Herman Miller, Inc.

Jared Thomas

Kurt Dykema

Christopher Hoyt

Jeff Gibson

Dave Moelker

Nicolas Milani

A system and method for communicatively pairing a mobile communication device and a furniture item, such as a desk or table, includes placing the mobile communication device in a communication zone associated with the furniture item. In response to placing the mobile communication device in the communication zone, a communication link is established between the mobile communication device and a communication circuit of the furniture item. A user interface is then displayed on a display screen of the mobile communication device to show a preset height, such as a standing or sitting height, for the furniture device. When a user selects the preset height, an actuator adjusts the furniture item to the specific height. The communication circuit may use any available wireless communication protocol or circuit.

Intelligent office furnishings

A method of communicatively pairing a first furnishing item with a second furnishing item, the method including impacting the first furnishing item against the second furnishing item. The method also includes generating a first output with a first sensor of the first furnishing item in response to an impact between the first furnishing item and the second furnishing item and generating a second output with a second sensor of the second furnishing item in response to the impact between the first furnishing item and the second furnishing item. The method further includes receiving, by a controller, the first output, receiving, by the controller, the second output, and pairing a first communication circuit of the first furnishing item with a second communication circuit of the second furnishing item in response to receiving the second output within a predetermined time of receiving the first output.

A method of operating a desk including receiving, at a desk controller, a message from a chair, and determining a position of a user based on the message. The message includes an indication of a sensed rotation of the chair. The method also includes generating, via the desk controller, a control signal for a motor based on the position of the user. The motor is coupled to a support framework of the desk. The method further includes changing a height of the support framework of the desk according to the control signal.

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Zeeland, MI, United States of America

Jared Thomas