MULTIFUNCTION CONTROL MODULE AND CORRESPONDING METHOD

A multifunction control module including a housing having a flat tabletop surface on an upper side and a channel defined by a sidewall extending downwardly from an opening through the flat tabletop surface. A movable section may be positioned within the channel and movable within the channel between a first position forming a part of the flat tabletop surface and a second position below the flat tabletop surface. A drive module may control the movement of the moveable section between the first position and the second position, and a position detection module may determine a position of the movable section.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates generally but without limitation to smart home technology. In an aspect, the exemplary embodiment(s) relate to a multifunction control module that may include a flat tabletop surface which provides various smart home capabilities in addition to providing a cupholder feature.

Various types of control modules are known for controlling various functions of smart home devices, appliances, and furniture. Such control modules may be enabled to wirelessly control smart home features such as lighting, refrigeration, television, audio, and the like.

Further, it is known to integrate a cup holder into various items, such as the arm of a recliner, tabletop or other home appliance. Such integrated cup holders may be difficult or impossible to remove or clean, and often take up surface area when not in use to hold a cup.

In addition, known tabletop surfaces may not meet the needs of the smart home owner. For example, non-functional tabletop surfaces merely carry objects and serve as decoration.

For at least the above reasons, a need exists for an integrated control module that provides the benefits of, e.g., smart home control and other electrical/electronic functionalities, a tabletop surface, and a cupholder, with efficient use of space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In an aspect, the disclosure relates to a multifunction control module. The multifunction control module may include a housing having a flat tabletop surface on an upper side and a channel defined by a sidewall extending downwardly from an opening through the flat tabletop surface. A movable section may be positioned within the channel and moveable within the channel between a first position forming a part of the flat tabletop surface and a second position below the flat tabletop surface.

In an aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for changing a configuration of a provided multifunction control module. The multifunction control may include a housing having a flat tabletop surface on an upper side and a channel defined by a sidewall extending downwardly from an opening through the flat tabletop surface, and a movable section positioned within the channel and moveable within the channel between a first position forming a part of the flat tabletop surface and a second position below the flat tabletop surface. The method may include controlling the movement of the moveable section between the first position and the second position.

In an aspect, the disclosure relates to a multifunction control module. The multifunction control module may include a housing having a flat tabletop surface on an upper side and a channel defined by a sidewall extending downwardly from an opening through the flat tabletop surface. A movable section may be positioned within the channel and movable within the channel between a first position forming a part of the flat tabletop surface and a second position below the flat tabletop surface. The multifunction control module may have a control circuit driver module programmed for controlling the movable section.

Various features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components throughout the figures and detailed description. The various described features are not necessarily drawn to scale in the drawings but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to some embodiments.

The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure or the claims. To facilitate understanding, reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments relate generally to a multifunction control module with a movable cupholder section that may provide a flat surface when not in use and provide additional benefits such as allowing easier cleaning. In various aspects, the multifunction control module may provide additional functionality, such as wireless charging, audio speakers, Universal Serial Bus (USB) and other ports, and the like, via the tabletop surface. Thus, the exemplary embodiment(s) may provide a multifunction control module with various features and benefits, and efficient use of space. Reference will now be made in detail to various exemplary embodiments. Each example is provided by way of explanation and is not meant as a limitation and does not constitute a definition of all possible embodiments.

For purposes of this disclosure, the phrases “devices,” “systems,” and “methods” may be used either individually or in any combination referring without limitation to disclosed components, grouping, arrangements, steps, functions, or processes. Further, relative and/or spatial phrases such as “above”, “below”, “up” and “upwardly”, “down” and “downwardly”, and the like, are to aid in understanding the features and aspects, e.g., as shown in the drawings, of the exemplary embodiments, without limitation.

For purposes of illustrating features of the embodiments, an exemplary embodiment will now be introduced and referenced throughout the disclosure. This example is illustrative and not limiting and is provided for illustrating the exemplary features of a multifunction control module as described throughout this disclosure.

