Integrated optical ports

• US 6,081,356 A
• Filed: 05/27/1997
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Inventors: Branc, Joseph R., Forslund, Carl V. III, Stanfield, Joel D., Miller, William L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Jason
• Assistant Examiner(s): SEDIGHIAN, REZA
• Application Number:
  US08/863,225
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• Field of Search: 359/172, 359/159, 359/163, 359/118, 361/683
• US Class Current: 398/129
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/114 Indoor or close-range type systems

Abstract

An optical access system is shown for use in an office setting including a workstation providing for communication between a network and a computing device, the workstation having a worksurface and at least one network access point coupled to an optical network port. The computing device has a device access point coupled to an optical device port for direct optical communication with the optical network port. The optical access system includes an access station containing the optical network port so that the optical network port is selectively adjustable in a vertical direction by manually repositioning with respect to the computing device and the worksurface. Direct optical communication between the optical network port and the optical device port can be maintained notwithstanding the presence of objects that may obstruct direct optical communication. The optical access system may include a portable computer having a base and a covering lid to which the optical device port is mounted. A workstation providing for direct optical communication between a network and a computing device having a remote port is also disclosed. The workstation includes an article of furniture and an access station installed within the article of furniture providing at least one network access point and including a plurality of optical network ports. At least one network access point is coupled to the network and to each of the plurality of optical network port. The computing device is selectively adjustable in position relative to the article of furniture to establish a network connection within the workstation between the computing device and the network through the network access point by establishing direct optical communication between the remote port and at least one of the plurality of optical network ports.

Claims

1. In an office setting including a workstation adapted to provide for communication between a network and a computing device, the workstation having a worksurface and also having at least one network access point coupled to an optical network port, the computing device having a device access point coupled to an optical device port adapted for direct optical communication with the optical network port, wherein the improvement comprises:

an optical access system including an access station installed within the workstation containing the optical network port so that the optical network port is selectively adjustable in a vertical direction by manually repositioning the optical network port within the workstation with respect to the computing device and the worksurface so that direct optical communication between the optical network port and the optical device port can be maintained within the workstation in avoidance of one or more objects that may obstruct direct optical communication;

wherein the access station is supported on the worksurface and is angularly adjustable on the worksurface, and the optical network port is selectively adjustable in a horizontal direction and also wherein the access station includes a puck including the optical network port, horizontal adjustability of the puck being provided when the puck is moved along the worksurface and vertical adjustability of the puck being provided when the puck is moved to an edge-supported condition on an edge of the worksurface.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the puck is a port device configured for movement along the worksurface.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the access station includes an articulable stalk.

4. The system of claim 2 further comprising a hub coupled to the access station.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the hub provides a compartment for at least one puck.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the computing device is a portable computer having a base and a cover pivotally coupled thereto, wherein the optical device port of the portable computer is located on the back of the cover.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the workstation includes a table providing the worksurface.

8. In an office setting including a workstation adapted to provide for communication between a network and a computing device, and also having at least one network access point coupled to an optical network port, the computing device having a device access point coupled to an optical device port adapted for direct optical communication with the optical network port, wherein the improvement comprises:

a network access system including an access station installed within the workstation, the access station containing at least one optical network port;

wherein the access station is a utility post providing a plurality of optical ports, and the utility post includes a plurality of articulable stalks, each articulable stalk containing one of the plurality of optical ports.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the access station is configured so that the optical network port is selectively adjustable in both a vertical direction and a horizontal direction by manually repositioning the port device with respect to the computing device.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the workstation further comprises a worksurface and the access station is configured so that direct optical communication between the device access point and the network access point can be maintained notwithstanding the presence of one or more obstacles on the worksurface.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the access station is a hub providing a plurality of optical ports.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the access station includes a receptacle for at least one stalk.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the utility post includes a plurality of compartments.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the utility post is vertically adjustable.

15. The system of claim 8 wherein the workstation includes a plurality of access stations.

16. The system of claim 8 wherein the workstation includes a plurality of access stations and provides for a plurality of network access points associated with a plurality of optical network ports so that direct optical communication may simultaneously be established with a plurality of computing devices within the workstation.

17. In an office setting including a workstation adapted to provide for communication between a network and a computing device, and also having at least one network access point coupled to an optical network port, the computing device having a device access point coupled to an optical device port adapted for direct optical communication with the optical network port, wherein the improvement comprises:

a network access system including an access station installed within the workstation, the access station containing at least one optical network port;

wherein the access station also includes a plurality of pucks, each of the plurality of pucks including an optical network port and being positionally adjustable within the workstation.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the access station also includes a compartment for maintaining each of the plurality of pucks in a stowed position.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the computing device is a portable computer having a base and a covering lid and the optical device port is located on the lid of the portable computer so that direct optical communication between the optical network port and the optical device port can be maintained notwithstanding the presence of one or more objects on the worksurface that may obstruct direct optical communication.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the system further comprises an access station installed within the workstation and the optical network port is also selectively adjustable in both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction so that direct optical communication can be established at a level above and substantially parallel to the worksurface.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein each of the pucks is a port device configured for movement along a worksurface.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the access station is supported on the work surface and is angularly adjustable on the worksurface.

23. The system of claim 17 wherein the workstation is adapted to provide for direct optical communication between a network and a computing device having a remote port, and wherein the workstation includes

an article of furniture;

and also wherein the computing device is selectively adjustable in position relative to the article of furniture to establish a network connection within the workstation between the computing device and the network through the at least one network access point by establishing direct optical communication between the remote port and at least one of the plurality of optical network ports.

24. The workstation of claim 23 wherein at least one of the plurality of optical network ports of the access station are selectively adjustable in position relative to the article of furniture.

25. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the access station is at least partially embedded within the article of furniture.

26. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the article of furniture is a table.

27. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the article of furniture is a panel.

28. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the article of furniture is a desk.

29. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the article of furniture is a chair.

30. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the article of furniture is a bin.

31. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the article of furniture is a utility post.

32. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the optical network port is flexibly coupled to the access station and extendable from the article of furniture.

33. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the access station comprises a module selectively adjustable in position relative to the article of furniture.

34. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the access station comprises a compartment for storing the optical network port.

35. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the article of furniture is a table and the access station comprises a hub located at a substantially central location within a work surface provided by the table.

36. The workstation of claim 23 further comprising an optical network port housing containing the optical network port, the optical network port being selectively adjustable in orientation within the optical network port housing to selectively provide for alignment between the optical network port and the remote port of the computing device.

37. The workstation of claim 23 further comprising an optical network port housing containing the optical network port and adapted to selectively be positioned in contact with a generally horizontal work surface in a plurality of orientations to provide for alignment of the optical network port and the remote port of the computing device.

38. The workstation of claim 23 further comprising a chair adapted for seating a user of the computing device, a desk accessible to the user, and at least one panel positioned to provide at least partial visual privacy for the user, wherein the article of furniture is a table at which the computing device can be placed to establish the network connection.

39. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the at least one network access point comprises a plurality of network access points so that a plurality of computing devices may be connected to the network through the access station.

40. The workstation of claim 23 further comprising a plurality of access stations, each of the plurality of access stations adapted to provide for direct optical communication with at least one computing device.