Patent Publication Number: US-10760783-B2

Title: Table with attached lamp and embedded touch controls

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/374,954, filed Dec. 9, 2016 and entitled TABLE WITH ATTACHED LIGHT AND EMBEDDED CONTROLS, which is a non-provisional patent application claiming the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 from U.S. Patent Application No. 62/265,400, filed Dec. 9, 2015. The disclosures of the foregoing patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     A variety of furniture has been designed to incorporate electric lighting. The functionality of furniture intended to facilitate reading and writing, such as desks and tables, can be particularly enhanced through the addition of artificial lighting, in order to allow the furniture to be better used at night or in low-light surroundings. An example of an electric light secured to a desk or table can be seen, for example, in US Patent Publication No. US20130163232 to Hirofumi Kasuga. 
     Furniture which incorporates sensors for controlling an electrical device is also known. For example, the cabinet described in US Patent Publication No. 20130249568 includes illuminated touch controls. Airline furniture as described in US Patent Publication No. 20140246300 has also been designed to include electronic switches. There remains a need, however, for improved furniture designs which incorporate lighting. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention comprises a table top and built in lamp for providing lighting to a user. The table top has a planar upper surface, a lower surface, and a recess in the planar upper surface. A lamp having a proximal end and a distal end is positioned in the recess such that the upper surface of the lamp is co-planar with the planar upper surface of the table top when the lamp is in the closed position. The proximal end of the lamp is connected to the table top so as to allow articulation of the distal end of the lamp with respect to the table top. Preferably, the lamp is connected to the table top with a hinge and is rotatable around the hinge between a closed position, in which lower surface of the lamp faces the upper surface of the recess, and an open position in which the lamp is disposed at an angle with respect to the planar upper surface of the table top. The lamp comprises a light source which is able to emit light when placed in communication with a source of electricity. The present table top further includes a first sensor that detects whether the lamp is in the open position or in the closed position, the first sensor being located adjacent to the recess and/or the lamp. The first sensor can be, for example, a Hall effect sensor, a Reed switch, or a dead man&#39;s switch. 
     An embedded touch control that controls the light level of the lamp is provided in the present table beneath the planar upper surface of the table top. The touch control comprises a capacitive touch sensor having a conductive layer and an indicator light, the indicator light being positioned beneath and spaced apart from the conductive layer of the touch sensor. The conductive layer can be metal, and the indicator light preferably comprises one or more LEDs. The first sensor, the touch control, and the lamp are in electrical communication with control circuitry which controls a light level of the lamp in response to a signal received from the touch sensor. In the table top, light from the indicator light is able to pass through a translucent portion of the planar upper surface above the touch control and form indicia, and when the lamp is placed in the open position, the indicator light is activated and emits light, but when the lamp is in the closed position, the indicator light does not emit light. 
     In one embodiment, the touch control activates and deactivates the lamp. Alternatively, the lamp can turn on automatically when the first sensor detects that the lamp is in the open position. The touch control also preferably changes a light level of the lamp. The lamp can include a proximal section and a distal section, and in preferred embodiments the distal section of the lamp is rotatable with respect to the proximal section. The table top can be formed from a variety of materials, such as medium density fiberboard, solid laminate, wood veneer, opaque acrylic, and plastic, and can include a veneer over another substrate. The translucent portion of the planar upper surface can be formed by etching a portion of the lower surface of the table top, such as to a depth of between 0.1 millimeter and 1 millimeter, more preferably to a depth of between 0.2 millimeter and 5 millimeters, and even more preferably to a depth of between 0.5 millimeter and 10 millimeters. 
     The table top is preferably incorporated into a table that has one or more supports for the table top. The one or more supports can be vertically extending legs. In a conventional table incorporating the present table top, the table can have four legs. In other configurations, a piece of furniture incorporating the present table top can include a plurality of lamps. 
    
