CA2177365A1 - Utility distribution system for modular furniture and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

A utility distribution system is provided for modular furniture of the type comprising individual furniture units (3) which are juxtaposed to form one or more workstations. A signal conductor (5) is positioned in each furniture unit, and extends generally between opposite sides thereof. Quick-disconnect connectors (7) are provided at the opposite ends of each of the signal conductors, and mate with like quickdisconnect connectors in adjacent furniture units to create a communications network through the workstations. Each furniture unit has a signaler (9) physically associated therewith, which is connected with an associated signal conductor at a coupler (10). A network controller (11) is operably connected to the network to evaluate the network and/or the associated furniture units. The furniture units may be equipped with one or more utility ports (12) which are connected with the coupler, and service utility appliances, such as personal computers (13), telephones (14), facsimile machines (15) switches (27), power outlets (25), data receptacles (26) and the like. The utility appliances preferably have memory capability to internally store operating instructions for the same, which are transmitted to the network controller when the utility appliance is initialized.

Description

2 1 7 7 3 ~ 5 PCT/US94114031 UTILITY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR MODULAR
FURNITURE AND THE LIKE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the ~ of utilities m modular furniture S systems and the like, and a control ~ therefor.
Modern offices are becoming i~ ;ly , ' ' amd 1' ' due largely to the ever increasing needs of the users for improved utilities support at each ~.JI}.bldLiUI~. These "utilities," as the term is used herein, encompass all types of resources that may be used to support or service a worker, such as, 10 and data used with computers and other types of data processors, electronic displays, etc., electrical power, . .~ i water, and physical ~ such as lighting, HVAC, security, sound masking, and the like.
One important ~ of the advent of ,' ' electronic offices is the mcreased need and desirability for .~ utilities throughout the various 15 offices in a mamner which can be readily controlled.
Another e~ample of the mcreasing need to control the .i~ ;.." of utilities in offices relates to energy . -,. ~;.. :
Signaling and/or . is another essential utility in modern offices which must be effectively distributed and controlled. In addition to state-of-the-art 20 telephone ~ interactive computers, electronic mail, facsimile messages, remote banking, computer stock trading, and many other similar activities, electronic illrUlllldLiUI~ transfers are now becommg a part of everyday business practice. As these new forms of . become well entrenched, our ~1 1" '1ll' '~' ~ upon them increases IJIU,U~ -' ' ly, such that even temporary signal overloads or 25 i l~l~.~,l...,i. cam result in significant reductions in worker ~ud4~.LiviLy.Other important utilities also need to be distributed and controlled in modern office settings. These utilities generally relate to physical ambient controls, such as buildmg and local HVAC, ceiling lighting, task lightmg, audio ru....~lLiu.. such as music, alarms, sound masking, etc., video ;.,r.-,."-~;.". including cable TV, electronic 30 display boards, and the like.
The efficient use of building floor space is also an ever-growing concern, .UI~IIIy as building costs continue to escalate.

-i-ln order to gain increased efficiency in the use of expensive office real estate, attempts are now bemg made to try to support highly paid knowledge workers with these types of modular furniture systems in open office settings, instead of CU~ iUi~dl priva~e offices. However, in order to insure peak efficiency of such 5 knowledge vvorkers, the wul~Dldtiu.~ must be equipped with the various state-of-the-art utilities and facilities discussed above. Since such WUI~ld~iU..., must be readily ,~ L. ,-I.Ir to effectively meet the ever-changmg needs of the user, the ;.,.. and control of utilities throughout a .. ~ h. ~ , open office plan has emerged as a major challenge to the office furniture industry.
Iû The inherent nature of modular furniture systems, which permits them to bereadily l~,UIl~ d into different ~ , makes it very difficult to achieve adequate utility ~1;~1.;1. ';-.'` and control. To be effective, not only must the furniture units have built-in utility A ' ""' , but the flictrihltif~n system should also be able to determine the location of each particular furniture unit within a system of multiple 15 ~ c, monitor its utility usage, amd then control the same, all at a relatively low cost and readily adaptable fashion, which will function effectively, regardless of where the individual furniture unit is positioned or how it is cnnfi~-r~
SUMMARY QF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is a system for~ utilities m 2û modular furniture of the type wherein individual furniture units are juxtaposed in a ~IcD~ t~,d ~.,.,riC,...,.~ to form one or more ~ Each furniture unit includes a signal conductor positioned therein which extends through a portion thereof. First amd second quick-disconnect connectors are conmected with the opposite ends of the signal conductor, amd are configured to mate with like quick-discolmect 25 connectors associated with other similarly equipped furniture units to defne a .~ network for the ~. ,.1.~l-l;.-..~ A coupler is positioned in each of the furniture units, and is connected with the signal conductor at a location operably " the first and second quick-disconnect ~ A signaler is also physically associated with each furniture unit, and is connected with the signalû conductor at the coupler to: th~rough the signal conductor and the network, so as to facilitate the controlled .1;~ of utilities to the w~

