Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
TITLE: FURNITURE COMPONENT COMPRISING AN EMBEDDED FLEXIBLE TOUCH
SENSOR
INVENTOR: ALFONSO FABIAN DE LA FUENTE SANCHEZ
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to UK Patent Application Serial Number
GB1907448.3, filed on
May 26, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
Furniture, in particular sit and stand desks are becoming automated appliances
that need user
interface inputs such as keys, buttons, or sensors as user's input mechanism.
Traditional sit and
stand desks use external keypads, which, most of the time are plastic housed
devices attached
to the bottom of the desktop. Other automated furniture such as extendable
tables, couches and
recliners to name a few, use keypads in combination with remote commanders to
control their
articulations.
SUMMARY
A furniture component in the form of a desktop made of a solid material with
hidden touch
sensors installed between the material and the top surface coating or
protective material of the
desktop. Wherein the material is one from the group of metal, wood, glass,
plastic, composite,
cardboard, or similar. In a different embodiment of the invention, a touch
sensor that is made of
transparent electrodes on a film that blends between the protective coating of
the desktop and
the desktop's material that is invisible to the human eye. In a different
embodiment of the
invention, the transparent electrodes include a matrix of light emitting
diodes of one or more
colours, providing feedback and information to the user. In a different
embodiment of the
invention, the touch sensor film that is mechanically connected to a support
that is made of
acrylic, plastic, or other materials that may or may not transmit light.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
Figure 1 is a front view of a smart desk controller
Figure 2 is a back view of a smart desk controller
Figure 3 is a bottom view of a smart desk controller
Figure 4 shows the relationship between the smart desk controller, the smart
gadget and the
smart under the desk bike or workspace fitness device
Figure 5 shows a diagram of the components of the smart desk controller, the
workspace fitness
device, the remote server, smart gadgets and databases
Figure 6 shows a diagram of components including the workspace fitness device,
the remote
server, smart gadgets and databases
Figure 7 is a side view of a sit and stand desk with the smart under the desk
bike
Figures 8A and 8B are side perspective views of a stepper without and with a
user using it.
Figure 9 is a flowchart that shows the operation of the Smart Desk Controller
(SDC) acting in the
presence of a Workspace Fitness Device (WFD)
Figure 10 is a flowchart that shows how the Smart Desk Controller adjusts the
settings of the
desk based on the user identification
Figure 11 is a flowchart that shows how the Smart Desk Controller can make a
determination of
the presence of a Workspace Fitness Device located nearby
Figure 12 is a flowchart that describes the process from the guest or user's
perspective
Figure 13A is a side perspective view of the apparatus of our invention
Figure 13B1 is a side view of the flexible touch sensor
Figure 13B2 is a side view of the flexible touch sensor
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
Figure 14A is a diagram that shows a relationship of components of the
apparatus
Figure 14B is a diagram that shows a relationship of components in a different
embodiment of
the apparatus
Figure 15A is a side cross sectional view of the touch sensor installed in the
desktop
Figure 15B is a side cross sectional view of the touch sensor installed in the
desktop
Figure 16A is a side cross sectional view of the touch sensor installed in the
desktop
Figure 16B is a side cross sectional view of the touch sensor installed in the
desktop
Figure 17A is a top view of the touch sensor
Figure 17B is a side view of a round table with the touch sensor installed
Figure 18 is a side perspective view of the apparatus
Figure 19 is a side cross sectional view of the desktop with a touch film and
a support
Figure 20 is a top view of a different embodiment of our invention
Figure 21 is a diagram showing the computer system
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Specific embodiments of the technology will now be described in detail with
reference to the
accompanying figures. In the following detailed description of embodiments of
the technology,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough
understanding of the
technology. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art
that the technology
may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-
known features have
not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the
description.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
In the following description of figures, any component described with regard
to a figure, in
various embodiments of the technology, may be equivalent to one or more like-
named
components described with regard to any other figure. For brevity,
descriptions of these
components will not be repeated with regard to each figure. Thus, each and
every embodiment
of the components of each figure is incorporated by reference and assumed to
be optionally
present within every other figure having one or more like-named components.
Additionally, in
accordance with various embodiments of the technology, any description of the
components of
a figure is to be interpreted as an optional embodiment, which may be
implemented in addition
to, in conjunction with, or in place of the embodiments described with regard
to a corresponding
like-named component in any other figure.
In general, embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus, a method and
a network of
devices that include Workspace Fitness Devices, such as Smart Under-the-desk
Bikes and
Smart Desk Controllers embedded in Smart Sit-and-Stand Desks that connect to
one another,
electronically identify individual users, track their activities, connect to a
remote server database
and modify its records. Secondary devices, such as smartphones and smart
watches, can
connect to this network and remotely monitor and control the settings on the
devices such as
the desk's height or the required tension in the Smart Under-the-desk Bike.
The performance
data captured by this network of devices can be shared to fitness tracking
software or devices.
By using our invention, we plan to motivate employees that sit behind the desk
for many hours a
day to improve their health, performance and overall well being.
Our invention refers to technology based on Smart Desk Controllers, Workspace
Fitness
Controllers embedded in equipment such as Smart Sit-and-Stand Desks and Smart
Under-the-desk Bikes, a brief background of the concept is explained below.
The tasks performed in a desk, be it an office, home, or school desk, have
changed over the
years. Office desks in the middle of the past century tended to be heavy as
they needed to
support heavy typewriters. Additionally, desks in a work office were in open
areas where users
didn't want people to move their desks away. Some were even made of metal or
heavy
materials.
In its earlier years, the office desk evolved from supporting typewriters to
CRT monitors and a
computer keyboard. Soon, CRT monitors were also replaced by newer computers
with a mouse,
a keyboard, and a lightweight LCD monitor (or a pair of LCD monitors)
connected to a CPU or a
laptop. In essence, office desks have remained the same over time. Today, most
desks are still
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
comprised of legs and a flat desktop surface resting at a height of
approximately 30", allowing
the user to sit comfortably in a chair while performing their tasks.
There are studies that claim people who work on a desk for more than 8
continuous hours must
stand up from time to time. It has also been claimed that certain people
experience better
thought processing and focus while standing as opposed to sitting.
Earlier versions of standing desks or adjustable height desks were previously
only available to
architects and graphic designers. Today's height-adjustable desks commonly
known as
"Sit-and-Stand Desks" are becoming accessible. Some have a manual crank to
adjust the
height, others have an electric motor - the latter using a controller. Basic
controllers only turn the
motor up and down, whereas some more advanced controllers can sense the height
of the
desk, have programmable memory, and have integrated timers to alert the user
when it is time
to stand up and continue their work. New Sit-and-Stand Desks usually have a
pair of legs and
must be connected to the electricity in order to provide power to the motors
that adjust the
desk's height. Most tabletops are made of solid material, thus, the furniture
manufacturers need
to connect all cables, motors, and connectors below the table top.
Electric motor-driven Sit-and-Stand Desks require a controller to control the
up and down
functions. Some controllers are even calibrated to provide visual feedback
through a display
with the approximate height of the desk at the current position and have
memory settings where
the user can program at which height he/she prefers to use that desk.
Employers and/or users of these types of desks are concerned about the
personal health issues
of seating for long periods of time.
In the case of offices, a desk is typically used by a single user; however,
other workspaces may
be occupied by desks that don't have a single user, but rather multiple ones.
That is the case of
shared spaces in offices or school classrooms. Electric Sit-and-Stand Desks
need an AC input.
Desks usually hold a monitor and/or a CPU in the form of a desktop, laptop, or
tablet. Such
devices require energy to work or recharge the device.
Fitness stationary bikes are capable to capture the energy generated by
pedaling (such as
dynamo) have been around for many years.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
IOT Fitness Devices (I0T-FD) such as standing bikes are available at several
big-end fitness
centers around the globe. These devices are able to transmit captured data
when a workout
takes place. There are different methods for the 10T-FD to capture the ID of
the person using
the device, such methods include RF identification, bar code reading, and
security authorization
(i.e. manual input of the login credentials of the user).
