U.S. patent application number 11/924670 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-28 for system for wireless mobile seating platform.
This patent application is currently assigned to International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Marco O. Gruteser, Anthony Levas, Herbert Scott McFaddin, Paul Andrew Moskowitz, Danny Chan Yong Wong.
Application Number | 20080048859 11/924670 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25439376 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080048859 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gruteser; Marco O. ; et
al. |
February 28, 2008 |
SYSTEM FOR WIRELESS MOBILE SEATING PLATFORM
Abstract
A system (and method) includes a seating platform, at least one
sensor for detecting a state of the seating platform connected to a
first wireless communications device, the first wireless
communications device for conveying information on the state of the
seating platform, and a second wireless communications device for
receiving information from the first wireless communications
device, and a computing system. The second wireless communications
device is for receiving the information carrying signal and is
connected to the computing system. The computing system is for
initiating an action based upon the information.
Inventors: |
Gruteser; Marco O.;
(Yorktown Heights, NY) ; Levas; Anthony; (Yorktown
Heights, NY) ; McFaddin; Herbert Scott; (Yorktown
Heights, NY) ; Moskowitz; Paul Andrew; (Yorktown
Heights, NY) ; Wong; Danny Chan Yong; (Allendale,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCGINN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP, PLLC
8321 OLD COURTHOUSE ROAD
SUITE 200
VIENNA
VA
22182-3817
US
|
Assignee: |
International Business Machines
Corporation
Armonk
NY
|
Family ID: |
25439376 |
Appl. No.: |
11/924670 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11001129 |
Dec 2, 2004 |
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11924670 |
Oct 26, 2007 |
|
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09917822 |
Jul 31, 2001 |
6870477 |
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11001129 |
Dec 2, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/540 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 15/004 20130101;
A47C 31/126 20130101; A47C 31/008 20130101; G08B 21/0461 20130101;
G08B 21/0446 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/540 |
International
Class: |
A47C 15/00 20060101
A47C015/00 |
Claims
1. A system, comprising: a seating platform; a wireless power
supply coupled to said seating platform for powering said seating
platform; and a remote system for receiving a communication from
said seating platform.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an energy storage
device embedded within the seating platform.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless power supply
employs solar cells.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless power supply
employs a movement of an occupant in the seating platform.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless power supply
employs a movement of the seating platform.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said seating platform includes
movable elements that move with respect to one another when the
chair occupant moves in the seating platform, and wherein said
wireless power supply employs a movement of said moveable elements
of the seating platform.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein said seating platform includes
movable elements that move with respect to one another when the
chair occupant leans forward and backward in the seating platform,
and wherein said wireless power supply employs a movement of said
moveable elements of the seating platform.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein said seating platform includes
wheels, and wherein said wireless power supply employs rotational
motion of said wheels of the seating platform.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein said movable seating comprises a
first power coil, wherein said wireless power supply comprises a
second power coil, and wherein said first power coil and said
second power coil are inductively coupled during said powering said
seated platform.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein said second power coil is
embedded in a surface over which said movable seated platform
moves.
11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said movable seating
platform is movable in relation to a position of said wireless
power supply.
12. The system according to claim 1, wherein during said powering
said seating platform, said movable seating platform is aligned
with said wireless power supply.
13. A system, comprising: a seating platform; electronic devices
within said seating platform and requiring energy; and a wireless
energy transfer device for transferring energy to said devices.
Description
[0001] The present application is a Continuation Application of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/001,129 filed Dec. 2, 2004,
which is a Divisional Application of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 09/917,822 filed on Jul. 31, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention generally relates to a seating
platform, or chair, and more particularly to a freely movable chair
which includes electronic devices for sensing, communications, and
a wireless power supply for providing energy to the chair.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Chairs and other similar seating platforms are pervasive.
There are perhaps ten chairs for each individual in North America.
