Workstation including height-adjustable work surface

Abstract

The present invention relates to a workstation including a height-adjustable work surface, which includes: a frame, wherein the work surface is configured to translate relative to the frame to adjust the height of the work surface; a lifting assembly configured to assist in the translation of the work surface relative to the frame, the lifting assembly including a wheel assembly configured to rotate about a pivot point in a first direction; a sensor configured to measure the rotation of the wheel assembly relative to a reference point; and a control circuit that communicates with the sensor and is configured to determine a displacement representation of the work surface based on the measured rotation of the wheel assembly relative to the reference point, the work surface displacement representation corresponding to the amount of translation of the work surface relative to the frame, wherein the control circuit is configured to: store the work surface displacement representation; compare the work surface displacement representation with a threshold value; generate a first control signal based on the comparison of the work surface displacement representation with the threshold value; store a cycle count corresponding to the number of occurrences of the control circuit generating the first control signal; and increment the cycle count based on the generated control signal.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with an application date of September 11, 2020 (entered the Chinese national stage on March 11, 2022), national application number 202080064197.9 (international application number PCT / US2020 / 050435), and invention name “Workstation height adjustment monitoring”.

[0002] Priority claim

[0003] This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 900,083, filed on September 13, 2019, by Ergun et al., entitled “WORKSTATION HEIGHT-ADJUSTMENT MONITORING,” (Attorney Docket No. 5983.447PRV), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0004] This document relates generally, but not by way of limitation, to workstations, such as computer carts, tables, and the like. Background Art

[0005] The workstation may include a frame and a work surface. In some examples, the work surface may be movable relative to the frame. For example, a user may operate a locking assembly to allow the user to adjust the orientation of the work surface relative to the frame (e.g., change the height) to accommodate different postures of the user during use of the workstation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The following drawings illustrate various specific non-limiting example configurations of the present invention, and therefore do not limit the scope of the present invention. These drawings are not drawn to scale and are intended to be used in conjunction with the description in the following detailed description. Example configurations of the present invention will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings generally illustrate the various configurations discussed in this document by way of example and not limitation.

[0007] Figure 1 A perspective view of an example workstation according to an example configuration of the present subject matter is illustrated.

[0008] Figure 2 An example configuration according to the present subject matter is shown. Figure 1 Rear view of the workstation.

[0009] Figure 3 An example configuration according to the present subject matter is shown. Figure 1 Another perspective view of the workstation.

[0010] Figure 4 An example configuration according to the present subject matter is shown. Figure 1 Another stereoscopic image of the workstation.

[0011] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of another example of a workstation according to an example configuration of the present subject matter is illustrated.

[0012] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of yet another example of a workstation according to an example configuration of the present subject matter is illustrated.

[0013] Fig. 7A A graph of the acceleration of the sensor versus time is illustrated.

[0014] Figure 7B A graph of the displacement of the sensor versus time is shown.

[0015] Figure 8 A rear view of a lift mechanism according to an example configuration of the present subject matter is illustrated.

[0016] Fig. 9 A perspective view of yet another example of a workstation according to an example configuration of the present subject matter is illustrated.

[0017] Fig.10 Additional examples of workstations according to example configurations of the present subject matter are illustrated.

[0018] Fig.11 Another example of a workstation according to an example configuration of the present subject matter is illustrated.

[0019] Fig.12 Illustrated is a block diagram of an example machine on which any one or more of the techniques discussed herein may be performed.

[0020] Overview

[0021] The present disclosure relates to a workstation including a height-adjustable work surface and a frame. The work surface can be configured to translate relative to the frame, such as to change the height of the work surface. More specifically, the workstation can include a translation sensor that provides information to a user related to the operation of the work surface (e.g., the position of the work surface relative to the frame). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the present invention in any way. On the contrary, the following description provides some practical instructions for realizing exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Examples of construction, material, size and manufacturing process are provided for selected elements, and all other elements adopt construction, material, size and manufacturing process known to those of ordinary skill in the field of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples mentioned have various suitable alternatives.

[0023] Figure 1 A perspective view of an example of a workstation 100 according to an example configuration of the present subject matter is illustrated. The workstation 100 can include a work surface 110. For example, the work surface 110 can be included in a head unit 115. A display riser 120 can be included in the workstation 100. For example, a display (e.g., an LED screen, etc.) can be coupled to the display riser 120.

[0024] The workstation 100 may include a frame 140 (e.g., a riser, a support column, a base, a foot, etc.), and the work surface 110 may translate relative to the frame 140. For example, a movable support 150 may be movably coupled to the frame 140, and the head unit 115 may be coupled to the movable support 150. The movable support 150 may translate relative to the frame 140, and the head unit 115 may translate relative to the frame 140. Thus, the work surface 110 may translate relative to the frame 140.

[0025] In some examples, workstation 100 can include base 160. Base 160 can support frame 140 (and work surface 110). Base 160 can include wheel assembly 170, and wheel assembly 170 can allow workstation 100 to move along a surface (e.g., a floor, ground, etc.).