The invention described in this patent application are related to workspace
fitness as a concept
to live healthier lives in the corporate office environment by introducing
different components
that have a common device - the office desk - that is used by office workers
all over the world.
The concept of this new office desk is a sit and stand desk that elevates
using electronic
motors. Such motors are controlled by a central smart desk controller of our
invention, which
wirelessly connects to smart devices and wearables as well as to other
connected peripherals of
our invention.
References to the smart desk controller are the same as the intelligent
controller or intelligent
desk controller.
The Workspace Fitness Devices (WFDs) described here are different from a smart
gym device
because in a gym, a user goes to the device, identifies himself, and the
device keeps track of
his performance via the user's device or the connectivity via the LAN to the
remote server.
In the case of the Workspace Fitness Devices, the device moves to the user's
workspace and
the user is identified at the smart desk controller. The smart desk controller
then identifies the
user's selected Workspace Fitness Device by identifying the device itself. It
is possible for the
device not to communicate to the remote server by itself, only via the smart
desk controller or
the user's smart device (smartphone, smartwatch).
Since the desk where the smart desk controller is installed may not be the
same desk for the
same person every day, the smart desk controller needs to identify the user in
order to tie up
that individual's performance when using the WFDs.
Figures 1 to 3 describe the first part of our invention, a Smart Desk
Controller that embeds in a
desktop with an optional built-in AC/DC distribution hub. Most commonly used
in a
height-adjustable desk, the controller of our invention replaces the common
keyboard or
controller that operates the height adjustment motors in the height-adjustable
desk. The Smart
Desk Controller apparatus embeds or installs inside the desktop itself, the
Smart Desk
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
Controller is not exposed on the top of the desktop. In a different embodiment
of our invention,
the Smart Desk Controller may be exposed on the outside or the sides of the
desktop.
Figure 1 shows the Smart Desk Controller of our invention, it uses an
integrated distribution hub
that allows for remote control of the distribution of the energy of the
foreign devices that are
connected to the desk, such foreign devices can be described as monitors,
computers, lamps,
or cell phone chargers. By concentrating all of the AC and DC connections on
the underside of
a height-adjustable tabletop or desktop it minimizes and organizes the amount
of cables that
need to pass underneath the tabletop by providing an all-in-one intelligent
Sit-and-Stand Desk
controller, or Smart Desk Controller, that has the following features:
A way to identify the user, by using a QR code, an NFC tag, a radio proximity
sensor such as a
Bluetooth or similar connection. The Smart Desk Controller of our invention
that also has a
power management distribution, including input and output ports for AC and DC
strategically
placed to better fit in a tabletop and to provide easy access for the user to
such power. A
working switchable light to illuminate the desk drawer immediately below where
the intelligent
desk controller is located. A way to communicate with other devices through a
wired or wireless
network in order to connect to the internet and through RF to communicate with
other Smart
Desk Controllers, IOT devices or Workspace Fitness Devices such as an
intelligent desk chair,
a stand, or a smart under-the-desk bike, as well to other Workspace Fitness
Devices such as a
smart-stepper, a smart-yoga-ball or a smart-balance-board.
The NFC or Near Field Communication is a radio communication protocol in
which, on one end,
a device has an NFC tag and a second device has an NFC reader. The NFC tag
could be
passive or active. Passive NFC tags can take the form of keyless cards that
are used to open
offices - which only require someone to tap. The energy to power the
electronics in the NFC tag
comes from the electromagnetic field generated by the NFC reader. An Active
NFC tag, is for
example, one generated by a device such as a cellphone, which can generate a
string of RF
signals to emulate an NFC tag with an ID number on command.
Bluetooth is another protocol used by two devices with RX/TX capabilities that
use a frequency,
low power radio signal to communicate two or more devices (pair) which
transmit data between
both devices.
Identification by QR code is a process under which, the Smart Desk Controller
has a physical
visible QR code printed on the Smart Desk Controller itself or placed in the
Smart Sit-and-Stand
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
Desk where the Smart Desk Controller is installed. By using a specific
software in a smart
gadget such as a tablet or cellphone, a user can open the app in the cell
phone, open the
camera, and take a photo of the QR code. The QR code may contain information
pertaining to a
website to open, a URL to follow or a serial number to be encoded, which, in
combination with a
database - such as the one that runs on the remote server for the workspace
Fitness database -
correlates the information regarding the user name, or owner of the cellphone
and the
registered user in the database against the serial number of the Smart Sit-and-
Stand Desk
related to the serial number encoded on the QR code.
Other means of identification include the use of a printed serial number or
code, under which,
the user can input that information into the cell phone app and request the
Smart Desk
Controller to identify him/her as the user of that particular Smart Sit-and-
Stand Desk.
The Smart Desk Controller of our invention also features proximity sensors
that detect the
presence of a person or objects such as a Workspace Fitness Device.
In a different embodiment of our invention, the Smart Desk Controller has a
built in keypad on
the side of the tabletop with a CPU that controls all of the e-features. The
Smart Desk Controller
can read NFC tags or information coming from NFC tag generators such as
smartphones.
Figure 1 shows the front view of a Smart Desk Controller (100) that includes
one or more AC
outlets (110A, 110B), one or more USB connectors (105A, 105B), a keyboard to
control the
required height of the Smart Sit-and-Stand Desk, the keyboard consisting for
example of
buttons to position the desk down (111) or up (112), one or more memory
buttons (113, 114,
115, 116) where a user can record a position the user wants and manually
override the
requested heights set by using the smart gadget to set the height of the
standup desk. A QR
code (121) and an NFC and RFID reader (120) both used for identification of
the user of the
Smart Sit-and-Stand Desk. In a different embodiment of our invention, the
Smart Desk
Controller rescinds the use of a power distribution hub and acts as all the
other features of a
Smart Desk Controller.
One familiar with the art will appreciate that the keyboard or buttons could
be a detached
external keyboard. One also familiar with the art can appreciate that the
keyboard can be one
from the group of a capacitive keyboard.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
A case scenario will be explained to demonstrate one of the uses of our
invention. This example
does not limit the proposed uses of our invention. A user comes in to a desk,
it can be his
assigned desk or an unassigned desk, the user taps his/her phone to the Smart
Desk
Controller, it identifies him/her by reading the NFC tag and communication
thru the network to
the remote server, confirming in the database the name and preference settings
for the Smart
Sit and Stand Desk. Such preferences may include (for example) the desired
times for different
desired positions. For example, at 10am, the user wants the Smart Sit-and-
Stand Desk to be in
the stand position for 1 hour and then, automatically come back down after the
specified
timeframe.
Figure 2 shows a back-view of the Smart Desk Controller, which includes one or
more AC
outlets (110C, 110D, 110E), one or more USB connectors (105C, 105D), a DC
power in
connector (not shown), an AC power in connector (202), a wireless LAN
connector (200) a
universal connector (201) and an external antenna connector (210) where one
can install an
optional external antenna (not shown).
Figure 3 is a bottom view of the Smart Desk Controller
One familiar with the art will appreciate that the bottom part can be exposed
as part of the Smart
Desk Controller into the Desktop embedding process, which is supported by the
top of the
controller attached to the bottom of the desktop. The Smart Desk Controller
(100) bottom that
includes one or more AC outlets (110F, 110G), one or more USB ports (105 E) a
sensor or light
aperture (301) and a remote-controlled locking mechanism.
Figures 1 to 5 describe one form of our invention, the Smart Sit-and-Stand
Desk, which
comprises of a desktop that sits on at least two telescopic, or height
adjustable legs with a
motor that drives the legs up and down and a Smart Desk Controller with or
without a power
distribution hub. In a different embodiment of our invention, the Smart Sit-
and-Stand Desk has
integrated controls with IOT (Internet of Things) capabilities.
