US 11,991,474 B2
Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workplace
Lewis Epstein, San Mateo, CA (US); Brett Kincaid, Ada, MI (US); Hyun Yoo, Grand Rapids, MI (US); Suzanne Stage, San Francisco, CA (US); Lukas Scherrer, San Francisco, CA (US); and Larry Cheng, Palo Alto, CA (US)
Assigned to STEELCASE INC., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed by STEELCASE INC., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed on May 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/742,605.
Application 17/742,605 is a continuation of application No. 15/837,658, filed on Dec. 11, 2017, granted, now 11,337,518.
Application 15/837,658 is a continuation of application No. 15/258,599, filed on Sep. 7, 2016, granted, now 9,871,978, issued on Jan. 16, 2018.
Application 15/258,599 is a continuation of application No. 14/293,141, filed on Jun. 2, 2014, granted, now 9,510,672, issued on Dec. 6, 2016.
Application 14/293,141 is a continuation of application No. 12/474,670, filed on May 29, 2009, granted, now 8,896,656, issued on Nov. 25, 2014.
Application 12/474,670 is a continuation of application No. 12/250,192, filed on Oct. 13, 2008, granted, now 8,074,581, issued on Dec. 13, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/979,668, filed on Oct. 12, 2007.
Prior Publication US 2022/0265039 A1, Aug. 25, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H04N 7/14 (2006.01); A47B 13/08 (2006.01); A47B 21/00 (2006.01); A47B 21/06 (2006.01); A47B 37/00 (2006.01); A47B 83/00 (2006.01); G06F 1/16 (2006.01); G06F 3/0481 (2022.01); G06F 3/14 (2006.01); G06F 3/147 (2006.01); H04N 5/268 (2006.01); H04N 5/64 (2006.01); H04N 5/66 (2006.01); H04N 7/10 (2006.01); H04N 7/15 (2006.01); H04N 7/18 (2006.01)
CPC H04N 7/142 (2013.01) [A47B 13/08 (2013.01); A47B 21/00 (2013.01); A47B 21/06 (2013.01); A47B 37/00 (2013.01); A47B 83/001 (2013.01); G06F 1/1632 (2013.01); G06F 1/1647 (2013.01); G06F 3/0481 (2013.01); G06F 3/1423 (2013.01); G06F 3/1446 (2013.01); G06F 3/147 (2013.01); H04N 5/268 (2013.01); H04N 5/64 (2013.01); H04N 5/66 (2013.01); H04N 7/104 (2013.01); H04N 7/147 (2013.01); H04N 7/15 (2013.01); H04N 7/183 (2013.01); A47B 2021/066 (2013.01); A47B 2083/003 (2013.01); A47B 2083/006 (2013.01)] 40 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A content sharing assembly for sharing information within a conference space, the content sharing assembly comprising:
a table including a tabletop member and a leg structure, the tabletop member having a substantially flat top surface and a bottom surface, the leg structure supporting the tabletop with the top surface substantially horizontal, the tabletop forming an opening extending through the tabletop from the top surface through the bottom surface;
a common display screen located within the conference space;
a switching device mounted below the undersurface of the tabletop, the switching device operably connected to the common display screen for passing video information thereto;
a grommet assembly mounted within the opening extending through the tabletop, the grommet assembly forming an opening for receiving a cable and having an upper surface, the grommet assembly also including a magnet located proximate the upper surface; and
a control cable assembly having first and second ends, the first end of the control cable assembly operably connected to an input port on the switching device for providing video information thereto, the second end of the control cable assembly including a plug for connecting to a computer port to receive video information therefrom, the control cable assembly including a cable portion between the first and second ends that passes through the cable passing opening; and
a housing mounted to the control cable assembly and including a housing undersurface, the housing undersurface attracted to the magnet when proximate thereto so that the housing is magnetically captured by the magnet when proximate thereto unless affirmatively removed by a content sharing assembly user.