Chairs are an ideal device for sensing information about occupants
of the chair, in an office for example, and for sending and
receiving information to computing systems. Typically, chairs in
such an environment are free to move. Input/output systems that
depend on wires are ruled out. Devices built into chairs must have
a source of energy. Again, wired energy sources are ruled out.
[0006] It has been recognized that chairs may serve as platforms
for electronics. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,382 "Powered
wheelchair with separating frame" issued to Karamer, Jr. et al.,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,062 "Portable childbirth chair with electronic
monitoring apparatus" issued to Alberti et al., U.S. Pat. No.
5,961,561 "Method and apparatus for remote maintenance,
troubleshooting, and repair of a motorized wheelchair" issued to
Wakefield, II, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,566 "Portable ergonomic work
station" issued to Case, each incorporated herein by reference.
[0007] It has been also recognized that chairs equipped with
electronic devices require a source of electrical energy. However,
the solutions provided (e.g., to equip the chair with heavy and
space consuming batteries, or to attach wired sources of energy to
the chair) pose their own drawbacks. Batteries must be recharged by
plugging them into power sources or they must be replaced
periodically. Further, connecting the chair to a source of
electrical power limits its mobility. By the same token, replacing
batteries is inconvenient and expensive.
[0008] It has also been recognized that sensors may be used to
monitor the occupation of a chair. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.
6,204,767 "Chair monitor" issued to Sparks, incorporated herein by
reference.
[0009] However, it has not been recognized that wireless systems
may be used to provide communications for the chair to a computing
system in order to activate effectors to change the environment in
which the chair is found. Further, it has not been recognized that
a wireless connection between the chair and a computing network may
be used to inform others of the state of occupation of the
chair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In view of the foregoing and other problems, drawbacks, and
disadvantages of the conventional methods and structures, an object
of the present invention is to provide a seating platform with an
electronic mechanism for sensing the occupation of the chair,
transmitting an indication of the occupation wirelessly to a
computing system, and further providing a unit for the computing
system to actuate effectors to change the environment of the
chair.
[0011] It is also an object of this invention to provide a
connection unit for connecting the electronically equipped chair to
a network so that information about the state of the chair and its
occupant may be relayed to others at distant locations.
[0012] It is also an object of this invention to provide a means
for determining that a particular occupant has occupied the chair
and whether that occupant is a human or a non-human, (e.g., a dog
or a cat).
[0013] Further, it is an object of this invention to provide a
wireless unit for providing energy to the electronics carried by
the chair so as to allow the chair to remain mobile without the
need for wired connections.
[0014] It is also an object of this invention to eliminate the need
for the replacement of batteries that may be used to supply energy
to the chair devices.
[0015] In a first aspect of the present invention, a system
includes a seating platform, at least one sensor for detecting a
state of the seating platform connected to a first wireless
communications device, the first wireless communications device for
conveying information on the state of the seating platform, a
second wireless communications device for receiving information
from the first wireless communications device, and a computing
system. The second wireless communications device is for receiving
the information carrying signal and is connected to the computing
system. The computing system is for initiating an action based upon
the information.
[0016] In a second aspect, a system includes a seating platform,
electronic devices within the seating platform and requiring
energy, and a wireless energy transfer unit for transferring energy
to the devices.
[0017] In a third aspect, a method of communicating between a
seating platform and a remote system, includes sensing a
characteristic of an occupant of the seating platform,
communicating the characteristic from the seating platform to the
remote system, and providing a feedback loop between the seating
platform and the remote system.
[0018] With the invention, the seating platform senses the
occupation of the chair, transmits an indication of the occupation
wirelessly to a computing system, and enables the computing system
to actuate effectors to change the environment of the chair.