Figures 1 to 5 also describe another form of our invention while using an
ergonomic desktop,
which features a lightweight honeycomb tabletop that rests on top of the
electric driven legs.
The tabletop has an embedded or integrated Smart Desk Controller with buttons
on the side of
the tabletop. In a different embodiment of our invention, the buttons are part
to an external
keyboard that is facing out on a side of the desktop. In a different
embodiment of our invention,
the keyboard is a capacitive keyboard that can be concealed inside the
tabletop itself. In a
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
different embodiment of our invention, the embedded Smart Desk Controller is
installed in the
ergonomic tabletop in such a way that the built-in buttons or keyboard are in
a side of the Smart
Desk Controller that is facing out by the side or the top of the desktop.
The ergonomic desktop bottom has embedded open trails that can carry the
electrical and data
cables that run internally and exit through one of the legs or through their
designated entry and
exit areas. In a different embodiment of our invention, the Smart Desk
Controller that has built-in
AC outlets with digital wattage meters that run locally and can act as IOT
devices to connect to
a remote server or device, together, with a power management software app a
user can retrieve
power use information or control the delivery of power thru those outlets. In
a different
embodiment of our invention, the controller also has a built in DC converter
with a USB
connector for powering smart devices.
The Smart Sit-and-Stand Desk of our invention can be used in the office,
cubicle, or the home
office.
The Smart Sit-and-Stand Desk of our invention has an ergonomic tabletop design
that optimizes
space for the 21st century tasks. When our Smart Sit-and-Stand desk is used in
the stand or sit
position, the optimal height for tabletop is co-related to the height of a
person's elbows. In the
same correlation, the height of the eyes of the user need to be horizontal to
the top of the
monitor display. Such correlation needs to be maintained regardless if the
Smart Sit-and-Stand
Desk is in the sit or stand position, although the heights vary, as when a
person is standing up,
the height distance between the tabletop and the monitor height is different.
In a different
embodiment of our invention, the monitor elevation system is a separate
mechanical system
that match the height of the monitor display once the desk is standing and
when the desk is in
the seat position adjusts the monitor height to the preset height.
In a different embodiment of our invention, the Smart Sit-and-Stand Desk
includes an optional
desk drawer with the following features: made from lightweight material, USB
connector or port
inside the desk drawer to provide power charging to a smart gadget device, a
USB extension
from the charging drawer in case the user wants to connect the phone to the
workstation. A
Tampering sensor that could trigger alarms in the Smart Desk Controller or
send information via
their IOT connectivity to other smart gadgets. Our Smart Sit and Stand Desk
also includes a
remotely-controlled electronic lock (can be unlocked by the phone app) and a
height sensor
attached to the bottom of the drawers to prevent accidents when lowering the
desk.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
AC in and out of the leg's base to create a chain of connections when using
the desk in open
spaces such as school classrooms or large open work areas. In a different
embodiment of our
invention, the drawers can only open if the smart device is present, detected
by the Smart Desk
Controller, or if the user overrides them via a connection on a website. It
also has a built in
presence sensor that senses when someone is near or seated at the desk, or
while using the
desk if a user is using a Workspace Fitness Device such as an under-the-desk
bike (as an
example). In a different embodiment of our invention, the first top drawer is
a slim one for the
smart gadget.
In a different embodiment of our invention, the height-adjusting crank and
axles of the Smart
Sit-and-Stand Desk are completely covered to avoid malfunction by tampering or
dust.
Figures 4 and 5 describe another component of our invention - the Workspace
Fitness Devices.
These devices are modifications of conventional fitness devices such as an
under-the-desk
bike, a yoga ball, or a stepper (to name a few), that have some electronics
that we identify as a
Workspace Fitness Device controller. In some parts of this document, we refer
to the
Workspace Fitness Device as such or as an 10T-FD device (Internet of Things
Fitness Device).
Our invention is a Is a network of interconnected Workspace Fitness Devices
(WFD) that
connect to other WFDs or to the Smart Desk Controller (SDC).
The SDC controls the main connectivity of the activities to the remote server
and database
(cloud or a similar system). The SDC reads the user's ID and pairs it with the
interconnected
Workspace Fitness Devices connected to the Sit-and-Stand Desk where the SDC is
located or
to another device within the same network of interconnected Workspace Fitness
Devices.
The typical recommendation for a Sit-and-Stand Desk user is to use the stand
function for at
least one hour a day.
In one embodiment of our invention, one characteristic of our invention is
that the WFD itself,
does not identify the user, but the WFD is part of a paired network of devices
connected to a
user or individual. In essence, a user has a Sit-and-Stand Desk with an
intelligent controller
such as the Smart Desk Controller described above, and a series of peripheral
devices such as
an intelligent chair, an intelligent board for balance, a stationary under-the-
desk bike, and an
intelligent stepper, which we also identify as Workspace Fitness Devices.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
A Smart Desk Controller that is installed in a dedicated space within the
tabletop. In a different
embodiment of our invention, the Smart Desk Controller is installed to the
bottom or top of a
tabletop.
A Smart Desk Controller that also functions as a hub for energy (AC and DC
power)
A Smart Desk Controller that has IOT capabilities (LAN. VVi-Fi and NFC)
The Smart Desk Controller that has sensors to detect the presence of nearby
Workspace
Fitness Devices. Those sensors are one or a combination from the group of
proximity sensors,
electromagnetic sensors, RF communication between the Smart Desc Controller
and the
Workspace Fitness Device, or a triangulation of remote sensing by using the
user's smart
gadgets or smartwatches as bridges to determine by time and distance there's a
close
presence.
One familiar with the art will understand that a user cannot use more than one
workspace
fitness device at a time. For example, he/she can use the chair while the desk
is in the sitting
position, but if he/she positions the desk to the standing position, he/she
can use any of the
peripheral WFDs. Because the Smart Desk Controller has a built-in Workspace
Fitness Device
proximity sensor, by the mere fact that the WFD is close to the desk, that WFD
is identified as
being used by the user of that desk. There is no need for the user to identify
each individual
device as its own. This is practical even when there are offices sharing
multiple WFDs. For
example, an office can have 100 Smart Sit-and-Stand Desks but they may only
need 20 Smart
Under-the-desk Bikes, and/or 20 Smart Balance-Boards.
FIGURE 6 shows how the Workspace Fitness Device has a built-in controller that
is
battery-powered. In a different embodiment of our invention, the WFD can also
harvest power
from the WFD itself by capturing user-generated energy while the user operates
the WFD (i.e. a
user pedals a Smart Under-the-desk Bike with a power harvesting mechanism).
The power
harvested is then used to power the WFD controller or Workspace Fitness
Controller.
A WFD can take a variety of shapes and sizes, from a Smart under-the-desk bike
- a type of
stationary bike specifically designed to be low profile and fit under a Sit-
and-Stand Desk - to a
much simpler stepper.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
The Smart under-the-desk bike features an adjustable tension resistance to
select the level of
power needed to be applied by the user in order to turn the cranks/pedals.
Whereas the WFD
stepper has an adjustable sensor to adjust the power the user needs to apply
in order to move
one foot down.
The aforementioned products are just a few examples and it should be noted
that the
embodiment of a WFD is not limited to those previously mentioned.
Each WFD has a controller, such controller can have a CPU or a system-on-card
type device
that can have one or more of the following methods of communication:
Bluetooth, NFC, RFID,
VVi-Fi, or any other radio frequency-emitting device that communicates either
directly to the
Smart Desk Controller or directly through to a remote server.
In a different embodiment of our invention, the WFD controller, or Workspace
Fitness Controller,
also has a GPS that can work under the wi-fi network, cell LAN network, or by
satellite
triangulation. One of the purposes for the GPS is to be able to locate the WFD
inside a specific
geographic area as described in the software app description in this document.
