IP Library Granted Patent US 12,499,751
Granted Patent B2
US 12,499,751 · App. 18/073,260 · Granted Dec 16, 2025

Device for receiving signals via at least one electrically driveable or adjustable furniture element

Inventors: Thomas Ruedisser (Hohenems, AT); Florian Burtscher (Dornbirn, AT); Thomas Taimler (Hoechst, AT)
Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
G08C17/02A47B88/457A47L9/009A47L9/2894E05F15/60E05F15/77H05B1/0263A47L2201/04
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 12,499,751
App. No.
18/073,260
Granted
Dec 16, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device for receiving signals via an electrically driveable or adjustable furniture element includes a receiving device for receiving at least one wirelessly transmitted signal, and the at least one wirelessly transmitted signal that has been received by the receiving device can be transmitted on to a furniture element. The receiving device is designed such that the at least one wirelessly transmitted signal can be received and processed via a first transmission protocol and a second transmission protocol, wherein the first transmission protocol is different from the second transmission protocol.

Claims (51)

1 . A device for receiving signals by at least one electrically drivable or movable furniture element, the device comprising:

at least one receiver for receiving at least two wirelessly transmitted signals, wherein the at least two wirelessly transmitted signals, which were received by a single receiver of the at least one receiver, are further transmittable to at least one furniture element,

wherein the single receiver is formed such that the at least two wirelessly transmitted signals are receivable and processable at least via a first transmission protocol and a second transmission protocol,

wherein the first transmission protocol is different from the second transmission protocol, and

wherein a first wirelessly transmitted signal of the at least two wirelessly transmitted signals is transmitted to the single receiver via the first transmission protocol and a second wirelessly transmittal signal of the at least two wirelessly transmitted signals is transmitted to the single receiver via the second transmission protocol.

2 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one signal is a digital signal, wherein at least one transmission protocol is a digital transmission protocol.

3 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one wirelessly transmitted signal can be transmitted from at least one transmitter.

4 . The device according to claim 3 , wherein the transmission with the first transmission protocol of the at least one signal is effected:

unidirectionally between at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver and/or

addressed directly to the at least one receiver, and/or

without an acknowledgement of receipt by the at least one receiver, and/or

without checking the readiness-to-receive of the at least one receiver, and/or

with a firmly predefined or predefinable routing of the at least one signal, wherein ESB (Enhanced ShockBurst) is preferably used as first transmission protocol.

5 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one signal is transmitted via Bluetooth as second transmission protocol.

6 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one transmission protocol, preferably all transmission protocols, are bidirectional.

7 . The device according to claim 3 , wherein at least two separate transmitters are provided, each of which emits at least one signal via different transmission protocols.

8 . The device according to claim 3 , wherein at least one transmitter, which transmits the at least one signal preferably to several receivers, is arranged in a firm spatial arrangement with respect to the at least one furniture element while in operation, wherein this at least one transmitter preferably communicates via the first transmission protocol, and wherein this at least one transmitter is preferably integrated in a wireless network, in particular a WLAN network.

9 . The device according to claim 8 , wherein at least one transmitter, which transmits the at least one signal preferably to several receivers, is formed as a mobile terminal device, preferably as mobile phone, wherein this at least one transmitter preferably communicates via the second transmission protocol.

10 . The device according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one transmitter is in cabled and/or wireless data connection with a furniture element, wherein at least one wirelessly transmitted signal is transmittable to the receiver of at least one further furniture element, wherein this communication is preferably effected via the first transmission protocol.

11 . The device according to claim 3 , wherein at least one transmitter has a switch that is physically operatable, in particular by hand, wherein this at least one transmitter preferably communicates via the first transmission protocol.

12 . The device according to claim 3 , wherein at least one transmitter is arranged on at least one domestic appliance, preferably a robotic vacuum cleaner or a microwave oven, wherein this transmitter preferably communicates via the second transmission protocol.

13 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one furniture element has an electrical drive device for moving a movable furniture part, in particular a drawer, a door or a flap.

14 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one furniture element has at least one electrical closing device for locking a movable furniture element, in particular a drawer ( 94 ), a door or a flap.

15 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one furniture element and the allocated receiver are combined to form a structural unit, preferably accommodated in a common housing.

16 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein configuration data for the configuration of at least one furniture element are transmittable to the at least one receiver via at least one transmission protocol as at least one signal, wherein the configuration data can preferably be saved on the furniture element.

17 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein control signals for controlling the at least one furniture element are transmittable to the at least one receiver via a transmission protocol as at least one signal, in particular for defining the movement status and/or the position of a furniture part driven by the furniture element.

18 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein status data can be transmitted to the at least one receiver via at least one transmission protocol as at least one signal, wherein the status data describe the position and/or movement status of at least one furniture element, in particular for avoiding collisions and/or for synchronising two driven furniture parts.

19 . The device according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one transmitter is integrated in a preferably wireless network.