[0026] As discussed in greater detail herein, the workstation 100 can include control circuitry 180. The control circuitry 180 can monitor the position of the work surface 110 relative to (eg, with respect to) the frame 140.

[0027] Figure 2 An example configuration according to the present subject matter is shown. Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a rear view of the workstation 100. For clarity, portions of the workstation (e.g., walls, panels, etc.) have been hidden. The workstation 100 may include a lift assembly 200. The lift assembly 200 may assist (e.g., facilitate, assist, etc.) in translating the work surface 110 relative to the frame 140. For example, the lift assembly 200 may include one or more movable components 210, and the movable components 210 may cooperate to assist in translating the work surface 110 relative to the frame 140.

[0028] For example, the brake assembly 220 can be selectively translated relative to the locking rod 230. The locking rod 230 can be coupled to the frame 140, and the brake assembly 220 can be sized and shaped to receive the locking rod 230. The brake assembly 220 can engage with (e.g., clamp, squeeze, grasp, etc.) the locking rod 230 to maintain (e.g., hold, lock, fix, fasten, etc.) the position of the work surface 110 relative to the frame 140. The brake assembly 220 can be coupled to one or more of the work surface 110, the head unit 115, and the mobile support 150.

[0029] The lifting assembly 200 may include a wheel assembly 240, and the wheel assembly 240 may rotate during adjustment of the position of the work surface 110. For example, the wheel assembly 240 may be a pulley, and a tension member 250 (e.g., a cable, etc.) may be engaged with the wheel assembly 240. Translation of the work surface 110 may cause the tension member 250 and the wheel assembly 240 to translate. The tension member 250 may be coupled to a biasing member 260 (e.g., a spring, etc.), for example, coupled to an end 265 of the biasing member. When the work surface 110 translates relative to the frame 140, the biasing member 260 may translate (e.g., stretch, expand, retract, compress, etc.). Therefore, the wheel assembly 240, the tension member 250, and the biasing member 260 may be included in the movable component 210.

[0030] In an example, the workstation 100 can be similar to the height adjustable platform described in (and can incorporate components of) commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 290,766, filed on March 1, 2019, entitled “HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE PLATFORMS AND ASSOCIATED MECHANISMS,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, the workstation 100 (e.g., the lift assembly 200) can include a counterbalance mechanism, a locking bar, a chassis, a brake assembly, etc.

[0031] In some examples, the workstation 100 can include at least one translation sensor 280. The translation sensor 280 can measure the translation of one or more of the movable components 210 relative to the reference point 290. For example, the sensor 280 can be coupled to the frame 140. In some examples, the sensor 280 can be coupled to the movable component 210.

[0032] The sensor operator 285 (e.g., the end 265 of the biasing member 260) can be coupled to the movable part 210 (or included in the movable part 210). The translation sensor 280 can detect the sensor operator 285, and the translation sensor 280 can determine the position (or change in position) of the sensor operator 285 relative to the sensor 280 (e.g., the sensor 280 can detect the translation of the biasing member 260, the brake assembly 220, etc.). For example, the sensor 280 can include a Hall effect sensor, and the sensor operator 285 can include a magnet. For example, when the movable part 210 translates, the sensor 280 can detect the change in the magnetic field. When the sensor operator 285 translates relative to the sensor 280, the sensor 280 can modulate the electrical characteristic (e.g., voltage, current, impedance, etc.). Therefore, the sensor 280 can measure the translation of the movable part 210 relative to the reference point 290.

[0033] Sensor 280 (and sensor operator 285) may include, but is not limited to, one or more of an optical sensor, a potentiometer, an accelerometer, a Hall effect sensor, and a transducer. Sensor 280 may be coupled to ( Figure 1 The control circuit 180 (not shown) can communicate with the sensor operator 285, and the sensor operator 285 can communicate with the control circuit 180. For example, the sensor 280 can communicate via a wireless connection (e.g., by sending and receiving electromagnetic waves) or via a wired connection. Thus, the control circuit 180 can determine the position of the work surface 110 (or other components of the workstation 100) relative to the frame 140 by communicating with the translation sensor 280 that measures the translation of the movable component 210.

[0034] One of the sensor 280 or the sensor operator 285 may be attached to the frame 140 (the fixed component) and the other of the sensor 280 or the sensor operator 285 may be attached to the movable component 210. The sensor 280 and the sensor operator 285 may be interchangeable on components of the workstation 100 and may produce the same cycle count or height measurement.

[0035] Figure 3 An example configuration according to the present subject matter is shown. Figure 1100. The workstation 100 may include at least one of the actuation switches 300. The switches 300 may facilitate adjusting the position of the work surface 110. For example, the switches 300 may facilitate selective engagement of the brake assembly 220 with the locking bar 230. A user may engage the switch 300 (e.g., push, pull, twist, etc. the switch 300) to disengage the brake assembly 220 from the locking bar 230 (e.g., release the brake assembly 220 from the locking bar 230, etc.). Disengaging the brake assembly 220 from the locking bar 230 may allow the work surface 110 to translate relative to the frame 140.