The controller can send signals to the remote server in order notify the
server's database if the
WFD is in use, who the user is, the time the device has been in use, if the
device is reserved for
a specific time of the day, and what the WFD's health status is, among other
data described
throughout this document.
The controller also connects to the Smart Desk Controller, which is able to
recognize who is
using that desk, and because of the proximity of the WFD to the smart desk,
the Smart Desk
Controller could determine that the same user of the Smart Sit-and-Stand Desk
where the Smart
Desk Controller is installed, is the same person who is using the WFD.
The WFD has sensors and transmitters such as proximity sensors and geolocation
ping
transmitters that help locate the WFD in a specific geographic area.
A Smart desk controller (600) connects (698) to a remote server (690) which
has a database
(691) and runs its own software (692 not shown). The Smart Desk Controller
also connects
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
(601) to a Workspace Fitness Device (650) or WFD. The WFD can optionally
directly connect
(699) to the same remote Server (690).
The Smart Desk Controller (600) is installed in the tabletop of the desk (not
shown), it consists
of a cabinet with a Motherboard (610) which has a memory (611), a CPU (612),
and wi-fi / LAN
connectivity (613) to connect to other devices such as other Smart Desk
Controllers (600),
Workspace Fitness Devices (650), or connection (698) with cloud services such
as a remote
server (690) with a database (691), bluetooth, Radio Frequency, Near Field
Connection (NFC),
RFID and other radio connectivity options (614), and Sensors (615) such as
proximity sensors
(616) for detecting a nearby Workspace Fitness Device (650). One familiar with
the art will
notice that there could be other types of sensors not described here and there
could be other
components necessary for the functioning of the Smart Desk Controller such as
batteries,
harnesses, and other such components not mentioned in this description. The
smart Desk
controller (600) also has a power distribution system (618) with adaptors, the
distribution system
consists of AC plugs (622) and DC USB connectors (620) located in different
parts of the Smart
Desk Controller (600) to provide power to other devices such as cell phones,
computers, and
monitors, among others. It also has AC inputs (621) from the power coming from
the leg's
cables (not shown).
The workspace fitness device (650) is one from the group consisting of an
under-the-desk
bicycle, steppers, twisters, boards, yoga balls and other similar devices used
for fitness while
using the regular desk or table, a Sit-and-Stand Desk, or other similar desks.
The workspace fitness device (650) has a controller (660) that connects to the
equipment
adjustments (670) which can include the force, weight, or torque adjustments
(671) (to name a
few). Such adjustments affect the overall performance of the user and should
be considered for
the total fitness monitoring computed within the remote server (690). The
Workspace fitness
device's controller (660) consist of a Motherboard (661 with a memory (662),
CPU (663) and
connectivity devices (666) such as the bluetooth (666), RFID and NFC (666),
sensors (667)
including proximity and other sensors as well as a LAN or VVi-Fi connection
(668). Such
connections are used to connect (601) with the Smart Desk Controller, or to
connect (699) with
the remote server (690). One familiar with the art, understands that this is a
redundant
connection between the Workspace Fitness Device (WFD), the Smart Desk
Controller, the
smart gadget, and the remote server. As such, the connectivity between each
one of those
devices can be accomplished by using the connected device as a bridge. For
example, the
WFD can be connected to the Smart Desk Controller, but not to the internet
noro the remote
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
server or smart gadget.ut because the WFD is connected to the Smart Desk
Controller, the
Smart Desk Controller acts as a bridge to patch the communication needed
between the WFD
and the smart gadget. For example, based on the scenario just explained, a
user can control the
torque of the WFD using his/her smart gadget even if the WFD is not connected
to the internet
but is connected to the Smart Desk Controller.
The smart gadget is one from the group consisting of a cell phone, tablet,
smartwatch, pc,
laptop, or similar devices.
In a different embodiment of our invention, the Smart Desk Controller has an
HDMI-out port (not
shown in the figures) that connects to the secondary port of the user's
monitor that is present at
the Sit-and-Stand Desk.
When the user is logged into the SDC, the HDMI port shuts down any signal sent
through the
HDMI port, hence, giving priority to the desktop or laptop computer's HDMI
display information
to display to the user's monitor.
When the user is not logged in and is not using the monitor on top of the Sit-
and-Stand Desk,
the SDC can send information through the HDMI port to display information such
as reservation
information from the remote management system as explained in Pat13. That
information can
only be displayed for determined periods of time at specific hours, that way
saving energy from
the monitor display.
Alternatively, in a different embodiment of our invention, the keyboard at the
SDC can wake up
the display information sent to the monitor. In this case, if a user wants to
see information
related to the SDC, the SDC can display that information to the monitor as
requested. This is
useful if someone wants to know if the Sit-and-Stand Desk is reserved as
explained in Pat13,
but may want to check until what time the reservation is valid.
Figure 4 shows how a Smart Desk Controller (400) and a Workspace Fitness
Device
communicate. A user (not shown) uses the Smart Sit-and-Stand Desk (not shown)
where the
Smart Desk Controller (400) is installed. With the use of the proximity
sensor, the NFC reader or
bluetooth connectivity, the Smart Desk Controller (400) identifies the
presence of a Workspace
Fitness Device (402). The controller of the WFD (not shown) communicates with
the Smart
Desk Controller (400) and transmits all of the collected data from the user's
performance while
using the WFD.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
In a different embodiment of our invention, a Smart Desk Controller (400) that
detects or
communicates in proximity to a smartwatch (401) or smart gadget such as a
tablet or
smartphone that the user is wearing or storing in his pocket (as an example).
The smartwatch
(401) is also in close proximity to a WFD (402). The SDC (400) might not
sense, see or
communicate directly with the WFD (402), but the smartwatch (401) can be the
link between the
SDC (400) and the WFD (402) in case no direct connection between the SDC and
the WFD is
possible. This is an option to determine if a WFD is located within the
workspace of the user.
One familiar with the art will understand that the determination of the use
can be completed by
having at least a couple of the devices connecting to a remote server or
connecting with each
other and determining the use of the SDC and the WFD based on time, distance,
or physical
proximity to the WFD.
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart in accordance with one or more embodiments of our
invention. While
the various steps in these flowcharts, part of this application, are presented
and described
sequentially, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that some, or all of the
steps presented may be
executed in no particular order, may be combined or omitted, and some, or all
of the steps may
be executed in parallel. Furthermore, the steps may be performed actively or
passively.
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart describing the communication between a Smart Sit and
Stand Desk
with an integrated Smart Desk Controller and a Workspace Fitness Device in
accordance with
one or more embodiments of the invention. Figure 5 shows a Smart Desk
Controller (500) that
includes a Motherboard (510) with a memory (511), CPU (51), LAN and VVi-Fi
card (513), a
radio communication mechanism with Bluetooth, Radio Frequency, NFC and/or RFID
(514) and
proximity and other sensors (515, 516, 517), and has an optional display (523)
that is optionally
connected to a power distributor or adaptor (518) with an AC to DC converter
(519) that
provides DC power to foreign devices via a USB connector (520) and has AC
input (51) and AC
output plugs (522). That Smart Desk Controller (500) connects (598) via a
network or the
internet to a remote server (590) that also connects to a database (591). Such
a database
contains the names or personal identifications of the users and keeps track of
their performance
data,preference settings, and other relevant information such as their
prefered devices, average
times of use per devices, etc. The information in the database can be password-
protected and
access to the data can be limited by the user or groups of users. The remote
server is also open
for connections (507) to smart gadgets (505), which can access the information
contained in the
database once account access is validated. The Smart Gadget can communicate
directly to the
Smart Desk Controller (500) using one of two methods of connection, either by
connecting via
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
the internet relay (507) using the server (590) as a bridge or a direct
communication (506) with
the Smart Desk Controller (500) using either bluetooth or other Radio
Frequency (RF) means.
