Patents by Inventor Karl Mead
Karl Mead has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20210166552Abstract: A workspace assembly includes at least a first sound sensor located in a first facility space, at least one communication device located within the first space, and a processor in communication with the at least a first sound sensor and the communication device. The processor is adapted to compare the volume of sound emanating from within the first space to a threshold level and to generate a signal via the communication device when the volume of sound emanating from within the first space exceeds the threshold level. The processor also periodically automatically adjusts the threshold level.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2020Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Robert Scheper, Matthew Warner, Karl Mead, Brett Kincaid, Kurt Heidmann
-
Patent number: 10861314Abstract: A workspace assembly includes at least a first sound sensor located in a first facility space, at least one communication device located within the first space, and a processor in communication with the at least a first sound sensor and the communication device. The processor is adapted to compare the volume of sound emanating from within the first space to a threshold level and to generate a signal via the communication device when the volume of sound emanating from within the first space exceeds the threshold level. The processor also periodically automatically adjusts the threshold level.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2020Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: STEELCASE INC.Inventors: Robert Scheper, Matthew Warner, Karl Mead, Brett Kincaid, Kurt Heidmann
-
Patent number: 10713927Abstract: A workspace assembly includes a plurality of sound sensors including at least first and second sound sensors located in first and second spaces within a facility, respectively, at least one communication device located within one of the first space and the second space, and a processor in communication with the sound sensors and the communication device, the processor adapted to compare at least some characteristic of the sounds in at least a subset of the plurality of spaces to identify a particular space from which the sound emanates and to compare at least some characteristic of the sound emanating from the particular space to at least one threshold characteristic value and to provide a signal via the at least one communication device based on the results of the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: STEELCASE INC.Inventors: Robert Scheper, Matthew Warner, Karl Mead, Brett Kincaid, Kurt Heidmann
-
Publication number: 20200005624Abstract: A workspace assembly includes a plurality of sound sensors including at least first and second sound sensors located in first and second spaces within a facility, respectively, at least one communication device located within one of the first space and the second space, and a processor in communication with the sound sensors and the communication device, the processor adapted to compare at least some characteristic of the sounds in at least a subset of the plurality of spaces to identify a particular space from which the sound emanates and to compare at least some characteristic of the sound emanating from the particular space to at least one threshold characteristic value and to provide a signal via the at least one communication device based on the results of the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Robert Scheper, Matthew Warner, Karl Mead, Brett Kincaid, Kurt Heidmann
-
Patent number: 10453326Abstract: An alert system for generating a signal indicating at least one aspect of sound within a workspace environment, the system comprising at least a first sensor positioned one of within and proximate a workspace, the at least a first sensor sensing at least one aspect of sound generated within the workspace and generating a signal indicating the at least one aspect, a communication device located within the workspace, the communication device configured to generate a signal perceivable within the workspace and a processor receiving signals from the at least a first sensor and linked to the communication device, the processor programmed to perform the steps of identifying when the at least one aspect exceeds a threshold value and driving the communication device to indicate that the at least one aspect exceeds the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Robert Scheper, Matthew Warner, Karl Mead, Brett Kincaid, Kurt Heidmann
-
Publication number: 20190043338Abstract: An alert system for generating a signal indicating at least one aspect of sound within a workspace environment, the system comprising at least a first sensor positioned one of within and proximate a workspace, the at least a first sensor sensing at least one aspect of sound generated within the workspace and generating a signal indicating the at least one aspect, a communication device located within the workspace, the communication device configured to generate a signal perceivable within the workspace and a processor receiving signals from the at least a first sensor and linked to the communication device, the processor programmed to perform the steps of identifying when the at least one aspect exceeds a threshold value and driving the communication device to indicate that the at least one aspect exceeds the threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Robert Scheper, Matthew Warner, Karl Mead, Brett Kincaid, Kurt Heidmann
-