~ WO 95/16327 2 1 7 7 3 6 5 PCTNS94/14031

-3--Another aspect of the present invention is a system for evaluating a modular furniture ~ having a plurality of individual furniture units configured to form one or more w~ At least one signal conductor extends along at least a portion of the furniture Al l ~'' Iv- 'I'' ' ' to define a ~ network. A signaler 5 is comnected to the signal conductor, and is adapted for physical association with at least one of the furniture units. A network controller is coupled to the signal conductor for I v control signals to the signaler through the signal conductor, and receiving control signals from the signaler through the signal conductor, whereby the network controller evaluates the furniture ~ to facilitate the dl~ vu~iu 10 of utilities to the w~
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a utility di~ .iu~ system for a modular furniture unit of the type having at least two portions thereof associated with different ~ A first, module is physically associated with one of the furniture portions, and includes a first signal conductor with quick-15 disconnect connectors at opposite ends thereof, and a coupler positioned ~A second, module is physically associated with the other furniture portion, and includes a second signal conductor extending between opposite sidesthereof, with quick-discomnect cormectors at opposite ends thereof, and a coupler positioned ~ The first and second modules each provide 20 a respective .... ., ~ path through both portions of the furniture unit to individually cofflrol the ~ of utilities to both of the different W-l-k~l -li-...~
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a f ' '' network for a plurality of furniture units. A signal conductor is configured to extend along the furniture units. At least one signaler is associated with at least one of the furniture 25 units, and is operably coupled to the signal conductor. A network controller is operably coupled to the signal conductor for: v with the signaler, whereby the network controller and the signaler ~ .~UIIII.liiUI~ associated with the furniture units through the signal conductor.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a network for a 30 furniture ~ comprising at least one signal conductor extending along the furniture ~ A network controller is comnected to the signal conductor, and includes control circuitr,v for the . network. At least one utility appliance is coupled to the signal conductor for v with the network WO95/16327 2 1 7 73 6 5 PCT/USg4/1403~ ~
controller, and includes a memory unit storing operating iu~L u.,Liu~ therefor, which are transmitted to the control circuitry of the network controller when the utility appliance is initialized, whereby the network controller controls the utility appliance according to the operating ill~LIu-,Liùlb received therefrom.
Yet anotber aspect of the present invention is a system for ~ , utilities in a modular furniture unit of the type in which ~ y furniture units are juxtaposed in a preselected ~ to form at least one w~ A signal conductor is positioned in the furniture unit, and extends generally between opposite sides thereof. A coupler is positioned in the furniture unit, and is connected with the 10 signal conductor at a location within the furniture unit. A utility appliance network is positioned within the furniture unit, and is coupled to the signal conductor through the coupler. At least one port is physically positioned on the furniture unit, and is operably connected with the utility appliance network, whereby the port is coupled to the signal conductor through the utility appliance network to facilitate the ~ . il v: i.-. .
1~ of utilities to the wulk~LaLiull~
The principal objects of tbe present invention are to provide an efficient and effective system to distribute utilities in modular furniture _ ~ and the like.
Each furniture unit can be prewired with a signal conductor and a signaler comnected with the signal conductor at a coupler. The signal conductors im adjacent furniture0 units are ~,u~ v I by quick-discormect c.~nn~ct- r~, so as to form a network which is attached to a network controller capable of evaluating both the . net vork and the furniture units. At least some of the furniture units mclude a plurality- of ports which are capable of servicing a wide variety of utility appliances, such as computers, devices, switches, 25 power outlets, data receptacles, etc., to meet the ever-changmg needs of even the most advanced knowledge workers. The furniture units and the associated utility appliances preferably include identifiers and/or operating iu,,u, ' which are .;, ' to the network controller through the . network to evaluate and monitor utility d;~Lli to the wulk~Ld~iul~ as well as control the 30 same, such as by power shedding" line switching, and the like. The utility 1' ' ~ system also is preferably capable of monitormg and controllmg physical support equipment, such as lightmg, HVAC, security, sound, and other similar ~;uviu. 1 ' " Hence, the furnitvre units not only have built-in utility cq~hilifiPc, but the ~lictrjhl~tinn system for the same is able to determine the location of each particular furniture unit in the system, monitor its utility usage, and tben control the same, all at a relatively low cost, and readily adaptable fashion, which will function effectively, regardless of where the individual 5 furniture unit is positioned or configured in the system.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and JIC ' ' by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written ^1'- ;1; -1;"l, claims and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a p.,.~ ive view of a furniture v including a utility distribution system embodying the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of two panels, which are furniture units included in the furniture - ..".c,. ~ according to Fig. 1, and including a utility .i;~l~;l. :;-~.. system according to the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a ~ iV(:: view of a module used in the utility ,' - system for the furniture ~ ~ according to Fig. l;
Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a utility .1:-:, ;1. ;.," system in the furniture ,.. ~,.. - .. 1 according to Fig. l;
Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of a panel according to Fig. 2 with the panel20 face cover removed;
Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a column of the panel according to Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of the panel face according to Fig. 5 with a utility appliance network;
Fig. 8 is a circuit schematic of the utility appliance network according to Fig.25 7;
Fig. 8A is a partial circuit schematic of the utility appliance network;
Fig. 8B is a partial circuit schematic of an alternate ~ of the utility appliance network;
Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of the panel according to Fig. 7 and further 30 including power harnesses;
Fig. 10 is a circuit schematic of the power .1;~1.;1...l;.... circuit according to Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of the portless panel face according to Fig.
Fig. 12 is a front elevational view of a port in the ported panel face accordingto Fig. 2;
Fig. 13 is a top sectional view taken along plane XIII-XIIl in Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is a circuit schematic of a module according to Fig. 3 mcluding couplers and signalers forming an i~ iri ~ module in the portless panel face according to Fig. 11;
Fig. 15 is a crrcuit schematic partially in block diagram form of a module according to Fig. 3 including couplers and signalers forming a bridge module for the ported panel face according to Fig. 2;
Fig. 16 is a circuit schematic in block diagram form of a bridge module according to Fig. 15;
Fig. 17 is a circuit schematic partially in block diagram form of a network controller for the utility di~ilil)uliull system according to Fig. I;
Fig. 18 is a circuit schematic in blûck diagram form of the network controller according to Fig. 17;
Fig. 19 is a front p~ ,U~IiVe view of a switch which is one type of utility appliance in the furniture ,, accordmg to Fig. 1;
Fig. 20 is a back ~ , c.,liv~ view of the switch accordmg to Fig. 19;
Fig. 21 is a circuit schematic in block diagram form of the switch according to Fig. 19;
Fig. 22 is a front ~,I~Livc view of a triplex power outlet which is one type of utility appliance in the furniture ~ according to Fig. 1;
Fig. 23 is a back p.,l:.l)c.,~iVC view of the power outlet according to Fig. 22;Figs. 24A and 24B are a circuit schematic partially m block diagram form of the power outlet according to Fig. 22;
Fig. 25 is a circuit schematic in block diagram form of the outlet according to Fig. 22;
Fig. 26 is a crrcuit schematic partially in block diagram form of part of a power-in m the furniture - .,-~,. --- : accordrng to Fig. 1;
Fig. 27 is a circuit schematic in block diagram form of the power-in according to Fig. 26;
... . . . . . . _ . . . , . . .. _ _ _ _ .

