US5942984A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Communications network for identifying the location of articles relative to a floor plan
Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc
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Filing: 1997-08-14
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Granted: 1999-08-24
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Expires: 2017-08-14
Abstract
Abstract A utility distribution system is provided for modular furniture of the type comprising individual furniture units which are juxtaposed to form one or more workstations. A signal conductor is positioned in each furniture unit, and extends generally between opposite sides thereof. Quick-disconnect connectors are provided at the opposite ends of each of the signal conductors, and mate with like quick-disconnect connectors in adjacent furniture units to create a communications network through the workstations. Each furniture unit has a signaler physically associated therewith, which is connected with an associated signal conductor at a coupler. A network controller is operably connected to the network to evaluate the network and/or the associated furniture units. The furniture units may be equipped with one or more utility ports, which are connected with the coupler, and service utility appliances, such as personal computers, telephones, facsimile machines, switches, power outlets, data receptacles, and the like. The utility appliances preferably have memory capability to internally store operating instructions for the same, which are transmitted to the network controller when the utility appliance is initialized.
Inventors
- 👤 John Shackelford Toms
- 👤 Steven M. Brown
- 👤 William L. Miller
- 👤 George V. Weller
- 👤 Scott H. Russell
- 👤 Joseph R. Branc
- 👤 David C. Sweeton
- 👤 Matthew M. Mikolajczak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:40
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B83/00; A47B83/001; H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02J; H02J13/00; H02J13/12; H02J13/13; H02J13/1321; H02J13/1337; H02J13/18; H02J13/34; H02J13/38; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H02G3/02; H02G3/04; H02G3/0462; H02G3/0487; H02G3/28; H02G3/286; H02G3/288; H02J13/1323; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B90/00; Y02B90/20; Y04; Y04S; Y04S40/00; Y04S40/12; Y04S40/124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for identifying the location of furniture units relative to a known floor plan, said method comprising the steps of: positioning a plurality of communication modules at known locations relative to the floor plan; providing each communication module with a unique identity; connecting each of the communication modules to a controller; providing each communication module with a coupler for connecting an article to the controller; storing a layout of the floor plan that is accessible to the controller and that includes the location of the communication modules relative to the floor plan; and determining the location of a furniture unit relative to the layout of the floor plan by determining to which of said communication modules the article is connected.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for identifying the location of furniture units relative to a known floor plan, said method comprising the steps of: positioning a plurality of communication modules at known locations relative to the floor plan; providing each communication module with a unique identity; connecting each of the communication modules to a controller; providing each communication module with a coupler for connecting an article to the controller; storing a layout of the floor plan that is accessible to the controller and that includes the location of the communication modules relative to the floor plan; and determining the location of a furniture unit relative to the layout of the floor plan by determining to which of said communication modules the article is connected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined in claim 1 and further including the step of storing a modified layout of the floor plan including the locations of any identified furniture units.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
129 words
A system for identifying the location of furniture units relative to a known floor plan, said system comprising: a controller; and a plurality of communication modules positioned at known locations relative to the floor plan, each of said communication modules being in electrical communication with said controller and having an identification device therein for identifying itself to said controller, said communication modules including a coupler for connecting a furniture unit to communicate with said controller, wherein said controller includes a memory for storing a layout of the floor plan based upon the known location of said communication modules, and said controller determines the location of a furniture unit relative to the layout of the floor plan by determining to which of said communication modules the furniture unit is connected.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
129 words
A system for identifying the location of furniture units relative to a known floor plan, said system comprising: a controller; and a plurality of communication modules positioned at known locations relative to the floor plan, each of said communication modules being in electrical communication with said controller and having an identification device therein for identifying itself to said controller, said communication modules including a coupler for connecting a furniture unit to communicate with said controller, wherein said controller includes a memory for storing a layout of the floor plan based upon the known location of said communication modules, and said controller determines the location of a furniture unit relative to the layout of the floor plan by determining to which of said communication modules the furniture unit is connected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system as defined in claim 3, wherein the furniture unit includes a utility network that is coupled to the coupler of one of said communication modules.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as defined in claim 4, wherein the utility network includes a plurality of utility appliances connected to the coupler of said communication module.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as defined in claim 4, wherein said communication modules are mounted within a floor structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as defined in claim 4, wherein said communication modules are mounted within a ceiling structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as defined in claim 4, wherein said controller generates and stores a modified layout of the floor plan including the locations of any identified furniture units.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as defined in claim 5, wherein said controller identifies the location of said utility appliances relative to the floor plan by determining to which of said communication modules said utility appliances are connected.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
147 words
A system for distributing utilities at furniture units in a furniture arrangement, comprising: a communication network; a plurality of electrical outlets associated with at least one of said furniture units and including a signaler communicatively connected with said network, at least one of said outlets connected with a first power source and at least one other of said outlets being connected with a second power source; and a control system communicatively connected with said signaler through said network, said control system monitors said first and second power sources in order to determine attributes of power delivered on said power sources, said control system further determines which of said outlets is connected with each of said first and second power sources and indicates to a monitor, at least one attribute of said first and second power sources and which outlets are connected with each of said power sources.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
147 words
A system for distributing utilities at furniture units in a furniture arrangement, comprising: a communication network; a plurality of electrical outlets associated with at least one of said furniture units and including a signaler communicatively connected with said network, at least one of said outlets connected with a first power source and at least one other of said outlets being connected with a second power source; and a control system communicatively connected with said signaler through said network, said control system monitors said first and second power sources in order to determine attributes of power delivered on said power sources, said control system further determines which of said outlets is connected with each of said first and second power sources and indicates to a monitor, at least one attribute of said first and second power sources and which outlets are connected with each of said power sources.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system in claim 10 wherein said control system includes a modulator which sequentially modulates each of said power sources and wherein said signaler is responsive to a modulated signal to inform said control system which of said outlets are connected with the modulated power source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system in claim 11 wherein said modulator modulates each of said power sources by momentarily suppressing one polarity of an AC power waveform.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system in claim 10 wherein said monitor includes indicators at each of said outlets.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system in claim 13 wherein said monitors include indications for the load capacity of the outlet and wherein said control system monitors the load on each of said power source and operates indicators for outlets connected with each power source as a function of the load on that power source.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-08-23 | 2003-02-22 | 2003-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-23 | 2007-02-22 | 2007-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-23 | 2011-02-22 | 2011-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |