SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION ON PIECES OF FURNITURE

• US 20100141388A1
• Filed: 03/28/2008
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase SA (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Reithler, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US12/593,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20100141388A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 97/00 Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier

Abstract

A system for providing information on pieces of furniture includes a piece of furniture and an electronic device on the piece of furniture. The electronic device contains information and is able to transmit information to an external receiver. The system also includes a locator that covers the electronic device and provides a visible indication of the position of the electronic device.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A system for providing information on pieces of furniture, the system comprising:

a piece of furniture;

an electronic device on the piece of furniture, wherein the electronic device contains information, and is capable of transmitting the information to an external receiver;

a locator covering the electronic device and providing a visible indication of the placement of the electronic device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the electronic device comprises a radio frequency identification label.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the locator includes an indication of the origin of the piece of furniture.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the locator includes a decorative element.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the piece of furniture includes an undesirable visible element;

the locator is dimensioned and positioned so as to cover the undesirable visible element.

21. The system of claim 20, including:

a strip having ends defining a junction; and

wherein;

the piece of furniture comprises a desk having a peripheral edge that is covered by the strip;

the undesirable visible element comprises the junction defined by the ends of the strip;

the locator is placed so as to cover the junction.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the information concerning the piece of furniture comprises a serial number of the piece.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the piece of furniture comprises a chair.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the piece of furniture comprises a worksurface.

26. An article of furniture, comprising:

a furniture structure;

a radio frequency identification label connected to the furniture structure, wherein the identification label includes a memory feature that stores information related to the furniture structure, and wherein the identification label is capable of transmitting at least some of the information to a portable external receiver;

wherein;

the furniture structure includes a external marker directly adjacent the radio frequency identification label such that a portable external receiver can receive the information when the portable external receiver is positioned in the immediate vicinity of the external marker.

27. The article of furniture of claim 26, wherein:

the furniture structure defines an outer surface, and the radio frequency identification label is positioned on the outer surface; and

including;

a cover extending over the radio frequency identification label.

28. The article of furniture of claim 27, wherein:

the cover includes visible indicia conveying information concerning the article of furniture.

29. The article of furniture of claim 26, wherein:

the article of furniture comprises a worksurface defining a perimeter, and wherein the radio frequency identification label is mounted on the perimeter.

30. The article of furniture of claim 29, wherein:

the worksurface includes an upwardly-facing planar upper surface, and the perimeter comprises a generally vertical surface; and

including;

a generally rectangular cover secured to the perimeter and covering the radio frequency identification label.