~ WO 95/16327 2 1 7 7 3 ~ 5 PCT/US94/14031 Fig. 28A is a top elevational view of a three-panel furniture A~
imcluding a utility ~ ' system according to the invention;
Fig. 28B is a circuit schematic of a utility .l;~l.;l. ;..., system for the furniture ~..lal.~,. .1.. . according to Fig. 28A;
Figs. 29-38 are flow diagrams for the program in the network controller accordmg to Figs. 17 and 18;
Fig. 39 is a flow diagram of the program in the switch according to Figs. 19-21;
Figs. 40A, 40B and 40C are flow diagrams of the program in the outlet accordimg to Figs. 22-25;
Figs. 41A, 41B and 41C are flow diagrams of the program of the power-in according to Figs. 26:and 27;
Figs. 42-46 are flow diag}ams of the program m utility appliances according to Figs. 17-27;
Figs. 47, 48A, 48B, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53A, 53B, 53C, and 53D are flow diagrams of a program in the bridge module accordmg to Figs. 15 and 16;
Fig. 54 is a ~ Liv~ view of a system according to an alternate l~ hùdi of the invention; and Fig. 55 is a bottom plan view of a grid for the , ',~ according to Fig.
54 with a panel system illustrated in phantom.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The reference numeral 1 (Fig. 1) generally designates a utility .l;-:.;l.-- ;
system; ' y ~ the present mvention, which is ,u~ ,ul~lly adapted for use in with modular furniture ~ 2 and the like of the type wherein individual furniture units 3 are juxtaposed to form one or more WUlk~ iUII~ 4. Asignal conductor 5 is positioned in each furniture unit 3, and may extend generally between opposite sides thereof. Quick-disconmect connectors 6 and 7 (Figs. 2-4) are provided at the opposite ends of each signal conductor 5, and mate with like quick-disconmect commectors 6 and 7 in other similarly equipped furniture units 3 to 30 define a i.,- ; -:;.~c network 8 through w~ ' 4. Each furniture unit 3 also has a signaler 9 physically associated therewith, which is comnected with the associated signal conductor 5 at a coupler 10 positioned operably ûppûsite quick~iscûrmect cûnnectors 6 and 7. A network contrûller 11 is operably WO 95/163~7 PCI/US94114031 2 ~ 77365 coupled to network 8 to evaluate the . network and/or the associated furniture units 3. At least some of the furniture units 3 may also be equipped with one or more utility ports 12 (Fig. 2), which are connected with the associated coupler 10, and service utility appliances, such as those illustrated in Fig.
1, including personal computer 13, telephone 14, facsimile machine 15, printer 16, overhead mounted task light 17, r~,~L~I..di..~, task light 18, ambient light 19, personal heater 20, clock 21, ventilation system 22, electronic lock system 23, security system 24, power outlets 25, data receptacles 26, switches 27, and power-ins 28. Utility appliances 13-28 may be provided with internal memory to store operating 10 instructions for the same, which are transmitted to network controller 11 when the particular utility appliance is initialized.
As described in greater detail below, network controller 11 (Fig. 1) is capable of interfacing with the various ports 12 in furniture system 2, so as to achieve nearly limitless flexibility in monitoring and controlling utility appliances 13-28 in a manner 15 that can be easily rearranged and/or l~,ul~ d without requiring any rewiring ~h~LDU~ V ~ .
The illustrated modular furniture G'l~ U. '11 2 (Fig. 1) includes a portable partition system, wherem the furniture units 3 comprise a plurality of mdividualpartition panels, which are il~ ,VI..~"t~ in a side-by-side fashion to form multiple 2û wulkbLDLiollD 4. Partition panels 3 are adapted to mount thereon a plurality of ~:u..~ ' hang-on furniture articles, such as the illustrated wnrlr~ s 31, binderbins 32, etc., and are integrated with ~ y pedestals 33, and wardrobes or closets 34.
The illustrated partition panel 3 (Fig. 2) is specially configured to ' utility .1;~.;1.. :;.. ,. system 1, and imcludes a marginal frame 45, with two removable cover panels 46 amd 47 enclosing the opposite sides or faces thereof.
As best illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, panel frame 45 mcludes a pair of vertical uprights 48 rigidly ill~ ' at their opposite ends by top and bottom cross members 49 and 50, .~D~Li~lY. A pair of feet 51 depend from bottom cross member 50, and 30 mclude vertically adjustable glides 52 at their lower ends to facilitate leveling partition panel 3. Two plates 53 and 54 extend between opposite panel feet 51, and are attached thereto in a vertically spaced apart fashion to defme a pair of back-to-back power raceways 55 and a pair of back-to-back cable raceways 56, which are vertically ~ WO 95/16327 2 1 7 7 3 6 5 PCT/VS94/14031 _9 separated by center plate 53. Removable cover plates 57 and 58 are detachably mounted on the opposite sides of raceways SS and 56 to selectively enclose the same.
The vertical uprights 48 (Figs. S and 6) of panel frame 45 are sllh~ ti~llly identical in Cu~ ul,~iu-l, wherein each includes a chamnel-shaped lateral cross-S sectional ,....r~ ;.,.. comprising a flat outer web 60, and a U-shaped inner channel 61, having a central web 62 and opposite side flanges 63. An ' web 64 is positioned between webs 60 and 62, and is integrally connected therewith by flange members 65-68. The outer flange members 65 and 66 include a series of vertical slots 69 shaped to receive therein brackets for hang-on furniture articles, such as o w. " 1~,.. r;.~ ~ 31 and binder bins 32. Webs 62 and 64, in c~ ., j.. l ;-", with flanges 67 and 68 define a vertical raceway 70 which with power raceway SS to route power conduits Ih.,~ nl.)U~jll.
In the example shown in Fig. 2, cover panels 46 and 47 each have an c".,~l" l li ". and are detachably connected with the opposite sides or lS faces of panel frame 45 to enclose the same. The illustrated cover panel 46 is provided with a plurality of ports 12 mounted thereon from which various utilities can be tapped in the fashion discussed below, whereas the illustrated cover panel 47 does not have any ports, and is simply aesthetic m nature.
The cover panel 46 illustrated on the left-h md side of Fig. 2 mcludes eight 20 individual ports 12 comnected to utility appliance network 37, which is in turn colmected to the furniture _ network 36 at coupler 10. As previously noted, ports 12 may be arranged to provide service taps at the selected ~ lio.~ 4 for a wide variety of different utilities, such as electrical power, l data, security, fiber optic ~ and possibly even HVAC, ' - ' water, and 25 other srmilar resources. Partition pamels 3 can be either factory equipped, or even retro-fitted with those particular utility ports 12 which are desired, and in the specific c~ r~ that will best serve the associated ..~ td~i..ll 4.
In the illustrated example, amd with reference to Fig. 1, each port 12 is configured so that it can be connected with either a power outlet 25, a data receptacle 26, a switch 27, or a power-in 28. In this -.. f;c,. .~;.,,, the utility appliances 13-24 are connected to the network 8 mdirectly through power outlets 25 and data receptacles 26. However, it is to be understood that utility appliances 13-24 can also be connected directly to ports 12. Preferably, each of the power outlets 25, WO 9~J16327 2 1 7 7 3 6 5 PCT/US94/14031 data receptacles 26, switches 27 and power-inS 28 has a memory capability to store operating iu~ uuLivll~ t7~erefor, which are transmitted to network controller 11 when the utility appliance is initialr~ed, such t7lat network controller 11 controls the utility appliances according to these ~.ù~, ' operating il~Llu-,liulls. Uti ity appliances 5 13-24 may also have memory capability to store operatimg i,l~l",. ~;,."~, which are transmitted to network controller 11 in a manner similar to power outlets 25, data receptacles 26, switches 27 and power-ins 28. In the panel 3 illusvraoed on the left-hand side of Fig. 2, those ports 12 located at the opposite corners of panel 3 are empty, the two ports 12 locaoed " '~, above the ~.ulh~ulrhl ~ 31 have power 0 outlets 25 comnected therewith, and the two ports 12 positioned i..l..l~ below wulh~ulrd~e 31 have data receptacles 26 connected therewith.
With reference to Fig. 3, the illustrated signal conductor 5, quick-discomnect connectors 6 and 7, signaler 9 and coupler lO are all ill~,ul~vlaLC~ into a one-piece assembly, which is designated herein as ~ module 75, shaped to be 15 received within the cable raceway 56 (Fig. 5) of partition panel 3. It is to be understood that 1, module 75 might also be shaped to be positioned on a furniture unit 3 outside of raceway 55. (~ module 75 includes six signal conductors 5 (Fig. 3) which exoend along the length of cable raceway 56, and have a connector block 76 mounoed at one end, and a ma e quick-disconnect commector 7 20 mounoed at vhe opposite end. The illustraoed comnector block 76 includes at least one female quick-disconmect connector 6 positioned in the end wall thereof, which isshaped to receive one of the male connectors 7 therein. Conmector block 76 also includes a female quick-discomnect connector 77 in the top wall thereof for commec7ion wivh ports 12, as described below. Signaler 9 and coupler lO are also rntegrally25 positioned witbin comnector block 76.
In the ~, 11o~7; - ~ illustrated m Figs. 24, each partition panel 3 includes a pair of . modules 75 positioned on opposite sides thereof withm back-tû-back cable raceways 56. Each ~ module 75 is physica ly associated with the adjacent side or face of partition panel 3, with switch 9 protruding 30 therefrom. When partition pamels 3 are positioned side-by-side, as shown in Fig. 2, the male quick-disconnect comnector 7 associaoed with module 75 is inserted into the female quick-discomnect comnector 6 in the c, module 75 of the next adjacent panel 3. All ~ modules 75 in a particular furniture ~ WO 95/16327 2 1 7 7 3 ~ 5 PCT/US94/14031 group or cluster 2 are similarly il~ 1, so as to form the furniture A l l r~ network 36, which is in the shape of a loop, as shown in Fig. 4.
Each of the furniture units 2 may have two or more sections, which are designated herem as "portions," equipped with separate ~ modules 75.
S For example, each of the illustrated panels 3 has two opposite sides or faces, each of which has a ~ ,. module 75 associated therewith. Normally, the opposite faces of panels 3 will be associated with a different one of the various w~ 4.Hence, each of the illustrated panel faces 46 and 47 (Fig. 2) is a separate portion of furniture unit 3, and has a respective associated module 75. The ported panel faces 46 include a module 75A which u.. .". .;~ ~ ~ with the ports 12 thereon through a respective utility appliance network 37. The portless panel faces 46 will also have a ...,..,...l.,;~ -l;.,.. module 75B associated therewith.
Network controller 11 (Fig. 4), may be located local to or remote from furniture group 2, and is comnected with the furniture ,, network 36. The furniture ~ .. ~,.. l network 36 is in the form of a loop, so as to permit evaluation of the various partition panels 3 in the furniture system 2, as well as any and all utility appliances 13-28 (Fig. 1) comnected with the same.
In operation, utility appliances 13-28 (Fig. 1) are plugged into panel ports 12 at their desired locations. The utility .l;~.;l, ;...l system 1 is initialized, and the0 operating i~LIuuliu~ for each of the utility appliances illl.,Ul~)~ ' ' mto network 8 are, ' to network controller 11. Additionally, is, ' to network controller 11 from the ,~
modules 75 associated with each portion of furniture units 3. In this fashion, network controller 11 not only learns where each partition panel 3 is m the furniture group 2, 25 but it also learns the identity of each of the utility appliances 13-28 mounted thereon, and its associated operating i.~iu~,Liu~. Network controller 11 can thereby monitor the flow of power, signals, and other utilities to each port 12 on each face of each partition panel 3 m furniture ~ c I ' 2, and can also control the same, if necessary, by power shedding, .. ,;~ -l;".. line switching, or the like.
F. ' ~, network controller 11 permits , ' of utility appliances 13-28 on a system wide basis, such as by rerouting telephone calls to different locations, turning on and off lights 18-20, resetting clocks 21, locking and unlocking security system 24, and the like. Hence, partitiûn panels 3 nût ûnly bave built-in utility 21 7736~5 .1;~1.;1,..1;..., rRp--l.iiitil-c but the ~ system 1 for the same is able to determine the location of each particular partition panel 3 in the system 2, monitor its utility usage, and then control the same, all in a readily adaptable fashion, which will function effectively, regardless of where the indiYidual partition pamel 3 is positioned 5 or configured in the furniture ~ l 2.
With reference to Figs. 7 and 8, a utility appliamce network 37 is provided to establish a ~ path between the ports 12 on cover panel 46 and an associated bridge module 75A. Bridge module 75A is a ~ module 75 which includes a . bridge 128 (Fig. 8) comnected to coupler 10. Utility 10 appliance network 37 includes data/power conductors 82 connected to all of the ports 12 and to the .. -~ bridge 128. The data/power conductors 82 include two signal conductors 83 and 84 (Fig. 8) which transmit ~ signals bi-dili I'y between ports 12 and the ~ bridge 128 of bridge module 75A. Conductors 85 and 86 carry DC power from ~ bridge 128 to ports 12. Utility appliance network 37 includes an address conductor 87 selectively connected uniquely to each of ports 12 on the panel face 46. Conductor 87 is connected to a logic level which is, for example, circuit ground. The three address pins AD0-AD2 of the eight ports 12 are connected to conductor 87, such that eachaddress on a panel face 46 has a unique 3-bit value. The addresses AD0-AD2 rangefrom 000 to 011 from bottom to top on the right side of Fig. 8, and range from 100 to 111 from bottom to top on the left side of Fig. 8. Thus, each port 12 associated with each panel face 46 has a unique address which identifies its location thereon.
C~n~i~lrl--s 83, 84, 85, 86 and 87 are preferably terminated at a male RJ-l I type commector adapted to be engaged in connector 77 of module 75 (Fig.
3).
With reference again to the bridge module 75 shown in Fig. 3, the opposite ends of the signal conductors 5 are terminated at quick-disconnect comlectors 6 amd 7.
The illustrated male quick-discomnect comnector 7 is a .~ ioll.,l RJ-ll male connector which includes at least six pins. The illustrated female conmector 6 is a ~.;UII~ ~llliundl female RJ-I I coMector, having the same number of pins as maleconnector 7. Although female comnector 6 is illustrated moumted in coupler block 76, it will be recognr~ed that the female commector could be remote from connector block 76 and conmected to block 76 by signal conductors 5. As will also be recognized by : . .. ., . , . . . , .. ,,, , ., , ,, .: ,, ,, . , _ , .,,, ., _ . ,, . . . , ., ., , , ., .,, _ _ _ _ , , .

