Smart workspace management system

Abstract

Systems for managing a workspace are disclosed. A system to manage a workspace includes a plurality of docking stations located at corresponding workstations. Each docking station is configured to provide a network connection and power to a computer device at a corresponding workstation. Each docking station of the plurality of docking stations includes a power input and a network interface to communicate with a network. The system also includes a system computer including a system network interface to communicate with each docking station of the plurality of docking stations via the network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system to manage a workspace, comprising:
 a plurality of docking stations located at corresponding workstations, each docking station to provide a network connection and power to a computer device at a corresponding workstation, each docking station of the plurality of docking stations including:
 a plurality of ports to communicate with one or more peripheral devices; and 
 a network interface to communicate with a network; and 
   a system computer including a system network interface to communicate with each docking station of the plurality of docking stations via the network, wherein the system computer is configured to track the use of each of the plurality of ports on each of the plurality of docking stations and generate a graphical user image including an indication of usage time for each of the plurality of ports.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system computer is further configured to log and inventory the one or more peripheral devices. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system computer is further configured to identify a user of each of the plurality of docking stations and generate a map showing the locations of the users. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system computer is further configured to detect the one or more peripheral devices attached to the plurality of docking stations and determine if the corresponding workstation matches a minimum specification of a given workstation configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system computer is further configured to compare power consumption profiles of the one or more peripheral devices connected to the plurality of docking stations to expected power consumption profiles, and when the power consumption profile of a device deviates from the expected power consumption profile generate an alert indicating that one of the one or more peripheral devices is malfunctioning. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system computer is further configured to monitor use of the plurality of docking stations, determine a pattern of users avoiding use of a particular one of the plurality of docking stations, and generate an alert indicating that the docking station needs maintenance. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system computer is further configured to determine an amount of time per hour that each of the plurality of ports of the docking station has been used. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system computer is further configured to generate a heat-map showing a historic snapshot of use of the plurality of docking stations. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to generate a heat-map showing real-time use of the plurality of docking stations. 
     
     
         10 . A method to manage a workspace, the method comprising:
 providing, via a plurality of docking stations, a network connection and power to a computer device at a corresponding workstation, each docking station of the plurality of docking stations including a plurality of ports to communicate with one or more peripheral devices;   tracking, via a system computer in communication with each docking station, the use of each of the plurality of ports on each of the plurality of docking stations; and   generating a graphical user image including an indication of usage time for each of the plurality of ports.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising logging and inventorying the one or more peripheral devices. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising identifying a user of each of the plurality of docking stations and generating a map showing the locations of the users. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising detecting the one or more peripheral devices attached to the plurality of docking stations and determining if the corresponding workstation matches a minimum specification of a given workstation configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising comparing power consumption profiles of the one or more peripheral devices connected to the plurality of docking stations to expected power consumption profiles, and when the power consumption profile of a device deviates from the expected power consumption profile generating an alert indicating that one of the one or more peripheral devices is malfunctioning. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising monitoring use of the plurality of docking stations, determining a pattern of users avoiding use of a particular one of the plurality of docking stations, and generating an alert indicating that the particular one of the plurality of docking stations needs maintenance. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising determining an amount of time per hour that each of the plurality of ports of the docking station has been used. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising generating a heat-map showing a historic snapshot of use of the plurality of docking stations. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising generating a heat-map showing real-time use of the plurality of docking stations.