Furnishing Unit Proximity-Based Experience Control via Client Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture technologies lack integration with advanced computer systems and networking capabilities, limiting their ability to provide enhanced user experiences, proximity-based interactions, and seamless communication with client devices.
Innovation Solution
A furnishing experience system that communicates bidirectionally with client devices via a network, enabling proximity-based interactions with furnishing units to facilitate various experiences, including configuration, shopping, service, social interactions, and augmented/virtual reality experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If furniture is equipped with computer systems and networking capabilities, then user experience and functionality are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The furnishing unit integrates multiple functions including computing capabilities, networking, display, heating, and cooling within a single furniture piece. The processor can execute various applications (productivity, entertainment, communication), the display unit can show different types of content, and the environmental controls can adjust temperature and airflow, allowing one device to serve multiple purposes rather than requiring separate devices for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines traditionally separate functional elements into a unified furnishing unit. The processor, memory, display unit, input device, heating element, and cooling system are integrated into a single furniture structure rather than being separate components. This merging reduces the need for multiple devices in the space while consolidating complexity into a designed unified system.
2Ease of operation
If furnishing units include processors and communication interfaces, then proximity-based interactions are enabled, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The furnishing unit automatically detects the presence of user devices through its communication interface and processor, initiating proximity-based interactions without requiring manual configuration. The system self-manages the connection establishment, application selection, and content delivery based on detected proximity, reducing the need for complex setup procedures and manual intervention during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The furnishing unit is pre-configured with a processor, communication interfaces, and necessary software capabilities during manufacturing. This preliminary setup enables automatic device detection and proximity-based interactions to work out-of-the-box without requiring complex post-installation configuration, simplifying both the user experience and the manufacturing process by preparing the system in advance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If furnishing units provide multiple experiences (configuration, shopping, service, social, AR/VR), then user experience is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The furnishing unit is designed as a universal platform capable of delivering multiple types of experiences through its processor-executed applications. The same core hardware (processor, display, communication interfaces) supports configuration activities, shopping interfaces, service access, social interactions, and AR/VR experiences, allowing diverse functionalities to be delivered through software rather than requiring separate hardware systems for each experience type.
Data Source
AI summary
A furnishing unit includes at least one surface configured support weight of a user of the furnishing unit, an identifier conveyance unit configured to convey furnishing unit identifier data of the furnishing unit; and a furnishing processing system. The furnishing processing system is operable to receive experience selection data generated by a client device associated with the user based on user input by the user to an interactive user interface, where the client device generates the experience selection data based on determining the furnishing unit identifier data for the furnishing unit via an identifier input element when in proximity to the furnishing unit. The furnishing processing system is further operable to configure output of at least one experience facilitation element of a set of experience facilitation elements associated with the furnishing unit based on the experience selection data.