Furniture unit having a modular communication network

• US 6,133,845 A
• Filed: 04/16/1999
• Issued: 10/17/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc. (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc. (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Branc, Joseph R., Brown, Steven M., Miller, William L., Mikolajczak, Matthew M., Weller, George V., Sweeton, David C., Toms, John Shackelford, Russell, Scott H.
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/293,654
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.07, 340/310.08, 340/825.52, 340/825.53, 340/825.37, 340/310.01, 340/10.51, 52/239, 52/220.2, 160/135, 307/147, 439/215
• US Class Current: 340/12.39
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 83/001 Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0487 with a non-circular cross-section H02G3/0468, H02G3/0475 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/286 in walls
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/288 in modular walls, e.g. wall panels
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00002 characterised by monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00036 the elements or equipment being or involving switches, relays or circuit breakers circuits for indication of single switches H01H9/167
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0005 the elements or equipment being or involving power plugs or sockets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/28 characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks] wireless communication networks H04W ; arrangements for dividing the transmission path H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses

Abstract

A utility distribution system is provided for modular furniture of the type comprising individual furniture units which are juxtaposed to form one or more workstations. A signal conductor is positioned in each furniture unit, and extends generally between opposite sides thereof. Quick-disconnect connectors are provided at the opposite ends of each of the signal conductors, and mate with like quick-disconnect connectors in adjacent furniture units to create a communications network through the workstations. Each furniture unit has a signaler physically associated therewith, which is connected with an associated signal conductor at a coupler. A network controller is operably connected to the network to evaluate the network and/or the associated furniture units. The furniture units may be equipped with one or more utility ports, which are connected with the coupler, and service utility appliances, such as personal computers, telephones, facsimile machines, switches, power outlets, data receptacles, and the like. The utility appliances preferably have memory capability to internally store operating instructions for the same, which are transmitted to the network controller when the utility appliance is initialized.

Claims

1. A furniture unit for modular furniture arrangements of the type in which a plurality of individual furniture units are positioned in a preselected configuration to form at least one workstation, the furniture unit comprising:

at least one signal conductor positioned in said furniture unit, and extending generally between opposite sides thereof, said signal conductor including at least one cable with at least one of which being dedicated solely to the transmission of information bearing signals;

a coupler positioned in said furniture unit, and connected with said signal conductor at a location within said furniture unit;

a utility appliance network coupled to said signal conductor through said coupler; and

at least one port operably connected with said utility appliance network, whereby said port is coupled to said signal conductor through said utility appliance network to facilitate the distribution of utilities to the workstation.

2. The furniture unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said utility appliance network is positioned within said furniture unit.

3. The furniture unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one port physically is positioned on said furniture unit.

4. The furniture unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said port is physically spaced apart from said coupler.

5. The furniture unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said utility appliance network is detachably connected to said coupler.

6. The furniture unit as defined in claim 5, wherein said coupler includes a female connector and said utility appliance network includes a male connector for detachable insertion into said female connector.

7. The furniture unit as defined in claim 1, including:

first and second quick-disconnect connectors connected with opposite ends of said signal conductor and configured to mate with like quick-disconnect connectors associated with adjacent ones of the furniture units.

8. The furniture unit as defined in claim 7, including:

at least one utility appliance coupled to said utility appliance network through said port.

9. The furniture unit as defined in claim 8, wherein:

said utility appliance network includes address information at each said port, which address information is identified by each utility appliance connected to each said port, whereby the address information identifies the location of each utility appliance on said furniture unit.

10. The furniture unit as defined in claim 9 and further including a signaler associated with said furniture unit and being operably coupled to said signal conductor.

11. The furniture unit as defined in claim 10, wherein said signaler includes a first-position-of-workstation identification mechanism which is used to associate furniture portions with workstations.

12. A furniture unit adapted for coupling to a modular communication network, said furniture unit comprising:

a furniture structure;

at least one signal conductor having quick disconnects attached to the ends thereof, and being positioned relative to said furniture structure generally co-extensive with said furniture structure;

a coupler for electronically communicating with said signal conductor;

a data conductor including at least four wires for electronically communicating with said coupler; and

at least one data port for electronically communicating with said data conductor and thereby electronically communicating with said signal conductor, said at least one data port having at least four electrical contacts for connecting said at least four wires of said data conductor to a utility appliance.

13. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said data port includes electrical contacts that are shaped and positioned to prevent insertion therein of a standard power plug of a utility appliance.

14. The furniture unit as defined in claim 13 and further including a utility appliance coupled to said data port for receiving data therefrom.

15. The furniture unit as defined in claim 14, wherein said utility appliance is an electrical power outlet to which an electrical appliance may be coupled for receipt of electrical power.

16. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said data port is physically spaced apart from said coupler.

17. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said data conductor is detachably connected to said coupler.

18. The furniture unit as defined in claim 17, wherein said coupler includes a female connector and said data conductor includes a male connector for detachable insertion into said female connector.

19. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said data conductor is flexible and thereby non-rigidly connects said data port to said coupler.

20. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein at least one of said four wires of said data conductor is dedicated solely to the transmission of information bearing signals.

21. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said furniture structure has a pair of side edges adapted for coupling to side edges of adjacent furniture units, and said signal conductor is positioned within said furniture structure such that said quick disconnects are proximate said side edges.

22. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said signal conductor includes at least one communication cable and a communication module for housing said coupler.

23. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said coupler is rigidly wired intermediate the ends of said signal conductor.

24. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said data conductor is embedded in said furniture structure and said data port is mounted on said furniture structure.

25. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12 and further including a unit network having a plurality of said data ports carried on said panel frame structure, and a plurality of said data conductors for connecting said data ports to said coupler.

26. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12 and further including a signaler associated with said furniture structure and being operably coupled to said signal conductor.

27. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said furniture structure is a modular panel.

28. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12 and further including:

a power conductor adapted to be positioned within said furniture structure and having quick disconnects attached to the ends thereof; and

a power supply outlet carried by said furniture structure for receiving power from said power conductor.

29. The furniture unit as defined in claim 28, wherein said power conductor is dedicated solely to the supply of power to said power supply outlet.

30. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said data conductor is positioned within said furniture structure.

31. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said at least one data port is carried by said furniture structure.

32. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said coupler is positioned within said furniture structure.

33. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said signal conductor includes a plurality of communication lines.

34. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said information bearing signals include data signals.

35. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said furniture structure includes a plurality of connected modular panels.

36. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said signal conductor has a length related to the length of said furniture structure.

37. The furniture unit as defined in claim 36, wherein said signal conductor has a length substantially equal to that of said furniture structure.

38. The furniture unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said signal conductor is positioned relative to said furniture structure such that said quick connects are offset from ends of said furniture structure by substantially equal amounts.

39. The furniture unit as defined in claim 38, wherein said furniture structure includes a first end and a second end, and wherein said signal conductor extends a first offset distance outward from said first end and falls short of extending to the second end by a second offset distance substantially equal to said first offset distance.

40. A modular panel unit comprising:

a panel frame structure;

a power conductor adapted to be positioned within said panel frame structure and having quick disconnects attached to the ends thereof, said power conductor being dedicated solely to the transmission of electrical power;

a signal conductor positioned relative to said panel frame structure and having quick disconnects attached to the ends thereof;

a coupler for electronically communicating with said signal conductor;

a data conductor for electronically communicating with said coupler; and

a data port for electronically communicating with said data conductor to thereby electronically communicate with said signal conductor.

41. The modular panel unit as defined in claim 40 and further including a power supply outlet carried by said panel frame structure for receiving power from said power conductor.

42. The modular panel unit as defined in claim 40 and further including a plurality of data ports carried by said panel frame structure and communicatively coupled to said coupler by said data conductor.

43. The modular panel unit as defined in claim 42, wherein at least one of said data ports receives power from said power conductor.

44. The modular panel unit as defined in claim 40, wherein said signal conductor includes a plurality of communication lines at least one of which being coupled to said data port through said coupler and said data conductor.

45. The modular panel unit as defined in claim 40, wherein said signal conductor is generally co-extensive with said panel frame structure.

46. The modular panel unit as defined in claim 40, wherein said power conductor is generally co-extensive with said panel frame structure.

47. The modular panel unit as defined in claim 40, wherein said signal conductor includes at least one communication cable and a communication module for housing said coupler.

48. The modular panel unit as defined in claim 40, wherein said coupler is rigidly wired intermediate the ends of said signal conductor.

49. The modular panel unit as defined in claim 40, wherein said data conductor is embedded in said panel frame structure and said data port is mounted on said panel frame structure.

50. The modular panel unit as defined in claim 40 and further including a unit network having a plurality of said data ports carried on said panel frame structure, and a plurality of said data conductors for connecting said data ports to said coupler.

51. The modular panel unit as defined in claim 40 and further including a signaler associated with said panel frame structure and being operably coupled to said signal conductor.

52. The modular panel unit as defined in claim 40, wherein said data conductor is positioned within said panel frame structure.

53. The modular panel unit as defined in claim 40, wherein said at least one data port is carried by said panel frame structure.

54. The modular panel unit as defined in claim 40, wherein said coupler is positioned within said panel frame structure.

55. A modular communication network for a furniture unit, said modular communication network comprising:

a signal conductor adapted to be positioned relative to the furniture unit and having a plurality of communication lines and quick disconnects attached to the ends thereof for coupling said communication lines to communication lines of a signal conductor in an adjacent furniture unit;

a coupler for electronically communicating with said signal conductor;

a flexible data conductor detachably connected to said coupler for electronically communicating with said coupler; and

at least one data port for electronically communicating with said data conductor and thereby electronically communicating with said signal conductor, wherein said at least one data port is spaced apart from said coupler and is non-rigidly connected thereto by said flexible data conductor.