    
     
       FIGURES 
       The accompanying figures, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a top, left side perspective view of an embodiment of a table top of the present invention, showing the attached lamp in a closed position. 
         FIG. 2  is a top, right side perspective view of an embodiment of a table top of the present invention, showing the lamp in an open position. 
         FIG. 3  is another top, right side perspective view of the table top of  FIG. 2  with the lamp in an open position. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom, right side perspective view of an embodiment of a lamp having two sections for use with the present table. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the lamp of  FIG. 4  showing its interior components. 
         FIG. 5A  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a lamp having two sections for use with the present table. 
         FIG. 6  is a top, left side perspective view of the lamp of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6A  is a top, perspective view of the embodiment of the lamp shown in  FIG. 6  which shows a partial cutaway view of the proximal section and the proximal end of the distal section of the lamp. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the table top of the present invention showing embedded touch controls and a veneer covering the planar upper surface of the table top. 
         FIG. 7A  shows the lower surface of a veneer for use with the present table top, showing indicia in the veneer. 
         FIG. 8  shows a bottom, sectional view of an embedded touch control. 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of an embodiment of the embedded touch control. 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of the present table top. 
         FIG. 10A  is a top, left side perspective view of the table top of  FIG. 1 , showing a user&#39;s hand operating lighted touch controls with the attached lamp in an open position. 
         FIG. 11  is a left side, perspective view of an embodiment of the present table with a single lamp. 
         FIG. 12  is a left side, perspective view of an embodiment of the present table with multiple lamps. 
     
    
    
     The reference numbers in the figures have the following meanings: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Reference 
               
               
                   
                 Component 
                 Number 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 table 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 supports for the table top 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 lower cover 
                 9 
               
               
                   
                 table top 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 table top planar upper surface 
                 12 
               
               
                   
                 table top lower surface 
                 14 
               
               
                   
                 table top front side 
                 11 
               
               
                   
                 table top rear side 
                 13 
               
               
                   
                 table top right side 
                 16 
               
               
                   
                 table top left side 
                 18 
               
               
                   
                 table top opening for recess 
                 15 
               
               
                   
                 veneer 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 veneer front side 
                 21 
               
               
                   
                 veneer rear side 
                 23 
               
               
                   
                 veneer upper surface 
                 22 
               
               
                   
                 veneer lower surface 
                 24 
               
               
                   
                 veneer right side 
                 26 
               
               
                   
                 veneer left side 
                 28 
               
               
                   
                 recess 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 recess lower surface 
                 34 
               
               
                   
                 recess front side 
                 31 
               
               
                   
                 recess rear side 
                 33 
               
               
                   
                 recess right side 
                 36 
               
               
                   
                 recess left side 
                 38 
               
               
                   
                 spring hinge 
                 40 
               
               
                   
                 spring hinge first joining portion 
                 42 
               
               
                   
                 spring hinge second joining portion 
                 44 
               
               
                   
                 spring 
                 45 
               
               
                   
                 lamp 
                 50 
               
               
                   
                 lamp upper surface 
                 52 
               
               
                   
                 lamp lower surface 
                 54 
               
               
                   
                 lamp proximal end 
                 57 
               
               
                   
                 lamp distal end 
                 59 
               
               
                   
                 lamp right side 
                 56 
               
               
                   
                 lamp left side 
                 58 
               
               
                   
                 lamp front side 
                 51 
               
               
                   
                 lamp rear side 
                 53 
               
               
                   
                 latch 
                 55 
               
               
                   
                 lamp proximal section 
                 61 
               
               
                   
                 lamp proximal section proximal end 
                 62 
               
               
                   
                 lamp proximal section distal end 
                 63 
               
               
                   
                 lamp distal section 
                 65 
               
               
                   
                 lamp distal section proximal end 
                 66 
               
               
                   
                 lamp distal section distal end 
                 67 
               
               
                   
                 lamp hinge 
                 70 
               
               
                   
                 closed position 
                 72 
               
               
                   
                 open position 
                 74 
               
               
                   
                 channel 
                 73 
               
               
                   
                 section hinge 
                 75 
               
               
                   
                 light source 
                 80 
               
               
                   
                 first sensor 
                 90 
               
               
                   
                 magnet 
                 92 
               
               
                   
                 embedded touch control 
                 200 
               
               
                   
                 sensor circuitry 
                 210 
               
               
                   
                 control circuitry 
                 215 
               
               
                   
                 electrical connector 
                 217 
               
               
                   
                 capacitive touch sensor 
                 220 
               
               
                   
                 conductive layer 
                 222 
               
               
                   
                 sensor wire 
                 223 
               
               
                   
                 patterned metal layer 
                 224 
               
               
                   
                 indicia 
                 225 
               
               
                   
                 solder point 
                 227 
               
               
                   
                 lighted indicator 
                 240 
               
               
                   
                 electrical wires 
                 260 
               
               
                   
                 indicator light 
                 280 
               
               
                   