~ WO 9S/16327 2 1 7 7 3 6 5 PCTIIJS94114031 those skilled in the art, male connector 7 includes a resilient tongue llO, which is received in a keyway 111 of female connector 6, and releasably locks connector 7 in female connector 6 in a ~.UII.~ '- ' mamner. In general, tongue 110 is biased into keyway 111 when male comnector 7 is inserted into female connector 6, and tongueS llO is manually depressed inwardly to remove the male connector from the connector 6.
With reference to Fig. 9, the ports 12 on cover panel or face 46 are also comnected to a powerway 92 by harnesses 94 and 95. Powerway 92 may be a Cullv. ' type of powerway, having quick-disconnect connectors 96 and 97 on 10 opposite ends thereof. Connectors 96 and 97 are ..v_..,u.~ ,.,t~,l by power conductors lO1 (Fig. lO, only some of which are numbered). Conductors lOl extend through power block 98. Power block 98 mcludes two power taps 99 and 100 on a top wall thereof through which the power conductors 101 (only some of which are numbered)are accessed. Harness 94 includes a connector 103 which mates with tap 99.
Conductors 104 (only some of which are numbered) extend from connector 103 to each of the ports 12 on the left side of panel face 47. Harness 95 similarly includes a connector 105 which mates with connector 100 and signal conductors 106, which extend between ports 12 on the right side and connector 105.
Comnector block 76 (Fig. 9) is also connected to powerway 92 by conductors 20 lO9. The network bridge receives operating power from the powerway and generates a regulated DC voltage V + usmg the AC power received from the powerway.
In the example illustrated in Fig. l l, those cover panels or faces 47 which do not include ports 12 (i.e., "non-ported" or "portless" panel faces) do have a powerway 98 positioned in power raceway 55. These portless cover panels 47 also 25 have am ' ~ module 75B with associated signal conductors 5 and a coupler lO positioned in cable raceway 56. Comnectors 6 and 7 terminate the ends of the signal conductors 5. 1~ ;.,.. module 75B also includes a signaler 9, along with a second signaler 127, which are both connected to coupler 10. The non-ported panel face 47 thus includes a signal conductor 5 and a powerway 98, similar to the ported 30 panel faces 46.
As best shown in Figs. 12 and 13, each of the illustrated ports 12 includes a recessed housing 112, having an outer flange 113 on a face thereof which contacts cûver panel face 46 and cûvers the perimeter of a hûle which receives hûusing 112.

WO 95/16327 2 1 7 7 3 6 5 ~ PCI/IIS94/14031 Housimg 112 may be attached to vertical frame uprights 48 by suitable ~ iUI~I]
means, such as welding 111. The illustrated housing 112 includes a ~c~,Lah~
recess 110, which is closed on four sides and the back. A quick-disconmect comnector 114 is pûsitioned in housing 112 at the back of recess 110, and includes ten connector ports 115 (only some of which are numbered) housing respective male cûnmectors 116 (only sûme of which are numbered). Male connectors 116 are connected to a respective conductor 104. A quick-disconnect signal comnector 117 is positioned adjacent connector 114 in housing 112. Signal connector 117 includes seven female contacts 118 (only some of which are numbered). Contacts 118 are conmected to conductors 83, 84, 85, 86, and are selectively coMected to conductor 87 (Fig. 8).
In the illustrated ~ ...I,.a.l: ....l~, the six signal conductors 5 (Fig. 14) include three signal chanmels 130, 131 and 132, each having two of the signal conductors 5.
Channel 130 is a data chanmel for ( ~ r '' , as described in greater detail l.~,.,;--I,~lu... Chanmel 131 is am identifier chalmel for i ~ i.l. . ir.15 il~Ullllo~iUl~l as is also described in greater detail ~."..;..~,luw. Channel 132 is a ~.,..rL...."i-,., channel for ~",.,~ ,, F " pertaining to the ~ , as described l~ b~lu, The ;.l. ir - ;ll~ module 75B (Fig. 14) associated with the non-ported cover panels 47 imcludes junctions 125 for connectmg signaler 9 to the signal conductors 5 of the ~ LdLiun i-l ir~ chamnel 132. The coupler 10 of module 75B also includes junctions 126 for coDnecting signaler 127 to signal conductors 5 of theidentifier channel 131. Terminals 125 and 126 may be provided by an electricallyconductive means, such as solder electrically connectmg identifiers 9 amd 127 to wires 5, or an electrically conductive trace deposited on a printed circuit board and connected to signal conductors 5, as well as signalers 9 and 127.
The bridge module 75A (Fig. 15) is associated with the ported panel face 46.
Bridge module 75A fimctions as am interface between the fumiture f ' l " ' l~,. ' ~ '' network 36, comprising , ' signal conductors 5, and the utility appliance network 37. Bridge module 75A includes a coupler 10 (illustrated m phantom), and a , bridge 128, which is coupled between signal conductors 5 and signal conductors 83, 84. Cûupler 10 mcludes relay switches 136 and 137, which are coDmected in series in data channel 130. The switches 136, 137 are controlled by a relay coil 138. Switches 136 and 137 are normally closed, but are conmected to am . . . _: . _, . _ ~ . . _ . . _ . . .

WO 95/16327 PCl-riTS94rl4031 impedance when the switches are open. The rmpedance is preferably provided by a resistor 140 having an impedance of ~ / 102 ohms. This resistor provides a suitable i impedance for the data channel of furniture A l l ~.. l~, ,. l.. .11 network 36 when switches 136, 137 are open. A ~ r~... 144 is conmected S between terminals 145 and 146 of .. ~ i.. ,. bridge 128 and data channel 130.
T ~ 144 includes a winding 147 connected to terminals 145, 146, amd a winding 148 connected to chalinel 130. r. bridge 128 is comnected to identifier chamnel 131 by an optical coupler 150 and one of the signal conductors 5.
Optical coupler 150 includes a light emitting diode (LED) 151 comnected to channel 131. A ,u'~ .. 152, .' ' using a light responsive transistor, has an emitter and a collector connected to terminals 153, 154 of ~.. ;. -:i.. bridge 128.
Coupler 10 also includes a conductor 1~i6 connected to .. ri .. ~,;.. chaiinel 132 and to terminal 157, and a conductor 158 connecting one signal conductor of chamnel 132 to ground potential. A pull-up resistor 160 connects conductor 156 to a five volt power supply. Coupler 10 interrupts circuit 132. Accordingly, two signal conductors S are terminated at pins 161 and 162.
The i~i. ..~iri. -1;.~ ~ units 127 (Figs. 7, 9 and 11) as noted above are provided for ' - modules 75B and bridge modules 75A, and include a memory device having a unique i.~ ir~ ;.... code. These memory devices are i~ O ' as 20 described in greater detail i ' ' .. to identify: the number of panel faces between network controller 11 and the first ported panel face 46; between each subsequent ported panel face up to the last ported panel face; and between the last ported panel face amd the network controller 11. In a pa~ ,ulally au~ ~
;_ ~ ' of the present invention, the j.l, .:iri -~;.... unit 127 may also include a 25 part ' `i- number for the furniture unit 3 in which the ;.l.. iri. -l;.... module 127 is commected. Cl bridge 128 can mterrogate the i.~...,iri. ,i....
modules 127 to learn the i.i..~iri -~i.... code and the type of furniture unit _ in which it is positioned, as well as the i.l. ..lir. -lir..~ code and furriture unit type of adjacent portless furniture units 3. The network controller 11 can use this; c~",. -:i.. to produce a centralized mventory of the fur~iture ~ 1.
Network controller 11 (Fig. 18) includes a ~ u~,v~li uller 179, which may be ' using any suitable ~,;al Ill;~,lU~)IU,e..~.~UI. The network controller 11 may optionally rnclude a keypad input 190, an alann 191 al.id a display 192.

