IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,649,422
Granted Patent B2
US 10,649,422 · App. 16/142,265 · Granted May 12, 2020

Variable height platform device

Inventor: Tai Hoon K. Matlin (Round Lake Beach, IL)
Assignee: FELLOWES, INC.
G05B15/02A47B9/02A47B9/10A47B9/16A47B2200/0056
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,649,422
App. No.
16/142,265
Granted
May 12, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A variable height workstation system includes a base, a variable height platform, a lift mechanism, and a sensor arrangement. The lift mechanism is configured to move the variable height platform within a range of motion between a fully lowered position and a raised position. The sensor arrangement is operatively connected to the variable height platform. The sensor arrangement is configured to sense the position and movement of a user on, above and around the variable height platform for outputting data to determine how the user is positioned on, above and around the variable height platform in comparison to a predetermined target position.

Claims (30)

1. A variable height workstation system comprising:

a base;

a variable height platform;

a lift mechanism configured to move the variable height platform within a range of motion between a fully lowered position and a raised position; and

a sensor arrangement operatively connected to the variable height platform,

wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to sense the position and movement of a user on, above and around the variable height platform for outputting data to determine how the user is positioned on, above and around the variable height platform in comparison to a predetermined target position,

wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to sense the position and movement of the user on, above and around the variable height platform and through one or more sensor zones of the sensor arrangement, and wherein the one or more sensor zones of the sensor arrangement are disposed across the variable height platform, and

wherein the one or more sensor zones are a plurality of sensor zones comprising overlapped zones of sensors with varied sensitivity, and wherein, as a body portion of the user moves around, into and through the overlapped sensor zones, the sensor arrangement is configured to detect varied signals levels from the associated sensors to determine how the user is positioned on, above and around the variable height platform in comparison to the predetermined target position.

2. The variable height workstation system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor arrangement includes an active movement sensor arrangement.

3. The variable height workstation system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor arrangement includes a surface movement sensor arrangement that is integrated in the variable height platform.

4. The variable height workstation system of claim 1 , wherein the lift mechanism comprises a plurality of articulated members.

5. The variable height workstation system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor arrangement includes the sensors each having a sensor zone of the plurality of sensor zones adjacent the variable height platform, the sensor arrangement including a processor coupled to the sensors and configured to process the data to determine how the user is positioned on, above and around the variable height platform in comparison to said predetermined target position based on the position and movement of the user around, into and through the plurality of sensor zones.

6. A variable height workstation system comprising:

a base;

a variable height platform;

a lift mechanism configured to move the variable height platform within a range of motion between a fully lowered position and a raised position;

a sensor arrangement operatively connected to the variable height platform; and

a display device with a processor,

wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to sense the position and movement of a user on, above and around the variable height platform for outputting data, and

wherein the processor is configured to:

receive the data from the sensor arrangement,

compare the received data to a predetermined target position, and

display an indication of the comparison to the user,

wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to sense the position and movement of the user on, above and around the variable height platform and through one or more sensor zones of the sensor arrangement, and wherein the one or more sensor zones of the sensor arrangement are disposed across the variable height platform, and

wherein the one or more sensor zones are a plurality of sensor zones comprising overlapped zones of sensors with varied sensitivity, and wherein, as a body portion of the user moves around, into and through the overlapped sensor zones, the sensor arrangement is configured to detect varied signals levels from the associated sensors to determine how the user is positioned on, above and around the variable height platform in comparison to the predetermined target position.

7. The variable height workstation system of claim 6 , wherein the sensor arrangement includes an active movement sensor arrangement.

8. The variable height workstation system of claim 6 , wherein the sensor arrangement includes a surface movement sensor arrangement that is integrated in the variable height platform.

9. The variable height workstation system of claim 6 , wherein the lift mechanism comprises a plurality of articulated members.

10. The variable height workstation system of claim 6 , wherein the sensor arrangement includes the sensors each having a sensor zone of the plurality of sensor zones adjacent the variable height platform,

wherein the processor is coupled to the sensors and is configured to process the data to determine how the user is positioned on, above and around the variable height platform in comparison to said predetermined target position based on the position and movement of the user around, into and through the plurality of sensor zones.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 26, 2018
From: MATLIN, TAI HOON K.
To: FELLOWES, INC.
Reel/Frame 046976/0393 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 15200180 · Jul 1, 2016
Provisional Application 62187435 · Jul 1, 2015
Related Publication 20190025781A1 · Jan 24, 2019