                 LEDs 
                 282 
               
               
                   
                 area of reduced thickness 
                 290 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DESCRIPTION 
     Definitions 
     As used herein, the following terms and variations thereof have the meanings given below, unless a different meaning is clearly intended by the context in which such term is used. 
     “Below” and “under” denote the relative position of a component which is located downwardly with respect to the position of another component of the present device. “Above” and “over” denote the opposite relative position of a component, i.e. a position which is located upwardly with respect to the position of another component. 
     “Downward” and “downwardly” mean in the direction of or toward a floor or other surface on which the present device is placed, unless otherwise indicated. “Upward” and “upwardly” mean in the opposite direction, away from a floor or other surface. 
     “Elongated” refers to a configuration or shape having a length which is longer than its width. 
     A “hinge” is a movable joint which connects two components of the present device and allows rotation around the joint or movement with respect to the unconnected portions of the device. 
     “Lamp” is a device for giving light. 
     “Lower” refers to the relative position of a component in the present device which is closer to a floor or other surface on which the present device is placed. “Upper” refers to the relative position of a component which is further from the floor or other surface. 
     “Recess” refers to a portion of the present table top which extends below the planar upper surface of the table top and comprises a receptacle area for receiving the lamp portion of the table. 
     “Table” refers to a piece of furniture with a substantially planar upper surface which provides a rigid surface on which objects may be placed, and which is supported above a support surface such as a floor. Tables are typically supported above a support surface by one or more legs or other supports, and may include additional structural components. 
     “Table top” refers to the upper, generally horizontal portion of a table which includes the upper surface and which is supported above the ground or other support surface. A table top may be supported by legs and/or other structural components of a table, and may be retained in a framework in the manner of a drafting table. 
     “Translucent” refers to a material or substance which allows some visible light to pass through but which scatters or diffuses the light, and/or which absorbs or blocks the passage of some light. Translucent materials prevent detailed images from being seen through the material. 
     “Transparent” refers to a material or substance which allows sufficient visible spectrum light to pass through to allow detailed images to be seen through the material, such as clear glass or plastic. 
     “Veneer” refers to a thin layer of material, such as plastic or wood, overlaying a support surface. Veneers of the present table are generally between 0.1 and 10 millimeters, in order to allow a capacitance sensor to be activated by the touch of a finger and also to allow the passage of light therethrough from an indicator light. 
     Terms of relative position such as “upper,” “lower,” “top”, “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “right,” “left,” and similar terms are used to designate areas and positions of portions or components of the present device with respect to other portions of components of the present device, but it is to be understood that these terms are relative and are not absolute terms. For example, “right” and “left” are used to designate opposing lateral positions. 
     The term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” and similar referents used herein are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless their usage in context indicates otherwise. 
     Table with Attached Lamp 
     The present table  1  generally comprises a table top  10  having an attached lamp  50  and embedded touch controls  200 . The table top  10  has a planar upper surface  12  and a lower surface  14 , and in embodiments in which the table top  10  is square or rectangular the table top  10  further comprises a front side  11 , rear side  13 , right side  16 , and left side  18 . In a preferred embodiment, the table top  10  comprises a structural lower portion covered by a veneer  20 , which then forms the planar upper surface  12 . The veneer  20 , when used, comprises a front side  21 , rear side  23 , right side  26 , left side  28 , upper surface  22 , and lower surface  24 . 
     The table top  10  further includes an opening  15  in the planar upper surface  12  which forms a recess  30  which extends downwardly below the planar upper surface  12  in order to be able to contain the lamp  50 . When the lamp  50  has a cuboid shape, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the lamp  50  generally comprises an upper surface  52 , lower surface  54 , proximal end  57 , distal end  59 , right side  56 , left side  58 , front side  51 , rear side  53 , proximal end  57 , and distal end  59 . 
