Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 69
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of self-configuring a utility distribution system in an office environment, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting each said communication module and said network controller into a communication network with at least one signal conductor; configuring said communication modules according to the physical location of each of said furniture units in the office environment; and automatically evaluating said communications network and said furniture units to facilitate the distribution of utilities to the utility appliances by transmitting control signals to said communication modules and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units wherein said network controller evaluates said communications network and said furniture units based upon said control signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of self-configuring a utility distribution system in an office environment, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting each said communication module and said network controller into a communication network with at least one signal conductor; configuring said communication modules according to the physical location of each of said furniture units in the office environment; and automatically evaluating said communications network and said furniture units to facilitate the distribution of utilities to the utility appliances by transmitting control signals to said communication modules and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units wherein said network controller evaluates said communications network and said furniture units based upon said control signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said evaluating includes identifying the location of furniture units in the communication network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said evaluating includes transmitting a periodic message on said signal conductor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said evaluating includes receiving operating instruction and operating parameters from said at least one utility appliance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further including initializing said communication network after said interconnecting and reinitializing said communication network upon correction of a fault.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of furniture units are organized into work spaces including a raised floor and wherein said interconnecting includes extending said at least one signal conductor at least partially below said raised floor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of furniture units are organized into workstations made up at least in part of partition panels and wherein said interconnecting includes extending said at least one signal conductor between opposite lateral edges of said partition panels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said communication module is a single physical assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein other ones of said furniture units do not include a said coupler or a said utility appliance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said interconnecting includes interconnecting each said communication module and said network controller in a loop.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 10 including determining if the furniture unit associated with each signaler is positionally the first one of said furniture units in a work space as disposed sequentially about said communication network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 including checking with each communication module's adjacent communication module to determine if said adjacent communication module is operational.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 10 including transmitting a periodic message with said network controller and passing said periodic message with each signaler in order to determine breaks in said loop.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of self-configuring a utility distribution system in an office environment, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting each said communication module and said network controller into a communication network with at least one signal conductor; configuring said communication modules according to the physical location of each of said furniture units in the office environment; and evaluating said communications network and said furniture units to facilitate the distribution of utilities to the utility appliances by transmitting control signals to said communication modules and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units, wherein said evaluating includes identifying the physical location of said at least one utility appliance with respect to the respective furniture unit.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of self-configuring a utility distribution system in an office environment, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting each said communication module and said network controller into a communication network with at least one signal conductor; configuring said communication modules according to the physical location of each of said furniture units in the office environment; and evaluating said communications network and said furniture units to facilitate the distribution of utilities to the utility appliances by transmitting control signals to said communication modules and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units, wherein said evaluating includes identifying the physical location of said at least one utility appliance with respect to the respective furniture unit.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
210 words
A method of self-configuring a utility distribution system in an office environment, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting each said communication module and said network controller into a communication network with at least one signal conductor; configuring said communication modules according to the physical location of each of said furniture units in the office environment; and evaluating said communications network and said furniture units to facilitate the distribution of utilities to the utility appliances by transmitting control signals to said communication modules and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units, wherein particular ones of said signalers include a portion-of-work space identification mechanism to positionally associate a plurality of said furniture units within a given work space.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
210 words
A method of self-configuring a utility distribution system in an office environment, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting each said communication module and said network controller into a communication network with at least one signal conductor; configuring said communication modules according to the physical location of each of said furniture units in the office environment; and evaluating said communications network and said furniture units to facilitate the distribution of utilities to the utility appliances by transmitting control signals to said communication modules and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units, wherein particular ones of said signalers include a portion-of-work space identification mechanism to positionally associate a plurality of said furniture units within a given work space.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of self-configuring a utility distribution system in an office environment, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting each said communication module and said network controller into a communication network with at least one signal conductor; configuring said communication modules according to the physical location of each of said furniture units in the office environment; and evaluating said communications network and said furniture units to facilitate the distribution of utilities to the utility appliances by transmitting control signals to said communication modules and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units, further including providing an identification module with each furniture unit to assist in identification of that furniture unit.