The Smart Desk Controller (500) may communicate directly to the Workspace
Fitness Device
(550) using either a local connection (501) such as NFC, Bluetooth, or other
RF means of
communication, as well as by using the remote server as a relay or bridge, or
by simultaneously
accessing the information at the remote server database (591).
One familiar with the art will appreciate that the communication between the
Smart Desk
Controller and the WFD can be opened or started using one method, and once the
communication is open, switch to other methods. For example, using an NFC
reader to identify
the device, and once the device is identified, switch to Bluetooth
communication to carry all of
the data transfer needed. Alternatively, one may use the NFC as a means of
opening the
communication, but once identification is performed, use the joint connection
to the Remote
server to communicate between both devices.
One familiar with the art will also appreciate that in order for the WFD (550)
to access data from
the remote server database (591) a direct connection from the WFD and the
database via the
internet may not be required, as the Smart Desk Controller (500) can be used
as a bridge or
relay to connect the WFD (550) to the Remote server (590) and then to the
database (591).
Viceversa, the Smart Desk Controller can communicate with the Remote server
and the
database without the need of an internet connection if a connection with the
WFD is established
and the connection between the WFD and the database is active in any other
way.
Figure 6 is a continuation of figure 5 from the point of view of the Workspace
Fitness Device.
Throughout this application, we have been talking about how the Smart Desk
Controller
communicates with the Remote Server and Database and how external devices such
as smart
gadgets, for example: smartphones, laptops, or tablets, can also connect to
the remote server
and access the data stored in the database This part of our invention
corresponds to a software
app. Data captured by the Smart Desk Controller and shared directly to other
devices or a
remote server can be viewed and controlled in a software app. Features of this
app include: the
total amount of time the desk is in the standing position, time in the sitting
position, and time of
use (based on picks from the wattage use and sensors in the tabletop) and
positions (up,
down). In a different embodiment of our invention, the data collection or data
sharing can
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
optionally be disabled by the administrator. The software administrator can be
the user of the
device, the employee, the employer or the administrator of the office facility
(to name a few).
The data collected from the Smart Desk Controller or the remote server can be
shared with
fitness tracking devices such as fitbits or smartwatches. Secondary devices
can be paired with
the Smart Desk Controller. Such secondary devices include, but are not limited
to:
smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, fitness bands, computers or laptops (to
name a few).
Our invention also includes a software application and a remote cloud
environment service.
Such services, data, and features are available when the Smart Desk Controller
connects to a
secondary wired or wireless device, the secondary device can be one from the
group of a
laptop, PC, smartphone, tablet or a remotely connected server (Remote Server)
that can share
data via an internet connection. The software app features includes the
capability to remotely
control the height of the Smart Sit-and-Stand Desk from the smartphone app,
run statistics on
how long the person sits or stands, or track position changes made by the
user, all of which are
monitored by the Smart Desk Controller.
In a different embodiment of our invention, the software runs sit and stand
challenges among
colleagues and other sit and stand device users,it monitors and displays the
amount of wattage
used by the devices connected to the desk, it can send alerts if intruders
open the desk
drawers,and it has display alerts when controlling the desk, such as "heads up
to see if there
aren't any objects blocking the desk when coming down".
In a different embodiment of our invention, the software application features
one-touch elevation
for when a user wants to set the height of the Smart Sit-and-Stand Desk to a
predetermined
height with the single touch of a button from a remote secondary device.
Other features include sit-stand tracking - to keep track of the time of the
day and a minute
count of the minutes spent at different positions, a sit-stand reminder that
is audible, visible and
automatic, and a "do not disturb" light that is displayed on the user's
smartphone, tablet, or
similar device with a monitor light, code, or words to allow other people in
the same office space
that the user of that desk doesn't want to be disturbed.
In a different embodiment of our invention, Workspace Fitness Devices and
accessories include
a Smart Mat that can sense or measure the presence of a user. The Smart Mat
may also
capture the energy produced by the user and connects to the Smart Desk
Controller by wired or
wireless connection to provide relevant statistics and data to users.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
All peripherals send data to the app, thus, that data can be collected by
other platforms/apps
such as a fitbit for complete overall input from the user.
Figure 7 shows a side view of an under-the-desk bike (700) that is under a
desk (720). In this
example, the under-the-desk bike is a WFD; however, one familiar with the art
will know that
there are other WFD devices, and all of them share very similar
characteristics. Some examples
include (but are not limited to) a stand, a seat (703), a backrest (702), an
adjusting knob (704),
and in the case of a bike: a set of cranks (701), a base, or rollers (705A and
705B and a
controller (710) with or without a display. The controller that reads the data
from the cranks and
adjusts the torque of the cranks to be either lighter or harder, allowing the
user to exercise at
varying intensities.
Figure 8A and 8B show a side perspective view of a stepper (800) that acts as
WFD. The
stepper consists of a controller (710) and a pair of pneumatic-driven steps
(801A, 801B).
Moreover, the controller is connected to the pneumatic adjustment to increase
or decrease the
pressure of the steps. Figure 8B shows a user (810) using the stepper (800)
WFD.
All of the data from the under-the-desk bike and stepper is sent to the remote
management
server either via a direct connection through a LAN or an indirect connection
via the Smart Desk
Controller at the user's desk. Another method for direct transmission to the
remote management
server is via the user's smart devices. Suitable devices include smartwatches,
tablets, or
smartphone devices that are able to connect to the WFD.
Power is generated/harvested through the turning/pedaling of the cranks (in
the case of an
under-the-desk bike) or through the up and down movement of pneumatic steps
(in the case of
a stepper). The captured energy is then transmitted to the power management
source which
can send it directly to the device's batteries or to power any of the WFD's
components, such as
the controller or motors.
Unlike devices that can be found at a gym, the Workspace Fitness Device is a
portable device
(WFD) that the user moves close to the workstation or area where the user will
use it. Unlike in
a gym, where the user goes to the machine - the machine goes to the user.
The WFD logs the user by having the user tap into the SDC, not the device.
Because the WFD
is within the geographic space or within reach of sensors of the SDC, the WFD
is identified as
being at that particular workspace. Unlike at a gym with IOT devices, where
the user taps into
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
the fitness device, in our invention, the user taps into the SDC, then, the
SDC connects to the
WFD. In a different embodiment of our invention, the user may tap directly to
the WFD and the
WFD may send information to the server via a direct connection between the WFD
and the
SDC, the WFD via LAN with the remote server, the WFD to the smart gadget of
the user which
then connects directly to the remote server, or the smart gadget to the SDC.
The Ul to locate the WFD could be in the smartwatch, the smart gadget, PC,
Laptop, or web
portal. The Ul has several functions: turn off an audible alarm or alarm
alert, or locate via GPS,
as some examples.
The WFD has the capability to have a GPS and an audible alarm as a means for
location
tracking. The smartwatch can request the smart desk controller to turn off an
audible alert at the
WFD when, for example, the user needs to locate the WFD that he/she has
reserved or he/she
wants to use when someone (or no one) is using it within a building floor or
an office space.
With the GPS, the user may track the WFD he wants to use with an audible
alert; thereby,
making it easier for the user to locate the device.
In a different embodiment of our invention, the WFD can lock itself to prevent
its use when a
user or a system-wide alert is sent to the WFD. Reasons to lock the device may
include (but are
not limited to) a timer or the fact that a different user from the one who is
using it in that moment
has it reserved for that period of time. By locking the device, it prevents
unauthorized use and
encourages people to reserve the WFD in the web-portal or management system
when
available.
When a user who has a WFD reserved is looking for it, the audible alert and
the locking of the
WFD functionality may be triggered.
