Communications network for identifying the location of articles relative to a floor plan

• US 6,211,796 B1
• Filed: 04/16/1999
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• 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:
  US09/293,386
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.49, 340/825.07, 340/825.52, 340/825.37, 340/310.01, 340/310.08, 52/239, 52/220.2, 160/135, 307/147
• US Class Current: 340/8.1
• 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 system for identifying the location of articles relative to a known floor plan, said system comprising:

a controller; and

a plurality of communication modules positioned at known locations relative to the floor plan, each of said communication modules being in electrical communication with said controller and having an identification device therein for identifying itself to said controller, said communication modules including connecting means for connecting an article to communicate with said controller,

wherein said controller includes a memory for storing a layout of the floor plan based upon the known location of said communication modules, and said controller determines the location of an article relative to the layout of the floor plan by determining to which of said communication modules the article is connected.

2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said communication modules are mounted within a floor structure.

3. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said communication modules are mounted within a ceiling structure.

4. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said controller generates and stores a modified layout of the floor plan including the locations of any identified articles.

5. A method for identifying the location of articles relative to a known floor plan, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning a plurality of communication modules at known locations relative to the floor plan;

providing each communication module with a unique identify;

connecting each of the communication modules to a controller;

providing each communication module with a coupler for connecting an article to the controller;

storing a layout of the floor plan that is accessible to the controller and that includes the location of the communication modules relative to the floor plan; and

determining the location of an article relative to the layout of the floor plan by determining to which of said communication modules the article is connected.

6. The method as defined in claim 5 and further including the step of storing a modified layout of the floor plan including the locations of any identified articles.

7. A system for identifying the location of utility appliances relative to a known floor plan, said system comprising:

a controller; and

a plurality of communication modules positioned at known locations relative to the floor plan, each of said communication modules being in electrical communication with said controller and having an identification device therein for identifying itself to said controller, said communication modules including a coupler for connecting at least one utility appliance to communicate with said controller,

wherein said controller includes a memory for storing a layout of the floor plan based upon the known location of said communication modules, and said controller determines the location of a utility appliance relative to the layout of the floor plan by determining to which of said communication modules the utility appliance is connected.

8. The system as defined in claim 7, wherein said communication modules are mounted within a floor structure.

9. The system as defined in claim 7, wherein said communication modules are mounted within a ceiling structure.

10. The system as defined in claim 7, wherein said controller generates and stores a modified layout of the floor plan including the locations of any identified utility appliances.