Abstract: LED operation rules correlating device event, LED action, LED color, and optionally LED brightness are specified in software. As devices connect to a host computer, a correlation between device ID and USB port is detected. A port map for the storage system is used to correlate the location of a USB port where the electronic device connected to a set of LEDs on the storage system. As the states of the electronic devices connected to the storage system change, the custom-defined LED operational rules are applied on the LEDs of the storage system to cause the LEDs identified by the LED operational rules to be illuminated. Since the LED operational rules are customizable, a user can cause any combination of LED action, color, and brightness to be associated with any electronic device state.

Abstract: An open concept computer cart has a frame, a lower computer storage shelf supported by the frame, an upper computer storage shelf supported by the frame, and a forward-facing brick storage area formed vertically intermediate the upper and lower computer storage shelves. The upper and lower computer storage shelves are rearwardly inclined to prevent computers stored thereon from sliding off of the shelves. A single wiring retention strip is formed along a front surface of the open concept computer cart, and a power outlet strip is formed along a rear of the brick storage area. The wiring retention strip has wire retention cutouts formed along its length to retain charging tethers for computers stored on both the upper and lower computer storage shelves.

Abstract: LED operation rules correlating device event, LED action, LED color, and optionally LED brightness are specified in software. As devices connect to a host computer, a correlation between device ID and USB port is detected. A port map for the storage system is used to correlate the location of a USB port where the electronic device connected to a set of LEDs on the storage system. As the states of the electronic devices connected to the storage system change, the custom-defined LED operational rules are applied on the LEDs of the storage system to cause the LEDs identified by the LED operational rules to be illuminated. Since the LED operational rules are customizable, a user can cause any combination of LED action, color, and brightness to be associated with any electronic device state.

Abstract: A docking computer storage system has a plurality of docking bays for receiving laptop computers. A male USB-C connector is provided at the rear of each bay such that, when a laptop computer is inserted into the docking bay, the male USB-C connector in the docking bay will automatically engage a corresponding female USB-C connector on the laptop computer. The male USB-C connector is disposed on a floating subassembly which enables vertical and horizontal relative movement of the male USB-C connector within the docking bay. The floating subassembly has self-orienting inactive “dummy” male connectors configured to engage one or more female connectors on the laptop computer other than the USB-C connector. The self-orienting inactive “dummy” male connectors cause the male USB-C connector of the docking station to be properly aligned with the female USB-C connector of the laptop computer.

Abstract: A charging locker includes a charging locker frame defining a locker stack compartment and an adjacent wiring and access compartment. A plurality of lockers are located within the locker stack compartment. A plurality of locker doors are provided which correspond to the plurality of lockers, and selectively individually provide access to interiors of respective lockers from a front of the charging locker. The charging locker also includes a wiring and access compartment door selectively providing access to an interior of the wiring and access compartment from the front of the charging locker. The wiring and access compartment is configured to extend in a vertical direction and is horizontally adjacent to each of the lockers located within the locker stack compartment.

Abstract: A power system includes a power controller, an input power module for receiving AC power from a wall mains, a power driver electrically connected to the input power module to receive the AC power from the input power module, convert the AC power to low and medium voltage DC power, and selectively output the low or medium DC power under the control of power controller, and an output power module for providing DC power to a charging track with exposed electrical contacts along an upper surface. The power controller includes a microcontroller unit having software embedded therein to implement a control application that includes a main function loop, including a state machine operable to cycle through dither task states and drive states to test conditions of the power system and the track.

Abstract: A charging locker includes a frame, and a plurality of modular shelf units. Each modular shelf unit having an integral floor, at least one side wall, and a back wall. The plurality of modular shelf units are configured to extend vertically above one another to form a stack of modular shelf units in which the side walls and back walls of the plurality of modular shelf units form nearly contiguous first and second surfaces. A plurality of tabs on corners of each of the modular shelf units are provided to be received in notches in the frame to support the modular shelf units relative to the frame. A plurality of electrical receptacles are also provided. At least one electrical receptacle is accessible from within each of the modular shelf units.

Abstract: A storage system includes a computer storage compartment, a first shelf, and a first power configuration unit. The first power configuration unit has a first base and a first bridge, the first bridge extending from the first base and spanning above the first shelf. A first plurality of dividers are connected to the first bridge and extend downward toward the first shelf, the first plurality of dividers forming first individual storage bays within the computer storage compartment and the first plurality of dividers do not contact the first shelf. The power configuration units are modular to enable the storage system to selectively contain power configuration units designed to provide AC power, DC power, or a mix of both AC and DC power within the storage system depending on the power requirements of the portable computing devices to be stored therein.

Abstract: A charging locker includes a frame, and a plurality of modular shelf units. Each modular shelf unit having an integral floor, at least one side wall, and a back wall. The plurality of modular shelf units are configured to extend vertically above one another to form a stack of modular shelf units in which the side walls and back walls of the plurality of modular shelf units form nearly contiguous first and second surfaces. A plurality of tabs on corners of each of the modular shelf units are provided to be received in notches in the frame to support the modular shelf units relative to the frame. A plurality of electrical receptacles are also provided. At least one electrical receptacle is accessible from within each of the modular shelf units.