2~ 77365 Keypad 190 and display 192 may be provided by any suitable: ~. ' keypadand display, such as those utilized for personal computers. The keypad 190 and display 192 are used as an interface with ~ ,lu~,ul~LIuller 179, and may be provided in addition to a PC. Alarm 191 may be provided by any suitable CUII~,IILiUIIUI transducer. The 191 alarm may, for example, provide an audible signal when a t~ f- message is generated on display 192.
The IlliClUCUllllUIl~l 179 (Fig. 18) is connected to a network interface 195, which rncludes a male comnector 198 provided by a Co~v~ iiu~l male RJ-11 six-pinquick-disconmect conmector. A female quick-disconncct connector 196 is provided by0 a ~:VIIv~ iUll~d female RJ-11 six-pin quick-discormect conmector. Furniturenetwork 36 is cormected to quick-disconnect connectors 196 and 198.
As illustrated in Fig. 17, the w~ ir~ ,. channel 132 is coMected through network controller 11, such that the network controller is transparent to this channel. A Ll~rvll.._. 205 includes windings 206 and 207, wherein winding 206 iscomnectcd to data channel 130, and winding 207 is comnected to an interface cr cuit 210. Interface circuit 210 is also comnected to one of the signal conductors 5 of identifier chaMel 131, and interface circuit 210 is cormected to lllil,lvl,u.lilvlL,. 179 via ... , ~i-". bus 212.
Mi.,lu.,ullllull.,. 179 (Fig. 17) is connected to an interface circuit 213 through a bus 208. Irlterface circuit 213 is comnected to channel 130 through connector 198 and i ~llll~,l 214. One winding 215 of I ~llll~.r 214 is connected to channel 130, and the other winding 216 is comnected to interface crrcuit 213. An optical coupler 217 mcludes a diode 218 comnected to identifier chalmel 131. A l ' : 1 219 of optical coupler 217 is connected to rnterface 213. The interface circuits 213 and 210 comprise suitable, v.,llliul~l, impedance amd protection circuitry for interfacing with Illil,lU~,U..I~ " 179, and may includemtegrated circuit ~ A ', such as octal L~ and RS485 drivers.
As described briefly above, the utility appliances 13-28 (Fig. 1) are connected to ports 12, and: through utility appliance network 37 (Fig. 2). One type of utility appliance is a switch 27 (Figs. 19-21), which mcludes a l~,l~t.. ' I housimg 235. According to the illustrated l .I.c.,l;, .,~, the housing 235 has two switches 236 and 237 on a front face 238 thereof. Switches 236 and 237 are . ' ' usmg a three-position header to control the operation of utility appliances 13-26 and 28 .. .
... . . . . . . . . _ . . _ .

connected rn the utility ~ - system 1. Each of the switches 236 and 237 has a respective sixteen-position clock face association selector 239, 240 associated therewith, which are also mounted on a front face 238 of housing 235. Selectors 239 and 240 are used to select unit association numbers.
Another one of the utility appliances 13-28 which may be utilized with system 1 is power outlet 25 (Figs. 22-23), which includes a rectangular housing 270 having a front face 271. The illustrated power outlet 25 includes three receptacles 272, 273 and 274. However, it will be recognized that the power outlet 25 may contain anynumber of receptacles. Indicators 276, 277 and 278 are associated with receptacles 0 272, 273 and 274, ~ ,.,Li~,ly. Each mdicator 276-278 emits red, green or yellow light according to the power level of the power source to which its associated receptacle is connected, as described in greater detail ~ ,luw. The indicators 276-278 are ~.IILi~:ul~lly useful because users will want to plug appliances into a reliable power source. Thus, they will prefer a receptacle with a green indicator to one with yellow indicator, and they will prefer a receptacle with a yellow indicator to one with a red indicator. Users will thus assist in balancing loads on differentsupplies by selecting the receptacle having the least load. An association selector 280, 281 and 282 is associated with each receptacle 272, 273, and 274, ~ ,Li~
Selectors 280, 281 and 282 may be provided by a sixteen-position clock face selector or other suitable switch means. These selectors are used to bind receptacles 272-274, as described in greater detail ll.,l~ IU~ Indicators 276-278, receptacles 272-274, and selectors 280-282 are positioned on the front face 271 of housing 270, SO that they are readily accessible to a user for manual l~ n The back surface 285 (Fig. 23) of power outlet housing 270 has outwardly projecting connectors 286 and 287 positioned adjacent one another. Comnector 286mcludes female contacts 288 (only some of which are numbered) in protective silos 288' for connection with contacts 116 (Fig. 12). Connector 287 includes outwardly projecting male contacts 289 (Fig. 23, only some of which are numbered) for conmection with contacts 118 in port 12 (Fig. 12).
As shown in Fig. 22, receptacles, 272-274 each include three Cull~,llLiu~
contacts for receipt of a ~:UII.. '- ' plug of the type used for typewriters, clocks, radios, computers, prmters, televisions, and the like. It will be ~ ' that WO95116327 2 ~ 7 7 3 ~ 5 ;- PCT/11S94/14031 receptacles 272-274 may be provided by any suitable,: ~,...iulldl power receptacle, such as a two contact receptacle.
With reference initially to Fig. 24A, the circuit in housing 270 will now be described. The power outiet 25 includes an identical circuit for each receptacle5 therein. Accordingly, oniy the circuit for receptacle 272 is described in greater detail herein. Receptacle 272 includes contacts 295, 296 and 297. Contacts 296 and 297 are connected to junctions 298 dnd 299, Ic~ iv~ly. Junctions 298 and 299 are, inturn, connected to the neutral supply and safety ground of a power suppiy circuit through two contdcts 288. Contact 295 is connected to a coil 301 of a "~ r."",~..
302. Coii 301 is coMected in series with a switch 303, which is connected to a junction 304. Junction 304 is connected with a live conductor of the power supply circuit through a contact 288. It will be d~ ' that any two or more of the first, second and third receptacles 272, 273 and 274 may be attached to the power supply circuit of a single power source. Aiternatively, each of the receptacles 272, 273, 274 may be connected to a power suppiy circuit of a different, respective, power source.
Power outlet 25 includes three voltage detectors 310 (Fig. 24B), 311 and 312 connected to receptacles 272-274, Ica~ ,Liv~ . Voltage detectors 31û-312 are identical, and dC~,vl ii~;ly, oniy voltage detector 310 is described in greater detail ilcl~ iJ.,lvw. Voltage detector 310 includes a Lla~ ullll~,. 314 having a furst winding 315. Winding 315 has a terminal 316 connected through a fuse 317 to a junction 304, and a terminal 318 connected to a junction 299. A first u.~.vulu.~,_ protection element 319 is connected between terminal 316 and an associated junction 298. A
sccond uv_.v. ' ~ protection element 320 is connected between a terminal 299 andan associated junction 298. The u~-lvulLe,- protection elements may be provided by any suitable CUIl._llLiu.L,l protection . such as a 140-volt Metal Oxide Varister (MOV).
Transformer 314 (Fig. 24B) also has a secondary winding 322 with a terminal 323 coMected to an output junction 324. Secondary winding 322 aiso has a terminal 325 connected to ground. Junction 324 is connected to the anode of a diode 326, and a cathode of a diode 327. The cathode of diode 326 is connected to voltage regulator 328. The anode of diode 327 is connected to a voltage regulator 329. Regulators 328 and 329 are conventional, and supply a positive output voltage and a negative output voltage, l~a~ ,liv~.ly. Each of the receptacles 272-274 associated with power !-- WO 95116327 2 1 7 7 3 6 5 PCTIUS94/14031 outlet 25 includes a respective diode 326, 326'; 326" and diode 327, 327'; 327",which insures that the power supply circuit having a source with the largest magnitude of those connected to receptacles 272-274, supplies power to the regulators 328 and 329. The secondary winding 333 of l~ ru~ 314 has a terminal 335 connected to ground. A ter~ninal 336 of winding 333 is connected to a terminal 337 through a resistor 338. A resistor 339 is connected between terminal 337 and ground. A diode 34û is connected between ter~ninal 337 and +VREF. A diode 341 is comnected between terminal 337 and -VREF. Diodes 34û and 341 insure that the voltage at terminal 337 is within the desired range of +VREF and -VREF
Power outlet 25 also includes three current sensors 35û, 351 and 352 (Fig.
24A). Each of the current sensors 350-352 is identical, and a~cul~ , only current sensor 35û is described in greater detail ~ b~lu~v. Current sensor 350 includes a secondary winding 355 of ~ r. 302, with a terminal 356 connected to ground, and a terminal 357 comnected to a junction 358. A resistor 359 is connected between 15 junction 358 and ground. A non .. ~ , input of an amplifier 360 is connected to junction 358. The output 361 and inverting input 362 of amplifier 360 are comnected by a resistor 363 and a capacitor 364, which are connected in parallel. The output 361 of amplifier 360 is also connected to a current sensor output 370 through a resistor 371. Four circuits 372, 373, 374 and 375 are comnected in parallel between 20 the mverting input of amplifier 360 and ground potential. These circuits are identical, and ~cu~d;~ , only circuit 375 is described in greater detail l~ L.,luw. Circuit375 includes a resistor 376 and a MOSFET element 378. The MOSFET element is an N-channel device having a source connected to ground potential, a drain connected to a respective resistor 376, and a gate connected to an interface circuit 379 to receive 25 a control signal. A diode 380 is connected across each MOSFET element in a ~u..~, ' manner to provide protection therefor.
The imterface circuit 379 (Fig. 25) is connected to a u~u~ uller 385 through a . bus 386. Interface circuit 379 has a respective output cormected to the control input of each circuit 372-375 (Fig. 24A). Each control input 30 is also connected to a respective pull-up resistor 387, only some of which are numbered. The interface circuit 379 selectively places circuits 372-375 in a conductive state to vary the net resistance of these circuits, which adjusts the gain of amplifier 360.