With reference toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, an exemplary embodiment of a multifunction control module10may include a housing72having a flat tabletop surface12on an upper side and a channel16defined by a sidewall15extending downwardly from an opening11through the flat tabletop surface12. In an aspect, the sidewall15may be formed integrally with the flat tabletop surface12as a downwardly-projecting collar through which a void exists in the flat tabletop surface12, thereby defining the opening11. In other embodiments, the sidewall15may be a wall of a separate structure connected, joined, or secured to an underside (i.e., within the housing72) of the flat tabletop surface12, in alignment with the opening11which may be formed as an aperture through the flat tabletop surface12. In still other embodiments, the sidewall15may include a portion integral to the flat tabletop surface12connected, joined, or secured to a wall of a separate structure, or other configuration consistent with this disclosure.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the exemplary multifunction control module10includes a movable section14positioned within the channel16. The movable section14may be movable within the channel16, between a first position (as shown inFIG. 1) at which the movable section14is substantially planar with and thereby forms a part of the flat tabletop surface12, and a second position (as shown inFIG. 2) at which the movable section14is below the flat tabletop surface12and a portion16′ of the channel16above the movable section14is open to the opening11. For purposes of this disclosure, “substantially” means generally consistent with the spirit of the disclosure but without limitation to any particular measure. The movable section14is dimensioned to fit within the channel16and be movable relative to the sidewall15but in close enough proximity to, e.g., form in the first position a substantially continuous surface with the flat tabletop surface12, and to prevent debris from falling between the movable section14and the sidewall15, into an inside of the housing72in which controls are housed as discussed further below.

With reference toFIG. 2, the open portion16′ of the channel16above the movable section14in the second position may serve as, e.g., a cup holder—i.e., a user may put a cup in the open portion16′ of the channel16and the movable section14may serve as a bottom surface of the cup holder. The movable section14may be movable to various heights within the channel16, to accommodate a variety of cups. The channel16may be any size or shape consistent with this disclosure, and a plurality of channels16may be similarly provided with a multifunction control module10according to the exemplary embodiments, dimensioned accordingly.

The movable section14may have a circularly-shaped profile (as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2). In other embodiments, the movable section14may have, for example and without limitation, a polygonal (e.g., octagonally-shaped) shape/profile, a rectangularly- or oval-shaped profile (not shown) (e.g., to function in the second position as a smartphone holder), or an inter-engaging profile such as a toothed pattern or a wave pattern (e.g., for an interesting design or specialized holder). As the movable section14and the sidewall15need only be adapted to one another, the movable section14and the channel16may correspondingly take any shape/profile and size consistent with this disclosure, as needs, applications, and preferences dictate.

In other aspects, the flat tabletop surface12may also include, e.g., ornamental or other surface features17or designs, and functional connections or componentry (as discussed further below) such as one or more auxiliary ports38and a speaker grate34athrough which a speaker34within the housing72may project audio. In an aspect, the surface feature17may include a logo or decorative design printed on or otherwise affixed to the tabletop surface12.

FIG. 4shows a block diagram of exemplary control circuitry for a multifunction control module according to the disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, the control circuitry components may be any known components consistent with the disclosure, as would be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the disclosure. The control circuitry and componentry, including the various modules, drivers, and operative components (e.g., motor and gear arrangement19, speaker34, coil32, etc.) as discussed below, may be within the housing72. In an exemplary embodiment, without limitation, the housing72may include a top housing portion72aand a bottom housing portion72bjoined together and enclosing the control circuitry and operative components. As shown inFIG. 4, without limitation, the control circuitry may further include a drive module18for controlling the movement of the moveable section14between the first position and the second position by a motor and gear arrangement19, such as a direct current (DC) deceleration motor, a screw drive motor, or the like. In an aspect, the drive module18may include a position detection module20for measuring a position of the movable section14. The position detection module20may incorporate any known components or techniques for determining position, consistent with this disclosure. For example, electrical, electromechanical, and optical sensors, and the like. Such sensor or position-determining component may be positioned generally at the bottom (i.e., corresponding to the second position of the movable section14) of the channel16.

According to a further aspect, the control circuitry may include a control circuit22for controlling various modules according to control circuitry for particular embodiments. The control circuit22may include a microcontroller unit (MCU) such as a51series single chip microcomputer, a TI series single chip microcomputer, an ARM series single chip microcomputer, and the like. It is understood that a “module” according to the diagram shown inFIG. 4may include, without limitation, a portion of an actual control circuit, i.e., a module occupying a particular portion of a circuit board or other architecture on which the control circuit22is built and forming a part thereof. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 4, a power module24provides power for the control circuit22, modules, and components. A power connector20such as a power plug or converter may be provided for connecting the power module24to an external power source (e.g., such as a power outlet or battery).

