RU232976U1 - CABINET FOR STORAGE, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION OF USER DEVICES - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to devices for placement, storage, charging and distribution, i.e. obtaining individual access to user devices, preferably mobile communication devices, for the purpose of, for example, testing them. A cabinet for storing, charging and distributing user devices ensures the reception from users, remote configuration, accounting, storage and issuance of mobile devices to users, including planning and control of the turnover of mobile devices, remote servicing of batteries, identification of users, issuance of mobile devices to users and their reception from users. The cabinet comprises a service module containing a main computer, an auxiliary computer, a touch screen with a user interface, a user identification device and a power supply unit, and at least one cell configured to store, charge and distribute a user device, containing a cell controller, wherein the cell controller has two outputs for connecting the device, one of the outputs is USB Type-C, and the other is USB Type-A, and the USB bus is configured to automatically switch between the main computer, the auxiliary computer, and a network adapter for the purpose of providing access to the network for remote control of the device located in the cell; wherein at least one cell is configured with an individual electromechanical cell latch-lock connected to the microcontroller, a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature inside the cell, and a fan providing active cooling inside the cell.

Description

Field of technology

The utility model relates to devices for placement, storage, charging and distribution, i.e. obtaining individual access to user devices, preferably mobile communication devices, for the purpose of, for example, testing them. This raises a practical problem consisting in the fact that mobile application developers need a large fleet of devices (e.g., phones, tablets) to test mobile applications on various devices from different manufacturers and different generations. In this case, "live" testing of user devices is often required to check, for example, the responsiveness of buttons in a new version of the application, the speed of operation and responsiveness of the screen, etc., i.e. to conduct practical testing of real user devices.

State of the art

The prior art includes document US 2013252577 A1, which describes CHARGING STATION FOR MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND AN ASSOCIATED SYSTEM AND METHOD, published on 26.09.2013. The technical solution disclosed in this document relates to a charging station for selective charging of mobile electronic devices, such as mobile phones. The charging station includes a plurality of lockable housings, each of which has a corresponding charging terminal, an input device intended for receiving a mobile subscriber identifier, and a communication module configured to communicate with a remote authorization server. The charging station additionally includes a control module configured to generate and send, via the communication module, a request including the mobile subscriber identifier to the remote authorization server.

Also known from the prior art is document US 2017256119 A1, which describes INTERACTIVE KIOSK FOR MOBILE ELECTRONICS (INTERACTIVE KIOSK FOR MOBILE ELECTRONICS), published 09/07/2017. This document discloses a kiosk for the sale and reverse sale of mobile electronic devices. This technical solution relates to systems, devices and methods for selling mobile electronic devices. More specifically, embodiments of the technical solution include systems, devices and methods for automating and integrating the assessment, evaluation, exchange and sale of mobile electronic devices. The kiosk includes a housing that defines an internal compartment intended for storing mobile devices for trading purposes. The housing includes a front panel, and the user interface is located on the front panel. The kiosk includes a sales compartment and a storage compartment intended for receiving mobile devices from users. The kiosk includes diagnostic cables accessible in the storage compartment. The kiosk includes a computing device having a communication element configured to communicate with at least one server of a communications operator to activate and/or deactivate services.

The closest analogue for this technical solution is the international patent application WO 2023/159194 A2, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INTERCONNECTED AND SECURE MOBILE DEVICE CHARGING STATIONS, published on 24.08.2023.

This document describes a logic for charging mobile devices such as mobile phones, tablets, etc., where a device charging station comprises a plurality of storage housings, and a controller may be configured to lock and control a plurality of cells. Such a station may include a local controller, an RFID identification device for authenticating and identifying a plurality of users, and a plurality of USB-C connectors.

However, this technical solution has a number of disadvantages:

the lack of the possibility of both individual access to the cell and temperature control;

deficiencies in the layout of cell controllers, connections to the network card, power supply and cell hub.

In addition, this technical solution is characterized by the limited number of devices used and the need to expand their range to virtually any switching device.

Technical result

The technical result, which the proposed utility model is aimed at achieving, consists in expanding the arsenal of technical means for charging and switching user devices and accessing them.