Additionally, the electronically-equipped chair can be connected to
a network so that information about the state of the chair and its
occupant may be relayed to others at distant locations. Moreover,
energy is provided to the electronics carried by the chair so as to
allow the chair to remain mobile without the need for wired
connections. Additionally, the invention eliminates the need for
replacement of batteries that may be used to supply energy to the
chair devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The foregoing and other purposes, aspects and advantages
will be better understood from the following detailed description
of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the
drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an apparatus for a mobile wireless
chair 100;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a system diagram for a wireless power supply 205,
chair systems 215, and remote systems 225 associated with the chair
100 of FIG. 1; and
[0022] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method 300 of using the wireless
chair and remote systems according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
FIGS. 1-3, there are shown preferred embodiments of the method and
structures according to the present invention.
Preferred Embodiment
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus 100 for a wireless mobile
seating platform is shown. The seating platform (e.g., chair 101)
rests on a floor 106. Although the term "chair" is used in a
preferred embodiment, it is understood that the invention refers to
any seating platform including a chair, a sofa, a stool, a
wheelchair, etc. The seating platform may be located in a business,
a home, a restaurant, or in a public space such as an airport.
[0025] The floor may be of a conventional variety or may be a
raised platform as is frequently used in offices and laboratories.
The floor may be carpeted or non-carpeted, tiled or non-tiled, etc.
The chair 101 is equipped with wheels 105 so that it may be moved
easily from one seating location to another. Although the wheels
are not a necessity, chairs with wheels are often used in offices
or are used by people with disabilities.
[0026] The chair 101 is also equipped with at least one sensor 110
to determine whether the chair is occupied. The sensor 110 may
function by detecting weight, pressure, or may simply comprise an
on/off switch that is activated when it is sensed that a person
occupies the chair. The weight sensor may be used to distinguish
one person from another.
[0027] Another sensor that may be employed to detect the presence
of a person is a heartbeat sensor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,128,
incorporated herein by reference, describes the detection of a
being based upon the life activity of the human body including a
heartbeat. Such a system using the distinguishing characteristics
of a heartbeat (e.g., rate, shape, QRS complex, etc.) may also be
used to distinguish humans from non-humans. Thus, the occupation of
the chair by a non-human (e.g., dog, cat, etc.), may be
distinguished from that of a human by means of sensed physical
characteristics of the occupant including heartbeat characteristics
and weight. The weight sensor may be used to distinguish dogs and
cats from humans or to distinguish between particular human
occupants. Companion animals, dogs, cats, etc., often occupy the
chairs of humans. It is useful to be able to distinguish these
non-humans from humans so that their presence does not trigger
automated functions designed for humans. The heartbeat sensor also
may help to distinguish different individuals. Additionally, the
heartbeat sensor may be used to distinguish between living beings,
e.g. humans and cats, and inanimate objects, e.g. a package placed
on the chair. Thus, information about the state of occupation of
the chair, whether the occupant is a person or an animal, and who
the person is may be derived from sensor information.
[0028] The sensor information may be used to determine the length
of time that an occupant has been seated. Long durations of sitting
in the same position may lead to physical problems in people
effecting circulation, the formation of blood clots, and nerve
damage caused by repetitive motion injury. Once a person has been
seated longer than a specified time, a warning may be issued using
one of the systems described. The warning may be displayed by the
external systems or sent as a communication to the seating
platform. The warning may include a message stating the length of
time that the occupant has occupied the seating platform or that
the occupant has occupied the seating platform for an excessive
length of time, or that physical injuries may be incurred by the
occupant as a result.
[0029] Other sensors may be employed to detect the position and
orientation of the chair. US Pat. No. 5,172,056, issued to Voison,
incorporated herein by reference, describes an apparatus for
determining object orientation and position. This system uses a
sensor system placed in the object and externally placed magnetic
field coils. This system, useful for helmet-type viewfinders, is
wireless and may be adapted for use with a wireless seating
platform.
[0030] Information on the position and orientation of the chair may
be used to control environmental parameters such as the state of a
lighting system. Lights can be illuminated in the vicinity of the
chair or in the vicinity of the area in which the chair is facing.