The locking of the WFD can be - in the case of the under-the-desk bike - to
lock the cranks or
tighten them as high as possible so it is uncomfortable or impossible for the
user to pedal the
bike. For the stepper, the locking mechanism can also be to tighten the
adjustment so the
stepper is no longer operational. In the case of the Yoga Ball, there might
not be a locking
mechanism, but the controller could also vibrate in such a way that the yoga
ball might be
uncomfortable for the user to sit on.
The WFD device also has functionality to prevent unauthorized use of the
device in such a way
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
that when, for example, a child starts using the WFD in an unintended manner
(such as
pedaling excessively rapidly) the WFD device can detect the WFD is being used
in an
unintended manner and it can either lock itself, make it very hard, or turn on
the audible alarm to
prevent unauthorized use. A user can override this feature in case he/she
wants to use it for
higher performance. For example, the WFDs are meant to be used for workspace
fitness, not as
gym equipment. In this case, the WFDs are meant for low performance - i.e. low
pace fitness. In
a different embodiment of our invention a WFD could be a gym equipment
alternative.
When the WFD device has mechanical parts that cannot be adjusted automatically
from the
smart gadget controlling it or when the WFD device can sense the user's
preference while in
motion, that information is also stored and shared to the paired smart gadget
devices via means
of the remote management database system. That way, when a user is using a
WFD, the smart
gadget can display the user's preferences at that particular WFD. For example,
a user uses the
under-the-desk bike which has a manual seat height adjustment, thus, when the
user adjusts
the seat to sit at 12", the under-the-desk bike has a sensor that knows the
seat is set at a height
of 12". Furthermore, if the user decides to use the same model of under-the-
desk bike on a
different day and/or it is not exactly the same WFD he/she was using before,
the display on
his/her smart device will display the seat height setting; which, in this
case, will remind the user
that his/her preferred or last setting was at 12" for the seat height. In a
different embodiment of
our invention, when a sensor for the mechanical adjustment is not present, the
system may
request the user to input or take a photo of the height adjustment using
his/her smart device.
That way, the remote management database system can keep track of it.
The WFD also has a way to automatically set the desired settings adjustments
for that particular
user when he/she is using that WFD. For example, a user will start using a WFD
(i.e. an
under-the-desk bike) and it will be paired or sensed by the smart desk
controller or the login
information from the smart device and the WFD will identify the user. Then,
the WFD - in this
case, the under the desk bike - will be set to the required torque and
performance requirements
as set by the user.
In all cases, those commands can be overwritten by the user or an
administrator.
FIGURE 9 shows a flowchart of the operation of the Smart Desk Controller (SDC)
acting in the
presence of a Workspace Fitness Device (WFD). One familiar with the art will
appreciate that
any reference to the Smart Desk Controller should imply that the Smart Desk
Controller is
installed or embedded within the Smart Sit-and-Stand Desk. Step 900 describes
when a SDC
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
detects the presence of a WFD. In a normal office work day, a user may use the
Smart
Sit-and-Stand Desk in the sitting position for a certain amount of time and in
the standing
position for the remainder The positions and activities on the Smart Sit-and-
Stand Desk could
vary depending on the type of position or use the user wants. Part of the
experience of using
our solution is to use peripherals such as the Workspace Fitness Devices
(WFD), including the
Smart under-the-desk bike, which, in some cases could be stored in a different
area than the
workstation, as some office spaces may be space-limited, while others may
allow the user to
share the use of WFDs with office colleagues, given that the use of the WFD
(in most cases) is
for just a small percentage of the time a user spends sitting behind the desk.
Step 902 makes a
determination if a user has signed-in to the SDC or WFD. A user can sign-in to
a SDC or to a
WFD as well, the user does not need to be signed-in on both devices at the
same time, as
described in this flowchart. If the user is not signed-in on either device,
then there is nothing
else to do. If a user is signed-in on at least one of the devices, then he/she
may proceed to step
903 where the SDC and the WFD share the user's preset information. One
familiar with the art
will appreciate that either device could be the one the user is signed-in to.
This makes that
device "device #1", whereas the device where the user is not signed-in to is
known as "device
#2". Device #1 is responsible for transmitting the user's preset information
via the transfer
method that was previously described in this document. Step 904 describes that
the WFD then
applies the adjustments to the presets in that device. Such presets could be
the tension, the
height, or any other variable that can be electronically manipulated while
seated at the WFD
remotely.
Figures 9 through 11 show the relationship between Workspace Fitness Devices,
Smart Desk
Controllers, cloud services, and Software. More specifically, an iOS and
Android application that
allows the user to setup his/her desk based on the information provided
earlier in this document.
The software or mobile application captures the input of the person's height,
then, comparing it
to a table, calculates the positioning of the elements such as the seat or the
WFD, including the
seat, keyboard, and screen heights in relationship with the eyes of the user.
If the user operates the under the desk bike, height and weight may also be
considered.
Our invention also includes two other forms of measurement that are taken into
consideration
when using our Workspace Fitness Devices (WFD) - including our under-the-desk
bike, stepper,
and balance board. Our database has the required height adjustments for the
use of those
devices and our algorithm performs calculations based on each user's specific
needs.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
Also includes the elbow-height range and other data based on the ergonomy of
the person.
That is done with a table made up of different variables, or a custom input
that will match it with
the closest number in our reference table. In a different embodiment of our
invention, the input
is only done in a range instead of fixed values.
In a different embodiment of our invention, the app also calculates the
distance the monitor
should be from the face, the tilt of the monitor, or at what angle it should
be positioned.
The app also recommends the postures to adopt while standing at the Sit-and-
Stand Desk.
In a different embodiment of our invention, the app can also collect
information, such as the ID
of the user, his/her height, preferences (custom made or from patterns
registered at our remote
server's database),or the user's favorite WFD device to use Oust to name a
few).
FIGURE 10 is a flowchart that shows how the Smart Desk Controller adjusts the
settings of the
desk based on the user identification when that user has preset preferences
when using that
device - in this case, the Smart Sit-and-Stand Desk. A user preset is a
setting that the user sets.
This preset can be the desired height of the Smart Sit-and-Stand Desk, the
desired height of the
WFD, or any other adjustments such as the tension of the flywheel of the Smart
Under-the-desk
bike (amongst other examples).
Step 1000 describes how the user uses the workspace fitness device while
working at the smart
sit and stand desk. One familiar with the art will appreciate that a user may
use a workspace
fitness device from the group of a smart under-the-desk bike, a smart stepper,
or a smart yoga
ball. When using the device, it is most likely that the user will be located
in front of the desk that
has the Smart Desk Controller installed.
Step 1001 describes how the user makes adjustments to the settings at either
the Smart Desk
Controller (desk) or the Workspace Fitness Device itself.
Once the changes are made, the smart desk controller transmits any changes in
the user
presets to the remote server, where they are stored and accessible to the user
via a web portal
or through the app, as described in step 1002.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
Step 1003 describes how the next time the user logs to a Smart Desk
Controller, those new
adjustments are recalled, regardless of whether or not it is the same Smart
Sit-and-Stand Desk
or Workspace Fitness Device.
Figure 11 is a flowchart that shows how the Smart Desk Controller can make a
determination of
the presence of a Workspace Fitness Device located nearby (Step 1100). In step
1101, a
determination is requested if a user is signed-in to the Smart Desk Controller
or to the
Workspace Fitness Device. If the user is not signed-in to either device, then
the process ends
(1110). Step 1102 describes, how, if the user has signed-in to at least one of
the
aforementioned devices, then a determination has to be made to check if a user
setup preset for
that type of Workspace Fitness Device has been made. For example, if this is
the first time a
user is using a Smart Sit-and-Stand Desk (workspace fitness device), then, a
user preset for
this user does not exist for this type of device. If the user preset does not
exist, then proceed to
step 1104. Alternatively, in the case that a user preset does exist, then
proceed to step 1103.
Step 1103, adjusts the Smart Sit-and-Stand Desk to match the user's preset,
then the process
ends (1111).
