Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for controlling movement of a desk or table. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a housing arranged with the desk or table and a lever configured to initiate raising or lowering of the desk in response to a force applied by a user.

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method and apparatus. The apparatus comprises a Universal Smart Desk controller that enables a conventional, electric height adjustable desk to act as a Smart sit-and-stand Desk. The method includes identifying the user, capture data while the user operates the desk and transmitting the data to a remote server.

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.

The invention provides a lifting desk control method including a motor drive unit, a current detection unit and an arithmetic unit. The control method comprises the steps of: detecting current a at the current time t1 and current b at time t2; calculating the current change rate L=(ba)/(t2t1); and comparing L with a set value, judging that an obstacle is encountered if the set value is exceeded, and issuing a stopping or retreating instruction to a motor by the motor drive unit. The scheme employed by the invention is to calculate the change rate of current, so judgment is made with higher accuracy and whether an obstacle is encountered is judged with high sensitivity.

A variable height platform system comprises a frame assembly, at least two leg assemblies, a drive mechanism, and a sensor. The frame assembly is configured to support and be removably connected to a tabletop. The drive mechanism is configured to either extend or retract each leg assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to set a height of the frame assembly in an elevated position for use. The sensor is configured to sense position and movement of a user in a predetermined area including an area of the variable height platform system and an area proximate the variable height platform system. The controller is operatively connected to the sensor and drive mechanism. The controller is configured to operate the drive mechanism in response to the sensor sensing the position and movement of the user in the predetermined area.

A network of devices that include Workspace Fitness Devices, such as Smart Under-the-desk Bikes and Smart Desk Controllers embedded in Smart Sit-and-Stand Desks that connect or talk to one another, electronically identify individual users, track their activities, connect to a remote server database, and modify its records. Secondary devices such as smartphones, can connect to this network to remotely monitor and control the settings on the devices such as the desk's height or the required tension in the Smart Under-the-Desk Bike. The performance data captured by this network of devices can be shared to fitness tracking software or devices. By using our invention, we plan to motivate employees that sit behind the desk for numerous hours throughout the day to improve their health, productivity, and overall wellbeing.

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.

A height-adjustable desk is disclosed. Exemplary implementations may include a work surface, a left-side support structure, a right-side support structure, a core body, and a working body that provides the work surface. The core body may include lifting mechanisms such that the work surface of the desk may be positioned for a person in a standing and/or sitting position. The working body may include a control interface configured to be manually engaged by the user, to control lifting and/or lowering of the work surface of the desk.

An apparatus and method for automatically adjusting and monitoring use of an adjustable standing desk are disclosed. The invention provides an electric adjustable desk with memory to store a user's preferred sitting and standing heights for the adjustable desk. A setup mode allows the user to store and adjust the preferred sitting and standing heights. A sensor allows the user to quickly adjust from the sitting to standing heights or vice versa.

Aspects of dynamic workstation apparatus, methods, and systems are described. One aspect is a workstation apparatus that includes a frame including overhead frame elements defining a covered workspace. The apparatus may include a raisable and lowerable work surface that may be configured to be movably attached to the overhead frame elements and may be selectively positionable in the covered workspace at a plurality of different vertical heights including a standing height and a floor height. A first actuator may be attached to and operable with the frame to move the raisable and lowerable work surface between a range of movement including the standing height and the floor height while maintaining an orientation of the raisable and lowerable work surface relative to the frame such that the raisable and lowerable work surface may remain relatively level. Aspects of related methods and systems also are described.