FIG. 3shows a further exemplary embodiment of a multifunction control module10. Common and/or consistent aspects of the exemplary embodiment(s) discussed with respect toFIGS. 1 and 2are not necessarily repeated throughout the disclosure but understood as forming a part of each exemplary embodiment(s), unless otherwise indicated or inconsistent therewith. The exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 3includes, without limitation, an array28of touch buttons29that are connected to the control circuit22and positioned on or as integrated operable areas of the flat tabletop surface12. The touch buttons29may communicate with various control circuitry for controlling functions of the multifunction control module10.

For example, a corresponding touch button29may signal the drive module18to move the movable section14. The touch button29, upon actuation, may send a signal to the drive module18via the control circuit22, and the drive module18may cause the motor of the motor and gear arrangement19to turn on, driving the gear in the direction indicated by the control signal. The movement of the movable section14may be sensed by the position detection module20, which, in an aspect, may prevent movement of the movable section14beyond upper and lower limits (e.g., the upper limit may be co-planar with the top of the tabletop surface12and the lower limit may be a pre-set distance from, e.g., the position sensor at the bottom of the channel16).

A switch13may be provided on the flat tabletop surface12for turning the multifunction control module10on and off. For example, the switch13may include a touch or push button, a contact switch, or a mechanical switch which is connected to or in communication with, e.g., the power module24and/or the control circuit22, to control the power supply to, and thereby the on/off state of, the multifunction control module10.

The control circuitry may further include a wireless charging module30. The wireless charging module30may control a charging coil32that is integrated into the movable section14, adjacent at a wireless charging region31of the movable section14. The charging coil32may be located under the surface of the movable section14that is planar in the first position with the flat tabletop surface12. Thus, the wireless charging region31of the movable section14may be used as a wireless charger for mobile electronics and the like. In other embodiments, the wireless charging region31may be located on any area of the flat tabletop surface12—placement or arrangement of the charging region31is not limited to the movable section14.

The multifunction control module may further include backlights for lighting features or regions of the flat tabletop surface12, including, without limitation, the touch buttons29, the wireless charging region31, and audio touch controls36(as discussed further below). The backlights may aid in seeing operational areas in the dark. As shown inFIG. 4, a light-emitting diode (LED) driver module47and an LED light control module49may be provided for controlling operation and illumination levels of backlighting of the flat tabletop surface12(or other features in a like manner).

In an aspect, the audio touch controls36may be positioned on the flat tabletop surface12for controlling audio functions of the multifunction control module10and, e.g., an external audio device such as a smartphone or streaming device. In aspect, the audio touch controls36may include volume controls for the speaker34. The control circuit22may include an audio decoder35and an audio power amplifier37for processing and projecting audio signals through the speaker34.

The auxiliary port38disposed in the flat tabletop surface12may include one or more of various auxiliary connectors38a,38b,38c, such as, without limitation, a ¾″ jack, USB (/micro-USB/USB-C/etc.) port, and the like, for connecting to, charging, and/or communicating with external electronic devices. For example, headphones, a microphone, mobile electronics, and the like. In an aspect, the control circuitry may include an audio processing module60for transmitting to and/or receiving and processing signals from connected electronic devices, via, e.g., a general auxiliary device jack61, a microphone jack62, a headphone jack63. In an aspect, a USB power output module64may be provided for charging an electronic device via the USB port (e.g.,38a). For example, an external device such as a smartphone or similar device may be connected to one of the ports38a,38b,38cfor charging the device and/or playing music via the speaker34. In an aspect, one or more of the touch buttons29and/or audio control buttons36may be used to control certain functions of an external electronic device. For example, the audio control buttons36may include controls for selecting songs or tracks from a streaming media device.

The control circuit may also include one or more of various furniture control modules (e.g., massage chair control module40) for controlling one or more of various functions of a furniture item—in an aspect, the furniture item may be a furniture item in which the multifunction control module10is installed, as discussed further below. The furniture item may be, without limitation, an electric recliner, chair, bed, or the like. In an aspect, the furniture control module41may control functions including, without limitation, heating, cooling, massage, position adjustment (e.g., angle of recline, raising or lowering of recliner footrest, adjustment of lumbar support), and the like. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 4, the massage chair control module40may be for a reclining massage chair with heating and cooling functions and may include a heating and cooling module42, a massage control module44, and a position control module46.