[0036] Figure 4 An example configuration according to the present subject matter is shown. Figure 1 100. In some examples, the workstation 100 may include a display 400 (e.g., an LED screen, a touch screen, etc.). The actuation switch 300 may be present on the display 400, and the user may engage the actuation switch 300 on the display 400 to adjust the position of the work surface 110. The control circuit 180 may communicate with the display 400, and the control circuit 180 may send one or more signals to the display 400 to cause the display to present information (e.g., operating instructions, safety notifications, time, battery life, etc.) or a graphical interface object (e.g., the actuation switch 300, etc.).

[0037] As described herein, actuation switch 300 may facilitate adjusting the position of work surface 110. Operation of actuation switch 300 may be monitored, for example, to determine the amount and direction of displacement of work surface 110 and to count height adjustment cycles.

[0038] For example, a linear actuator (e.g. Figure 5 The speed of the actuator 500 shown in FIG. 5 can vary within a known range, such as 1.3 in. / sec to 2 in. / sec. Thus, the speed of any component connected to the linear actuator (e.g., Figure 2The total travel of the mobile support 150) within a selected time period. In an example, the user can manipulate the switch 300 to enable the linear actuator, and the duration of the height adjustment can be determined by pressing and releasing the switch 300. The control circuit 180 can communicate with the switch 300, and the control circuit 180 can determine the amount of time the switch 300 is operated. For example, the operation of the switch 300 can send a signal to the control circuit 180. The control circuit 180 can start a timer when the switch 300 is operated, and the control circuit 180 can stop the timer when the user stops operating the switch 300. The control circuit 180 can use the timer duration to determine the displacement of the linear actuator (or work surface 110) because the speed of the linear actuator is known. For example, the displacement of the linear actuator can be determined using the timer duration of operating the linear actuator using the switch 300 and the average speed of the linear actuator when operating.

[0039] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of another example of a workstation 100 according to an example configuration of the present subject matter is illustrated. The lifting system 200 may include an actuator 500 (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder, etc.). The actuator 500 may include a housing 510, and the housing 510 may include a reference point 290. The actuator 500 may include a movable member 210 (e.g., a piston). The movable member 210 may translate relative to the housing 510, for example, along an axis 520. The sensor 280 may be coupled to the actuator 500, for example, the sensor 280 may be coupled to the housing 510. The sensor operator 285 may be coupled to the actuator 500, for example, the sensor operator 285 may be coupled to an end 530 of the movable member 210. The sensor 280 and the sensor operator 285 may communicate with the control circuit 180, and the control circuit 180 may determine ( Figure 1 ) The position of the working surface 110 is shown in FIG.

[0040] For example, the translation of the movable member 210 may be detected by the sensor 280, and the control circuit 180 may use the measured acceleration of the movable member 210 to determine the change in position of the movable member 210. The control circuit 180 may determine the work surface displacement representation based on the measured translation of the movable member 210 relative to the reference point 290. In some examples, the acceleration of the movable member 210 may be continuously monitored by the control circuit 180. The control circuit 180 may continuously update the work surface displacement representation based on the continuously monitored acceleration of the movable member 210.

[0041] In an example, the workstation 100 may be similar to the height-adjustable platform described in the commonly assigned PCT patent application entitled “SENSOR BASE DENHANCED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE” and serial number PCT / US2019 / 020136, filed on February 28, 2019 (and may incorporate components thereof), the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. For example, the workstation 100 may include a system for monitoring an electronic telemetry-based device, a sensor, a sensor controller, an input / output controller, etc.

[0042] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of yet another example of a workstation 100 according to an example configuration of the present subject matter is illustrated. As described herein, lift assembly 200 can include wheel assembly 240. Wheel assembly 240 can rotate, for example, about pivot point 600 and in a first direction 610 (eg, in a clockwise direction).

[0043] The control circuit 180 may determine, for example, together with the sensor 280 and the sensor operator 285, the amount that the wheel assembly 240 is rotating. In some examples, the workstation 100 may include one or more of the sensors 280, for example, two sensors 280 may be coupled to the frame 140. The sensor 280 may measure a change in position of the sensor operator 285 (e.g., by detecting a change in a magnetic field as the wheel assembly 240 rotates). The sensor 280 may help determine the direction in which the wheel assembly 240 is rotating (e.g., in the first direction 610). For example, the sensor 280 may include a first sensor 280A and a second sensor 280B. The sensor 280 may detect the sensor operator 285, and when the wheel assembly 240 rotates, the sensor operator 285 may interact with the sensor 280A and then interact with the sensor 280B. Thus, the control circuit 180 may determine that the wheel assembly 240 is rotating in the first direction 610. In some examples, the control circuit 180 may determine based on the sensor 180 measuring the linear or nonlinear motion of the movable component 210 ( Figure 1 ) The position of the working surface 110 is shown in FIG.

