Patent Publication Number: US-11395542-B2

Title: Smart desk and chair

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to office furniture and more particularly to an office desk and chair system having integrated wireless communications for adjusting desk height. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When either studying or working, this activity typically requires persons to be seated for an extended periods of time. Because people are seated in only one position, this activity often causes them to feel tired and fatigued which makes working or studying at the desk less efficient. Moreover, the height of a typical desk cannot be easily changed so that people using the desk cannot easily move, change chair height or change their posture to a more comfortable position. For example, people cannot continue to use a desk when at a standing position. This makes long term activities while using the desk much more uncomfortable and inconvenient. Thus, solutions are required that enable people to continue working while changing their posture at a desk. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This practical new design&#39;s goal is to help reduce the fatigue caused by extended periods of seating. This provides a kind of smart desk and chair, and it&#39;s capable of changing the height of the table automatically, to adjust to people&#39;s preference of seating or standing while they study or work. 
     In order to achieve the goal, embodiments of the invention provide a type of smart desk and chair where the desk includes a desk surface, one or more lift arms attached to table legs, a wireless signal transceiver and controller. The wireless signal may use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee or other wireless protocols. The desk surface is installed above the lift arm where the lift arm is capable of raising and lowering the desk surface above the floor based on electrical commands. The controller is electrically connected to a wireless signal receiver and at least one lift arm. The controller works to receive a wireless signal receiver/transceiver&#39;s signal, and send out electrical controls to be control lift arm position. The chair includes a chair surface, at least one sensor and a wireless signal emitter/transmitter. When the sensor detects the user is seated, it will create an electrical signal communicated over a wireless connection with the chair, which is used by a controller. The controller is used to operate and control one or more of the lift arms to raise or lower the desk surface based upon whether the user is in a standing or seated position. 
     Preferably, the controller at the desk, includes a control module that controls the lift arm(s) and a control panel used to input control commands. The control module and the control panel are electrically connected so that the control panel can input and save to memory the desk surface&#39;s upper and lower height limits. When the sensor is triggered, the controller detects a wireless signal. The lift arm will then rise or ascend to the higher limit and stop. Similarly, when being lowered or descending, it will retract and stop when a lower limit is reached. Using this optimization method, a user can freely set the desk surface upper and lower height limit. In use, when different users with different physical heights use the desk, the desk surface position can be easily changed. More specifically, the desk top height can be adjusted to fit the user&#39;s standing height at an upper limit and can also be set to a lower limit while in a seated position. 
     A control panel includes a raise button used to control the position and/or height of lift arm and a lower button is used to control the lowering of lift arm. An upper limit button is used to save the higher limit and the lower limit button is used to save the lower limit. The save button is used to save these height limits in memory. By using the higher limit button and the lower limit button, the user can easily adjust the desk surface&#39;s height above the floor allowing the user to adjust and save a height position based on their preference. By using the higher limit button, lower limit button and save button, the user can conveniently execute a save function allowing adjustment to save height settings at any time. 
     Further, the control panel includes a manual switch that can turn off the lift arm&#39;s automatic raising and lowering functions. By using the manual switch, the user can turn off the chair sensor&#39;s control function which controls desk height. This works to prevent desk surface from moving unexpectedly when the user is leaving or standing from the chair. The control panel may also include a liquid crystal display (LCD) that is used to display desk surface height or the control module&#39;s status information. With the LCD display, the user can visualize the height of desk surface. When setting up these functions, the user can also use the display to show the controller&#39;s current status, to confirm the next step of action, and/or to prevent errors in desk height position. In use, the controller may include a hand control such that the control panel is installed at or near the hand control. Optionally, the hand control can stowed in the chair where it can be easily removed to make operation and movement of the desk more convenient. 
     In another embodiment, the chair surface has a cushion that can include a sensor, such as a thin film pressure sensor as well as a wireless transmitter. In use, the cushion is separable allowing it to be moved to a different chair allowing a different chair to be used with the current desk where the set-up is easy to initiate and recall. In still another embodiment, the chair&#39;s lift arm is configured as an electric push rod lift arm. The electric pushrod lift arm can conveniently be raised or lowered using electric motor. Thus, embodiments of the invention work to conveniently adjust the desk&#39;s height for enabling users of different body types and sizes to comfortably adjust the desk chair and desk height for work or study. When a user feels fatigue caused by an extended period of seating, the user can stand up, and the desk will automatically adjust to the user&#39;s standing height. This allows the user to maintain a comfortable standing position during work and study. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the desk and chair system having integrated communication. 