The control circuitry may further include a remote-control output module48. The remote-control output module48may be used to control devices, such as furniture modules, mobile electronics, smart home devices and appliances, and the like, having wireless control capabilities (i.e., Bluetooth, WiFi, radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), and the like). Exemplary devices may be, without limitation, a television, home audio, a home heating or cooling system, a refrigerator, lighting, an alarm or security system, electronic windows and doors, furniture items such as discussed above, and other devices consistent with the disclosure. The respective exemplary remote-control output module48and external remote-control module50as shown inFIG. 4include a respectively coupled RF module52and RF antenna53, Bluetooth module54and Bluetooth antenna55, and WiFi module56and WiFi antenna57. The remote-control output module48further includes an IR remote control module58. Each respectively coupled antenna-module pair receives and sends corresponding signals from/to an external device. For example, a smartphone may be connected to the Bluetooth module54, via a Bluetooth connection through the Bluetooth antenna55, for playing music via the speaker34.

With reference now toFIG. 5, an exemplary embodiment of the multifunction control module10includes mounting hardware70,74for mounting the multifunction control module10to a piece of furniture, and other connections77,78for joining and securing the housing portions72a,72band internal components in position. The mounting hardware may include threaded rods70extending from a rear surface79of the housing72, opposite the front tabletop surface12, of the multifunction control module10. The rear surface79may include other functional aspects of the multifunction control module10, such as a vent80for exhausting heat generated by the control circuitry, motor(s), and other components within the housing72.

The assembled multifunction control module10may be adapted to be fit into a recessed portion, scaffold, or other correspondingly configured portion of the furniture such that the threaded rods70pass through correspondingly formed holes in a structure of the furniture (such as a frame of an arm of a recliner) and are secured thereto by connecting respective threaded nuts74to the threaded rods70.

In an aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for changing a configuration of a multifunction control module10, according to the exemplary embodiment(s), including the housing72having the flat tabletop surface12on the upper side and the channel16defined by the sidewall15extending downwardly from the opening11through the flat tabletop surface12. Further, the movable section14positioned within the channel16and movable between the first position forming the part of the flat tabletop surface12and the second position below the flat tabletop surface12. The method may include controlling the movement of the moveable section14between the first position and the second position.

According to a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for providing a multifunction control module10according to the exemplary embodiment(s). The method may include providing the housing72having the flat tabletop surface12on the upper side and the channel16defined by the sidewall15extending downwardly from the opening11through the flat tabletop surface12. The method may further include positioning a movable section14within the channel16, such that the movable section14is movable within the channel16between a first position forming a part of the flat tabletop surface12and a second position below the flat tabletop surface12.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a multifunction control module10as described above and throughout this disclosure includes the housing72having the flat tabletop surface12on the upper side, and the channel16defined by the sidewall15extending downwardly from the opening11through the flat tabletop surface12. The movable section14is positioned within the channel16and movable within the channel16between the first position forming a part of the flat tabletop surface12and the second position below the flat tabletop surface12. The exemplary multifunction control module10further includes the control circuit driver module18programmed for controlling movement of the movable section14between the first position and the second position.

The multifunction control module10according to the exemplary embodiments may provide central control of, among other things, various home and furniture functions, integrated wireless charging capabilities for external devices, and a flat tabletop surface and available cupholder in a space-saving configuration.

This disclosure, in various embodiments, configurations and aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems, and/or apparatuses as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. This disclosure contemplates, in various embodiments, configurations and aspects, the actual or optional use or inclusion of, e.g., components or processes as may be well-known or understood in the art and consistent with this disclosure though not depicted and/or described herein.

In this specification and the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that have the following meanings. The terms “a” (or “an”) and “the” refer to one or more of that entity, thereby including plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “an embodiment” and the like are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term such as “about” is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Terms such as “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower” etc. are used to identify one element from another, and unless otherwise specified are not meant to refer to a particular order or number of elements.

As used in the claims, the word “comprises” and its grammatical variants logically also subtend and include phrases of varying and differing extent such as for example, but not limited thereto, “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.” Where necessary, ranges have been supplied, and those ranges are inclusive of all sub-ranges therebetween. It is to be expected that the appended claims should cover variations in the ranges except where this disclosure makes clear the use of a particular range in certain embodiments.

This disclosure is presented for purposes of illustration and description. This disclosure is not limited to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the Detailed Description of this disclosure, for example, various features of some exemplary embodiments are grouped together to representatively describe those and other contemplated embodiments, configurations, and aspects, to the extent that including in this disclosure a description of every potential embodiment, variant, and combination of features is not feasible. Thus, the features of the disclosed embodiments, configurations, and aspects may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, and aspects not expressly discussed above. For example, the features recited in the following claims lie in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this disclosure.

Advances in science and technology may provide variations that are not necessarily express in the terminology of this disclosure although the claims would not necessarily exclude these variations.