Continuing with step 1104, the smart sit and stand desk must use the default
settings based on
the height of the workspace fitness device in relation to the smart Sit-and-
Stand Desk,then, the
process ends (1111).
Figure 12 is a flowchart that describes the process from the guest or user's
perspective. Step
1200 describes that a guest uses a public WFD. Public WFD are devices that are
not linked to a
personal account but are open for many people to use that same device. WFD
identify
themselves when they are used in a workspace environment and when the devices
are paired
with Smart Desk Controllers. If in the case a guest will use the WFD without
the login credentials
and simply walks up and uses the WFD. The guest may expect to collect the
information or data
captured by the WFD for that workout. In Step 1210, at the end of the workout
the guest records
the session info. The method to record the session info is from one of the
following group: by
reading a QR code displayed on the screen of the WFD or a QR code printed on
the WFD, by
using our app in his/her phone and reading the QR code displayed or printed on
the WFD, by
recording or writing the serial number of the WFD. The WFD keeps track of the
time the workout
happened and the serial number of the WFD that did the job. The WFD (as
described in other
pages of this document) is connected to a cloud server that keeps track of the
data collected by
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
the WFD. Step 1220, when at home, the guest logs into a web portal or app. A
web portal from
our company or from the guest's fitness-device provider that is linked to our
database where the
record of his workout is kept. Step 1230, guest enters recorded session info.
By correlating the
recorded session info with our database, the data from that recorded session
can be retrieved
by either a screen print or a data file that can be used to integrate into the
guest's fitness
tracking device or system. Step 1240, the workout info is retrieved and can
become part of that
guest's fitness tracking data. The web portal or app either integrate that
workout into the guest's
personal daily record or provide the equivalent to manually input into other
devices.
Figure 13A is a side perspective view of the apparatus of our invention. It is
an apparatus in the
form of a furniture component (1300), for example a desktop, that comprises: a
flexible touch
sensor film (1310) that adheres to the furniture component (1300), wherein the
furniture is one
from the group of a table, a desk, a sit and stand desk, a credenza, a
bookshelf. Continuing with
the description, the flexible touch sensor film (1310) comprising electrodes
(1311), wherein the
electrodes are transparent or not, positioned in a film (1312), wherein the
film is flexible. A
connector (1313) that connects to a controller (1320) via a cable (1314),
wherein the controller
is a smart desk controller. Wherein the connector (1313) and the cable (1314)
lay flat or embeds
to one side of the furniture component. The cable (1314) can be, for example,
a flat ribbon
cable, or any other type of cable.
In a different embodiment of our invention, the number of electrodes in the
touch sensor are
less than 100 and the flexible touch sensor film is flexible.
One familiar with the art will appreciate that the furniture described in
figure 13A could be, for
example, one from the group of a table, a desk, a sit and stand desk, a
credenza, a bookshelf
just to name a few. Each of the described furniture items have furniture
components, which may
be for example one from the group of a tabletop, a desktop, a leg, a support
and a shelf to name
a few.
Figure 13B1 and 13B2 show a different embodiment of our invention where the
touch sensor
film (1310) is flexible and can bend anywhere from a flat position of 180
degrees (1330) and
bend up to 90 degrees (1331) in order to mold to the shape of the profile of
the furniture
component. In a different embodiment of our invention, the flexible film can
bend anywhere from
180 degrees up to 15 degrees (not shown).
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
Figure 14A is a diagram that shows a relationship of components of the
apparatus of our
invention. A desktop (1300) integrates a touch sensor film (1310) comprising
electrodes (1311)
and connector (1333) that connects to a controller (1320) via a cable (1314).
Figure 14B is a diagram that shows a relationship of components in a different
embodiment of
the apparatus of our invention that includes the use of lights. A desktop
(1300) integrates a
touch sensor film (1310) comprising electrodes (1311), lights (1340), and
connector (1333) that
connects to a controller (1320) via a cable (1314).
Figure 15A shows how the flexible touch sensor film (1310) is adhered to the
furniture
component (1300), in this case a desktop. It is covered with the same
protective surface
material (1502) as the desktop, creating a blending effect. The protective
surface material
(1502) is, for example, one or more from the group of liquid protective coat
that varnish, formica,
veneer, resin, paint. One familiar with the art will appreciate that the
protective surface is the last
element applied to the piece of furniture or furniture component. For example,
but not limited to,
the top coat of resin applied in the desktop.
In a different embodiment of our invention, indicator 1500 (1500) shows the
furniture component
(1300) that has an indent (1500) to house components (1501). Said components
may be, for
example, one or more from the group of connectors, lights, light expanders,
acrylic blocks,
controllers, transparent flexible film, flexible film.
One familiar with the art will appreciate that the touch sensor may cover
different areas. For
example, the position or the size, for example, without limiting the coverage,
the touch sensor
may be of at least 20 square millimeters.
One familiar with the art will appreciate that the touch sensor could work
with different touch
sensing technologies such as capacitive, resistive, photosensing, or
electromagnetic to name a
few.
Figure 15B shows how the flexible touch sensor film (1310) is adhered to the
furniture with
adhesives or moulded to the furniture component (1300) by thermoforming it
into the shape of
the object (1520). One familiar with the art appreciates that Thermoforming is
a manufacturing
process where a plastic sheet is heated to a pliable forming temperature,
formed to a specific
shape in a mold, and trimmed to create a usable product. The thermoforming
process produces
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
a significant level of bending and adherence of the touch sensor film (1310)
to the furniture
component (1300), similar to what is shown in figures 16A and 16B.
Figure 16A shows how the flexible and bendable touch sensor film covers at
least two sides of
the piece of furniture.
Figure 16B shows how the flexible touch sensor film covers at least three
sides of the piece of
furniture.
Figure 17A shows how the flexible touch sensor film (1710) has cavities (1700,
1701, 1702,
1703) that allow the touch sensor film (1310) to be moulded to irregularly
shaped objects.
Figure 17B shows the flexible touch sensor film (1310) adhered to a round
tabletop (1710).
Figure 170 shows a different embodiment of our invention where the flexible
touch sensor film
has cavities that allow the touch sensor film to be moulded to a contoured
side of a piece of
furniture.
Figure 18 shows a different embodiment of our invention where the flexible
touch sensor (1310)
comprises embedded lights (1800). Wherein the lights are controlled by the
controller.
In a different embodiment of our invention, the lights are smaller than 4
square millimeters. In a
different embodiment of our invention, the lights are smaller than 1 square
millimeter.
In a different embodiment of our invention, the lights are connected by
transparent electrodes.
As such, the bare human eye cannot detect the wires connecting such lights.
One familiar with the art will appreciate that the lights provide feedback
when the controller
receives a touch input giving feedback to the user to know that the button got
pressed or the
command is received.
In a different embodiment of our invention, the lights are part of a matrix of
lights, for example,
but not limiting to one or more from the group of OLED, LED, AMOLED.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
In a different embodiment of our invention the lights are alerts sent by the
controller. Such alerts
may include notifications to the user that the furniture is about to morph,
move, or change
position.
In a different embodiment of our invention the lights are in a matrix format
and form a display.
Such a display provides information to the user, for example without
limitation one or more from
the group of status, height, weather.
Figure 19 shows how the touch sensor film (1310) is mechanically connected to
a support
(1901), wherein the support is one or more from the group of acrylic block,
plastic block, wood
block, metal block, controller housing. The support is mechanically connected
to the touch
sensor film (1310) by a cable and mechanically connected to the furniture
component (1300) by
a support (1902), connector or fixture (not shown). In a different embodiment
of our invention,
the support (1901) has a light (1900).