[0044] Fig. 7A The diagram shows ( Figure 2 ) is a graph of acceleration of sensor 280 relative to time. Sensor 280 may include an accelerometer, and sensor 280 may be coupled to one or more movable components in movable component 210 (e.g., moving support 150, components of a balancing mechanism, etc.). ( Figure 2 The translation of the movable part 210 (shown in FIG. 2 ) can be detected by the sensor 280, and ( Figure 1The control circuit 180 shown in FIG. 1 may determine the change in position of the movable component 210, for example, by using the measured acceleration of the movable component 210. For example, ( Figure 1 The height of the working surface 110 can be determined, for example, by ( Figure 3 ) to change the height of the work surface 110 by operating the switch 300. Changing the height of the work surface 110 can apply a force (e.g., an acceleration force) to the movable component 210 (e.g., the work surface 110). For example, the force applied to the work surface 110 can be measured by the sensor 280.

[0045] Fig. 7A A first inflection point 700 (e.g., a local minimum) is shown, which may correspond to the beginning (e.g., at T1) of translation of one or more of the movable components 210 (e.g., height adjustment of the work surface 110), for example, when a user operates the switch 300. A second inflection point 710 (e.g., a local maximum) may correspond to the end (e.g., at T2) of translation of the movable component 210, for example, when the user stops operating the switch 300. During adjustment of the position (e.g., height) of the work surface 110, for example, between the inflection points 700 and 710, the acceleration of the movable component 210 may change.

[0046] Figure 7B A graph of a work surface displacement representation 720 is shown. The work surface displacement representation 720 may be represented by ( Figure 1 720. As described herein, the control circuit 180 may determine the work surface displacement representation 720, for example, based on the measured translation of the movable member 210 relative to the reference point 290. In an example, the control circuit 180 may determine the representation 720 by the measured acceleration and the amount of time the measured acceleration is applied to the movable member 210. For example, the control circuit 180 may determine the representation 720 by integrating the measured acceleration of the work surface 110 (e.g., Fig. 7A ) to determine the representation 720. In another example, the control circuit 180 may determine the representation 720 by combining the average velocity of the movable member 210 with the duration (e.g., T2-T1) that the movable member 210 is translated (e.g., multiplying the average velocity of the movable member 210 by the duration that the movable member 210 is translated). The control circuit 180 may store the work surface displacement representation 720 in, for example, a random access memory.

[0047] In some examples, control circuit 180 compares a measured translation of one or more of movable components 210 (e.g., a value corresponding to an amount of acceleration applied to work surface 110) to translation threshold 730. Control circuit 180 may generate one or more control signals based on the comparison of the measured translation of movable component 210 to threshold 730. For example, when the measured translation exceeds threshold 730, control circuit 180 may generate a control signal (e.g., corresponding to representation 720).

[0048] The control circuit 180 may compare the work surface displacement representation 720 to the displacement threshold 740. The control circuit 180 may generate a control signal (e.g., a change in voltage, current, impedance, etc.) based on the comparison. For example, the control circuit 180 may generate a control signal when the work surface displacement representation 720 exceeds the threshold 740. Thus, small displacements of the movable member 210 (e.g., small displacements caused by a user resting an elbow on the work surface 110) may be filtered to allow the control circuit 180 to determine when a substantial displacement of the movable member 210 occurs.

[0049] For example, control circuit 180 may store a cycle count corresponding to the number of occurrences that control circuit 180 generates a control signal. When a control signal is generated, control circuit 180 may increment the cycle count. For example, the cycle count may correspond to ( Figure 1 730 and the representation 720 is compared to the threshold 740. For example, the cycle count may be incremented if the work surface 110 translates more than one inch, more than 80% of the range of motion of the work surface 110, etc. The cycle count may be incremented based on one or more of the comparisons made by the control circuit 180 (e.g., one or more of the measured translation compared to the threshold 730 and the representation 720 compared to the threshold 740). For example, when the measured translation exceeds the threshold 730 and the representation 720 exceeds the threshold 740, the cycle count may be incremented.

[0050] The control circuit 180 may operate the display 400. For example, the control signals generated by the control circuit 180 may cause the display 400 to present operating instructions related to the operation of the workstation 100. The display 400 may display a safety notice, for example, to inform a user of the proper use of the workstation 100. The display 400 may display a maintenance notice recommending that the user perform one or more maintenance tasks on the workstation 100. One or more of the safety notice, operating instructions, and maintenance notice may depend at least in part on the cycle count and the position of the work surface (e.g., the height of the work surface 110 relative to the frame 140).

[0051] In some examples, control circuitry 180 may be included in (or be a component of) a cloud-based system (e.g., a server, etc.), and control circuitry 180 may determine work surface displacement representation 720 away from workstation 100. For example, control circuitry 180 may communicate with the server, and the server may receive the measured translation of movable member 210, and the server may communicate with control circuitry 180 to generate one or more control signals (e.g., to increment a cycle count, present a notification, etc.).

[0052] Figure 8 A rear view of a lifting mechanism 200 according to an example configuration of the present subject matter is illustrated. The lifting mechanism 200 may include a retractable member 800 and a motor 810. The motor 810 may adjust the height (e.g., overall size) of the retractable member 800. For example, the motor 810 may translate (e.g., expand or contract) the retractable member 800. Thus, the retractable member 800 and the motor 810 may be included in the movable component 210. The retractable member 800 may be coupled to the mobile support 150, and the translation of the retractable member 800 may correspondingly translate the mobile support 150 relative to the frame 140. The sensor operator 285 may be coupled to the retractable member 800, and the sensor 280 may be coupled to a reference point 290, such as the frame 140. The sensor may measure a change in position of the movable component 210 relative to the reference point 290.