Thus, a description of the state of the chair may include the
position and orientation of the chair. Additionally using this
system, the orientation and position of the chair may be sensed
over a period of time. By comparing the orientation and position
deduced at two different times, the movement of the chair is also
effectively sensed and may be included in a description of the
state of the chair.
[0031] The sensor (or more preferably a plurality of sensors) 110
is electrically connected to a communications device 130. The
device 130 has a radiating antenna 140 and may communicate by
wireless media (and means) 145. The wireless communication device
is enabled to use one of several standard protocols for wireless
communications. The standard wireless protocols are typically
infrared, or radio communication protocols.
[0032] In an infrared embodiment, the wireless technology used can
be an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) protocol, such as IrDA-Data,
IrDA Control, Alr, or the like. The Infrared Data Association was
founded as a nonprofit organization in 1993, and is an
international organization that creates and promotes interoperable,
low cost infrared data interconnection standards that support a
walk-up, point-to-point user model. The standards support a broad
range of appliances, computing and communications devices. IrDA has
a large number of international companies as members.
[0033] The preferred embodiment for radio communication is
Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth is a wireless technology from the
Bluetooth Special Interest Group. The official specifications are
found on the www.bluetooth.com web site. Bluetooth is an open
standard for short-range transmission of digital voice and data
between mobile devices (laptops, PDAs, phones, etc.) and desktop
devices. It supports point-to-point and multipoint
applications.
[0034] The Bluetooth radio is built into a small microchip and
operates in a globally available frequency band ensuring
communication compatibility worldwide. The Bluetooth microchip,
incorporating a radio transceiver, is built into digital devices.
The Bluetooth technology makes all connections quickly and without
the need for cable. The radio operates in a globally available
frequency band, ensuring compatibility worldwide. Bluetooth
facilitates fast and secure transmission of both voice and data,
even when the devices are not within line of sight.
[0035] Another radio wireless mechanism of communication is the
iBean radio transmitter and receiver manufactured by the Millennial
Net Company of Cambridge, Mass. Other wireless mechanisms that may
be used include cellular telephone communication, or communications
by means of the IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless networking.
[0036] The devices, sensors, wireless communication devices, etc.
of the chair 101 generally require electrical energy in order to
operate. In order not to restrict the movement of the chair by
wired connections, a wireless method/mechanism of transferring
electrical energy to chair may be used. The chair is positioned
over a power source that is associated with the floor, e.g.
embedded in or placed on the floor 106. The power source includes a
source of alternating current 124, and a primary transformer
122.
[0037] A secondary transformer and dc power supply 120 is attached
to, and positioned near, the floor below the chair. Although there
is no physical contact, electrical energy is inductively coupled
between the primary contained in 122 and the secondary contained in
120. Designs for such non-contact power supply systems are
described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,418,552 "Separable transformer battery
charger" issued to Holmes, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,352
"Non-contacting power supplying system" issued to Sano, each herein
incorporated by reference.
[0038] The primary of the inductively coupled transformer of the
power supply may be embedded in the floor, placed below a raised
floor, or placed on top of the floor in the form of a flat coil.
The electrical energy delivered to the seating platform may be used
to directly power the platform's electronic devices or it may be
stored in batteries 212 of FIG. 2.
[0039] Other means are available for providing the seating platform
with electrical energy without the need for wires. Solar cells may
be positioned in the external surfaces of the platform. The use of
solar cells to power an electronic device is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
5,936,380 entitled "Alternative power for a portable computer via
solar cells" issued to Parrish, incorporated herein by
reference.
[0040] Further, the movement of the person in the chair may be used
to generate electricity. Such movement occurs when the chair
occupant leans back or forward causing the elements of the chair to
move with respect to each other.
[0041] A means for producing electricity based upon the linear
motion of elements is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,818,132 entitled
"Linear electric power supply generator" issued to Konotchick,
herein incorporated by reference. The motion of the chair, and in
particular the rotational motion of the wheels 105 of the chair may
be used to generate electricity. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.
