Furniture controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture control systems lack a unified, user-friendly interface for controlling reclining mechanisms and interacting with smart devices, such as smartphones and tablets, while also providing charging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a furniture controller with a touch screen control panel embedded in an armrest, which includes visual touch buttons, a wireless charging pad, and a speaker, allowing users to control reclining positions, charge devices, and interface with smart devices through wireless communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control buttons are arranged at the side of the chair or sofa, then the reclining mechanism can be controlled, but the interface is scattered and not unified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions (reclining control, smart device control, charging) into a single unified control panel located on the armrest. This merges previously scattered control buttons into one integrated interface, improving ease of operation while managing complexity through consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel serves multiple functions: controlling the reclining mechanism, interfacing with smart devices, providing wireless charging, and playing audio through a speaker. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace multiple separate controls and features.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control features are integrated into one panel, then user convenience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is designed as a universal interface that handles multiple tasks: furniture control, smart device communication, wireless charging, and audio playback. This multi-functionality increases adaptability while the integrated design manages structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel acts as an intermediary device between the user, the furniture's reclining mechanism, and external smart devices. It mediates control signals and power transmission, simplifying the overall system architecture despite the variety of functions provided.
3Shape
If the control panel is embedded in the armrest, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but accessibility may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is embedded in the armrest with its surface flush with or slightly below the armrest top surface, creating a sleek aesthetic appearance. The local integration maintains visual harmony while the positioning on the armrest keeps it within easy reach of the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel surface is positioned at the same height or lower than the armrest top surface, creating a flush, level appearance that enhances aesthetics. This equipotential positioning with the armrest surface maintains both visual appeal and operational accessibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a sleek, easy-to-use mechanism for controlling furniture and interacting with smart devices, enhancing user experience by consolidating functions like device charging, music playback, and reclining control into a single, intuitive interface.
Implementation Method 1
a remote device wireless charging pad
Data Source
AI summary
Furniture entertainment hubs are disclosed that are integrated in a piece of furniture to conveniently control the piece of furniture, while at the same time providing a convenient means of communicating with and charging a remote smart device such as a smart phone or tablet. The entertainment hubs can be in many different locations in the piece of furniture, with some embodiments embedded in an armrest with the hub having a touch screen accessible at the top surface of the armrest. The entertainment hub provides a sleek, aesthetic and easy to use mechanism for controlling the chair/sofa and interfacing with remote devices. One embodiment of an entertainment hub for a seating apparatus comprising a body with a plurality of planar surfaces, wherein one of said plurality of surfaces comprises a substantially flat control panel. The control panel comprises a plurality of visual touch buttons, a remote device wireless charging pad, and a speaker. Wherein said body is arranged to be mounted in a piece of furniture with most of the body embedded in said piece of furniture with said control panel being visible and accessible.