Smart locker

• US 10,253,527 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2017
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Beasley, Charles, Neiman, Rachel Anne, Castaneda Roldan, Felipe Efrain, Scheper, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casillashernandez, Omar
• Application Number:
  US15/617,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20170356218A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 340 573
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2220/0036 Brackets
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2220/0091 Electronic or electric devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/06 Brackets or similar supporting means for cabinets, racks or shelves A47B96/022 takes precedence; aspects of adjusting height or inclination A47B57/00 ; brackets for the display of articles A47F5/08
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 97/00 Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0057 Feeding
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0058 by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0001 with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof for vehicles E05B81/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0012 with rotary electromotors actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0021 for overhead or roll-up doors, e.g. garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0075 for safes, strongrooms, vaults, fire-resisting cabinets or the like safes, closures and fastenings therefor E05G
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/025 for lockers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/35 by means of a handwritten signature
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems

Abstract

A smart locker includes electronics to operate a user interface, including a keypad, and to receive user commands via the keypad to lock or unlock the smart locker with an electronic lock. The smart locker also receives primary input power and provides direct charging power and wireless charging power for charging electronic devices. The smart locker also is capable of receiving secondary input power to operate the electronic lock in the absence of the primary input power.

Claims

1. A storage locker comprising:

a main body including a lockable storage compartment;

a top platform coupled to the main body, the top platform comprising;

a top surface for supporting a portable battery operated electronic device; and

a wireless charging device configured to provide wireless charging power to the portable battery operated electronic device via a wireless charging receiving device of the portable battery operated electronic device when the portable battery operated electronic device is supported on the top surface; and

an opening between the top platform and the main body configured to receive a portion of a work surface such that the main body is located substantially below the opening and the top platform is located substantially above the opening.

2. The storage locker of claim 1 further comprising a charging connector configured to electrically couple to another portable battery operated electronic device to provide direct charging power to the other portable battery operated electronic device.

3. The storage locker of claim 1 wherein the top platform is configured to sit on a top surface of a substantially horizontal work surface and support the storage locker, and wherein the storage compartment is supported by the work surface.

4. The storage locker of claim 1 further comprising:

an electronic lock configured to lock a door of the lockable storage compartment in the closed position and to unlock the door;

electronic lock controlling circuitry configured to receive user commands and operate the electronic lock in accordance with the user commands; and

a keypad coupled to the electronic lock controlling circuitry to receive the user commands and communicate the user commands to the electronic lock controlling circuitry, the keypad comprising a portion of the top surface.

5. The storage locker of claim 4 wherein the keypad further comprises at least one of a capacitive touch keypad or a capacitive signature sensing keypad.

6. The storage locker of claim 1 wherein the wireless charging device is below the top surface and covered by the top surface.

7. The storage locker of claim 1 wherein the wireless charging device comprises an inductive charging coil.

8. The storage locker of claim 1 wherein the wireless charging device comprises an inductive charging mat.

9. A storage cabinet comprising:

a main body including a storage compartment;

a top platform coupled to the main body, the top platform comprising a wireless charging device configured to provide wireless charging power to the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is placed in close proximity to the wireless charging device; and

an opening between the top platform and the main body configured to receive a portion of a work surface such that the main body is located substantially below the opening and the top platform is located substantially above the opening.

10. The storage cabinet of claim 9 wherein the main body is configured to be suspended below the work surface.

11. The storage cabinet of claim 9 further comprising:

a charging connector configured to electrically couple to a second portable electronic device to provide direct charging power to the second portable electronic device.

12. The storage cabinet of claim 11 further comprising:

charging circuitry configured to;

receive primary operating power; and

provide the direct charging power derived from the primary operating power.

13. The storage cabinet of claim 9 wherein the top platform further comprises a visual indicator to indicate the location where the portable electronic device is to be placed on the top platform in order to receive the wireless charging power.

14. The storage cabinet of claim 13 wherein the visual indicator further comprises at least one of a marking, a screen-printed image, a light, a texture, a raised molded pattern or image, a grooved molded pattern or image, a decal, a sticker, an indentation, a dip, or a hump in or on a top surface of the top platform.

15. The storage cabinet of claim 9 wherein the wireless charging device comprises an inductive charging coil.

16. The storage cabinet of claim 9 wherein the wireless charging device comprises an inductive charging mat.

17. The storage cabinet of claim 9 further comprising:

a lower tray coupled to an underside of the top platform, wherein the wireless charging device is mounted to the lower tray such that the wireless charging device is housed between the underside of the top platform and the lower tray.

18. The storage cabinet of claim 9 further comprising:

a door configured to allow and prevent access to the storage compartment when the door is in an open position and a closed position, respectively;

an electronic lock configured to lock the door in the closed position and to unlock the door; and

electronic lock controlling circuitry configured to receive user commands and operate the electronic lock in accordance with the user commands.

19. The storage cabinet of claim 18 further comprising:

a keypad coupled to the electronic lock controlling circuitry to receive the user commands and communicate the user commands to the electronic lock controlling circuitry, the keypad comprising a portion of the top surface.

20. The storage cabinet of claim 9 wherein the top platform further comprises a tray having a raised perimeter edge along at least a portion of the edge of the top platform.