5,536,026 entitled "Power generator device for wheeled sport
implements" issued to Pozzobon et al., herein incorporated by
reference.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the major subsystems
of the invention.
[0043] The wireless power supply 205 and the on-board chair systems
215 have been described above. The power supply primary 122 is
inductively (wireless) coupled 121 to the power supply secondary
120. The chair is coupled by a wireless communications device 130
to remote systems 225. The remote systems 225 may be located on the
same premises with the chair or may be a considerable distance
away.
[0044] When an occupant is detected in the chair, as described
above, a wireless signal 214 is sent by the chair-based
communications device 130 to a remote communications device 230.
The signal contains information about the state of the chair and
the occupant of the chair. Such information is received by a
computing system 240 which issues instructions to effectors 210.
The effectors may be used to control the environmental parameters
of the chair by controlling the parameters or characteristics of
lighting, (e.g., on, off, intensity, etc.) heating, ventilation and
air conditioning, HVAC, (e.g., temperature, humidity, air flow,
etc.), and displays (e.g., on, off, type of information displayed),
etc.
[0045] The information relayed to the computing system 240 from the
sensor(s) 110 may be used to identify the occupant of the chair.
This information may be relayed in turn to other computing systems
by a network 250. The network 250 may be the Internet, an intranet,
a Bluetooth network, an IEEE 802.11 network, or a Local Area
Network (LAN). The information conveyed to the network and in turn
to other computing systems may be used, for example, by other
employees at a place of business to determine whether a particular
employee is located in the seating platform.
[0046] The chair systems 215 may also include effectors (not shown)
to control various aspects of the chair. For instance, if the
information contained in the signal indicates that a person of a
particular weight occupies the chair, the effectors in the chair
may be signaled by the communications devices to adjust the
ergonomic settings of the chair. The chair systems 215 may also
include a computing device, such as a personal computer, PC, which
is used to control the other devices. The PC may have a user
interface including input devices and displays which may be used by
the occupant of the chair to make manual adjustments to
environmental parameters and which may also convey information to
the occupant about the status or results of information carrying
signals sent from or received by the chair systems. The PC may also
have speech recognition capabilities, such as may be provided by
the IBM ViaVoice.RTM. software package, to allow an occupant to
input voice commands.
[0047] Additionally, the chair may be equipped with haptic user
interface devices. Haptic devices are those which communicate with
the user (the chair occupant) through the sense of touch. Such
devices may communicate with a person seated in the chair by
deforming the seat or back of the chair, Deformable haptic devices
are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,191,796, incorporated herein by
reference. Another haptic device is a vibrator. Such devices may be
used to convey information to the occupant.
[0048] For example, by adding a set of vibrators in different
locations in a chair, the current occupant may be haptically
notified of various events such as an incoming phone call, arrival
of e-mail or signaling time to go to a meeting. By placing a set of
such devices in an appropriate configuration, (e.g., such as an
array in the seat cushion or seat back), and by varying the
vibration intensity of each vibrator in a specified sequence over
time, one can create the sensation of motion.
[0049] That is, the human occupant perceives the point of vibration
on the seat back as movement on the occupant's body. By creating a
variety of such patterns of stimulation and associating them with
relevant notification events, the computer system can silently
inform the occupant of various events. For example, perceived
vibrating motion going from the top of the seat back towards the
bottom of the seat back could silently signal an incoming phone
call, while motion from left to right on the seat cushion could
signal e-mail arrival. Arbitrarily complex patterns of stimulation
could be created silently signaling an arbitrarily large variety of
events.
[0050] This is particularly useful for communicating with
handicapped people (hearing impaired, or blind) if information that
normally is delivered on the impaired modality is translated and
delivered using haptic methods (e.g., phone or doorbell ringing).
