical power to a first electrically-powered device and a second electrically-powered device through the processor of the power control assembly, and switching power is carried out to disable electrical power to both electrically-powered devices using the relay.
Method of wirelessly transmitting usage data and receiving network commands with status responses
A method that monitors and measures electrical power usage of first and second electrically-powered features in a cubicle, wirelessly transmits the data to a remote controller, wirelessly transmits a command over a network to disable power to both features, receives the command at a transceiver, communicates the command to a processor, switches power from an enabling state to a disabling state by utilizing the relay, and wirelessly transmits a response updating status back to the remote controller.
In combination, the independent claims cover a wall-integrated, hard wired power control assembly that monitors and measures electrical power usage and uses a relay to switch power between enabling and disabling states for multiple electrically-powered devices/features. The system/method further relies on a wireless transceiver to receive remote network commands and to transmit power usage data and status updates back to a remote controller.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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