The essence of the utility model

According to the main embodiment of the present utility model, a cabinet for storing, charging and distributing user devices is proposed, comprising

a service module comprising a main computer that controls the charging, switching and distribution of devices, an auxiliary computer that controls the charging, switching and distribution of devices controlled by an operating system different from the operating system of the main computer, a touch screen with a user interface, a user identification device and a power supply;

at least one cell, configured to store, charge and distribute a user device, containing a cell controller, wherein the cell controller has a first output and a second output for connecting the device, and configured to automatically switch between the main computer, the auxiliary computer, and the network adapter for the purpose of providing access to the network for remote control of the device located in the cell;

wherein at least one cell is made with an individual electromechanical cell latch-lock, a temperature sensor, and a fan connected to the cell controller;

wherein at least one cell is connected to the main and/or auxiliary computer using a USB hub, wherein the USB hub connects the main and/or auxiliary computer and the cell controller via a separate interface.

In an additional embodiment of the cabinet, at least one cell is designed with the possibility of storing, charging and distributing a smartphone, while another cell is designed with the possibility of storing, charging and distributing a laptop, and another cell is designed with the possibility of storing, charging and distributing an electronic product of non-standard dimensions.

In another further embodiment of the cabinet, the main computer operates on the Linux operating system and provides remote access to Windows and Android devices, while the auxiliary computer provides remote access to iOS devices.

In yet another additional embodiment of the cabinet, the auxiliary computer is in the form of four Mac mini computers.

In yet another additional embodiment of the cabinet, at least one cell is equipped with an LED light source capable of emitting different colours, and the door of said at least one cell is capable of transmitting light.

In another additional embodiment of the cabinet, after the user is identified, the cell or cells in which the user devices to which the user is authorized to access are stored begin to glow with one light, while the cell or cells in which the user devices to which the user is not authorized to access are stored begin to glow with a different light, or do not glow at all.

In yet another additional embodiment of the cabinet, during a period of prolonged non-use of the user devices, provided that their batteries are fully charged, the charging mode of the user devices is turned off, and the user devices themselves are disconnected from the power circuits.

In yet another additional embodiment of the cabinet, the first output is USB Type-C and the second output is USB Type-A.

In yet another additional embodiment of the cabinet, the cell is controlled by the main and/or auxiliary computer via a USB Type-C interface.

In another additional embodiment of the cabinet, the user identification device is a personal pass reader based on a technology selected from the group consisting of RFID, 1Wire, NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi.

In yet another additional embodiment of the cabinet, the network adapter is designed as an Ethernet network adapter.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a general circuit diagram of the claimed cabinet for charging, storing and distributing user devices.

Fig. 2 shows a more detailed diagram of the switching circuit of the claimed cabinet for charging, storing and distributing user devices with separation of various modules.

Fig. 3 shows the diagram of the universal cell board.

Fig. 4 shows the USB hub wiring diagram for the cells.

Fig. 5 shows the switching diagram of MUX 4x16 computers.

Detailed description of the utility model

Specific embodiments of the proposed utility model are described below with reference to the attached drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a general circuit diagram of the claimed cabinet for charging, storing and distributing user devices, which is a modular cabinet for storing, charging and managing devices, containing several cells and including the following components.

220V power bus with corresponding wiring and electrical equipment.

Ethernet and Ethernet IPMI inputs (IPMI stands for Intelligent Platform Management Interface) connected to the main Linux-based computer, which is also connected to a regular ATX-PSU computer power supply, powered by a 220V power bus, which also powers the LRS-15-24 power supply, which in turn powers the cabinet controller, as well as the fans and temperature sensors.

The cabinet controller has the following functions:

measures the temperature in the cells of the service module;

controls fans (3 pieces) in the service module cells;

performs the switching on and reset of the main computer, and can do this independently on command if necessary

The cabinet controller is powered by an independent power supply unit, typically the LRS-15-24 power supply unit is used.

The user display of the cabinet with a touch screen is intended for entering user commands and is equipped with a user identification device for the purpose of identifying the user and controlling user access to the cabinet and its contents. The user identification device can be implemented in the form of, for example, a reader for reading a personal user pass or a device for identifying the user by other means. For example, user identification by the reader can be performed using personal passes based on 1Wire, RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi technologies, etc. Personal passes can be implemented in the form of key fobs or in the form of a software component as part of the user's personal or private mobile device. User identification can also be performed using biometric sensors, such as fingerprint, ophthalmological, genetic, etc. readers, face recognition systems, voice, etc. It is also possible to use the input of key codes from a keyboard of any type, for example, a touch keyboard on a touch screen. A video card controlled by the main computer based on Linux is connected to the user display of the cabinet.

The main Linux computer also controls an Ethernet switch powered by the 220V power bus and providing Ethernet signals to four Mac mini computers acting as auxiliary computers, whose outputs are connected via a USB bus to a MUX 4x16 matrix switcher, which is also connected to the main Linux computer via other USB buses. There are two reasons for using four Mac mini computers.