Figure 20 is a top view of a different embodiment of our invention showing how
the the furniture
component (1300) has an identification (2000) where the flexible touch sensor
is adhered. Such
identification (2000) is one from the group of visual, tactile, thermal, or
kinetic identification. A
visual identification is an image or graphic embedded, or painted in the
furniture component
material or in the transparent touch sensor that is visible to the user. A
tactile identification mark
is something that can be read with the touch, for example raised drawings or
markings that can
be identified by passing the fingers through it. A thermal identification mark
is a mark or an area
where the material is different, thus a change of temperature can be detected
by tactile sense. A
kinetic identification is one that has a haptic system that allows the user to
feel a change in the
composition of the material, for example, the click function in some trackpads
on laptops.
Embodiments of the invention may be implemented on a computing system. Any
combination
of mobile, desktop, server, router, switch, embedded device, or other types of
hardware may be
used. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the computing system (2100) may
include one or
more computer processors (2101), non-persistent storage (2102) (for example,
volatile memory,
such as random access memory (RAM), cache memory), persistent storage (2103)
(for
example, a hard disk, an optical drive such as a compact disk (CD) drive or
digital versatile disk
(DVD) drive, a flash memory, etc.), a communication interface (2104) (for
example, Bluetooth
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
interface, infrared interface, network interface, optical interface, etc.),
and numerous other
elements and functionalities.
The computer processor(s) (2101) may be an integrated circuit for processing
instructions. For
example, the computer processor(s) may be one or more cores or micro-cores of
a processor.
The computing system (2100) may also include one or more input devices (2110),
such as a
touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, microphone, touchpad, electronic pen, or any
other type of input
device.
The communication interface (2104) may include an integrated circuit for
connecting the
computing system (2100) to a network (not shown) (for example, a local area
network (LAN), a
wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, mobile network, or any other
type of network)
and/or to another device, such as another computing device.
Further, the computing system (2100) may include one or more output devices
(2106), such as
a screen (for example, an LCD display, a plasma display, touch screen, cathode
ray tube (CRT)
monitor, projector, or other display device), a printer, external storage, or
any other output
device. One or more of the output devices may be the same or different from
the input
device(s). The input and output device(s) may be locally or remotely connected
to the computer
processor(s) (2101), non-persistent storage (2102) , and persistent storage
(2103). Many
different types of computing systems exist, and the aforementioned input and
output device(s)
may take other forms.
Software instructions in the form of computer readable program code to perform
embodiments
of the invention may be stored, in whole or in part, temporarily or
permanently, on a
non-transitory computer readable medium such as a CD, DVD, storage device, a
diskette, a
tape, flash memory, physical memory, or any other computer readable storage
medium.
Specifically, the software instructions may correspond to computer readable
program code that,
when executed by a processor(s), is configured to perform one or more
embodiments of the
invention.
The computing system (2100) in FIG. 21 may be connected to or be a part of a
network. For
example, the network may include multiple nodes (for example, node X, node Y).
Each node
may correspond to a computing system, such as the computing system shown in
FIG. 21, or a
group of nodes combined may correspond to the computing system shown in FIG.
21. By way
of an example, embodiments of the invention may be implemented on a node of a
distributed
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
system that is connected to other nodes. By way of another example,
embodiments of the
invention may be implemented on a distributed computing system having multiple
nodes, where
each portion of the invention may be located on a different node within the
distributed computing
system. Further, one or more elements of the aforementioned computing system
(2100) may be
located at a remote location and connected to the other elements over a
network.
Figures 22A and 22B show a different embodiment of our invention where Figure
21 is a side
view of the furniture component (1300), with a touch sensor (1310) wrapped
around 3 sides with
the tails (2210) of the touch sensor (1310) are connected to a touch
controller (2211), which is
covered by a removable cover (2220) with connectors (2201). One familiar with
the art will
appreciate that the touch controller (2211) connects to the connector (2201)
and that the
connector (2201) connects to its counterpart, in the case of our invention,
the counterpart is a
connector in the Smart Desk Controller itself (not shown), said connector is
used to transmit
data and energy to the touch controller for the touch sensor to work. In a
different embodiment
of our invention, the cover (2220) has reference points (not shown) to enable
the counterpart
connector (not shown) for a correct placement and connection when connecting
the Smart Desk
Controller to the desktop.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of
embodiments, those
skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that
other embodiments can be
devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed
herein. Accordingly,
the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
CLAIMS
What is claimed is
1- An apparatus in the form of a furniture component that comprises:
a flexible touch sensor film that adheres to the furniture component
comprising:
at least 2 electrodes positioned in a film, wherein the film is flexible for
at least 75
degrees,
a connector that connects to a controller, wherein the connector embeds to a
side of the furniture component.
2- The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor film and the electrodes
are transparent
3- The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the number of electrodes are less than
100.
4- The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible touch sensor film can bend
from 180 to 90
degrees.
5- The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the furniture is one from the group of a
table, a desk, a sit
and stand desk, a credenza, a bookshelf.
6- The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the furniture component is one from the
group of a
tabletop, a desktop, a leg, a support, a shelf.
7- The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is a smart desk
controller.
8- The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible touch sensor film is adhered
to the furniture
component and is covered with the same protective surface material as the
piece of furniture
creating a blending effect.
9- The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the protective surface material is one or
more from the
group of liquid protective coat that include varnish, formica, veneer, resin,
paint.
10- The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible touch sensor film covers at
least two sides of
the piece of furniture.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
11- The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the flexible touch sensor film covers
at least three sides
of the piece of furniture.
12- The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible touch sensor film has
cavities that allow the
touch sensor film to be moulded to irregular shaped objects.
13- The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the irregular shaped object is one from
a round tabletop,
a contoured side of a piece of furniture.
14- the apparatus of claim 1, comprising:
embedded lights in the flexible touch sensor, wherein the lights are smaller
than 4
square millimeters, wherein the lights are controlled by the controller.
15- the apparatus of claim 14, wherein the lights are connected by transparent
electrodes.
16- the apparatus of claim 14, wherein the lights are part of a matrix of
lights.
17- the apparatus of claim 14, wherein the lights are one from the group of
OLED, LED,
AMOLED.
18- the apparatus of claim 14, wherein the lights are smaller than 1 square
millimeter.
19- the apparatus of claim 14, wherein the lights provide feedback when the
controller receives
a touch input.
20- the apparatus of claim 14, wherein the lights are alerts sent by the
controller.
21- the apparatus of claim 14, wherein the lights are in a matrix format and
form a display.
22- the apparatus of claim 21, wherein the display provides information to the
user comprising
one or more from the group of status, height, weather.
23- the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piece of furniture has an indent to
house components.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
24- the apparatus of claim 23, wherein the components are one or more from the
group of
connectors, lights, light expanders, acrylic blocks, controllers, transparent
flexible film, flexible
film.
25- the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor covers an area of at
least 20 square
millimeters
26- the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor comprises one or more
touch
technologies from the group of capacitive, resistive.
27- the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor film is mechanically
connected to a
support
28- the apparatus of claim 27, wherein the support is one or more from the
group of acrylic
block, plastic block, wood block, metal block, controller housing.
29- The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the flexible touch sensor film is
adhered and molded to
the furniture component by thermoforming the touch sensor film into the shape
of the object.
30- The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the area in the furniture component
where the flexible
touch sensor is adhered has an identification.
31- The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the identification is one from the
group of visual, tactile,
thermal or kinetic.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
ABSTRACT
A furniture component in the form of a desktop made of different materials
with hidden touch
sensors installed between the material and the top surface coating or
protective material of the
desktop. In a different embodiment of the invention, a touch sensor that is
made of transparent
electrodes on a film that blends between the protective coating of the desktop
and the desktop's
material that is invisible to the human eye. In a different embodiment of the
invention, the
transparent electrodes include a matrix of light emitting diodes of one or
more colours, providing
feedback and information to the user. In a different embodiment of the
invention, the touch
sensor film that is mechanically connected to a support that is made of
acrylic, plastic, or other
materials that transmit light or not.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-25