     The lamp  50  is positioned in the recess  30  so that the planar upper surface  52  of the lamp  50  is co-planar with the planar upper surface  12  of the table top  10  when the lamp  50  is retained in the recess  30  in a closed position  72  ( FIG. 1 ). Preferably, the planar upper surface  52  of the lamp  50  is formed from a material or veneer which is the same as that of the planar upper surface  12  of the table top  10 , so that when the lamp is in the closed position  72 , the table top  10  looks like a uniform surface from the upper side. 
     The recess  30  includes a lower surface  34 , and in the illustrated embodiments the recess  30  further comprises a front side  31 , rear side  33 , right side  36 , and left side  38 . In the closed position  72 , the front side  31  of the recess  30  faces the front side  51  of the lamp  50 ; the right side  36  of the recess  30  faces the right side  56  of the lamp  50 ; and the left side  38  of the recess  30  faces the left side  58  of the lamp  50 . In the illustrated embodiments, the rear side of the recess  30  is open, but in embodiments in which the recess  30  is enclosed by the table top, the rear side  53  of the lamp  50  will face a rear side of the recess  30 . The recess  30  can further comprise other structural components for securely retaining the lamp  50  in the closed position  72 , for example by means of a catch or other mating connector for a fastener such as the illustrated latch  55  on the distal end  59  of the lamp  50 . Other mechanisms known in the art, such as a touch latch or catch and strike plate can also be used. 
     The proximal end  57  of the lamp  50  is connected to the table top  10  so that the free distal end  59  can be moved upwardly relative to the proximal end  57  in order to place the lamp  50  in an open position  74  in which the distal end  59  is above the planar upper surface  12  of the table top  10 . Articulation of the lamp  50  in this way is preferably accomplished with a hinged connection so that the lamp  50  is thereby rotatable around the hinge between a closed position  72  as shown in  FIG. 1  and an open position  74  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In the illustrated embodiments, the lamp hinge  70  comprises a channel  73  for retaining a rod (not shown). The rod extends outside the channel  73  and is retained in corresponding channels (not shown) in the right side  36  and left side  38  of the recess  30 . Other types of hinged connections known to the art can also be used. 
     Preferably, the lamp  50  includes a lift mechanism, so that when a user presses on the lamp  50  or otherwise actuates a predetermined mechanism, the distal end  59  of the lamp  50  is urged upwardly. For example, the proximal end  57  of the lamp  50  can include a spring hinge  40 , in order to facilitate opening and closing of the lamp  50 . The spring hinge  40  can comprise a spring  45 , a first joining portion  42  which connects the hinge  40  to the table top  10 , and a second joining portion  44  to connect the hinge  40  to the lamp  50 . For example, the first joining portion  42  and second joining portion  44  can comprise the ends of a spring, such as a 180 degree torsion spring, or can be brackets mechanically connected to a spring of the hinge. The bracket of the first joining portion  42  can then be mechanically attached to the table top  10  and/or to the lower surface  34  of the recess  30  through screws or other fasteners, and the bracket of the second joining portion  44  can likewise be mechanically attached to the lamp  50 . 
     In one embodiment, the lamp  50  can comprise a proximal section  61  and a distal section  65  which are rotatable or otherwise movable with respect to each other to allow the light source  80  in the distal section  65  to rotate. The proximal section  61  has a proximal end  62  attached to the lamp hinge  70  and a distal end  63  attached to a proximal end  66  of the distal section  65 . The distal section  65  further comprises a distal end  67 , which is also the distal end  59  of the lamp  50 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the distal section  65  can be rotated with respect to the proximal section  61  around the longitudinal axis of the lamp  50 . Such rotation is enabled by a rod or conduit  75  which extends through the proximal section  61  and the distal section  65  in order to mechanically connect the proximal section  61  to the distal section  65  and serve as an axis around which mechanical rotation of the proximal section  61  with respect to the distal section  65  is provided. The rod  75  is structurally strong enough to join the proximal section  61  to the distal section  65 , and is also preferably hollow and serves as a conduit to allow concealed wires to run from the light source  80  in the distal section  65  to the proximal section  61  and then to an electrical source, in order to be able to place the light source  80  in electrical communication with a source of electricity. In one embodiment the rod  75  is a ½″ aluminum rod. Preferably, the rod  75  includes a central channel to allow a wire or wires to pass therethrough, in order to place the light source  80  in communication with a source of electricity. 