The first reason is that one Mac mini can only serve one device at a time, since the current solution only has one USB cable from each Mac mini going into the MUX 4x16 switch.

The second reason is that the cabinet can have up to 48 cells, the cell hub serves 3 cells, thus we get 16 USB buses. However, having 16 Mac mini computers in the cabinet is not economically justified. In this regard, having 4 Mac mini computers in the cabinet seems to be a kind of compromise without losing functionality. And in this case, they will be able to provide access to up to four devices running the IOS operating system simultaneously. In addition, it should be noted that USB hub chips are most often manufactured in a 4-port design, which simplifies the design of the cabinet described in this application.

The Linux-based host computer also controls the USB bus controller via the PCIe bus (short for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, PCI Express) via the PCIe reset device. USB controllers are connected to the host computer via the PCIe reset device. The device briefly disconnects the data lines and power supply to the USB controller in the event of a hardware failure. A cable with a control signal from the cabinet controller board is connected to the PCIe reset device, and, as a rule, the cable is a cable with a 2-pin JST connector with a pitch of 2.54 mm. The USB bus controller is connected via the USB bus to a USB hub with external power, powered by an ATX-PSU power supply, which also powers the PCIe reset device, and also powers the USB bus controller, as well as the components of the host computer.

The USB hub with external power is a quad USB hub that has 4 Type-C USB inputs and 8 Type-C USB outputs, as well as a power input with a connector like PCIe expansion cards. The maximum capacity of the cabinet is 48 user devices. It is planned to allocate 8 USB buses for these devices. Each cell hub contains only 3 outputs, respectively 48/3 = 16 hubs. USB controllers have 4 ports, there are only 2 controllers, which gives only 8 ports. In order to connect all the hubs in a cabinet with a capacity of 48 devices, 16 ports are needed. To solve this problem, a combined active USB hub (hereinafter referred to as a USB hub with external power or a quad hub) is provided, which physically implements 4 independent USB hubs, as well as an additional secondary 5V power source.

The cell hub is connected via USB Type-C cables to a powered USB hub and to the output of the MUX 4x16 computer matrix switch, and the USB bus to the device (depending on its type) can be switched between different computers (the main Linux-based computer and Mac mini computers that act as an auxiliary computer). Switching between these computers occurs on this USB hub. The USB hub does not require power supply.

The USB hub input receives two Type-C cables:

USB bus from the MUX 4x16 computer matrix switcher from Mac mini computers acting as an auxiliary computer;

USB bus from the USB controller of the main computer (or from its USB hub with external power supply, depending on the cabinet topology).

There are two independent USB hubs on the cell hub board. Three Type-C USB bus cables come out of the cell hub board and connect to the cell controller boards, each of which is powered by its own LRS – 150 -24 power supply unit, which in turn are powered by the 220V power bus. The 220V power bus also powers the controlled Ethernet switch, which sends signals to the cell controllers via Ethernet-USB converters. These signals are necessary to ensure the ability to distribute an isolated local network to devices, for example, this is necessary to provide remote access to laptops. In turn, user devices are connected to the cell controllers both by information inputs/outputs and by power inputs via USB buses. Also, each of the cell controllers has its own cell periphery connected, namely a fan, temperature sensor, lock, door opening sensor, “smart LED”, USB switches. It should be noted that the term "smart LED" characterizes a modern integrated solution for color lighting and indication, which differs from a conventional indicator LED by combining three x color channels and an integrated circuit for controlling and setting color by transmitting a digital code in the form of a sequence of bits encoded by the duration of the high logic level supplied to the information input of this integrated circuit.

Switching between the main Linux computer and the Mac mini computers acting as secondary computers is accomplished by switching downstream ports of the USB hub chips on the board. Typically, a cell hub has three outputs and two inputs, with the first input connecting to a quad hub and the second input to the computers' MUX 4x16 matrix switch.

Before installation in a cabinet, a cell hub, as well as a matrix switch of MUX 4x16 computers and a cabinet controller, it is necessary to load the firmware. The microcontroller can be flashed either via an autonomous SWD programmer (from English "Serial Wire Debug"), or via the USB-DFU protocol (short for English "Universal Serial Bus Device Firmware Upgrade"), which is activated by holding the boot button (BOOT) at the moment of connection to the computer.