[0053] In some examples, position feedback from the actuator 500 can be used to determine the range of motion. For example, position feedback can be obtained from the actuator 500 with a potentiometer, an encoder using an optical sensor, an encoder using a Hall effect sensor, etc. For example, the Hall effect encoder 810 can have one or more magnets (e.g., sensor operator 285) on a portion of the retractable member 800 (e.g., the shaft of the actuator 500), and the encoder 810 can have one or more Hall effect sensors (e.g., sensor 280) near the magnet. The Hall effect sensor measures the strength of the magnetic field nearby, for example to detect the orientation of the motor shaft. The encoder 810 can communicate with the control circuit 180. The encoder 810 can transmit information (e.g., the detected magnetic field strength) to the control circuit 180 (e.g., a square wave data set), and can analyze the information (e.g., by counting the pulse trains in the data set). Analyzing this information can monitor how many times the actuator 500 has been operated, and can monitor the displacement of the retractable member 800.

[0054] In an example, one or more Hall effect sensors may be used, such as two sensors (e.g., sensor A and sensor B). The sensors may be mounted at a 90 degree offset (e.g., relative to the retractable member 800). The Hall effect sensors may monitor changes in the magnetic field and may help determine the direction in which the actuator 500 is moving. For example, the sensors may help determine the direction in which the shaft is turning, such as if sensor A measures a change in the magnetic field before sensor B measures a change.

[0055] ( Figure 1 ) control circuit 180 may determine when a cycle of workstation 100 is reached and may increment a cycle count. In some example configurations, control circuit 180 may determine a total height adjustment by adding subsequent height adjustments, such as when subsequent height adjustments are in the same direction. When the total height adjustment reaches a predetermined value (e.g., 80% of the maximum height adjustment, or when threshold 710 is reached), control circuit 180 may increment the cycle count by one. Both the height adjustment and the cycle count may be recorded in memory.

[0056] As described herein, the sensor 280 may include a potentiometer, including (but not limited to) a rotary potentiometer, a slider-type (e.g., linear) potentiometer, etc. In an example, a slider-type potentiometer may be coupled to the movable component 210, such as the retractable member 800. Translation (e.g., extension, contraction, etc.) of the retractable member 800 may change the voltage output of the potentiometer proportional to the translation of the retractable member. The voltage output of the potentiometer may be monitored or recorded by the control circuit 180, and the control circuit 180 may determine the work surface displacement representation 720 based on the translation measured by the slide-type potentiometer.

[0057] Refer again Figure 2 , the sensor 280 may include a rotary potentiometer that may be coupled to the movable component 210, such as the wheel assembly 240. Rotation of the wheel assembly 240 may change the voltage output by the potentiometer, and the voltage output by the potentiometer may be monitored or recorded by the control circuit 180. The control circuit 180 may determine the work surface displacement representation 720 based on the translation measured by the rotary potentiometer.

[0058] Fig. 9A perspective view of yet another example of a workstation 100 according to an example configuration of the present subject matter is illustrated. In some examples, a sensor 280 can be coupled to the movable support 150, and the sensor 280 can detect a change in position of the movable support 150. For example, the movable support 150 can translate relative to the frame 140 to raise and lower the work surface 110. In an example, the workstation 100 can include, for example, an electronics charger 900 (e.g., a Qi charger, an inductive charger, a USB port, etc.) located on the work surface 110. The electronics charger 900 can charge a personal electronic device 910 (e.g., a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, etc.).

[0059] The personal electronic device 910 can communicate with the control circuit 180. For example, the control circuit 180 can include a network interface 920, and the electronic device 910 can communicate with the control circuit 180 through the network interface 920 (e.g., using a wired or wireless electronic communication path). The electronic device 910 can measure the translation of the movable component 210. Therefore, the electronic device 910 can be an example of the sensor 280. For example, the electronic device 910 can include an accelerometer, an inertial sensor, etc. The electronic device 910 can be located on the work surface 110, and the electronic device 910 can measure the translation of the work surface 110. The electronic device 910 can provide the measured translation of the movable component 210 to the control circuit 180 through the network interface 920, and the control circuit 180 can determine the work surface displacement representation 720 (as shown in Figure 7) based on the measured translation provided by the electronic device 910. In some examples, the sensor 280 is not an integral part of (eg, directly coupled to) the workstation 100 , such as because the personal electronic device 100 measures translation of the movable component 210 .

[0060] Fig.10 100 according to an example configuration of the present subject matter. As described herein, in some examples, the lifting assembly 200 includes a retractable member 800, and the retractable member 800 can be included in the movable part 210. The sensor 280 can be coupled to the work surface 110, and the sensor operator 285 can be coupled to the frame 140. The sensor 280 can detect translation of the work surface 110 relative to the frame 140.