In addition, this is very useful for delivering information
silently in situations when the recipient does not want others to
know that they have received information or the nature of the
message received. By controlling the path of the perceived motion
one could create the illusion of "writing" characters on a person's
body and could deliver textual messages in this manner.
[0051] Turning now to FIG. 3, a flowchart of the method 300 of
operation of the invention and of using the wireless chair system
215 and remote systems 225, will be described.
[0052] First, in step 305, the state of the chair (either vacant,
occupied, or occupied by a particular individual) is detected to
initiate the process. This step may be initiated at regular time
intervals or by a detected change in state.
[0053] The state of the chair is a characteristic that may be
sensed by the sensors previously described. Other characteristics
may include whether the chair is occupied by a non-human (e.g., a
dog or cat). In addition, the environmental parameters in the
vicinity of the chair are characteristics that may be sensed or
measured.
[0054] In step 310, a sensor (e.g., one of the sensors 110 of FIG.
2) measures an environmental parameter. This parameter may be a
measured parameter such as the color, intensity, or distribution of
light derived from a lighting system, temperature or humidity in
the area of the chair, or the presence of a sound level for a
particular sound (e.g., a masking sound (white noise)), or a
particular musical composition.
[0055] The parameter is analyzed to see that it is appropriate for
a given state of the chair. For instance, assume that sensors
detect that Paul occupies the chair by using one of the techniques
described above (e.g., by detecting or measuring Paul's weight or
heartbeat characteristics). If Paul's preferred temperature setting
is 20 C, then the measured parameter is "OK" if it is 20 C or
within a fixed range of deviation from 20 C (e.g., say 19 C to 21
C). In this instance, if the measured parameter is outside of the
desired range (e.g., say 18 C), then adjustment is required.
[0056] If the measured environmental parameter is "OK", then the
process ends. If the parameter needs adjustment, then in step 315
the communications device (e.g., a component of the chair system
215 of FIG. 2) initiates an exchange of communications with the
communications device 230 of the remote systems 225 of FIG. 2. A
request is sent by the wireless communications devices.
[0057] In step 325, the receiving communications device notifies
the remote computing system that a request has been made to adjust
one or more environmental parameters.
[0058] Then, in step 33 5, an effector of the remote system is
instructed by the computing system to adjust the parameter.
[0059] While the process may end with the adjustment (e.g., step
335), it is also desirable to check that the parameter has been
adjusted properly. Thus, the steps may be reversed.
[0060] That is, after the parameter is adjusted in step 335, the
computing system is notified in step 325, communications are
exchanged between the remote systems and the chair systems in step
315 so that the environmental parameter may be measured and
analyzed again in step 310.
[0061] Optionally, if the state indicates that an occupant or a
particular occupant is present in the chair, then information may
be conveyed to the occupant (e.g., a request for an adjustment of
an environmental parameter has been requested or that the
adjustment has been completed). Also, the occupant of the chair may
adjust the setting for the environmental parameter and re-initiate
step 310 of the process. To enable such an operation, the chair
systems 215 may include a user interface for manual setting (e.g.,
manually adjusting) of desired environmental parameters. The user
interface, the sensors 110, and communications device 130 of the
chair systems 215 of FIG. 2 may be integrated into the functions of
a computing system such as may be implemented by a personal
computer.
[0062] Thus, with the unique and unobvious aspects of the present
invention, the seating platform can sense the occupation of the
chair, transmit an indication of the occupation wirelessly to a
computing system, and enable the computing system to actuate
effectors to change the environment of the chair.
[0063] Moreover, the electronically-equipped chair can be connected
to a network so that information about the state of the chair and
its occupant may be relayed to others at distant locations.
[0064] Additionally, with the inventive structure, energy is
provided to the electronics carried by the chair so as to allow the
chair to remain mobile without the need for wired connections, and
moreover the need for replacement of batteries for supplying energy
to the chair devices, may be eliminated.
[0065] While the invention has been described in terms of several
preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit
and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *
References