wo 95/1632~ PcTF~ss4/l403l ~

Mi.,l. ull.,l 385 (Fig. 25) is cûupled to conmector 287 through a data bus 288. Connector 287 coMects to the address conductor 87 and the signal conductors83, 84 when the power outlet 25 is coMected to a port 12. The ll~;~,lucullLluller 385 is cûMected to a switch imterface circuit 400 through a data bus 401. The association selectors 280-282 are coMected to interface circuit 400. The assûciatiûn selectors for receptacles 272-274 are used to bind utility appliances 13-28, as is described in greater detail 1~ ' ... The selected positions of the association selectors 280-282 are input to the llli~,lucullLloller 385 from interface 400.
The II. _IU~,UIILIUIl~.l 385 (Fig. 25) is also coMected to contacts 406 through a data bus 407 and an interface circuit 408. Contacts 406 are conmected to a respective one of gates 410-412 (Fig. 24A) of MOSFET elements 413415. The drain of each of the MOSFET elements 413415 is cormected to an associated one of three relay coils 417419, l~,alJ.,.,ii~.,ly. Each of the MOSFET elements 413415 is selectively energized to allow current to flow through its associated relay, and thus open switches 303, 303' and 303" associated therewith. When switches 303, 303' and 303" are open, receptacles 272, 273 and 274, l~ , are ~ F~ from their associated power source. When relays 417-419 are not energized, switches 303, 3037 and 303" are closed, such that the receptacles 272-274 are comnected to their associated power source.
In addition to the utility appliances 13-27, a power-im 28 (Fig. 26) may be included in the utility ~ ; system. Power supplied to the modular furniture - .. ~,~ .. .; 2 is supplied through one or more power-ins 28. Power-m 28 is CllbCt~tiAlly similar to power outlet 25.
A general description of the operation of the illustrated utility ~
system 1 will now be made with reference to Figs. 28A and 28B. A more detailed description of the utility ~ system I follows this general ~ crtirtir~n During normal operation, a network controller 11 (Fig. 28B) transmits a periodic message, referred to herein as the "heartbeat, " every 50 msecs. Bridgemodules 75A accept these heartbeats. If one of the bridge modules 75A does not detect a heartbeat for 500 msecs., tbe bridge module is reset. The network corltroller 11 resets when any one of the bridge modules 75A resets, as described herein below.
A utility appliance 13-28 will also reset when the bridge module 75A to which it is coMected through a utility appliance network 37 resets. Thus, when the network ~ WO 95/16327 2 1 7 7 3 ~ 5 PCTIUS94/14031 controller 11 suspends ~ of the heartbeat, every bridge module 75A, and thus evcry utility appliance 13-28 in the . network 8 coupled to the network controller 1 k, resets.
During normal operation, utility appliances 13-28 (Fig. 28B) transmit state 5 illrUIIllaLiull to network controller 11. The network controller 11 is responsive to state illfulllla~iull to transmit control ;. rVlllldLiUII to utility appliances 13-28. The network controller 11 and utility appliances 13-28 with one another through bridge modules 75A. The programs that derive the control illrUllllaiiUII from the state illrUllllaiiUII are loaded into the network controller 11 from the utility appliances 13-28 10 during li7ati-1n as described in greater dehil h~ clv...
The network controller 11 (Fig. 1) has the ability to ~l~t~m~ir:illy determine the location of utility appliances 13-28 on a furniture unit 4. This is done by identifying the location of utility appliances 13-28 on a furniture unit portion, such as panel face 46. The location of utility appliances on the furniture unit 3 is ~ tPnnjnr~
from address i. CullllaLiull AD0-AD2 (Figs. 8, 8A, 8B) available at port~c 12 on the furniture units 3. The locating of utility appliances 13-28 is also facilitated by the ability to evaluate furniture units 3 usmg, modules 75 (Fig. 4), as described m greater detail ll~,lclllI).,lv.. .
Utility appliances 13-28 (Fig. 1) are also associated with one another using the20 network controller 11, as described in greater detail li~.lClllb.,lUW. For example, in the, ~ ' described herein, each utility appliance 25 (Fig. 22) includes qccoriqtinn selectors 280-282, and each utility appliance 27 (Fig. 19) includes qcc~riq~ n selectors 239, 240. The network controller 11 (Fig. 1) associates allutility appliances 13-28 that are withrn a ~.vlk~Ldliull 4, and have their association 25 switch set at the same one of positions 0-9. The network controller 11 also associates all utility appliances 13-28 within the furniture system 2 having their association switch at the same one of positions A-F. Where a control utility appliance, such as a switch 236, 237, in utility appliance switch 27 and a controlled utility appliance, such as a receptacle 272, 274 m power outlet 25, are associated and functionally 30 ~ , they are bound, and changing the state of the control utility appliance (e.g., flipping the switch 236, 237) will result in a change in the state of theassociated controlled utility appliance (e.g., turning on or off the power supply to a receptacle 272-274).