[0061] Fig.11Another example of a workstation 100 according to an example configuration of the present subject matter is illustrated. In some examples, the workstation 100 includes a linkage assembly 1100, and the linkage assembly 1100 may be included in the lifting assembly 200. The linkage assembly 1100 may include a first link 1110, a second link 1120, and may include a third link 1130. The linkage assembly 1100 (e.g., the linkage 1110) may be coupled to the mobile support 150. For example, when the work surface 110 translates relative to the frame 140, the linkage 1110 may translate relative to the frame 140. Therefore, the linkage assembly 1100 may be included in the movable member 210. The sensor 280 may be coupled to the work surface 110, and the sensor operator 285 may be coupled to the linkage assembly 1100. For example, the sensor operator 285 may be coupled to the first link 1110, or may be coupled to the mobile support 150. The sensor 280 detects translation of the work surface 110 relative to the frame 140 .

[0062] In an example, the workstation 100 can be similar to the height adjustable platform described in (and can incorporate components of) U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 892,167, filed on February 8, 2018, entitled “HEIGHTADJUSTABLE DESKTOP WORK SURFACE”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. For example, the workstation 100 (e.g., the lifting assembly 200) can include an adjustment assembly, a support bracket, a sliding assembly, a connecting rod, etc.

[0063] Fig.12A block diagram of an example machine 1200 is illustrated, on which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methods) discussed herein may be executed. Examples as described herein may include logic or multiple components or mechanisms in the machine 1200, or may be operated by logic or multiple components or mechanisms in the machine 1200. A circuit system (e.g., a processing circuit system) is a collection of circuits implemented in a tangible entity of the machine 1200 including hardware (e.g., simple circuits, gates, logic, etc.). Circuit system members may be flexible over time. The circuit system includes components that can perform specified operations individually or in combination when operating. In an example, the hardware of the circuit system may be invariably designed to perform a specific operation (e.g., hard-wired). In an example, the hardware of the circuit system may include variably connected physical components (e.g., execution units, transistors, simple circuits, etc.), which variably connected physical components include physically modified machine-readable media (e.g., magnetic, electrical, removable placement of invariant aggregate particles, etc.) to encode instructions for specific operations. When physical components are connected, the basic electrical characteristics of the hardware components are changed, for example, from an insulator to a conductor or from a conductor to an insulator. Instructions enable embedded hardware (e.g., an execution unit or a loading mechanism) to create components of a circuit system in hardware via variable connections to perform parts of a specific operation when in operation. Therefore, in an example, the machine-readable medium element is part of the circuit system, or is communicatively connected to other components of the circuit system when the device is in operation. In an example, any physical component in the physical component can be used in more than one component of more than one circuit system. For example, under operation, an execution unit can be used in a first circuit of a first circuit system at one point in time and reused by a second circuit in the first circuit system, or reused by a third circuit in the second circuit system at a different time. The following are additional examples of these components of the machine 1200.

[0064] In alternative configurations, machine 1200 can be operated as an independent device or can be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, machine 1200 can be operated in a server-client network environment as a server, a client machine, or both a server and a client machine. In one example, machine 1200 can be used as a peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other decentralized) network environment. Machine can be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a network device, a network router, a switch or a bridge, or any machine capable of executing the (continuous or other) instructions of the specified action taken by the machine. In addition, although only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" should also be understood to include any set of machines that individually or jointly execute a set of (or multiple sets of) instructions to execute any one or more of the methods such as cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), other computer cluster configurations discussed herein.

[0065] The machine (e.g., computer system) 1200 may include a hardware processor 1202 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory 1204, a static memory (e.g., memory or storage for firmware, microcode, basic input output (BIOS), unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI), etc.) 1206, and a mass storage device 1208 (e.g., a hard drive, a tape drive, flash memory, or other block device), some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interconnection link (e.g., a bus) 1230. The machine 1200 may also include a display unit 1210, an alphanumeric input device 1212 (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device 1214 (e.g., a mouse). In an example, the display unit 1210, the input device 1212, and the UI navigation device 1214 may be a touch screen display. The machine 1200 may further include a storage device (e.g., a drive unit) 1208, a signal generating device 1218 (e.g., a speaker), a network interface device 1220, and one or more sensors 1216, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, a compass, an accelerometer, or other sensors. The machine 1200 may include an output controller 1228, such as a serial (e.g., universal serial bus (USB), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection to communicate with or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., printers, card readers, etc.).

[0066] The registers of the processor 1202, main memory 1204, static memory 1206, or mass storage 1208 may be or include a machine-readable medium 1222 on which one or more sets of data structures or instructions 1224 (e.g., software) are stored that embody or are utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. The instructions 1224 may also reside, completely or at least partially, in any of the registers of the processor 1202, main memory 1204, static memory 1206, or mass storage 1208 during execution of the instructions 1224 by the machine 1200. In an example, one or any combination of the hardware processor 1202, main memory 1204, static memory 1206, or mass storage 1208 may constitute the machine-readable medium 1222. Although the machine-readable medium 1222 is illustrated as a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” may include a single medium or multiple media (eg, a centralized or distributed database, and / or associated caches and servers) configured to store one or more instructions 1224 .