Fig. 2 shows a more detailed wiring diagram of the claimed cabinet for charging, storing and distributing user devices with division into various modules. As shown in Fig. 2, the cabinet as a whole consists of a service module, cells for storing, charging and distributing user devices, in particular cells for smartphones, a cell for laptops and a cell for non-standard-sized electronic products, such as, for example, smart speakers. In this case, distribution of user devices is understood as selectively providing users with access to user devices with logging of which specific user, on what date and at what time accessed a particular user device. Access to a user device is understood as the actuation of the lock on the cell to open the door of the cell for the user who is allowed to access this device, carried out after his identification and providing this user with the opportunity to take this personal device from the cell.

In order to provide users with access to user devices, the user approaches the cabinet and performs the user identification procedure. Depending on the cabinet configuration, the user identification procedure may include, in particular, applying a personal RFID pass, such as a corporate badge that supports wireless information exchange, such as RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology. In addition, user identification may be performed using personal passes based on 1Wire, NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc. technologies. Personal passes may be implemented in the form of key fobs or as a software component in the user's personal or private mobile device. User identification may also be performed using biometric sensors, such as fingerprint, ophthalmological, genetic, etc. readers, face recognition systems, voice, etc. It is also possible to use key codes entered from a keyboard of any type, such as a touch keyboard on a touch screen.

If the user identifier in the command received by the local computing device matches the user identifier determined as a result of the user identification procedure and if there is a mobile device in the cabinet that corresponds to the mobile device identifier in the command received by the local computing device, the access control device allows the user access to the cabinet, for example, the access controller issues a command to the cabinet door lock to open.

In one embodiment, after the user identification is performed, for example after the user's personal RFID pass is read, those cells in which the user devices to which the user is allowed to access are stored begin to glow, continuously or intermittently, with one light, for example, green, while those cells in which the user devices to which the user is not allowed to access are stored begin to glow, continuously or intermittently, with another light, for example, red, or do not glow at all. In order to ensure the possibility of the cells glowing, an LED light source, preferably a "smart LED" type light source, built into the electrical connector of the USB interface and designed to glow, continuously or intermittently, in different colors, can be installed in at least some of the cells. In this case, the door of at least one of the cells is designed to transmit light, for example, due to the fact that it is made, partially or completely, of a translucent material.

The service module contains the main computer running Linux, which is typically located in the middle cell of the service module.

The main computer may consist of, as a non-limiting example, the following components:

SuperMicro X12STL-F motherboard;

Intel Xeon E 2314 OEM processor;

RAM Kingston KSM32ES8/8MR (2 pcs);

CPU cooler Intel E97378-001 (E41759);

SSD drive Gigabyte GP-GSM2NE3256GNTD;

video adapter Sinotex Radeon R5 230 Ninja 2G;

USB controller PEXUSB3S44V (2 pcs);

network adapter TP-LINK TG-3468;

power supply unit FSP HEXA+ PRO 400W [PPA4006700];

PCIe-x4 extender;

PCIe-x16 extender;

PCIe-x4 reset device (2 pcs).

The main computer must be assembled on a separate frame, which can be easily removed from the cell for maintenance or repair. The frame can be either a unique design or a ready-made or partially ready-made case that fits into the cabinet cell. However, the ready-made solution will require modification, because the height of the PCI boards will be non-standard.

All expansion cards (PCIe) are contained on the same frame as the main computer. They are connected to the motherboard via individual transition cards. In the case of USB controllers, a transition card with a built-in PCIe reset device is used, the rest - via simple extenders (the video adapter is connected via an x16 extender, the network controller - via an x4 extender).

The SuperMicro X12STL-F motherboard form factor is Micro-ATX (244x244mm).

In any module except the service module, two cables are available to the user by default in each cell. Possible combination of cables:

Type-C + microUSB

Type-C + Lightning

In the case of a cell for a laptop or a cell for an electronic product of non-standard dimensions, it is possible to install some additional cable, determined by the configuration and functional features of the electronic product of non-standard dimensions.

It is necessary to provide for the output of cables from the service cavity into the cell. The service cavity is understood to be the cavity inside any cell for a laptop, or for a smartphone, or for a product of non-standard dimensions, and the service cavity is closed and is preferably formed in the right part of the cell. Inside it, a lock and a cell controller board are located. The service cavity occupies the cell along the entire depth and height of the cell. Everything that is outside the service cavity of the cell is space available to the user of the cabinet and is intended for placing the user device there. Cables must be long enough for the user to conveniently connect it to the device, while it is important that the cable is directed inward (i.e. deep) into the cell by default. This direction will not allow the cable in a relaxed state to move independently to the cell door. This way, it will not fall out of the cell and there will be no situation where the user accidentally pinches the cable with the cell door. In this case, the cell may not be closed, and if it is, there is a risk that it will be impossible to open it with the lock mechanism due to jamming. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a fastening part that will guide the cable into the cell. The fastening part can be an angular guide in which the cable is fixed, while it is directed into the cell. A spring can be wound around the cable to prevent it from falling out of the cell.