56. The modular communication network as defined in claim 55, wherein said signal conductor is generally co-extensive with the furniture unit.

57. The modular communication network as defined in claim 55, wherein said signal conductor includes at least one communication cable and a communication module for housing said coupler.

58. The modular communication network as defined in claim 55, wherein said coupler is rigidly wired intermediate the ends of said signal conductor.

59. The modular communication network as defined in claim 55, wherein said data conductor is embedded in the furniture unit and said data port is mounted on the furniture unit.

60. The modular communication network as defined in claim 55 and further including a unit network having a plurality of said data ports adapted to be carried on the furniture unit, and a plurality of said data conductors for connecting said data ports to said coupler.

61. The modular communication network as defined in claim 55 and further including a signaler associated with the furniture unit and being operably coupled to said signal conductor.

62. A modular furniture arrangement comprising:

a plurality of individual furniture units positioned in a preselected configuration to form at least one workstation;

at least one signal conductor positioned in said furniture units, and extending along at least a portion of the length of a workstation, said signal conductor including at least one communication cable being dedicated solely to the transmission of information bearing signals;

first and second quick-disconnect connectors connected with opposite ends of said signal conductor, and configured to mate with like quick-disconnect connectors associated with other similarly equipped furniture units to define a communications network for the workstation;

a data conductor for electronically communicating with a signal conductor; and

at least one data port for electronically communicating with said data conductor and thereby electronically communicating with said signal conductor.

63. The modular furniture assembly as defined in claim 62 and further including:

at least one power conductor adapted to be positioned within said furniture units and having quick disconnects attached to the ends thereof; and

at least one power supply outlet carried by one of said furniture units for receiving power from said power conductor.

64. A furniture unit adapted for coupling to a modular communication network, said furniture unit comprising:

a furniture structure;

at least one signal conductor having quick disconnects attached to the ends thereof, and being positioned relative to said furniture structure generally co-extensive with said furniture structure;

a coupler positioned within said furniture structure for electronically communicating with said signal conductor;

a flexible data conductor detachably connected to said coupler for electronically communicating with said coupler;

at least one data port for electronically communicating with said data conductor and thereby electronically communicating with said signal conductor, wherein said at least one data port is spaced apart from said coupler and is non-rigidly connected thereto by said flexible data conductor;

a power conductor adapted to be positioned within said furniture structure and having quick disconnects attached to the ends thereof; and

a power supply outlet carried by said furniture structure for receiving power from said power conductor,

wherein said furniture structure has a pair of side edges adapted for coupling to side edges of adjacent furniture units, said signal conductor has a length related to the length of said furniture structure, and wherein said signal conductor is positioned within said furniture structure such that said quick disconnects are proximate said side edges of said furniture structure.

65. The furniture unit as defined in claim 64, wherein said data conductor is detachably connected to said coupler.

66. The furniture unit as defined in claim 65, wherein said coupler includes a female connector and said data conductor includes a male connector for detachable insertion into said female connector.

67. The furniture unit as defined in claim 64, wherein said data conductor includes at least one communication line that is dedicated solely to the transmission of information bearing signals.

68. The furniture unit as defined in claim 64, wherein said signal conductor includes at least one communication line that is dedicated solely to the transmission of information bearing signals.

69. The furniture unit as defined in claim 64, wherein said signal conductor includes at least one communication cable and a communication module for housing said coupler.

70. The furniture unit as defined in claim 64, wherein said coupler is rigidly wired intermediate the ends of said signal conductor.

71. The furniture unit as defined in claim 64, wherein said data conductor is embedded in said furniture structure and said data port is mounted on said furniture structure.

72. The furniture unit as defined in claim 64 and further including a unit network having a plurality of said data ports carried on said panel frame structure, and a plurality of said data conductors for connecting said data ports to said coupler.

73. The furniture unit as defined in claim 64 and further including a signaler associated with said furniture structure and being operably coupled to said signal conductor.

74. The furniture unit as defined in claim 64, wherein said furniture structure is a modular panel.

75. The furniture unit as defined in claim 64, wherein said data conductor is positioned within said furniture structure.

76. The furniture unit as defined in claim 64, wherein said at least one data port is carried by said furniture structure.

77. The furniture unit as defined in claim 64, wherein said signal conductor includes a plurality of communication lines.

78. The furniture unit as defined in claim 64, wherein said information bearing signals include data signals.

79. The furniture unit as defined in claim 64, wherein said furniture structure includes a plurality of connected modular panels.

80. The furniture unit as defined in claim 79, wherein said signal conductor has a length substantially equal to that of said furniture structure.

81. The furniture unit as defined in claim 64, wherein said signal conductor is positioned relative to said furniture structure such that said quick connects are offset from ends of said furniture structure by substantially equal amounts.

82. The furniture unit as defined in claim 81, wherein said furniture structure includes a first end and a second end, and wherein said signal conductor extends a first offset distance outward from said first end and falls short of extending to the second end by a second offset distance substantially equal to said first offset distance.