20 . The device according to claim 3 , wherein a device for voice control is provided with which device for voice control accesses at least one furniture element via the at least one transmitter.

21 . The device according to claim 20 , wherein the device for voice control comprises a terminal device, connected to the internet, with a microphone, wherein

a voice recording effected by the terminal device can be sent to an external computer network, in particular over the internet,

an electronic message determined by the voice recording and/or an operating command determined by the voice recording can be sent from the external computer network to the at least one transmitter, in particular over a wireless network, and

at least one signal determined by the operating command can be transmitted to at least one furniture element.

22 . A furniture arrangement comprising at least one piece of furniture and at least one device for controlling the electrically drivable or movable furniture element of claim 1 .

23 . The furniture arrangement according to claim 22 , wherein the furniture arrangement comprises at least two pieces of furniture.

24 . The furniture arrangement according to claim 22 , wherein the furniture arrangement comprises, as driven furniture parts, at least one flap and/or at least one door and/or at least one drawer, wherein in the case where the furniture arrangement comprises several pieces of furniture, the furniture parts can be distributed between the several pieces of furniture as desired.

25 . A method for receiving signals by at least one electrically drivable or movable furniture element, in particular with the device according to claim 1 , with at least one receiver for receiving at least one wirelessly transmitted signal, the method comprising:

receiving of at least one wirelessly transmitted first signal by the at least one receiver,

receiving of at least one wirelessly transmitted second signal by the at least one receiver,

wherein the at least one wirelessly transmitted first signal is transmitted via a first transmission protocol, and

wherein the at least one wirelessly transmitted second signal is transmitted via a second transmission protocol, which is different from the first transmission protocol.

26 . The method according to claim 25 , wherein the at least one wirelessly transmitted signal is emitted by at least one transmitter.

27 . The method according to claim 25 , wherein the transmission of the at least one first signal via the first transmission protocol is effected:

unidirectionally between the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver, and/or

addressed directly to the at least one receiver, and/or

without an acknowledgement of receipt by the at least one receiver and/or

without checking the readiness-to-receive of the at least one receiver, and/or

with a firmly predefined or predefinable routing of the at least one first signal,

wherein ESB (Enhanced ShockBurst) is preferably used as first transmission protocol.

28 . The method according to claim 25 , wherein the at least one second signal is transmitted via Bluetooth as second transmission protocol.

29 . A non-transitory computer program product comprising commands, which, if executed by at least one arithmetic unit, prompt it to perform the method according to claim 25 from at least one memory unit, which is in a data connection with the at least one arithmetic unit or can be brought into such a connection.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2022
From: RUEDISSER, THOMAS; BURTSCHER, FLORIAN; TAIMLER, THOMAS
To: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
Reel/Frame 062158/0001 →
Priority Claims (1)
AT A 50488/2020 · Jun 5, 2020 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTAT2021060193 · Jun 2, 2021
Related Publication 20230103435A1 · Apr 6, 2023
References Cited (47)
US 7068208B2 · Wu · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 9478122B2 · Hille · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 10051599B2 · Lowe et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10448357B2 · Lowe et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10590692B2 · Bohle · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10736075B2 · Lowe et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10893502B2 · Lowe et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11438867B2 · Lowe et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20040252045A1 · Wu · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20090099706A1 · Wenzel et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20130063053A1 · Scheffknecht · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140031992A1 · Bergman · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 20140184123A1 · Wenzel · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20150130595A1 · Hille · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20160242542A1 · Friesenecker et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20170208565A1 · Lowe et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180289175A1 · Lukas · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180291650A1 · Zabala Zabaleta et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180324745A1 · Lowe et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190010747A1 · Bohle · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 20190313808A1 · Hille · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 20200145957A1 · Lowe et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200344716A1 · Lowe et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20210035580A1 · Hille · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20210106138A1 · Gehrke · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20210235411A1 · Lowe et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20210364227A1 · Kim · 2021 [cited by examiner]
AT 11904 · 2011 [cited by applicant]
AT 513756 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
AT 514945 · 2015 [cited by applicant]
CN 102892331A · 2013 [cited by applicant]
DE 102017107109 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
DE 102018108867 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
EP 3367341 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
EP 3510896 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
JP 2007301344 · 2007 [cited by applicant]
JP 2008129614 · 2008 [cited by applicant]
JP 2019506604 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
JP 2021521569 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
KR 20100126456A · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO 2012061406 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
WO 2017124195 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
WO 2017177247 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
WO 2019197424 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
International Search Report issued Sep. 2, 2021 in International (PCT) Application No. PCT/AT2021/060193. [cited by applicant]
Brochure “Lippe Series and Relax Bed Conversion” from Burmeier GmbH & Co., KG, Jan. 2019 (with partial translation). [cited by applicant]
Wikipedia article “Mobile radio standard” to demonstrate knowledge, Mar. 2025, URL: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobilfunkstandard. [cited by applicant]