The cell board power supplies are located inside the modules, the cells of which receive power from them.

In connection with Fig. 2, the following details of the switching of the declared cabinet should be noted:

the USB signal from the cell hub comes to the input of the cell controller (and this USB can come from either Mac mini computers that act as an auxiliary computer, or from the main computer running Linux - this depends on which operating mode is currently selected, but by default it is connected to the main computer running Linux);

the USB signal coming from the bus to the cell controller input can be output to the Type-C or Type-A output;

the Type-C output can also be connected to an additional Type-A 3.0 port (which is not accessible to the user; a network card can be connected to it to provide the ability to distribute an isolated local network to devices. For example, this is necessary to provide remote access to laptops);

if the Type-C output is connected to an additional Type-A 3.0 port, the device will no longer be visible to the main computer, but this is not important from the point of view of the user's use of the cabinet, since the device will still be charged;

the main computer running Linux controls what and where to switch;

commands to the cell are transmitted directly via the USB hub of the cells;

By default, the cell controller switches its USB input to the Type-A output;

If the device is connected to Type-C, the cell controller automatically switches its USB input to Type-C output;

the fact of USB connection is determined and devices are identified by the main computer;

Device identification is performed via the USB bus using USB descriptors, which are a data structure describing a USB device, in particular the SerialNumber field, into which the manufacturer usually records a unique text identifier for the device in text form, for example, XY123456.

In addition, the Type-C connector additionally:

works as a simple laptop docking station;

in autonomous mode (the cell controller itself, without the participation of a computer or other parts of the cabinet), negotiates with the device via the PD protocol about which power profile needs to be activated;

If the host computer sends a request (command) to the cell controller to change the switching mode from USB to Type-A 3.0 (to the network card), the cell controller will report via the PD protocol that the PD Data Role identifier (the role of the data transfer device of the connected device) has changed. It should be noted that by default, connected devices operate in the "USB device" mode; via the Power Delivery protocol, the cell controller can initiate a change in the device's data role to the "USB host controller" mode, and then the device will allow a network card to be connected to it. Thus, the cell becomes a USB device from the data point of view, but still remains a power source for the user device.

Regarding the power supply of the cell controller

It needs two types of food:

from the USB-C input (i.e. from the cell hub), which supplies power to the entire low-voltage, low-current part of the cell controller - 5 V up to 1 A;

from the terminal block connector, which powers the lock control circuit, the fan power circuit, and a secondary power source that powers the Type-C and Type-A outputs - 24 V input, up to 5.5 A long-term, 7 A short-term.

Fig. 3 shows the diagram of the universal cell board.

In the declared cabinet, it is important that each user device has a USB connection to the main computer, or to an auxiliary computer, depending on the type of device. It should be noted that the auxiliary computer is designed to provide remote access to devices controlled by an operating system different from the operating system of the main computer. In the preferred embodiment, the main computer runs on the Linux operating system and provides remote access to devices based on Windows and Android, while the auxiliary computer provides remote access to devices based on the iOS operating system. Switching between the main and auxiliary computers is carried out by a switching circuit. Therefore, each cell can switch between the main and auxiliary computers. Also, individual cells (for laptops) must receive another channel in the switching: switching to a USB-Ethernet adapter for connecting a wired network.

With such a complex connection, the only way to reduce the number of cables is to use separate small electronic modules installed on each cell.

Each cell controller also controls a lock that serves to lock and unlock the cell into which a device is to be placed or from which a device may be removed by a user who is authorized to access the device, and to read the state of the lock according to the readings of the door closing sensor.

It should be noted that the temperature sensor is needed to monitor the temperature in the cell and to provide the cell controller with data on the temperature in this cell. The temperature sensor is installed in the upper part of each cell. It can be fixed to the wall of the service cavity of the cell from the inside, but in such a way that it protrudes from the cell wall into it.

