# US 10,872,516 B2 · Timing reminding method and reminding apparatus for height-adjustable table

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- Number: US 10,872,516 B2
- Document ID: US10872516B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/344,265
- Filed: 2017-10-07
- Published: 2019-08-29
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2016-10-24
- Assignees: Shenzhen Minicute Technology Co. Ltd.
- Applicants: Shenzhen Minicute Technology Co. Ltd.
- Inventors: Wenbin Zhu; Yifei Xie
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10872516B2

## CPC

- A61B 5/1116: {Determining posture transitions}
- G08B 21/24: Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
- 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)
- A47B 13/00: Details of tables or desks (drawers A47B88/00; feet for furniture in general A47B91/00)
- A47B 21/02: with vertical adjustable parts
- A47B 97/00: Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- A61B 5/1128: {using image analysis (A61B5/1127 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/4561: {Evaluating static posture, e.g. undesirable back curvature (A61B5/1116 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/6891: {Furniture}
- A61B 5/7405: {using sound}
- A61B 5/743: {Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots}
- A61B 5/746: {Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms}
- A61B 5/748: {Selection of a region of interest, e.g. using a graphics tablet}
- A47B 2200/0062: Electronically user-adaptable, height-adjustable desk or table
- A47B 2200/0084: Accessories for tables or desks
- A61B 5/1115: {Monitoring leaving of a patient support, e.g. a bed or a wheelchair}
- A61B 2562/0257: Proximity sensors
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B)

## Abstract

A timing reminding method and reminding apparatus for a height-adjustable table. According to the method, by detecting whether a timing starting condition is currently achieved, detecting a posture of a user, and determining a reminding time and starting timing, the user can be reminded to adjust the use posture of the height-adjustable table conveniently and accurately in time. The timing reminding apparatus implements the above timing reminding method.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A timing reminding method for a height-adjustable table, comprising:
detecting whether a timing starting condition is currently achieved, wherein the timing starting condition is that a user is in front of the height-adjustable table;
wherein whether the user is in front of the height-adjustable table is detected by a pyroelectric infrared sensor and another sensor selected from a first distance measure sensor, a thermal imaging sensor, or an image identification sensor;
after the pyroelectric infrared sensor detects a thermal infrared signal, then
the first distance measure sensor starts and detects the distance between the user and the height-adjustable table, and if the distance between the user and the height-adjustable table is greater than a preset distance, a controller judges that the user is not in front of the height-adjustable table; and when the distance between the user and the height-adjustable table is less than the preset distance, and the duration reaches a preset time, the controller judges that the user is in front of the height-adjustable table, wherein the another sensor is the first distance measure sensor;
the thermal imaging sensor starts and continuously detects the thermal infrared signal for a preset time, the controller judges that the user is in front of the height-adjustable table, or otherwise, the controller judges that the user is not in front of the height-adjustable table, wherein the another sensor is the thermal imaging sensor; or
the image identification sensor starts and identifies an image, when the identified image is a preset user, and after the time of continuously identifying that the user is in the image reaches a preset time, the controller judges that the user is in front of the height-adjustable table, or the controller judges that the user is not in front of the height-adjustable table, wherein the another sensor is the image identification sensor;
detecting a use posture of the user, determining a corresponding reminding time according to the use posture, and starting timing; and
when the user maintains the same use posture until a preset reminding time is reached, reminding, by a reminding unit, the user of the height-adjustable table to change the use posture.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein: during the timing period, if it is detected that the user departs from the height-adjustable table, pausing the current timing, and recording a departure time;
when the departure time of the user away from the height-adjustable table reaches a preset time, resetting the timing after the user returns, and starting the timing after determining the reminding time according to the use posture;
when the departure time of the user away from the height-adjustable table does not reach the preset time, if the user continues to maintain the use posture before leaving after returning, restarting the timing, and continuing the previous timing; and if the user changes the use posture after returning, resetting the timing, and starting the timing after determining the reminding time according to the current use posture; and
during the timing period, if the user actively changes the use posture, resetting the timing, and starting the timing after determining the reminding time according to the use posture.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein: the thermal infrared signal of the user is detected by the pyroelectric infrared sensor, and the controller judges whether the user is in front of the height-adjustable table according to the detection result; and
the use posture of the user is judged by detecting the height of the height-adjustable table by using a first photoelectric sensor, a detection distance of the first photoelectric sensor is set, when the height of the height-adjustable table exceeds the detection distance of the first photoelectric sensor, the first photoelectric sensor cannot receive a reflected signal, then the controller judges that the user uses the height-adjustable table at a standing posture, and on the contrary, the controller judges that the user uses the height-adjustable table at a sitting posture.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method according to claim 3, further comprising: a second photoelectric sensor, wherein the detection distance of the second photoelectric sensor is the same as that of the first photoelectric sensor, the second photoelectric sensor and the first photoelectric sensor are respectively installed at different positions of the height-adjustable table, the installation heights of the two sensors are the same, and when both of the first photoelectric sensor and the second photoelectric sensor cannot receive the reflected signal, the controller judges that the user uses the height-adjustable table at the standing posture; otherwise, the controller judges an abnormal condition and reminds the user to check the state of the height-adjustable table.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method according to claim 3, wherein: the tabletop of the height-adjustable table is further provided with a motion sensor, after the user departs from the height-adjustable table, when the pyroelectric infrared sensor detects that the user is in front of the height-adjustable table again, the controller controls the first photoelectric sensor to start, when the pyroelectric infrared sensor continuously detects that the user is in front of the height-adjustable table, and the motion sensor detects that the tabletop of the height-adjustable table stops moving for a certain period of time, the controller turns off the first photoelectric sensor, and the timing is normally performed; and
when the pyroelectric infrared sensor detects that the user is in front of the height-adjustable table, and the motion sensor detects the motion of the tabletop, the controller controls the first photoelectric sensor to start.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein: a handle switch is arranged on the height-adjustable table, and when the user triggers the handle switch, it is judged that the user is in front of the height-adjustable table.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein: the height of the tabletop of the height-adjustable table is judged by using a proximity switch or a magnetic induction switch arranged on the height-adjustable table, when the tabletop of the height-adjustable table descends below a preset height, the proximity switch or the magnetic induction switch is triggered, and then the controller judges that the user is at a sitting posture; and when the proximity switch or the magnetic induction switch is not triggered, the controller judges that the user is at a standing posture.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein: the ascending and descending of the tabletop of the height-adjustable table are detected by an acceleration sensor arranged on the height-adjustable table, when the acceleration sensor detects the ascending or descending of the tabletop and when a tabletop static time reaches a preset time after the ascending or descending of the tabletop, the controller judges that the user actively changes the use posture, matches a corresponding reminding time according to the changed use posture and restarts the timing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein: the height of the tabletop of the height-adjustable table is measured by using a second distance measure sensor arranged on the height-adjustable table, when the height is greater than a preset value, the controller judges that the user is at a standing posture, or otherwise, the controller judges that the user is at a sitting posture.

