Method, system and apparatus for monitoring and measuring power usage
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.
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.