The fan is needed to remove heat from the cell, and its rotation speed is regulated by the cell controller based on the temperature sensor readings. The fan operates in blowing mode and is installed on the outside of the rear wall of the cabinet. The performance and rotation speed of the fan are determined by the oscillation of the operating current of the fan by the cell controller. Preferably, cells for smartphones are equipped with 40x40 mm fans, cells for non-standard-sized electronic products, laptops and the service module are equipped with 80x80 mm fans. Examples of the fan models used from those presented on the market are SF4010SM12 for the 40x40 size and SF8015SM12 for the 80x80 size.

To simplify assembly and reduce the number of cables, each cell is connected, depending on the configuration, with the following cables:

power cable (24V)

two USB cables with Type-C output

Ethernet cable (only for laptop bay).

In the preferred implementation, the cell board is universal and suitable for both smartphones and laptops.

As shown in Fig. 3, the cell board has the following connections to the cell controller:

USB-C Power Delivery (PD) charges devices up to 25W and up to 100W, preferably 100W or 65W at 20V or 15W at 5B;

USB Type-A output, switched to USB Type-C input;

USB Type-C output, switched to USB Type-C input;

USB Type-A for switching the device connected to it to the USB Type-C output (for example, a network controller);

door lock and sensor controller;

connector for connecting a “smart” LED, preferably of the WS2812 type;

connector for connecting a temperature sensor;

USB Type-C additional connector for possible modifications (UART + 24 V).

The proposed cell board also simplifies the assembly and operation of the cabinet. In particular, the Type-C connector will allow the user not to think about which side to connect the user device. At the same time, when assembling the cabinet, you should pay attention to the polarity of the cell board power supply.

In addition, the cabinet's USB hub helps simplify assembly and operation, since it is not only a USB hub with switching between the main computer and one of the Mac mini computers that functions as an auxiliary computer, but also a hub controller for the communication line between the main computer and the cells connected to it.

Each cell module has a microcontroller that receives commands from the USB hub via an unused line of the Type-C cable, since control signals are also transmitted inside the Type-C cable via the unused CC line in our case. Physically, a half-duplex single-wire signal is launched there via the UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) protocol. This signal is needed so that the main computer can communicate with the cell via the USB hub. This is necessary to perform the following tasks:

unlocking the lock/reading the lock latch sensor;

switching the USB bus to the cable to which the device is connected;

power management of devices (to turn them off when not in use, for example);

switching the operating mode of the Type-C port of the laptop cell (it will connect a network card to the laptop);

reading the temperature inside the cell, checking the fan's functionality, controlling it (in the case of a cell for laptops);

It is possible to place an RFID "mat" in each cell for wireless detection and recognition of devices - through this communication channel it will be possible to read data from devices.

It should be noted that a mode for disabling devices stored in the cell during a period of long-term (more than several hours) non-use is provided. This mode is necessary for the following reasons. The cabinet for storing, charging and distributing user devices described in this document must work with the maximum number of various devices, and not all devices can limit the charge level to which the battery must be charged. If the battery is constantly in charging mode and the charge level, and therefore the voltage on it, is maintained at the maximum, then this contributes to premature failure of the battery. It is important to keep the maximum number of various devices (and therefore their batteries) in working condition in the cabinet for storing and distributing user devices, and it should be taken into account that many of the devices stored in the cabinet already have worn out batteries. And if they are constantly in charging mode, such destructive effects as swelling of batteries, their ignition and even explosions are possible, which can lead to the failure of the entire cabinet or at least its individual cells, leading to the destruction of the cabinet body, breakage of the cables leading to the device, cracking of the glass of the cell door.

In order to prevent the above-described negative phenomena, it is possible that during a period of prolonged non-use of the devices, provided that their batteries are fully charged, the charging mode of the user devices is turned off, and the user devices themselves are disconnected from the power supply circuits in order to reduce the duration of the batteries of the devices in a fully charged state and at the same time in the charging mode, which will at least delay or slow down the premature failure of the batteries of the devices and reduce the likelihood of the above-mentioned destructive consequences.

The cell controller independently determines the type of device being connected.

By default, the cell board supplies power to the USB Type-A connector, but does not supply power to the USB Type-C connector, but monitors it for a device connected to it.

In addition to charging and storing devices, the cabinet provides remote access to all devices. In total, the cabinet provides three different ways to provide remote access, and the method depends on the type of device. For Android smartphones, a connection to the main computer is required, for Apple smartphones, a connection to an Apple computer is required. For laptops, a network interface must be provided - laptops are connected with one cable, like smartphones: USB-C, but for older models, additional RJ45 cables may be provided.

