US 2,008,262,657 · Filed 2008-04-15
The Patent That Turned Your Couch Into a Smart Device
Imagine controlling your recliner, desk, or bed with a remote control—telling it to move up, down, or into a specific position just by pressing a button or speaking a command. This patent covers the system that makes adjustable furniture respond to wireless commands and report back whether it actually did what you asked.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a system where a remote control communicates wirelessly with a motorized furniture controller, which then adjusts mechanical parts (like lift mechanisms or recline motors) based on user input. What's protected here is the combination of the remote controller receiving spoken or button commands, the central control unit processing those commands, the motors or actuators moving the furniture, and sensors feeding back information about whether the adjustment succeeded. Someone copying this setup—whether for a smart recliner, adjustable bed, or motorized desk—would be using the protected method.
Why it matters
This patent matters because it established a foundational approach to turning dumb furniture into smart, responsive pieces. As homes and offices increasingly adopt automated and connected furniture, the ability to control adjustments remotely and get real-time feedback became essential. The assignee, L&P Property Management Company (a major supplier to the furniture industry), likely uses this to license technology to manufacturers, making it a building block for the modern adjustable furniture market rather than a single blockbuster product.
Real-world use
Every time someone commands their adjustable bed to raise the head section or tells their motorized standing desk to climb higher, they're using technology covered by this patent framework.
Original USPTO abstract
A system and methods for controlling adjustable furniture 60 . The adjustable furniture 60 may be controlled by a control unit 34 in communication with a remote controller 40 . A user may input commands to the remote controller 40 through a manual input device 42 or a microphone 43 . The control unit 34 may be operable to adjust at least one actuable device element 28 a - d, 32 a - d, 52 a, 52 b in response to the commands. The adjustments of actuable device elements 28 a - d, 32 a - d, 52 a, 52 b may be measured by a sensor 58 that generates a sensor signal operable to be analyzed by the control unit 34 to determine an execution status of the command. The execution status may be indicated on the remote controller 40 by a speaker 44 or a display 45 . The control unit 34 may also be operable to send signals for the remote controller 40 to make a noise.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 2,008,262,657
- Filing date
- 2008-04-15
- Grant date
- Application — not yet granted
- Assignee
- L&P Property Management Company
- Inventor(s)
- HOWELL PHIL, TSIGOLAROFF NICHOLAS S., KLINE KEVIN J., DIEHL TIMOTHY M., HACKER DARREN W., LONG THOMAS P.
- CPC class
- A47C20/041
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