[0067] The term "machine-readable medium" may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 1200 and causing the machine 1200 to perform any one or more of the technologies of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Non-limiting machine-readable medium examples may include solid-state memory, optical media, magnetic media, and signals (e.g., radio frequency signals, other photon-based signals, sound signals, etc.). In an example, a non-transitory machine-readable medium includes a machine-readable medium having one or more particles, one or more particles having a constant (e.g., stationary) mass, and is therefore a composition of matter. Therefore, a non-transitory machine-readable medium is a machine-readable medium that does not include a temporary propagation signal. Specific examples of non-transitory machine-readable media may include: non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

[0068] The instructions 1224 may also be sent or received over the communication network 1226 using a transmission medium via the network interface device 1220 using any of a number of transmission protocols (e.g., frame relay, Internet Protocol (IP), transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc.). Example communication networks may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a packet data network (e.g., the Internet), a mobile telephone network (e.g., a cellular network), a plain old telephone (POTS) network, and a wireless data network (e.g., a wireless network known as a cellular network). The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards, known as 16 family of standards), IEEE 802.15.4 family of standards, point-to-point (P2P) networks, etc. In an example, the network interface device 1220 may include one or more physical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or telephone jacks) or one or more antennas connected to the communication network 1226. In an example, the network interface device 1220 may include one or more antennas, and the one or more antennas are used to communicate wirelessly using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO) technology, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, or multiple-input single-output (MISO) technology. The term "transmission medium" should be taken to include any intangible medium that can store, encode, or carry instructions for execution by the machine 1200, and the term "transmission medium" includes digital communication signals or analog communication signals or other intangible media to facilitate the communication of such software. Transmission media are machine-readable media.

[0069] Additional Notes and Aspects

[0070] Aspect 1 may include or use a subject matter (such as an apparatus, a system, a device, a method, a device for performing an action, or a device-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by the device, can cause the device to perform an action), such as may include or use a workstation including a height-adjustable work surface, the workstation including: a frame, wherein the work surface is configured to translate relative to the frame to change the height of the work surface; a lifting assembly, wherein the lifting assembly is configured to assist in the translation of the work surface relative to the frame, wherein the lifting assembly includes a movable part, and the translation of the movable part relative to a reference point causes a corresponding translation of the work surface relative to the frame; a translation sensor, wherein the translation sensor is configured to measure the translation of the movable part relative to the reference point; and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit communicates with the translation sensor and is configured to determine a work surface displacement representation based on the measured translation of the movable part relative to the reference point, wherein the work surface displacement representation corresponds to an amount of translation of the work surface relative to the frame.

[0071] Aspect 2 may include or use the subject matter of Aspect 1 or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 1 to optionally include or use, wherein the control circuit is further configured to: store the work surface displacement representation; compare the work surface displacement representation with a threshold; and generate a first control signal based on the comparison of the work surface displacement representation with the threshold.

[0072] Aspect 3 may include or use the subject matter of Aspect 2 or may be optionally combined with the subject matter of Aspect 2 to optionally include or use, wherein the control circuit is also configured to: store a cycle count corresponding to the number of occurrences of the first control signal generated by the control circuit; and increment the cycle count value based on the generated first control signal.

[0073] Aspect 4 may include or use the subject matter of Aspect 3 or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 3 to optionally include or use, wherein the first control signal causes a display to present operating instructions to a user of the workstation.

[0074] Aspect 5 may include or use the subject matter of Aspect 4 or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 4 to optionally include or use, wherein the operating instruction includes a security notification.

[0075] Aspect 6 may include or use or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 3 to optionally include or use, wherein the control circuit is further configured to generate usage statistics based on the work surface displacement values.

[0076] Aspect 7 may include or use the subject matter of Aspect 6 or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 6 to optionally include or use, wherein the usage statistics include one or more of the height of the work surface, the change in the height of the work surface, the duration that the work surface is positioned at a specified height, and the cycle count value.

[0077] Aspect 8 may include or use the subject matter of Aspect 3 or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 3 to optionally include or use, wherein the control circuit is further configured to compare the cycle count with a cycle threshold and generate a second control signal based on the comparison.

[0078] Aspect 9 may include or use or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 2 to optionally include or use, wherein the first control signal causes a display to present operating instructions to a user of the workstation.

[0079] Aspect 10 may include or use or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 1 to optionally include or use, wherein the reference point comprises one or more of the frame and fixed components of the lifting assembly.

[0080] Aspect 11 may include or use the subject matter of Aspect 1 or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 1 to optionally include or use, wherein the translation sensor includes one or more of an optical sensor, a potentiometer, an accelerometer, a Hall effect sensor, and a transducer.

[0081] Aspect 12 may include or use the subject matter of aspect 1 or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of aspect 1 to optionally include or use, wherein the lifting assembly includes one or more of a linear actuator, a spring, a cable and pulley, and a linkage assembly.