Patent number: 10057963Abstract: A method for facilitating space experiences for at least a first space user and for at least first and second different spaces, the method comprising the steps of storing first and second space experience specifications for the first and second different spaces, respectively, wherein the first and second space experience specifications indicate space affordance settings for the first and second spaces, respectively, sensing a trigger event associated with at least one of the first and second different spaces, where the sensed trigger event is associated with the first space, using the first space experience specification to control the first space affordances and where the sensed trigger event is associated with the second space, using the second space experience specification to control the second space affordances.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2017Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: STEELCASE INC.Inventors: Karl Mead, Hyun Yoo, Cherie Johnson
-
Patent number: 9936808Abstract: An article of furniture is disclosed. The article of furniture comprises a base frame assembly configured to support an attached seating unit. Other modules or components may also be attached to the base frame assembly. The article of furniture may also comprise a supplemental frame assembly attached to the base frame assembly to extend the size of the article of furniture and to support an additional or larger module or component. The other modules or components may comprise one or more of a casegood unit, a backrest, an armrest, a privacy panel, a console, an outlet (for power and/or data), etc. Electronic devices may be incorporated. A set of articles of furniture is also disclosed; the articles of furniture have a modular construction and can be assembled on the base frame assembly by combinations of modules and components.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2014Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Joseph Iacovoni, Alan Rheault, Mark Kapka, Karl Mead
-
Publication number: 20170208664Abstract: A method for facilitating space experiences for at least a first space user and for at least first and second different spaces, the method comprising the steps of storing first and second space experience specifications for the first and second different spaces, respectively, wherein the first and second space experience specifications indicate space affordance settings for the first and second spaces, respectively, sensing a trigger event associated with at least one of the first and second different spaces, where the sensed trigger event is associated with the first space, using the first space experience specification to control the first space affordances and where the sensed trigger event is associated with the second space, using the second space experience specification to control the second space affordances.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: KARL MEAD, HYUN YOO, CHERIE JOHNSON
-
Patent number: 9642219Abstract: A method for facilitating space experiences for at least a first space user and for at least first and second different spaces, the method comprising the steps of storing first and second space experience specifications for the first and second different spaces, respectively, wherein the first and second space experience specifications indicate space affordance settings for the first and second spaces, respectively, sensing a trigger event associated with at least one of the first and second different spaces, where the sensed trigger event is associated with the first space, using the first space experience specification to control the first space affordances and where the sensed trigger event is associated with the second space, using the second space experience specification to control the second space affordances.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2016Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Karl Mead, Hyun Yoo, Cherie Johnson
-
Publication number: 20160295667Abstract: A method for facilitating space experiences for at least a first space user and for at least first and second different spaces, the method comprising the steps of storing first and second space experience specifications for the first and second different spaces, respectively, wherein the first and second space experience specifications indicate space affordance settings for the first and second spaces, respectively, sensing a trigger event associated with at least one of the first and second different spaces, where the sensed trigger event is associated with the first space, using the first space experience specification to control the first space affordances and where the sensed trigger event is associated with the second space, using the second space experience specification to control the second space affordances.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Karl Mead, Hyun Yoo, Cherie Johnson
-
Patent number: 9380682Abstract: A method and system for facilitating at least first and second different activities within a first space that includes a first set of environmental control affordances including at least a first subset of lighting devices, the method comprising the steps of monitoring for triggers associated with the first space, when a trigger occurs, determining which of the first and second activities to facilitate, when the first activity is to be facilitated, controlling the environmental control affordances to present a first series of environments associated with the first activity and when the second activity is to be facilitated, controlling the environmental control affordances to present a second series of environments associated with the second activity.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2015Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Karl Mead, Hyun Yoo, Cherie Johnson
-