An important rl.."....;-1;~ of the utility Aic~rihl.rif)n system 1 (Fig. 1) described herem is that . between utility appliances 13-28 and network controller 11 utilizes a request procedure. When the state of a utility appliance 13-28 changes, the utility appliance attempts to establish a virtual circuit with the network 5 controller 11. A virtual circuit is a ~ through . modules 75 and between a utility appliance amd the network controller, which permits Ll.~ ,h.~ . Only when the network controller 11 is ready to process the state il,ru~ .Liol, does it accept the virtual circuit. The utility appliances 13-28 will then send the current state rullllaiiun to the network controller 11. Thus, 10 the state ;..r.,.. --~;.... that is sent to the network controller 11 is always the most up to date ;..r...., - ;."- available. Similarly, when the network controller 11 program determines that some control illrullllaLi~l~ should be sent to one of the utility appliances 13-28, it first attempts to establish a virtual circuit with the utiliy appliance. Only when this virtual circuit is established does the network controller 11 15 program actually develop the control message that is to be sent to the utility appliances 13-28. Thus, the utility appliances 13-28 are always . .". ..~...l. ~l to perform actions consistent with the most recently detected state of the l network 8. This avoids havmg either state or control r " enqueued, waitmg to be processed.
The utility appliance networks 37 (Fig. 9) are designed as polled networks.
Each bridge module 75A creates a poll list based on addresses AD0-AD2. Bridge module 75A polls each utility appliance 13-28 comnected to a port 12 m its associated utility appliance network 37, and on its poll list, m address (AD0-AD2) order sequence. Periodically, the bridge module 75A acts to determine if any new utility appliances 13-28 have been added by connection to a port 12 m the utility appliance network 37. If new utility appliances 13-28 are detected, the poll list is updated to include the new utility appliance. Once a utility appliamce 13-28 has been added to the poll list, the added utility appliance must respond to each poll (or one of its retries). If a utility appliamce 13-28 fails to a~,h~ ,~_ a poll message (or any of its retries), the bridge module 75A will reset and restart operation with an empty poll list. If a utility appliance 13-28 having responded to a :l 5v message, and thereby having placed itself on the poll list, thereafter receives another ~ ~v message, the utility appliance will reset. Thus a failure (or removal) of amy _ . . _ . . . _ : _ _ _ _ _ ~ wo 9S/16327 2 1 7 7 3 6 5 P~rrus94ll4o3l configu}ed utility appliance 13-28 will cause the bridge module 75A to reset, and the reset of the bridge module 75A will cause all configured utility appliances on that utility appliance network 80 to reset when an attempt is made to ICCUII~ lC them.
The network controller 11 (Fig. 28A) resets the utility .l;~ ;..,. system 1 S upon lir~tinn of the, network 8, a failure in the .
network 8, a chmge in the utility .li~ ., system 1, or a power down. A failure in the network 8 will be detected when an activity sensor at the female connector 196 ("end of loop") of the network controller 11 does not detect network activity when a signal is transmitted on the furniture - ,.".~,..,....: network 36 10 or when the network controller 11 makes repeated l"~ -, without receiving an hlu ~ h,d~;..ll.ll~. Whenever the network controller 11 resets, the network controller initiates a reset sequence to determine the relative location of utility appliances 13-28 and modules 75 in the system. The first action taken by network controller 11 upon reset is to suspend the heartbeat for about four seconds. This will insure that all bridge modules 75A (Fig. 28B) m network 8 are reset, amd will also result in utility appliances 13-28 connected to bridge modules 75A resetting as described lI~ Ib~
The network controller 11 (Fig. 28B) and bridge modules 75A each initiate a sequence on the identifier channel 131 to determme the number of do..~Ll~ll 20 j~l~ ..,iri. -~i., modules 75B between it and a next sequential bridge module 75A or controller 11. The bridge modules 75A also check the status of the .. f;~..,,.~;....
channel 132 to determine if any upstream first-portion-in--vull~L~ ,ll switches 9, associated with it or a connected upstream ' ~ module 75B, is closed, so as to ascertain if they are a first bridge module 75A in a ~.. Bridge modules 75A will also attempt to reconstruct the utility appliances 13-28 attached to the utility appliance network 37 associated therewith as described briefly above, and in greater detail ~.,lcilllu~
The utility appliances 13-28 upon bemg reset, attempt to establish a cr~ P~tion which shall be referred to herein as a virtual circuit, ~.. ,--,.. :. -li.. "
30 conmection with the network controller 11, for the purpose of sending their control programs to the net vork controller 11. In the preferred ~ the control programs are written in a dialect of the FORTH program language, which is an WO95/16327 2 ~ 77365 - PCT/US94/14031 interpreted language, but any suitable ~ v language could be utilized, including a compiled language.
After reset, the data channel 130 (Fig. 28B) of the furniture: ~
network 36 is broken into respective segments by relay switches 136, 137 associated 5 with each bridge module 75A. One bridge module 75A, and any rlumber of sequential i~ ;ri~ modules 75B, are included in each segment. After suspending the heartbeat for a~,ul~ , four seconds, the network controller 11 re-enables the heartbeat, but disables any reset that might be caused by a network activity sensor on the female connector 196 failing to detect network activity. The 10 network controller 11 then sends a cu rl,, message addressed to any rl~ c;d bridge module 75A on the furniture ,, network 36. At this stage, the data chaMel 130 of the furniture ~ ,.. 11 network 36 is c~o~mrnf~f~ 50 that there is only one ~ .ri_ ~d bridge module 75A on the furniture ~
network that will receive this message. The message includes ;, rl~ lll that this 15 , r,, e~ bridge module 75A is bridge module number one. Bridge module number one then closes its relay switches 136, 137, ~ the data channel of the furniture, ...,~,. ' network 36 to the next segment. Bridge module number one also determines the number of j l :;ril ~:;- modules 75B associated therewith, and responds to the ~....ri~;,..,.~;... message with the number of ~ ~ modules 75B d~fPnnin~ and the status of the first-pulLiu.~ in ~.ulh~-~Liu.. channel 131.
Upon receiving this ,~..,.,ri,,...,l;.... response message from bridge number one, the network controller 11 then sends a, rl,, " message addressed to any bridge module 75A on the furniture: ,, network 36. This message indicates that the I fi~ cd bridge module 75A is network bridge number two. At this stage, 25 bridge module number one has jomed the network controller segment with the next segment, so that there are two bridge modules 75A on the furniture ~ ~
network 36. Network bridge number one is alrcady ~ ~v e 1, so it does not respond to the new rl~ message. The second network bridge module 75A
is the only ~ ..,.ri~."~l bridge module 75A on the data channel, so it responds to the c-~.. ri".. ,-l;.-.. message by closing its relay switches 136, 137, I~Cul~ " ,, the data chamnel of the next du .. ~ alll segment, and responds to the network controller 11 with a ~ , response message. The c~ ; - . response message mcludes the number of i~. :;r~ modules 75B that are associated with the second bridge ,, . _ _ _ _ _ , . . . .