     The lamp  50  further comprises a light source  80  in order to provide light to the upper surface  12  of the table top  10 . As best seen in  FIG. 5 , in a preferred embodiment the light source  80  can be an array or series of LED lights  82 . Preferably, the LED lights  82  are retained in a chamber within the lamp  50 , such as within the distal section  65 , and the lamp  50  comprises a lower surface  54  which is transparent or translucent in order to allow light from the LED lights  82  to shine through it. The light source  80  can be located along the longitudinal extent of the lamp  50  in a variety of locations or lengths, but preferably is at least positioned in the distal end of the  59  of the lamp  50 . 
     Preferably, the recess  30  further comprises a sensor for sensing when the lamp  50  is in a closed position  72  ( FIG. 1 ) or open position  74  ( FIG. 2 ). The position sensor (first sensor)  90  can be, for example, a Hall effect sensor, a Reed switch, or a dead man&#39;s switch. Preferably, there are hidden magnets  92  built into the right side  56  or left side  58  of the lamp  50  and a Hall effect sensor incorporated into the right side  36  or left side  38  of the recess  30  in the table top  10 , with the magnet or magnets  92  and the sensor  90  being positioned adjacent to each other when the lamp  50  is in the closed position  72 . The hidden magnets  92  are thereby lined up with the Hall effect sensor  90  such that they meet when the lamp  50  is in the closed position  72 . The sensor  90  is in electrical communication with circuitry which turns off the lamp  50  when the lamp  50  is placed in the closed position  72 . When the lamp is placed in the open position  74 , the circuitry preferably turns the lamp  50  on, for example when magnets  92  separate from the Hall effect sensor in the illustrated embodiment. Placing the lamp  50  in the open position also preferably activates the indicator lights  280  in order to make indicia  225  of the embedded touch control  200  visible, as discussed further below. 
     Touch Controls 
     The lamp  50  is further preferably controlled in the present table  1  through the use of embedded touch controls  200  located beneath the planar upper surface  12  of the table top  10 . The embedded touch control or controls  200  control the light level of the lamp  50 , preferably through the use of capacitive touch sensors  220  positioned below the planar upper surface  12 , through sensor circuitry  210  and control circuitry  215 . The position of such touch sensors  220  is indicated by one or more lighted indicators  240  formed by LEDs  280  shining light through etched portions of the lower surface  14  of the table top  10 . 
     In order to enable the use of such sensors  220 , the planar upper surface  12  of the table should be made of a material that is not conductive (not metal, for instance) and is not transparent (such as glass or clear plastic). One example of an appropriate material is medium density fiberboard (MDF), which is a high grade composite material made from recycled wood fibers and resin. Other examples include painted solid laminate, wood veneer, opaque acrylic, and plastic. The planar upper surface  12  can be a veneer  20 , for example ( FIG. 5 ). 
     The embedded touch control  200  needs to be simultaneously touch-sensitive and back-lit through the planar upper surface  12 . In order to provide a translucent area where light can pass and indicate the position of touch sensor  220 , an area of the lower surface  14  of the table top  10  containing the touch controls  200  is provided with a reduced thickness, either by being formed in this manner during manufacture or by etching, i.e. removing material from the lower surface  14  in order to provide an area of reduced thickness  290 . For example, the lower surface  14  can be etched with indicia (iconography or symbols)  225  to indicate the embedded touch control  200  that an indicator light  280  shines through to create the iconography. Preferably, the area around the iconography is painted with dark paint or other covering to prevent light from spilling through around the iconography, which would make it appear “blurry,” in particular on the lower surface  24  of the veneer  20 . The iconography preferably indicates a higher or lower light level of the lamp with recognizable indicia, such as a bar or bars of increasing length or thickness, or other shapes of increasing size, to indicate increasing light levels. 