[0082] Aspect 13 may include or use or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 12 to optionally include or use a sensor operator, wherein the sensor operator is coupled to the spring.

[0083] Aspect 14 may include or use the subject matter of aspect 12 or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of aspect 12 to optionally include or use, wherein the connecting rod assembly further includes a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod, and a third connecting rod.

[0084] Aspect 15 may include or use the subject matter of Aspect 14 or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 14 to optionally include or use a sensor operator, wherein the sensor operator is coupled to one of the first link, the second link, and the third link.

[0085] Each of these non-limiting examples may stand alone or may be combined with any one or more of the other examples in any permutation or combination.

[0086] The above description includes reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The accompanying drawings show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present invention can be put into practice. These embodiments are also referred to as "examples" in this article. Such examples may include elements other than the elements shown or described. However, the inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. In addition, the inventors also contemplate examples of any combination or permutation of those elements (or one or more aspects of those elements) shown or described with respect to a specific example (or one or more aspects of a specific example) or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects of other examples) shown or described in this article.

[0087] In the event of an inconsistency in usage between this document and any document incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.

[0088] In this document, as is common in patent documents, the terms "a" or "an" are used to include one or more than one, regardless of any other instances or uses of "at least one" or "one or more". In this document, unless otherwise indicated, the term "or" is used to represent a non-exclusive or, such that "A or B" includes "A but not B", "B but not A", and "A and B". In this document, the terms "including" and "in..." are used as the plain English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein". In addition, in the appended claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are open-ended, that is, systems, devices, articles, compositions, formulas, or processes that include elements other than those listed after such terms in the claim are still considered to fall within the scope of the claim. In addition, in the appended claims, the terms "first", "second", and "third", etc. are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0089] Unless the context indicates otherwise, geometric terms such as "parallel," "perpendicular," "circular," or "quadratic" are not intended to require absolute mathematical precision. Rather, these geometric terms allow for variations due to manufacturing or equivalent functions. For example, if an element is described as "circular" or "substantially circular," components that are not exactly circular (e.g., components that are slightly elliptical or polygonal) are still included in the description.

[0090] The method examples described herein may be at least partially machine or computer-implemented. Some examples may include computer-readable media or machine-readable media that are coded with instructions that can be operated to configure an electronic device to perform the methods described in the above examples. The implementation of such methods may include code, such as microcode, assembly language code, higher-level language code, etc. Such code may include computer-readable instructions for performing various methods. The code may form a part of a computer program product. In addition, in the example, during execution or at other times, the code may be tangibly stored on one or more volatile, non-temporary or non-volatile tangible computer-readable media. Examples of these tangible computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, hard disks, removable disks, removable optical disks (e.g., high-density disks and digital video disks), cassettes, memory cards or sticks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), etc.

[0091] The above description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. For example, the above examples (or one or more aspects of the above examples) can be used in combination with each other. For example, a person of ordinary skill in the art can use other embodiments after consulting the above description. The description abstract is provided to comply with 37C.FR§1.72(b) to allow readers to quickly determine the essence of the disclosure of the present technology. The description abstract is submitted, but it should be understood that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the above detailed description, various features can be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intended to make the disclosed features that are not claimed to be necessary for any claim. On the contrary, the subject matter of the invention may be less than all the features of a specific disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the attached claims are incorporated into the detailed description as examples or embodiments, wherein each claim exists independently as a separate embodiment, and it is expected that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or arrangements. The scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the attached claims and the full scope of equivalents authorized by these claims.

Claims

1. A workstation comprising a height-adjustable work surface, the workstation comprising: a frame, wherein the work surface is configured to translate relative to the frame to adjust the height of the work surface; a lift assembly configured to facilitate translation of the work surface relative to the frame, the lift assembly comprising a wheel assembly configured to rotate about a pivot point in a first direction; a sensor configured to measure rotation of the wheel assembly; and a control circuit in communication with the sensor and configured to determine a work surface displacement representation based on the measured rotation of the wheel assembly, the work surface displacement representation corresponding to an amount of translation of the work surface relative to the frame, wherein the control circuit is configured to: storing the work surface displacement representation; comparing the working surface displacement representation to a threshold value; generating a first control signal based on a comparison of the working surface displacement representation with the threshold value; storing a cycle count corresponding to a number of occurrences at which the control circuit generates the first control signal; and The cycle count is incremented based on the generated first control signal.

2. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein: The control circuit is also configured to generate at least one usage statistic based on the work surface displacement representation.

3. The workstation according to claim 2, wherein: The at least one usage statistic includes one or more of a height of the work surface, a change in the height of the work surface, a duration that the work surface is positioned at a specified height, and a value representing the cycle count.

4. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein: The control circuit is further configured to compare the value representing the cycle count to a cycle count threshold and generate a second control signal based on the comparison.

5. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein: The first control signal causes a display to present operating instructions to a user of the workstation.

6. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein: The sensor includes one or more of a rotary potentiometer and a Hall effect sensor.

7. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein: The lifting assembly includes a linear actuator, a spring, and one or more of a cable and a pulley.

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