Fig. 4 shows a detailed diagram of the USB cell hub switching. In connection with Fig. 4, the following details of the USB cell hub switching should be noted:

The USB hub of the cells uses two inputs and three Type-C outputs;

The USB hub of the cells consists of two independent USB hubs, but implemented on one board:

the first USB hub is always connected via the Type-C input to the main computer;

the second USB hub is always connected via the Type-C input to the Mac mini (more precisely, it is connected to the MUX 4x16 computer matrix switcher, which in turn is connected to the Mac mini);

Both USB hub chips physically have four outputs, but

the microcontroller is connected to the fourth output of the USB hub (which is connected to the main computer);

the fourth port of the USB hub (which is connected to the Mac mini) is not used;

Three outputs from each USB hub chip are routed to the outside, passing through a 2×1 switch, and the output can be switched to the hub of the main computer or to the hub of an auxiliary Mac mini computer.

The USB hub of the cells also contains a microcontroller, which

connected to one of the ports of the USB hub chip, which is connected to the main computer;

when turned on, it checks the integrity of the configuration firmware of the USB hub chips (the firmware is stored in external EEPROM chips);

if the firmware differs from the standard (it is stored in the microcontroller's memory), the microcontroller reflashes the USB hub's memory chip;

in case of failure to reflash the USB hub memory chip, it operates in the default mode, but this will slow down the charging speed for non-Type-C devices, notifying the main computer about this so that a conditional signal about the malfunction is generated;

retransmits commands from the main computer to the cell controllers, and which cell to send the command to depends on which physical port is specified in the command;

can update its firmware, as well as configuration firmware of EEPROM hub chips.

The cells receive commands via an alternative communication channel (not via USB lines, but via a USB-C cable).

From a design point of view, the claimed cabinet for storing, charging and distributing user devices is a modular cabinet consisting of a service module and cells for storing devices, wherein the cells are designed with the possibility of storing, charging and distributing smartphones, laptops and electronic products of non-standard dimensions. The cells are interchangeable with each other and have common external dimensions, a method of fastening and cavities where locks are located. In a preferred, but not limiting embodiment, the number of cells in the cabinet may be as follows: for electronic products of non-standard dimensions - 3 cells, for laptops - 6 cells, for smartphones - 12.

The service module can be implemented on the basis of a module intended for storing electronic products of non-standard dimensions, and similarly, the service module can contain three cells. In one cell of the service module, the main computer, a touch screen with a user interface, a user identification device, such as a personal 1Wire reader, RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi pass, and a power supply can be placed. In the same cell, USB controllers made in the form of PCIe expansion cards can be placed. In another cell, it is possible to install four Mac mini computers that perform the function of an auxiliary computer. In addition to four Mac mini computers, USB switches can be placed in this cell, preferably 4 pieces for each auxiliary computer. In the third cell of the service module, input circuit breakers, electrical switching, preferably power supplies, and a controlled Ethernet switch can be placed.

Fig. 5 shows the switching diagram of MUX 4x16 computers.

As shown in Fig. 5, the signal from the MUX 4x16 matrix switcher is fed via other USB buses to the input of the cell USB hub. Each USB input of the MUX 4x16 matrix switcher is connected to each Mac mini computer via a single USB cable. The MUX 4x16 matrix switcher also has a separate USB input that is connected to the main Linux computer. Through this separate USB input, the MUX 4x16 switcher receives control commands from the main computer. All sixteen USB outputs of the MUX 4x16 switcher are connected to each cell hub (similar to connecting cell hubs to externally powered USB hubs). It should be noted that the MUX 4x16 switcher does not require external power. The MUX 4x16 switcher can be powered from any USB input, including simultaneously.

Regarding the internal device, it should be noted that HUBA, HUBB, HUBC, HUBD are USB hubs, each of which receives a signal from USB inputs (except for the USB input of control commands). Each USB hub branches the bus from one input to four outputs. Thus, there are sixteen buses that must be able to be switched to each of the arbitrary USB outputs of the MUX 4x16 computer switch.

Next, in order to simplify the routing of the PCB of the MUX 4x16 computer switch, one more 4-port USB hub is connected to each of the 16 USB buses. In this interval, there are 64 USB buses.

Next, 4 USB buses are selected from 64 USB buses and grouped. The buses are selected so that each bus is connected to HUBA, HUBB, HUBC, HUBD according to the hierarchy.