     Preferably, the lower surface  14  is etched or otherwise provided with a thickness which makes it translucent, and a conductive layer  222  is provided below this. As illustrated in  FIG. 7A , for example, portions of the lower surface  24  of the veneer  20  can be etched or “rastered” to a depth which renders such etched portions  25  translucent when light is passed through them. The etched portions  25  are etched in a pattern so as to form the indicia  225  on the upper planar surface  12  of the table top  10  when light is shown through the etched portions  25 . In this way, the indicia  225  can be visibly displayed on the upper surface  22  of the veneer  20  when light is directed upward from below the lower side  24  of the veneer  20 . 
     The conductive layer  222  is typically metal, such as copper, and is preferably formed in a pattern which causes the iconography of the embedded touch control  200 , i.e. the lighted indicator  240 , to be produced when light is shined upwardly from below the conductive layer  222  through the area of reduced thickness  290 . The area covered by the conductive layer  222  defines the area of the embedded touch control  200  which will be touch responsive. The touch sensitive area of the embedded touch control  200  is thus preferably made of three layers: (1) a portion of the planar upper surface  12  positioned over an area of reduced thickness  290 , such as an area of reduced thickness on the lower surface  24  of the veneer  20 , where the iconography of the lighted indicator  240  will appear; (2) below this, a thin layer of metal (copper or conductive material) that is patterned (e.g., a hollow square); and (3) below this, an indicator light  280  such as an LED light  282  capable of shining light upwardly through the area of reduced thickness  290 . 
     When the area of reduced thickness  290  is produced by etching, it can be produced, for example, by a laser which creates the iconography of the embedded touch control. By etching with a laser, a part of the lower surface  14  can be cut into and made thinner. The depth of the etching is determined by a depth which allows the planar upper surface  12  to become translucent, and can be, for example, 0.1-1 millimeter, 0.2-5 millimeters, or 0.5-10 millimeters, depending on the material used in the table top  10 . When the table top  10  is covered with a veneer  20 , the part of the table top  10  below the veneer  20  where the embedded touch control  200  is located can be removed completely, and the etching can be conducted on the bottom side of the veneer  20 . In this embodiment, a hole is thus cut in the structural portion of the table top  10 , and the components of the embedded touch control  200  can be housed in the hole. 
     The capacitive touch sensor  220  of the embedded touch control  200  is placed in the area of reduced thickness  290  beneath the planar upper surface  12 . In one embodiment, the conductive layer  222  of the touch sensor  220  comprises a patterned metal layer  224 . In one embodiment, best seen in  FIG. 8 , the touch sensor  220  comprises a patterned metal layer  224  in electrical communication with sensor wires  223  which place the metal layer in communication with sensor circuitry  210 , with the wires  223  and metal layer  224  secured by sensor solder points  227 . Since the conductive layer  222  is typically formed from an opaque material such as copper or other metals, it is important that the conductive layer  222  be formed between and/or around the area of the lower surface  14  of the table top  10  which comprises the indicia  225 , so that the conductive layer  222  does not overlap the area which comprises the indicia  225 . In this way, light from the indicator lights  280  can shine through the upper surface  12  of the table top  10 . For example, the center of a metal layer forming the conductive layer  222  can be hollowed out to allow the light to shine through, in order for it to both be able to pass light through it and have enough conductive material to be able to detect capacitance where the icons appear. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the metal layer can alternatively be placed between the indicia. 
     As seen in  FIG. 9 , the sensor circuitry  210  and LEDs  282  are each in electrical communication with control circuitry  215 , such as a microprocessor, which can be housed on a circuit board for example. The control circuitry  215  is further in electrical communication with the first sensor  90  and with the lamp via an electrical connector  217 . When the position of the lamp  50  is changed from a closed position  72  to an open position  74 , the circuit formed by sensor  90  is changed which is detected by control circuitry  215 , which activates the indicator lights  280  (LEDs  282 ). The indicator lights  280  thereby shine light through the upper planar surface  12  to make the indicia  225  visible to a user. When the sensor circuitry  210  of the capacitive touch sensor  220  experiences a change in capacitance, such as due to the presence of a user&#39;s finger contacting the planar upper surface  12  above the conductive layer  222 , the sensor circuitry  210  will provide a signal to the control circuitry  215  via electrical wires  260 , and the control circuitry  215  will adjust the light level of the lamp  50  based on the portion of the conductive layer  222  which experienced a capacitance change. In order to protect the wires and circuitry, a cover  9  is preferably placed under them, i.e. beneath the portion of the lower surface  14  where the electrical components are located, so that the electrical components are between the cover  9  and the lower surface  14 . 