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of self-configuring a utility distribution system in an office environment, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting each said communication module and said network controller into a communication network with at least one signal conductor; configuring said communication modules according to the physical location of each of said furniture units in the office environment; and evaluating said communications network and said furniture units to facilitate the distribution of utilities to the utility appliances by transmitting control signals to said communication modules and receiving control signals from at least the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units, further including providing an identification module with each furniture unit to assist in identification of that furniture unit.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of associating a utility distribution system to a physical space in an office environment, including: providing a plurality of furniture units organized into work spaces, particular ones of said furniture units including a utility appliance network including a plurality of utility appliances for distributing utilities to one of said work spaces and a utility appliance controller; providing a network controller adapted to make determinations for controlling said utility appliances; providing a communication network for communicatively interconnecting said utility appliance networks with said network controller; determining with the respective said utility appliance controller a physical location of each said utility appliance with respect to the respective furniture unit; communicating data including said physical location of each utility appliance from each utility appliance controller to said network controller on said communication network; and providing correspondence in said network controller between a logical address for each said utility appliance and the physical location of that utility appliance using said data communicated from said utility appliance controllers.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of associating a utility distribution system to a physical space in an office environment, including: providing a plurality of furniture units organized into work spaces, particular ones of said furniture units including a utility appliance network including a plurality of utility appliances for distributing utilities to one of said work spaces and a utility appliance controller; providing a network controller adapted to make determinations for controlling said utility appliances; providing a communication network for communicatively interconnecting said utility appliance networks with said network controller; determining with the respective said utility appliance controller a physical location of each said utility appliance with respect to the respective furniture unit; communicating data including said physical location of each utility appliance from each utility appliance controller to said network controller on said communication network; and providing correspondence in said network controller between a logical address for each said utility appliance and the physical location of that utility appliance using said data communicated from said utility appliance controllers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 further including joining each said utility appliance network to said communication network with a communication bridge.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said determining the physical location of each utility appliance includes providing a port for each utility appliance and providing each said port with an address associated with a physical location on the respective furniture unit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said providing each said port with an address includes providing a cable having multiple conductors and interconnecting each said port with a different combination of said conductors.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 19 wherein each said utility appliance includes a storage element storing control routines which are transmitted to said network controller.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17 wherein each said utility appliance includes a storage element storing control routines which are transmitted to said network controller.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said correspondence includes a hierarchical organization of said utility appliances.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said hierarchical organization includes grouping utility appliances according to respective furniture units.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said hierarchical organization further includes grouping furniture units into respective work spaces.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 further including associating particular ones of said utility appliances together for mutual operation thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said associating includes providing multiple position selector switches with each of said utility appliances, wherein utility appliances having selector switches set to the same position are associated.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said work space is a workstation and said furniture units are partition panels defining said workstations.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said communication module is a single physical assembly.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 wherein other ones of said furniture units do not include a said utility appliance network.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 17 wherein particular ones of said signalers include a portion-of-work space identification mechanism to positionally associate a plurality of said furniture units within a given work space.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of installing a utility distribution system in an office space, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; physically arranging said furniture units in the office space in a pattern that defines a plurality of work spaces; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting said communication modules with each other and with said network controller in a communication network with at least one signal conductor; and identifying a physical relationship between signalers in said communication network and said pattern of furniture units in order to establish correspondence between said communication network and furniture units, wherein said identifying includes identifying the physical location of said at least one utility appliance with respect to the respective furniture unit.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of installing a utility distribution system in an office space, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; physically arranging said furniture units in the office space in a pattern that defines a plurality of work spaces; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting said communication modules with each other and with said network controller in a communication network with at least one signal conductor; and identifying a physical relationship between signalers in said communication network and said pattern of furniture units in order to establish correspondence between said communication network and furniture units, wherein said identifying includes identifying the physical location of said at least one utility appliance with respect to the respective furniture unit.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said determining the physical location of each utility appliance includes providing a port for each utility appliance and providing each said port with an address associated with a physical location on the respective furniture unit.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said providing each said port with an address includes providing a cable having multiple conductors and interconnecting each said port with a different combination of conductors.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of installing a utility distribution system in an office space, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; physically arranging said furniture units in the office space in a pattern that defines a plurality of work spaces; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting said communication modules with each other and with said network controller in a communication network with at least one signal conductor; and automatically identifying a physical relationship between signalers in said communication network and said pattern of furniture units in order to establish correspondence between said communication network and furniture units based upon information the network controller receives from said signalers.