Each group of buses (16 pieces of 4) goes to each passive MUX switch, which has one output. The output of each MUX switch is connected to each USB output of the MUX 4x16 computer switch. In total, such a connection scheme allows switching any output of the MUX 4x16 computer switch to any of its inputs (minus the USB input of control commands). The microcontroller located on the MUX 4x16 computer switch controls the passive MUX switches via shift registers on command from the main computer. Shift registers are used to simplify the board routing and serve to supply control signals to the passive MUX switch.

Each USB hub requires a quartz crystal or external clock generator to operate. In order to reduce the area of the printed circuit board, in this implementation all USB hubs are clocked from a single clock generator.

It should be noted that the above description reflects only those blocks that are most essential for achieving the purpose of the utility model. A specialist in this field of technology will understand that for the functioning of the described utility model, other necessary actions should be performed, such as connecting the equipment, initializing it, launching the corresponding software, transmitting and receiving commands and confirmations, exchanging service data, synchronizing, etc., the description of which is omitted for brevity.

The devices and their parts mentioned in the description and drawings relate to one or more specific embodiments of the utility model if they are mentioned with reference to a numerical positional designation, or to all embodiments of the utility model in which their use is possible if they are mentioned without reference to a numerical positional designation.

The devices and their parts mentioned in the description, drawings and formula of the utility model are software and hardware, and the hardware parts of some devices may differ, partially coincide or completely coincide with the hardware parts of other devices, unless otherwise specified explicitly. The hardware parts of the devices may be located in different parts of other devices, unless otherwise specified explicitly. The software parts may be implemented in the form of program code contained in a storage device.

The features of this utility model may be combined in various implementation variants of the utility model, if they do not contradict each other. The above-described implementation variants of the utility model are provided solely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model, determined by the formula of the utility model. All reasonable modifications, modernizations and equivalent replacements in the composition, design and operating principle of this utility model, made within the limits of its essence, are included in the scope of this utility model.

The above examples of practical implementation of the utility model illustrate the use of the utility model in a software development company. However, the principles of the utility model can be successfully applied in other areas where optimization of the turnover of electronic devices of controlled configuration is required.

Claims (11)

1. A cabinet for storing, charging and distributing user devices, comprising a service module comprising a main computer that controls charging, switching and distributing devices, an auxiliary computer that controls charging, switching and distributing devices controlled by an operating system different from the operating system of the main computer, a touch screen with a user interface, a user identification device and a power supply; and at least one cell configured to store, charge and distribute a user device, comprising a cell controller, wherein the cell controller has a first output and a second output for connecting a device, and configured to automatically switch between the main computer, the auxiliary computer, and a network adapter for the purpose of providing access to the network for remote control of a device located in the cell; wherein at least one cell is configured with an individual electromechanical cell latch-lock, a temperature sensor and a fan connected to the cell controller; wherein at least one cell is connected to the main and/or auxiliary computer using a USB hub, wherein the USB hub connects the main and/or auxiliary computer and the cell controller via a separate interface. 2. A cabinet according to item 1, in which at least one cell is designed with the possibility of storing, charging and distributing a smartphone, while another cell is designed with the possibility of storing, charging and distributing a laptop, and another cell is designed with the possibility of storing, charging and distributing an electronic product of non-standard dimensions. 3. A cabinet according to item 1 or 2, in which the main computer operates on the Linux operating system and provides remote access to devices based on Windows and Android, while the auxiliary computer provides remote access to devices based on the iOS operating system. 4. The cabinet according to item 3, in which the auxiliary computer is made in the form of four Mac mini computers. 5. A cabinet according to any one of paragraphs 2-4, in which at least one cell is equipped with an LED light source capable of emitting different colours, and the door of said at least one cell is capable of transmitting light. 6. A cabinet according to paragraph 5, in which, after identification of the user, the cell or cells in which the user devices to which the given user is permitted to access are stored begin to glow with one light, while the cell or cells in which the user devices to which the given user is not permitted to access are stored begin to glow with a different light or do not glow at all. 7. A cabinet according to any of paragraphs 1-6, in which, during a period of prolonged non-use of user devices, provided that their batteries are fully charged, the charging mode of the user devices is switched off, and the user devices themselves are disconnected from the power supply circuits. 8. The cabinet according to item 1, wherein the first output is USB Type-C and the second output is USB Type-A. 9. The cabinet according to item 1, in which the cell is controlled by the main and/or auxiliary computer via the USB Type-C interface. 10. A cabinet according to any one of paragraphs 1-9, wherein the user identification device is a personal pass reader based on a technology selected from the group consisting of RFID, 1Wire, NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi. 11. A cabinet according to any of paragraphs 1-10, in which the network adapter is designed as a network Ethernet adapter.