Component indicators used during extended power-off service

• US 20070220324A1
• Filed: 02/17/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Covi, Kevin, Seminaro, Edward, Fahr, Gerald, Harrington, Raymond, Longhi, Raymond
• Granted Patent: US 7,805,618 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/30 Means for acting in the event of power-supply failure or interruption, e.g. power-supply fluctuations for resetting only G06F1/24
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/325 by lamps or LED's

Abstract

A method and related apparatus for servicing an electrical/electronic device during power shut offs is provided. The apparatus comprises a service logic having a memory and control component for storing device information during normal device operation and one or more indicators driven by the memory and control component after power shut off to provide service signals. The service logic also includes an auxiliary energy source selectively engageable to provide auxiliary power to the memory and control component during power shut off and to enable providing of service signals through the indicator(s).

Claims

1. An apparatus for servicing an electrical/electronic device during power shut offs, comprising:

a service logic having a memory and control component for storing device information during normal device operation, and one or more indicators driven by said memory and control component after power shut off to provide service signals; and

said service logic also having an auxiliary energy source selectively engageable to provide auxiliary power to said memory and control component during power shut off, and to enable providing of service signals through said indicator(s).

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory and control component and said auxiliary energy source are independently connected to one or more power off isolation components designed to prevent depletion of said auxiliary energy source during power shut off.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said auxiliary energy source is engageable via a switch.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said memory and control component is further comprised of a controller and a data storage component.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said controller, once powered on, can determine mode of operation.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said controller has a voltage driven input for determining if said service logic is in service mode.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said voltage driven input is one or more input pin(s).

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicator(s) are driven by said memory and controller device to alternate from one state to another to indicate servicing signals.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said memory and control component includes a non-volatile controller code executable by said controller to drive said indicator(s) from one state to another and to retrieve and store data from and into said storage component.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said controller code is stored external to said controller.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said controller code is stored internally in said controller.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said controller has one or more output lines that are in electrical communication with said indicator(s) and said indicator(s) are driven by execution of said code via said output lines.

13. The apparatus of a claim 10, wherein said indicator(s) are light emitting diode(s) or LEDs.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein more than one indicator is used to display different servicing needs.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein more than one LED is used to display different servicing needs.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said LEDs are provided in different colors with each color representing a different service condition.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrical and electronic device is part of a computing system environment.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein power is also provided to said memory and control component independently during normal operation by said computing system environment.

19. An apparatus used in servicing computing system environments comprising:

a memory and control component having a controller, controller code executable by said controller, and a data storage component for storage and retrieval of information;

an auxiliary energy source engageable via a switch during a power shut off such that said auxiliary energy source can provide alternate energy to said memory and control component during power shut off;

one or more indicators driven by said memory and control component to signal servicing needs;

at least one power-off isolation component in electrical connection with said memory and control component and said auxiliary energy source so as to prevent depletion of said auxiliary energy when power is shut off.

20. A method of servicing electrical and/or electronic device(s) comprising:

storing relevant information provided about to be serviced device(s) in a memory and control component during normal device operation;

providing power to said memory and control component via an engageable auxiliary energy source during device power shut off;

providing servicing signals through one or more indicators based on previously stored and retrieved information after engagement of said auxiliary energy source during device power shut off.