Automatically adjustable desk and tabletop desk with presence detection, usage tracking and methods thereof

Abstract

An apparatus and method for automatically adjusting and monitoring use of an adjustable standing desk are disclosed. The invention provides an electric adjustable standing desk with memory to store a user's preferred sitting and standing heights for the 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. The invention also provides for presence detection to detect and ensure that a user optimizes the standing functionality.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable height desk comprising:
 a plurality of height adjustable legs;   a motor coupled to the plurality of height adjustable legs;   a controller for controlling the motor;   a proximity sensor for detecting the presence of a user; and memory coupled to the controller,   wherein the memory stores at least a first height for a user for use of the desk in a sitting position and a second height for a user for use of the desk in a standing position.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable height desk of  claim 1  further comprising,
 at least one sensor providing a signal to the controller to adjust the desk from the first height to the second height. 
 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable height desk of  claim 1  further comprising,
 a wireless transceiver for transmitting preferences data. 
 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable height desk of  claim 1  further comprising,
 a wireless transceiver for transmitting usage data. 
 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable height desk of  claim 2  wherein the sensor is adapted to detect a physical gesture. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable height desk of  claim 1  further comprising,
 a camera capable of detecting a user's eve level for optimally setting the first and second heights. 
 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable height desk of  claim 1  further comprising,
 means for selecting between user profiles, wherein each profile includes a first and second height. 
 
     
     
         8 . An adjustable height desktop for placing on top of a desk comprising:
 a plurality of height adjustable legs;   an electric hydraulic system coupled to the plurality of height adjustable legs;   a proximity sensor for detecting the presence of a user; and   memory coupled to the controller,   wherein the memory stores at least a first height for a user for use of the desk in a sitting position and a second height for a user for use of the desk in a standing position   
     
     
         9 . The adjustable height desk of  claim 8  further comprising,
 at least one sensor providing a signal to the controller to adjust the desk from the first height to the second height. 
 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable height desk of  claim 8  further comprising,
 a wireless transceiver for transmitting preferences data. 
 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable height desk of  claim 8  further comprising,
 a wireless transceiver for transmitting usage data. 
 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable height desk of  claim 9  wherein the sensor is adapted to detect a physical gesture. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable height desk of  claim 8  further comprising,
 a camera capable of detecting a user's eye level for optimally setting the first and second heights. 
 
     
     
         14 . A method of automatically adjusting a height of an adjustable height desk comprising:
 detecting by a proximity sensor displaced on the adjustable desk the presence of a user   determining whether a user has exceeded a predetermined desk usage time;   notifying the user that the adjustable desk height should be adjusted; and   a physical gesture to move the desk from a first preset height to a second preset height; and   automatically adjusting the desk from the first preset height to the second preset height.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the physical gesture is an upward hand motion. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the physical gesture is a downward hand motion. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the physical gesture is an upward force exerted on the bottom of the desk.