Abstract: A charging locker includes a cabinet body having a plurality of integral interior shelves defining individual charging compartments, a plurality of doors individually securing each of the individual charging compartments, a plurality of modular locking and charging systems, and a modular power supply unit. Each of the plurality of modular locking and charging systems, the modular power supply unit, and the doors are individually removable from a front of the charging system without disassembly of the cabinet body to facilitate servicing of the charging locker.

Abstract: A power system includes a chassis, a plurality of conductors disposed within the chassis, and apertures formed within the chassis to provide consistent access to power provided by the conductors by a modular power component when the modular power component is oriented in at least two orientations relative to the chassis. The modular power components are removable from the power system and may be implemented to provide AC or DC power at a surface. The modular power components rotate relative to the chassis to extend above the surface when in use or to be flush with the surface when not in use.

Abstract: A rapidly deployable floor power system includes a base unit for supplying low voltage DC power to one or more foldable power tracks. Each foldable power track has a set of rigid track sections with exposed track power contacts on a top surface. The rigid track sections are electrically and mechanically interconnected by flexible track connectors that enable the power track to be folded when the power track is to be moved or stored, and unfolded for rapid deployment in an area to be supplied with power. The rigid track sections lie approximately flush with the floor to minimize tripping potential. Magnetic connectors engage the track to obtain power from the track, and are used to electrically interconnect adjacent tracks. A power distribution unit supplies power via low voltage ports such as USB ports and/or via one or more power whips equipped with barrel jack tips.

Abstract: A computer cart has removable electrical connector management system which may be removed from the computer cart to install electrical connectors and then reinserted into the computer cart to facilitate wiring of the cart. A numbering system is implemented to uniquely identify corresponding electrical and physical characteristics of the cart to facilitate maintenance of computers stored within the cart.

Abstract: A digital keypad interface includes a keypad having a plurality of keys, a lock status indicator, a first set of LEDs set around a periphery of the lock status indicator, an unlock status indicator, and a second set of LEDs set around a periphery of the unlock status indicator. A microprocessor is provided to sequentially light LEDs of the first set of LEDs during a locking sequence of inputs via the keypad and to sequentially light LEDs of the second set of LEDs during an unlocking sequence of inputs via the keypad.

Abstract: A remote monitoring system for handheld electronic devices includes a multi-port hub, and a port visualizer connected to one of the ports of the multi-port hub. The port visualizer is configured to provide a host with mapping information correlating USB hub ports with physical storage bays within the storage system. A USB controller monitors the charge status of the ports and reports the charge status information both locally and to a HED status application. The port visualizer obtains device status information from the host and reports device status information to the HED status application. A client application obtains charge status information and device status information from the HED status application to enable remote monitoring of devices connected to the storage system.

Abstract: A remote monitoring system for handheld electronic devices includes a multi-port hub, and a port visualizer connected to one of the ports of the multi-port hub. The port visualizer is configured to provide a host with mapping information correlating USB hub ports with physical storage bays within the storage system. A USB controller monitors the charge status of the ports and reports the charge status information both locally and to a HED status application. The port visualizer obtains device status information from the host and reports device status information to the HED status application. A client application obtains charge status information and device status information from the HED status application to enable remote monitoring of devices connected to the storage system.

Abstract: A computer cart has removable electrical connector management system which may be removed from the computer cart to install electrical connectors and then reinserted into the computer cart to facilitate wiring of the cart. A numbering system is implemented to uniquely identify corresponding electrical and physical characteristics of the cart to facilitate maintenance of computers stored within the cart.

Abstract: A computer cart has segregated computer storage areas and adapter/cord management areas. This enables the adapters and cords to be stored in an orderly fashion and also prevents the cords and adapters from being accessed or removed from the cart when the computers are being accessed. In one embodiment, extensions of shelves on which the computers are stored extend through a dividing panel into a rear compartment of the cart to create AC adapter shelves for storage of the AC adapters. In another embodiment, the AC adapters are stored in bins in a separate compartment and cords from the AC adapters extend through a dividing panel to an area designed to hold the computers, to enable the computers to be plugged in to be charted while stored in the cart.

Abstract: An electrical system for a computer cart enables power to be diverted between electrical channels within the cart using an intelligent round robin charging scheme. All power may be diverted to individual channels one at a time for short charging intervals. When a selected primary channel does not require all available power within the cart, excess power is provided to a secondary channel. All three channels may likewise share power if excess is available. Relays are used to allow power to be controlled to the individual channels. Current sensors on each channel sense an amount of current used by the channel. The output of the current sensor is digitized and integrated to determine how much current is being used by the channel. The current is used by the control to detect uncharged laptops and to selectively divert power between channels to optimize use of power within the computer cart.