~ wo 9S/16327 2 1 7 7 3 ` 5 PCTIUS94/14031 module (between it and the next bridge module 75A or controller 11), and the s6tus of the first-portion-in ~.u1~6iiUIl switches 9 on chamnel 132. The network controller 11, upon receivmg this ~..,.r;"...,.~;..., response message, will send a new c~ "..,ui,...
message identifying the next UllcUII[-I~, cd bridge module 75A as bridge module 5 number three. The procedure continues m a similar fashion as that described above with respect to bridge modules number one and two, until all bridge modules 75A on the furniture - .. -~,,. . .: network 37 are configured.
After the network controller 11 has received the: ~ response message from the last bridge module 75A, the network controller 11 sends a final10 c~) r;~,.,.,-l;.,,. message addressed to any I '1~, cd bridge modules on the furniture 1 network 36. Since all bridge modules 75A have been configured, the message will not geneMte any c~ response message. The software associated with network controller 11 then checks whether the ,-.".r;l,..,,.,;., message has geneMted any activity at the female cûnnector 196 of the network controller.Normally, tnis will be the case, since all bridge modules 75A on the data channel 130 of the furniture: ,, network 36 will now form a single complete loop from the male connector 196 to the female connector 196 of the network controller 11.The network controller 11 then rearms the activity sensor on the female comnector 196, so that any failure to detect activity while sending a message will cause a reset 20 of the network controller 11, as described L~.h~ ,lu~v.
If activity is not detected at the female comnector 196 when the final '~ message is sent, network controller 11 identifies a fault condition, and assumes that there is some problem either with one of the bridge modules 75A or with the cullluclivily of the furniture: ,, network 36. Since network 25 controller 11 has ~cr~ im~ti the total number of bridge modules 75A up to the fault im the ;, '~ ;" procedure, as well as the total number of modules 75B coupled tothe counted bridge modules 75A, and since each of these bridge modules 75A and i,l,.,l.r;. 1;".. modules 75B cu--c,l,u..d~ to a furniture portion (e.g., a panel face), the network controller 11 can present, as diagnostic i~ful~ldiu.l, the sequential order 30 number of the furniture component that is the most likely location of the fault.
Once this ~ of furniture ,, network 36 is completed, the network controller 11 begins accepting virtual circuits between utility appliamces 13-28 (Fig. 1) and the network controller, and loading and initialii!ing contrûl prûgrams from them. Once all the control programs have been loaded and initialized, and all the bridge modules 75A have been c~nfigl-r~l, the system start-up phase is complete.
It is noted that: between bridge module 75A (Fig. 28B) and network controller 11 is co, ' ' according to the ability of the network controller 5 11 to process; -f~ This is ." ( ~ by a sender (one of bridge module 75A or network controller 11) having a request to ~ , but delaying illrUllllGiiUll transmittal until the receiver (the other one of network controller 11 and a bridge module 75A) is ready to receive the message. The ability to receive is c ' by an achlu..; ~, being . ' to the sender with a non-lû zero credit. A credit is the amoumt of ill~JllllGiiUII (e.g. number of words) that the receiver will accept from the sender.
In the forgoing d~crrirti~n it will be readily perceived by those skilled in theart that ........... I;ri~ may be made without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such ...-.l;r~ are to be considered included in the following claims, 15 unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. In a furniture unit for modular furniture arrangements of the type in which aplurality of individual furniture units are positioned in a preselected configuration to form at least one workstation, the improvement of a utility distribution system therefore, comprising:
at least one signal conductor positioned in said furniture unit, and extending along at least a portion thereof;
first and second quick-disconnect connectors connected with opposite ends of said signal conductor, and configured to mate with like quick-disconnect connectors associated with other similarly equipped furniture units to define a communications network for the workstation;
a coupler positioned in said furniture unit, and connected with said signal conductor at a location operably intermediate said first and second quick-disconnect connectors;
a signaler physically associated with said furniture unit, and connected with said signal conductor at said coupler, and communicating through said signal conductor and the communications network to facilitate the controlled distribution of utilities to the workstation;
at least one utility appliance for distributing utilities to the at least one workstation, said at least one utility appliance coupled to said signal conductor through said signaler;
and a network controller operably coupled to said signal conductor through said communications network, and transmitting control signals to said signaler through said communications network and receiving control signals from said signaler through said communications network to evaluate said communications network and said furniture unit to facilitate the distribution of utilities to the utility appliances in the workstation.
3. A utility distribution system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said signal conductor, said coupler, and said signaler are integrally interconnected to define a communication module shaped to be received along an associated raceway portion of said furniture unit.

4. A utility distribution system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said at least one utility appliance includes a memory that stores operating instructions for said at least one utility appliance which are transmitted to said network controller when said at least one utility appliance is initialized, such that said network controller controls said at least one utility appliance according to said operating instructions.
5. A utility distribution system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said furniture unit includes at least one port, which is physically mounted thereon, and is operably connected with said coupler for distributing utilities therethrough to the workstation.
6. A utility distribution system as set forth in claim 5, wherein:
said communications network includes a furniture arrangement network and a utility appliance network;
said furniture unit includes a plurality of said ports which are connected with said coupler through said utility appliance network; and said signaler includes a communication bridge between said furniture arrangementnetwork and said utility appliance network.
7. A utility distribution system as set forth in claim 6, wherein:
said furniture arrangement network includes a plurality of said signal conductors and a plurality of said signalers, each of said signalers physically associated with a furniture unit and one of said signal conductors, said signal conductors interconnected to form an uninterrupted communication loop operably coupled to said network controller.
8. A utility distribution system as set forth in claim 7, wherein:
each of said signal conductors has a length which is substantially equal to the width of its associated furniture unit, whereby said quick-disconnect connectors associated with adjacent furniture units are directly interconnected.

9. A utility distribution system as set forth in claim 8, wherein:
said utility appliance network includes at least one conductor coupled to each of said ports on said furniture unit, and to said signaler.
10. A utility distribution system as set forth in claim 9, wherein:
said at least one utility appliance is connected to the utility appliance network through one of said ports.
11. A utility distribution system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said network controller includes means for implementing a communication protocol among said utility appliances.
12. A utility distribution system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said furniture arrangement network includes an identification code correspondingto an associated portion of said furniture unit.
13. A utility distribution system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said network controller supports a programming language which is used for controlling said utility appliances.
14. A utility distribution system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said at least one utility appliance includes a storage element storing control routines which are transmitted to said network controller when said utility system is initialized.
15. A utility distribution system as set forth in claim 7, wherein:
each of said signalers includes an identification mechanism to facilitate identifying a sequentially first signaler in the workstation.

16. A utility distribution system as set forth in claim 15, wherein:
particular ones of said signalers include a portion-of-workstation identification mechanism to positionally associate a plurality of said furniture units within a given workstation.
17. A utility distribution system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said at least one utility appliance includes a utility appliance memory and a utility appliance type identification embedded in said utility appliance memory which istransmitted to said network controller upon initialization.
18. A utility distribution system for a modular furniture arrangement having a plurality of individual furniture units configured to form at least one workstation, comprising:
at least one conductor extending along at least a portion of the furniture arrangement to define a communications network;
a plurality of signalers connected to said conductor, each signaler physically associated with a selected furniture unit and capable of being distinguishable from other of said signalers when connected to said conductor; and a network controller coupled to said conductor for transmitting control signals to said signalers through said conductor and receiving control signals from said signalers through said conductor, whereby said network controller evaluates the furniture arrangement with respect to the communication network by identifying specific signalers and utilizing the physical association of said specific signalers with a selected furniture unit to facilitate the distribution of utilities to the workstation.
19. A utility distribution system for a modular furniture unit of the type having at least two portions thereof associated with different workstations, comprising:
a first communication module physically associated with one of said furniture portions, and including a first signal conductor extending at least partially along said one furniture portion; a first pair of quick-disconnect connectors connected with opposite ends of said first signal conductor, and configured to mate with like quick-disconnect connectors associated with other similarly equipped furniture portions; and a first coupler positioned adjacent said one furniture portion and connected with said first signal conductor at a location operably intermediate said first pair of quick-disconnect connectors;
a second communication module physically associated with the other of said furniture portions, and including a second signal conductor extending at least partially along said other furniture portion; a second pair of quick-disconnect connectors connected with opposite ends of said second signal conductor, and configured to mate with like quick-disconnect connectors associated with other similarly equipped furniture portions;
and a second coupler positioned adjacent said other furniture portion and electrically connected with said second signal conductor at a location operably intermediate said second pair of quick-disconnect connectors, whereby said first and second communication modules each provide a respective communication path through both portions of said furniture unit to individually control the distribution of utilities to both of the different workstation;
a pair of utility appliance networks, respectively, coupled to said first and second couplers, and a plurality of ports on said furniture unit providing access to said utility appliance networks, whereby said ports are coupled to said signal conductors through one of said utility appliance networks; and a network controller operatively connected to said first and second communication modules in a communication network.
20. A communications network for a plurality of furniture units, comprising:
at least one signal conductor configured to extend along the furniture units;
at least one signaler associated with at least one of the furniture units, and being operably coupled to said signal conductor; and a network controller operably coupled to said signal conductor for communicatingwith said signaler, whereby said network controller and said signaler communicate information associated with the furniture units through said signal conductor.

21. A network for a furniture arrangement having a plurality of individual furniture units, comprising:
at least one signal conductor extending between the furniture units;
a network controller connected to said signal conductor and including control circuitry; and a plurality of utility appliances coupled to said signal conductor for communicating with said network controller, each utility appliance including a memory unit storing operating instructions therefore which are transmitted to said control circuitry of said network controller when said utility appliance is initialized, whereby said network controller controls said utility appliances according to the operating instructions received therefrom.
22. In a modular furniture arrangement of the type in which a plurality of individual furniture units are positioned in a preselected configuration to form at least one workstation, the improvement of a utility distribution system therefore, comprising:
at least one signal conductor extending between particular furniture units;
a coupler positioned in each of said furniture units, and connected with said signal conductor at a location within said furniture unit;
a utility appliance network positioned within each of said furniture units and coupled to said signal conductor through said coupler; and a plurality of ports physically positioned on each of said furniture units and operably connected with said utility appliance network, whereby said ports are coupled to said signal conductor through said utility appliance network to facilitate the distribution of utilities to the workstation.