Patents by Inventor Nicolas Milani

Nicolas Milani 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).

  • Patent number: 10980337
    Abstract: A system and method for communicatively pairing a mobile communication device and a furniture item, such as a desk or table, includes placing the mobile communication device in a communication zone associated with the furniture item. In response to placing the mobile communication device in the communication zone, a communication link is established between the mobile communication device and a communication circuit of the furniture item. A user interface is then displayed on a display screen of the mobile communication device to show a preset height, such as a standing or sitting height, for the furniture device. When a user selects the preset height, an actuator adjusts the furniture item to the specific height. The communication circuit may use any available wireless communication protocol or circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Gibson, Christopher Hoyt, Nicolas Milani, Kurt Dykema, Dave Moelker, Jared Thomas
  • Publication number: 20200359781
    Abstract: A system and method for communicatively pairing a mobile communication device and a furniture item, such as a desk or table, includes placing the mobile communication device in a communication zone associated with the furniture item. In response to placing the mobile communication device in the communication zone, a communication link is established between the mobile communication device and a communication circuit of the furniture item. A user interface is then displayed on a display screen of the mobile communication device to show a preset height, such as a standing or sitting height, for the furniture device. When a user selects the preset height, an actuator adjusts the furniture item to the specific height. The communication circuit may use any available wireless communication protocol or circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Jeff Gibson, Christopher Hoyt, Nicolas Milani, Kurt Dykema, Dave Moelker, Jared Thomas
  • Patent number: 10758035
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Gibson, Christopher Hoyt, Nicolas Milani, Kurt Dykema, Dave Moelker, Jared Thomas
  • Publication number: 20200085183
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Jeff Gibson, Christopher Hoyt, Nicolas Milani, Kurt Dykema, Dave Moelker, Jared Thomas
  • Patent number: 10531731
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Gibson, Christopher Hoyt, Nicolas Milani, Kurt Dykema, Dave Moelker, Jared Thomas
  • Publication number: 20190029412
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Gibson, Christopher Hoyt, Nicolas Milani, Kurt Dykema, Dave Moelker, Jared Thomas