### Claim 10

A timing reminding apparatus for a height-adjustable table, comprising:
a first photoelectric sensor used for detecting the height of the height-adjustable table;
a pyroelectric infrared sensor used for detecting whether a user is in front of the height-adjustable table;
a reminding unit used for sending reminding; and
a controller used for receiving detection information of the first photoelectric sensor and the pyroelectric infrared sensor, sending a control command to the first photoelectric sensor, the pyroelectric infrared sensor and the reminding unit, matching a reminding time according to the received information, and timing.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The timing reminding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: the first photoelectric sensor, the pyroelectric infrared sensor, the reminding unit and the controller are all arranged in a shell, the first photoelectric sensor is arranged below the shell, the pyroelectric infrared sensor is arranged on a front side of the shell, and the shell is provided with a bayonet matching the tabletop.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The timing reminding apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a motion sensor, wherein the motion sensor is connected with the controller for detecting a motion state of the tabletop of the height-adjustable table.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The timing reminding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: at least one second photoelectric sensor is further provided, the second photoelectric sensor is connected with the controller, and the second photoelectric sensor and the first photoelectric sensor are respectively arranged at different positions of the height-adjustable table, and the two sensors have the same installation height.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The timing reminding apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a touch display screen used for inputting related setting information and used for displaying text reminding; wherein the reminding unit comprises a sound reminding module and/or an LED prompting lamp, and both of the sound reminding module and/or the LED prompting lamp are connected with the controller for sending sound reminding and/or LED prompting lamp flashing reminding.

### Claim 15

A timing reminding apparatus for a height-adjustable table, comprising:
a sensor combination used for detecting whether a user is in front of the height-adjustable table;
the sensor combination comprises a pyroelectric infrared sensor and a first distance measure sensor; or
the sensor combination comprises a pyroelectric infrared sensor and a thermal imaging sensor; or
the sensor combination comprises a pyroelectric infrared sensor and an image identification sensor; and
a proximity switch, a magnetic induction switch or a second distance measure sensor arranged on the height-adjustable table for judging a use posture of the user; and
a controller used for receiving detection information of the sensor combination and the proximity switch or the magnetic induction switch, matching a reminding time according to the received information and timing.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The timing reminding apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: a touch display screen used for inputting related setting information and used for displaying text reminding; and
a reminding unit, wherein the reminding unit comprises a sound reminding module and/or an LED prompting lamp, and both of the sound reminding module and/or the LED prompting lamp are connected with the controller for sending sound reminding and/or LED prompting lamp flashing reminding.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The timing reminding apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: a Bluetooth module or a wireless module for connecting with a mobile terminal or a cloud.