SMART LOCKER

• US 20170356218A1
• Filed: 06/08/2017
• Published: 12/14/2017
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 10,253,527 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 storage compartment;

a door coupled to the body and movable between an open position and a closed position;

an electronic lock configured to lock the door in a closed position and unlock the door such that the door can move away from the closed position;

user interface circuitry comprising a keypad configured to;

receive a lock command from a user to lock the door in the closed position; and

receive an unlock command from a user to unlock the door; and

lock control circuitry coupled to the electronic lock and the user interface circuitry, the lock control circuitry configured to;

control the electronic lock to lock the door in the closed position in response to the user interface circuitry receiving the lock command; and

control the electronic lock to unlock the door in response to the user interface circuitry receiving the unlock command.

2. The storage locker of claim 1 wherein the keypad comprises at least one of a capacitive touch keypad or a capacitive signature sensing keypad.

3. The storage locker of claim 2 further comprising a top platform, wherein a touch surface of the keypad is formed of a same material as the top platform.

4. The storage locker of claim 1 wherein the storage locker is configured to hang from a work surface.

5. The storage locker of claim 1 wherein the door comprises a tambour door.

6. The storage locker of claim 1 further comprising:

a main body including the storage compartment; and

the top platform, a portion of the top platform being spaced from the main body to form a receiving opening, the top platform configured to sit on a top surface of a substantially horizontal work surface and support the storage locker, wherein the work surface is received in the receiving opening such that the storage compartment is located below the work surface and supported by the work surface.

7. A locker comprising:

a lockable door that defines a portion of an enclosed compartment when the lockable door is in a closed position;

an electronic lock configured to lock the door 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;

primary power supply circuitry configured to receive a primary input power from a primary power source and provide primary operating power to the electronic lock and the electronic lock controlling circuitry; and

secondary input power receiving circuitry configured to receive a secondary input power from a secondary power source and provide secondary operating power to the electronic lock and the electronic lock controlling circuitry in the absence of the primary input power from the primary power source.

8. The locker of claim 7 wherein the primary power supply circuitry comprises a primary power input connector, and wherein the secondary power receiving circuitry comprises a secondary power input connector separate from the primary power input connector.

9. The locker of claim 7 wherein the secondary power receiving circuitry is configured to receive secondary input power from a portable battery operated electronic device.

10. The locker of claim 7 further comprising:

charging circuitry configured to;

receive the primary operating power; and

provide charging power derived from the primary operating power; and

a charging connector configured to electrically couple to a portable battery operated electronic device to provide the charging power to the portable battery operated electronic device.

11. The locker of claim 10 wherein the charging circuitry is further configured to receive the secondary input power from the secondary power source through the charging connector in the absence of the primary input power from the primary power source.

12. The locker of claim 10 wherein the charging circuitry is further configured to cease to provide the charging power in the absence of the primary input power from the primary power source and when the secondary power supply circuitry receives the secondary input power from the secondary power source.

13. The locker of claim 7 wherein the electronic lock controlling circuitry further comprises an electronic keypad configured to receive the user commands.

14. The locker of claim 7 further comprising an inductive charging device configured to provide wireless charging power to a portable battery operated electronic device having an inductive charging receiving device.

15. 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;

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.

16. The storage locker of claim 15 wherein the wireless charging device comprises an inductive charging coil.

16-1. The storage locker of claim 15 wherein the wireless charging device is below the top surface and covered by the top surface.

17. The storage locker of claim 15 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.

18. The storage locker of claim 15 wherein a portion of the top platform is spaced from the main body to form a receiving opening, and wherein the top platform is configured to sit on a top surface of a substantially horizontal work surface and support the storage locker, wherein the work surface is received in the receiving opening such that the storage compartment is located below the work surface and supported by the work surface.

19. The storage locker of claim 15 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.