Publication number: 20150359070Abstract: A method and system for facilitating at least first and second different activities within a first space that includes a first set of environmental control affordances including at least a first subset of lighting devices, the method comprising the steps of monitoring for triggers associated with the first space, when a trigger occurs, determining which of the first and second activities to facilitate, when the first activity is to be facilitated, controlling the environmental control affordances to present a first series of environments associated with the first activity and when the second activity is to be facilitated, controlling the environmental control affordances to present a second series of environments associated with the second activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Karl Mead, Hyun Yoo, Cherie Johnson
-
Publication number: 20150145389Abstract: An article of furniture is disclosed. The article of furniture comprises a base frame assembly configured to support an attached seating unit. Other modules or components may also be attached to the base frame assembly. The article of furniture may also comprise a supplemental frame assembly attached to the base frame assembly to extend the size of the article of furniture and to support an additional or larger module or component. The other modules or components may comprise one or more of a casegood unit, a backrest, an armrest, a privacy panel, a console, an outlet (for power and/or data), etc. Electronic devices may be incorporated. A set of articles of furniture is also disclosed; the articles of furniture have a modular construction and can be assembled on the base frame assembly by combinations of modules and components.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Joseph Iacovoni, Alan Rheault, Mark Kapka, Karl Mead
-
Patent number: 8950817Abstract: An article of furniture is disclosed. The article of furniture comprises a base frame assembly configured to support an attached seating unit. Other modules or components may also be attached to the base frame assembly. The article of furniture may also comprise a supplemental frame assembly attached to the base frame assembly to extend the size of the article of furniture and to support an additional or larger module or component. The other modules or components may comprise one or more of a casegood unit, a backrest, an armrest, a privacy panel, a console, an outlet (for power and/or data), etc. Electronic devices may be incorporated. A set of articles of furniture is also disclosed; the articles of furniture have a modular construction and can be assembled on the base frame assembly by combinations of modules and components.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Joseph Iacovoni, Alan Ernest Rheault, Karl Mead, Mark Kapka
-
Publication number: 20140062145Abstract: An article of furniture is disclosed. The article of furniture comprises a base frame assembly configured to support an attached seating unit. Other modules or components may also be attached to the base frame assembly. The article of furniture may also comprise a supplemental frame assembly attached to the base frame assembly to extend the size of the article of furniture and to support an additional or larger module or component. The other modules or components may comprise one or more of a casegood unit, a backrest, an armrest, a privacy panel, a console, an outlet (for power and/or data), etc. Electronic devices may be incorporated. A set of articles of furniture is also disclosed; the articles of furniture have a modular construction and can be assembled on the base frame assembly by combinations of modules and components.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Inventors: Joseph Iacovoni, Alan Ernest Rheault, Karl Mead, Mark Kapka
-
Publication number: 20070251428Abstract: A table for offices and the like includes an elongate center beam and two center posts having lower ends abuttingly supported on a floor surface and upper ends connected with opposite ends of the center beam. Two outrigger beams are positioned on opposite sides of the center beam in a generally mutually perpendicular relationship therewith, and have inner ends connected with one of the center posts. Two outrigger posts are positioned on opposite sides of the center beam, and have lower ends thereof abutting the floor surface and upper ends connected with the outside ends of the outrigger beams to stabilize the table. Two elongate worksurfaces are positioned along opposite sides of the center beam and have a length generally commensurate with the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2006Publication date: November 1, 2007Inventors: Karl Mead, John Hamilton, James Ludwig
-
Publication number: 20050055888Abstract: A prefabricated system for outfitting a building space includes an architectural product (such as a full-height permanent building wall, a post-and-beam product with overhead frame, and a drywall-covered wall), a furniture product (such as a partial-height wall, a partition, and a desking system), and a plurality of accessories. The architectural product includes a structural member with horizontal and vertical accessory-mounting T-slots, and the furniture product includes structural trim pieces with identical vertical and horizontal accessory-mounting T-slots. The plurality of accessories are constructed to stably engage any of the accessory-mounting slots at a selected location along the slots. Some accessories can be attached to and extend between the two products, such as an accessory screen that extends between a post of a post-and-beam system and an end of a partition system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2004Publication date: March 17, 2005Inventors: David Gresham, James Ludwig, Karl Mead, Karl Mueller, Dale Kelley