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of installing a utility distribution system in an office space, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; physically arranging said furniture units in the office space in a pattern that defines a plurality of work spaces; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting said communication modules with each other and with said network controller in a communication network with at least one signal conductor; and automatically identifying a physical relationship between signalers in said communication network and said pattern of furniture units in order to establish correspondence between said communication network and furniture units based upon information the network controller receives from said signalers.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said identifying includes transmitting a periodic message on said signal conductor.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 35 further including receiving operating instruction and operating parameters from utility appliances in the communications network.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 35 further including initializing said communication network after said interconnecting and reinitializing said communication network upon correction of a fault.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said plurality of furniture units are organized into work spaces including a raised floor and wherein said interconnecting includes extending said at least one signal conductor at least partially below said raised floor.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said plurality of furniture units are organized into workstations made up at least in part of partition panels and wherein said interconnecting includes extending said at least one signal conductor between opposite lateral edges of said partition panels.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said communication module is a single physical assembly.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 35 wherein other ones of said furniture units do not include a said coupler or a said utility appliance.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said interconnecting includes interconnecting each said communication module and said network controller in a loop.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 43 including determining if the furniture unit associated with each signaler is positionally the first one of said furniture units in a work space as disposed sequentially about said communication network.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 43 including checking with each communication module's adjacent communication module to determine if said adjacent communication module is operational.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 43 including transmitting a periodic message with said network controller and passing said periodic message with each signaler in order to determine breaks in said loop.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of installing a utility distribution system in an office space, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; physically arranging said furniture units in the office space in a pattern that defines a plurality of work spaces; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting said communication modules with each other and with said network controller in a communication network with at least one signal conductor; and identifying a physical relationship between signalers in said communication network and said pattern of furniture units in order to establish correspondence between said communication network and furniture units, wherein particular ones of said signalers include a portion-of-work space identification mechanism to positionally associate a plurality of said furniture units within a given work space.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of installing a utility distribution system in an office space, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; physically arranging said furniture units in the office space in a pattern that defines a plurality of work spaces; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting said communication modules with each other and with said network controller in a communication network with at least one signal conductor; and identifying a physical relationship between signalers in said communication network and said pattern of furniture units in order to establish correspondence between said communication network and furniture units, wherein particular ones of said signalers include a portion-of-work space identification mechanism to positionally associate a plurality of said furniture units within a given work space.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of installing a utility distribution system in an office space, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; physically arranging said furniture units in the office space in a pattern that defines a plurality of work spaces; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting said communication modules with each other and with said network controller in a communication network with at least one signal conductor; and identifying a physical relationship between signalers in said communication network and said pattern of furniture units in order to establish correspondence between said communication network and furniture units, further including providing an identification module with each furniture unit to assist in identification of that furniture unit.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of installing a utility distribution system in an office space, including: providing a plurality of furniture units, each furniture unit having a communication module including a signaler physically associated with that furniture unit, particular ones of said furniture units further including a coupler in the associated communication module connected with said signaler and at least one utility appliance connected with said coupler for distributing utilities; physically arranging said furniture units in the office space in a pattern that defines a plurality of work spaces; providing a network controller adapted to transmitting control signals to each said communication module and receiving control signals from the communication modules associated with said particular ones of said furniture units; interconnecting said communication modules with each other and with said network controller in a communication network with at least one signal conductor; and identifying a physical relationship between signalers in said communication network and said pattern of furniture units in order to establish correspondence between said communication network and furniture units, further including providing an identification module with each furniture unit to assist in identification of that furniture unit.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of furniture units include modular furniture units.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 49, wherein said modular furniture units include portable furniture units.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said portable furniture units include portable partition panels.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of furniture units include portable furniture units.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said plurality of furniture units include modular furniture units.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 53, wherein said modular furniture units include portable furniture units.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 54, wherein said portable furniture units include portable partition panels.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said plurality of furniture units include portable furniture units.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 35, wherein said plurality of furniture units include modular furniture units.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 57, wherein said modular furniture units include portable furniture units.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 58, wherein said portable furniture units include portable partition panels.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 35, wherein said plurality of furniture units include portable furniture units.