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.
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.