     Since the indicator light  280  comprises metal and is thus conductive, if it sits too close to the metal layer  224 , the metal from the indicator light  280  or from the metal in the wires could potentially trigger the sensor circuitry  210  to detect a signal. This can be prevented by spacing the indicator light and associated wires apart from the conductive layer  222 , such as by positioning the indicator lights  280  a predetermined distance below the conductive layer  222 , which in one embodiment can be ¾″. This arrangement has the further benefit of providing “back lighting” to the area of reduced thickness  290 . 
     From the user&#39;s perspective, the indicator light, when activated, will shine up through the area outlined by the area of reduced thickness  290  and conductive layer  222  and through the planar upper surface  12  to create a glowing icon (indicia  225 ) on the upper surface  12  of the table top  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10A , when a user&#39;s finger  2  touches an illuminated icon  225 , there is a change in the capacitance in the conductive layer  222  just beneath that area of the upper surface  12 , which the sensor circuitry  210  detects and sends a signal to the control circuitry  215 . That information can be used to then trigger an action based on what icon was activated by the user, such as increasing or decreasing the light level (brightness) of the lamp. The user sees icons illuminated on the table top upon lifting the task light and, as illustrated in  FIG. 10A , the user can change the brightness of the lamp  50  by dragging a finger along the area where these controls appear. 
     In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 7A and 10A , the indicia  225  can correspond to increasing and decreasing levels of light emitted by the lamp. In the illustrated example, smaller indicia  226  can be used to represent a lower light level, and touching the upper planar surface at that point can cause a lower amount of light to be emitted by the lamp. Touching a larger indicia  227  spaced apart from indicia  226  can correspondingly be adapted to cause a higher amount of light to be emitted by the lamp, and sensors positioned between smaller indicia  226  and larger indicia  227  can be adapted to cause an intermediate level of light to be emitted by the lamp. 
     One of the most important aspects of the present table  1  is the ability for the lighted indicator controls  240  to appear and disappear through user interaction. When the lamp  50  is not in use, the table top  10  will have the appearance of a traditional desk, since the planar upper surface  12  where the indicia  225  appear looks the same as other portions of the upper surface  12  when the indicator lights  280  are off. Upon raising and lowering the lamp, the first sensor  90  sends its signal to the control circuitry  215 , which then either turns on or off the lamp, based on whether the lamp is in the closed position  72  (when the lamp  50  is off) or open position  74  (when the lamp  50  is on). When the control circuitry  215  detects that the lamp is in the open position  74 , it preferably turns on the lamp at a predetermined light level and also turns on the indicator light  280 , so that the indicia  225  become visible. When the first sensor  90  detects that the lamp is in the closed position  72  (down), it turns off both the lamp  50  and the indicator light  280  and ignores any further input from the embedded touch control  200 . The system preferably plugs into a standard wall outlet and an AC-to-DC converter converts the electricity to DC which then powers the LEDs and circuitry. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the table top  10  can be incorporated into tables  1  having different configurations.  FIG. 11  illustrates a conventional desk having four vertical legs or supports  5 . It is to be understood however that other supports  5  known to the art can also be used, including supports which extend at a non-vertical angle between the table top  1  and a support surface below the table  1 . Different numbers of supports can also be used, such as 1, 3, or more than four supports.  FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment in which a plurality of table tops  10  are incorporated in a modular fashion into a piece of furniture, which could be used for example in a library or school setting. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. The steps disclosed for the present methods, for example, are not intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that each step is necessarily essential to the method, but instead are exemplary steps only. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure. 
     Recitation of value ranges herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method for referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.