# US 10,863,825 B1 · Ergonomic seating system, tilt-lock control and remote powering method and apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,863,825 B1 - Document ID: US10863825B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/810,353 - Filed: 2020-03-05 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-17 - Assignees: Steelcase Inc. - Applicants: Steelcase Inc. - Inventors: Jean-Paul Labrosse; Scott Sullivan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10863825B1 ## CPC - A47C 1/0242: {by electric motors} - A47B 9/00: Tables with tops of variable height ({lecterns with variable height A47B19/06; school forms or desks with variable height A47B39/02, A47B41/02}; seats with variable height A47C3/20) - A47C 7/72: Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like - A47C 7/725: {for illumination, e.g. lamps} - A47C 7/727: {with speakers} - A47C 7/748: {for heating} - G05B 19/402: characterised by control arrangements for positioning, e.g. centring a tool relative to a hole in the workpiece, additional detection means to correct position (G05B19/19 takes precedence) - G05B 19/406: characterised by monitoring or safety (G05B19/19 takes precedence) - A47B 9/20: Telescopic guides - A47B 2200/0062: Electronically user-adaptable, height-adjustable desk or table - A47C 3/30: with vertically-acting fluid cylinder - A47C 7/004: {for chairs or stools with central column, e.g. office chairs} - A47C 7/006: {with castors} - A47C 7/467: {adjustable by fluid means} - A47C 7/54: Supports for the arms - A47C 31/008: {Use of remote controls} - G05B 2219/45022: Auto seat, dentist chair, roll wheel chair - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) ## Abstract A work environment adjustment system includes multiple instances of controllable office equipment located within an office space, each instance associated with a specific office location and including an activator for controlling states of the instance, at least one presence sensor for detecting user presence within each space associated with each instance, and a master controller linked to each office equipment activator to control activation of each activator to control a current state of each instance. The master controller is programmed to perform the steps of receiving sensor signals from the at least a first presence sensor, determining user presence at each space associated with each instance, controlling states at each of the instances independent of user input when the space associated with the instance is vacant, and enabling user control of the state of each instance associated with a space that is occupied by a user. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A work environment adjustment system comprising: a plurality of instances of controllable office equipment located within an office space, each of the office equipment instances associated with a specific office location and including an activator for controlling states of the office equipment instance; at least a first presence sensor for detecting user presence within each space associated with each office equipment instance; and a master controller linked to each of the office equipment activators to control activation of each activator to control a current state of each office equipment instance; wherein, the master controller is programmed to perform the steps of: (i) receiving sensor signals from the at least first presence sensor; (ii) determining user presence at each space associated with each office equipment instance; (iii) controlling states at each of the office equipment instances independent of user input when the space associated with the office equipment instance is vacant; and (iv) enabling user control of the state of each office equipment instance associated with the space that is occupied by the user. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein each office equipment instance includes a height adjustable table that includes a variable length leg assembly and a height adjustable worktop supported at a top end of the leg assembly and wherein the state includes the height of the adjustable worktop. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2 wherein the master controller is programmed to drive each worktop at a vacant table to one of a standing height and a sitting height at a specific time each day. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 wherein the specific time each day is subsequent to normal business hours for a business. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2 wherein the master controller controls worktop height simultaneously for each vacant table. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller controls office equipment instance state simultaneously for each office equipment instance associated with the vacant space. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein each office equipment instance further includes a local control unit for controlling the activator at the office equipment instance and wherein the master controller is linkable to each of the local control units. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7 wherein the master controller is hardwired to each of the local control units. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7 wherein the master controller links to at least a subset of the local control units via a wireless communication link. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 wherein the wireless communication link is Bluetooth. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller includes a timing circuit and periodically transmits state control signals to each of the office equipment instances for controlling state. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 wherein the master controller is programmed to control office equipment instance state individually at times and simultaneously at other times. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller is programmed to automatically control each office equipment instance state only during specific periods of time and when the space associated with the office equipment instance is vacant. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller is programmed to automatically control each office equipment instance state only at specific times when the office equipment instance is vacant. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein all of the office equipment instance states are changed to the same state whenever their states are automatically changed. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller is a local master controller. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein each office equipment instance includes a powered chair. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17 wherein the states include different positions of the chair with respect to a power assembly. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein each of the office equipment instances includes at least one moveable component and wherein the states include different positions of the at least one moveable component. ### Claim 20 A work environment adjustment system comprising: a plurality of instances of controllable office equipment located within an office space, each of the office equipment instances associated with a specific office location and including an activator for controlling states of the office equipment instance; a plurality of presence sensors, a separate presence sensor associated with each office equipment instance, each sensor for detecting user presence within the space associated with an associated office equipment instance; and a master controller linked to each of the office equipment activators to control activation of each activator to control a current state of each office equipment instance, wherein, the master controller is programmed to perform the steps of: (i) receiving sensor signals from each of the presence sensors; (ii) determining user presence at each space associated with each office equipment instance; (iii) controlling states at each of the office equipment instances independent of user input when the space associated with the office equipment instance is vacant; and (iv) enabling user control of the state of each office equipment instance associated with the space that is occupied by the user. ### Claim 21 A work environment adjustment system comprising: a plurality of instances of controllable office equipment located within an office space, each office equipment instance including at least one component that is moveable to different positions, each of the office equipment instances associated with a specific office location and including an activator for controlling the position of the at least one moveable component; at least a first presence sensor for detecting user presence within each space associated with each office equipment instance; and a master controller linked to each of the office equipment activators to control activation of each activator to control a current position of each moveable component; wherein, the master controller is programmed to perform the steps of: (i) receiving sensor signals from the at least first presence sensor; (ii) determining user presence at each space associated with each office equipment instance; (iii) controlling each moveable component independent of user input when the space associated with the office equipment instance is vacant; and (iv) enabling user control of the moveable component instance associated with the space that is occupied by the user.