Emergency dispatch workstation

Abstract

A workstation ( 100 ) has a motor-driven, height-adjustable back work surface ( 102 ), an independently adjustable front work surface ( 104 ), optionally dimmable work lights ( 114, 116 ), free-standing fans ( 118 ), and heated floor pad ( 120 ). The fans are pivotable and free-standing units that may be positioned to provide optimal comfort. The motor drives, work lights, fans, and heated floor pad connect to central control box ( 150 ), and a single point user interface ( 130 ) is operatively connected to allow the user to controlling all of these devices from a single device. One or more digital displays ( 137, 139 ) may be provided to indicate the work surface elevations. An optional activity sensor ( 122 ) may be provided to power down the lights, fans and heater when the workstation is not in use.

1 . A workstation comprising: 
 a first work surface having a first lift mechanism for selectively adjusting the height of the first work surface;    a second work surface having a second lift mechanism for selectively adjusting the height of the second work platform;    a work light and a fan, each movably disposed on the workstation; and    a single point user interface having a first input control operatively connected to the first lift mechanism for adjusting the height of the first work surface, a second input control operatively connected to the work light for controlling the intensity of the work light, and a third input control operatively connected to the fan for controlling the speed of the fan.    
   
   
       2 . The workstation of  claim 1 , further comprising a fourth input control operatively connected to the second lift mechanism for adjusting the height of the second work surface  
   
   
       3 . The workstation of  claim 2 , wherein the single point user interface further comprises a first indicator that indicates the relative height of the first work surface and a second indicator that indicates the relative height of the second work surface.  
   
   
       4 . The workstation of  claim 3 , further comprising a radiant heating unit, and wherein the single point user interface further comprises a fifth input control operatively connected to the radiant heating unit for controlling the heat output of the radiant heating unit.  
   
   
       5 . The workstation of  claim 4 , wherein the radiant heating unit is a heated floor pad.  
   
   
       6 . The workstation of  claim 2 , further comprising a control box that is operatively connected to the single point user interface, the first lift mechanism, the second lift mechanism, the work light, and the fan, and wherein the control box receives input signals from the single point user interface and sends corresponding output signals to one or more of the first lift mechanism, the second lift mechanism, the work light, and the fan.  
   
   
       7 . The workstation of  claim 6 , further comprising an activity sensor that is operatively connected to the control box, the activity sensor adapted to detect when a person is near the activity sensor and to transmit an input signal to the control box indicating detection of the person.  
   
   
       8 . The workstation of  claim 7 , wherein the activity sensor is a motion detector.  
   
   
       9 . The workstation of  claim 2 , further comprising a switch disposed at a forward portion of the workstation, wherein the switch is operable to signal the first and second lift mechanisms to move to a lowered position.  
   
   
       10 . The workstation of  claim 2 , wherein the first lift mechanism comprises a plurality of linear actuators, each linear actuator having a servomotor and a pair of telescoping tubes.  
   
   
       11 . The workstation of  claim 2 , wherein the second lift mechanism comprises a linear actuator and a lever mechanism, and further, wherein the second lift mechanism attaches the second work surface to the first work surface.  
   
   
       12 . An emergency dispatch workstation comprising: 
 a back work platform having an upper work surface and a lower surface;    a front work platform having an upper work surface and a lower surface;    a plurality of first linear actuators connected to the lower surface of the back work platform and operable to selectively raise and lower the back work platform;    a lift mechanism including a second linear actuator and a lever system, the lift mechanism operable to selectively raise and lower the front work platform relative to the back work platform, and wherein the lift mechanism connects the front work platform to the back work platform;    a fan that is movably positionable on the upper work surface of the back work platform;    a heating unit disposed below the front work platform;    a work light disposed over the back work platform;    a control box operably connected to the first and second linear actuators, the fan, the heating unit, and the work light; and    a single point controller operably connected to the control box, the single point controller having a plurality of controls for generating signals for selectively adjusting the first and second linear actuators, the fan, the heating unit, and the work light;    wherein the control box receives the signals from the single point controller and generates corresponding output signals to control the first and second linear actuators, the fan, the heating unit, and the work light.    
   
   
       13 . The emergency dispatch workstation of  claim 12 , wherein the single point user interface further comprises a first indicator that indicates the relative height of the first work platform and a second indicator that indicates the relative height of the second work platform.  
   
   
       14 . The workstation of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of work lights that are controllable from the single point controller, and a plurality of fans that are controllable from the single point user interface.  
   
   
       15 . The workstation of  claim 12 , wherein the heating unit is a heated floor pad.  
   
   
       16 . The workstation of  claim 12 , wherein the control box is attached to the lower surface of the back work platform.  
   
   
       17 . The workstation of  claim 12 , further comprising an activity sensor that is operatively connected to the control box, the activity sensor adapted to detect when a person is near the activity sensor and to transmit an input signal to the control box indicating detection of the person.  
   
   
       18 . The workstation of  claim 17 , wherein the activity sensor is a motion detector.  
   
   
       19 . The workstation of  claim 12 , further comprising a switch disposed at a forward portion of the workstation, wherein the switch is operable to signal the first and second lift mechanisms to move to a lowered position.  
   
   
       20 . The workstation of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of first linear actuators comprises at least four linear actuators, each linear actuator having a servomotor and a pair of telescoping tubes.  
   
   
       21 . A workstation comprising: 
 a first work surface having a first lift mechanism for selectively adjusting the height of the first work surface;    a second work surface having a second lift mechanism for selectively adjusting the height of the second work platform;    a plurality of sound-dampening walls disposed in a generally C-shaped configuration surrounding a portion of the first work surface;    a plurality of pivotable fans, each fan movably positionable on the first work surface; and    a single point user interface having a first input control operatively connected to the first lift mechanism for adjusting the height of the first work surface, and a second input control operatively connected to the second lift mechanism for adjusting the height of the second work surface, and a third input control operatively connected to the plurality of fans for controlling the speed of the fans.