         FIG. 2  a block diagram illustrating the control module and control panel. 
         FIG. 3  a perspective view of an example of the control panel. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating the wireless receiver. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating the control module for the desk and chair system. 
     
    
    
     Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a smart chair and desk system having integrated wireless communications capability. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the desk and chair system  100  having integrated wireless communication. Those skilled in the art will recognize that wireless communication may include but is not limited to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee or other communications standards. Thus, communication may be directly between devices or through a server in the Cloud. According to various embodiments of the invention, the smart desk and chair system  100  includes a desk  101  and chair  103  where the desk  101  includes desk surface  103 , lift arms  105 , a wireless signal receiver  107  and a controller  109 . The desk surface  103  is installed and mechanically connected to the lift arm  105  which enables the desk surface  103  to be raised and lowered. For example, one or both of the lift arms  105  may use a hydraulic lift arm having a hydraulic pump or alternatively an air lift arm which utilizes an air pump. The lift arm  105  acts with the table leg and works by extending or retracting its overall length under electrical command for raising or lowering the desk surface  103 . As shown in the schematic of  FIG. 4 , a wireless signal receiver  107  uses a wireless transceiver module such as an Arduino NRF24L01. The RFI/O is used to receive a 2.4 GHz wireless signal such as that used in a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee or other wireless communications standard. After processing, the transceiver will communicate using a serial peripheral interface (SPI) port and controller  109 . The controller  109  uses software control management (SCM) controls allowing the SPI port to electrically connect to wireless signal receiver  107 , to receive signals transferred from wireless signal receiver  107 . Thus, these circuits are electrically connected to lift arm  105 , to send out an electrical command which controls the lift arm&#39;s  105  movement and its ability to expand and contract for adjusting height. 
     The chair  111  includes a chair surface  113 , a sensor  117  and a wireless signal transmitter/transceiver  117 . A sensor  115  is installed in the chair seat  116  at or near the surface  113 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the sensor  115  may be a pressure sensor, light sensor or ultrasonic sensor, and is electrically connected to wireless signal transmitter  117 . For example, the wireless signal transmitter  117  can use an Arduino NRF24L01 wireless transceiver module that is powered by an internal dry battery. When the user is seated in chair  111 , the sensor  115  will detect user presence and/or activity and create a activate signal. The activate signal is transferred to the wireless signal transmitter  117 , where it sends a signal to the wireless signal receiver  107 , then to controller  109 . It is the controller  109  that sends out control commands allowing the controlling lift arm(s)  105  to contract and lower overall desk height. When the user leaves the chair  111 , it will also trigger sensor  115  to create a signal, where the signal will go through the same electrical route to controller  109 . The controller  109  sends out control commands for controlling lift arm(s)  105  to expand and raise the table surface to a predetermined height. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the control module and control panel used in an embodiment of the invention. The control panel  200  includes a controller  205  as well as a power module  141 , control module  142  and a control panel  143 . Power module  141  provides power to the control module  207  and the control panel  21 . The power module  141  can also provide power to wireless signal receiver  201 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the control module  209  can use a MKEO4Z128VLD4 SCM device sold by NXP Semiconductors, Inc. to electrically connect a wireless signal receiver  201  for receiving wireless radio frequency (RF) signal such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or the like. This device uses a universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART) to connect electrically to the control panel  211 . The UART works to receive commands input into the control panel  211 . The UART uses pulse width modulation to the control voltages required to operate and control an electric motor. In order to control desk surface height, the control module  209  receives and saves these settings using control panel  211  to control the desk height upper limit and lower limit. When chair seat sensor is actuated, the control module  209  controls the operation of the lift arm  203  to expand its length until desk surface reaches it upper height limit and can lower or retract until desk surface reaches its lower limit height. 
       FIG. 3  a perspective view of an example of the control panel used to provide control inputs in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The control panel  300  includes a plurality of switches such as raise button  301 , lower button  303 , a higher limit button  305 , a lower limit button  307  and a “save” button  309 . When the raise button  301  is pressed, it activates the control module to send control information to one or more of the legs or lift arms activating them to extend. When the lower button  303  is pressed, this activates the control module to send control information to the lift arm(s) to lower the table top or table surface. If the save button  309  is pressed once, the control module enters a “pre-save” mode. Next, the user can press the high limit button  305  and the controller will save to memory the current height position of the desk at this upper limit. Similarly, the user can lower the desk surface and when the lower limit button  307  is pressed, the controller will save to memory the current surface height of desk to this lower limit. The user will press the save button  309  an additional time where the control module will automatically exit the pre-save mode. 
     The control panel  300  further includes a manual button  311 . When the manual button  311  is pressed, the control module will switch between a manual control mode and the “auto” mode. When control module is in manual mode, the sensor will transmit a command or control signal to one or more of the lift arms. When the user stands from the chair, the height of desk surface will not automatically raise. Instead, the user can only adjust the height of desk surface using the raise button  301  and lower button  303 . The control panel  300  may also include a liquid crystal display (LCD)  313  where the LCD display  313  is used to display desk surface height, and display the current mode of the control module e.g. when the mode of the control module has been changed. 
     As noted above,  FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating the wireless receiver used at the desk. 
     As noted above,  FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating the control module used at the chair. 
     In another embodiment, the controller may include a manual controller where the control panel  300  is installed on the manual controller. The controller parts are installed in a controller box where the controller box is installed under the desk surface. A hand controller might also be connected to the controller box via a wired connection. Similarly, the hand controller can be a portable device such as a smart phone or other separate unit that can stowed and/or installed under the desk surface near the edge of the desk. The hand controller can be configured so it can be easily removed when necessary, and can be replaced and stowed back under the desk surface when the user is finished using the hand controller. In the case of a mobile telephone or other portable device, it can be used to control and adjust height of the desk using the appropriate software application. 
     In still other embodiments of the invention, the sensor used in the chair is a pressure sensor that operates by sensing a pressure or user weight on chair surface which indicates if a user has seated. In other embodiments, the chair has a cushion installed sensor and wireless transmitter that is installed inside the cushion. When the user sits on the cushion stands from the cushion, this will actuate the sensor which subsequently triggers the controller The sensor may be a thin film pressure sensor that is installed at or under the chair surface. In other embodiments, the lift arm uses electric push rod lift arm. where the controller is electrically connected to the electric push rod lift arm. The controller uses PWM to control voltages that controls operation of one or both of the lift arms enabling them to expand and retract. 
     In summary, this convenient new design of the smart desk and chair system has sensors installed in the chair enabling the standing or sitting position of the user to be determined. When the user seats down, a sensor enables a wireless transmitter. This signal is detected by a wireless receiver which indicates position of the signal to a controller. The controller then enables one or more of the lift arms which enables the desk surface to be raised or lowered depending on user position. More specifically, when the user stands up, this is detected by the sensor which sends a signal to enable the controller to raise the desk height to the user&#39;s standing position or some other upper height limit stored in memory. When the user sits down, this is also detected by the sensor so that the desk height is lowered to the user&#39;s sitting position or some other predetermined lower limit stored in memory. Therefore this convenient and new smart desk and chair system can automatically adjusts its height to fit with user&#39;s standing or seating position. This prevent fatigue so the user need not stay in one seated position for extended periods of time. 
     As described herein, this convenient new design uses a control panel that is set up to help the user conveniently adjust the surface upper and lower height limits of the desk surface. Thus, the desk and chair system can be used to adapt to users having different physical heights. Through visualization, the control panel includes buttons and LCD display for making setup and adjustment of the desk surface height more convenient. Further, the controller can include a hand controller or mobile phone interface so that control can be separated from desk surface. A thin film pressure sensor makes the detection of user&#39;s seating information more accurate and precise, at the same time providing a more comfortable experience. By installing the sensor and wireless signal transmitter inside the cushion, this allows the user to change to a different chair without affecting the height of the desk. The invention also employs use of an electric push rod lift arm that makes for a more simple construction while reducing overall noise and the requirement for lubricants. 
     In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.