SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONFIGURING A POWER DEVICE

• US 20100244566A1
• Filed: 03/27/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Spitaels, James S., Deokar, Vishwas Mohaniraj, Rodenhiser, Fred W., Brookshire, Kyle, Trivedi, Himanshu
• Granted Patent: US 8,386,809 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/66
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A system and method for directing a user to configure a power device via an alphanumeric user interface is provided. The power device may include data storage storing a plurality of operational parameters. The method includes acts of prompting, during an initial power-up of the power device, a user to enter an indication of quality of power supplied to the power device, receiving the indication via the user interface, determining a first value for each of the plurality of operational parameters of the power device based at least in part on the indication and applying each first value of the plurality of operational parameters to the power device.

Claims

1. A method for directing a user to configure a power device via an alphanumeric user interface, the power device including data storage storing a plurality of operational parameters, the method comprising:

prompting, during an initial power-up of the power device, a user to enter an indication of quality of power supplied to the power device;

receiving the indication via the user interface;

determining a first value for each of the plurality of operational parameters of the power device based at least in part on the indication; and

applying each first value of the plurality of operational parameters to the power device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the indication includes requiring receipt of the indication.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the indication via the user interface includes receiving the indication via a user interface exposed by an external system and the method further comprises receiving, by the power device, the indication from the external system via an external system interface.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the indication via the user interface includes receiving the indication via a user interface housed in the power device.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein receiving the indication via the user interface housed in the power device includes receiving the indication via a display housed in the user interface.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the first value for each of the plurality of operational parameters includes determining a value for at least one of an upper transfer point, a lower transfer point, a sensitivity of the power device to power changes, a frequency tolerance and an AVR operating mode.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying each first value includes storing each first value in the data storage.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising reinitializing the power device, whereby the next power-up of the power device will be an initial power-up.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, via the user interface, an indication to prolong battery runtime; and

adjusting, in response to the indication to prolong the battery runtime, the first value of at least one of the plurality of operational parameters of the power device.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, via the user interface, an indication to prolong battery lifespan; and

adjusting, in response to the indication to prolong the battery lifespan, the first value of at least one of the plurality of operational parameters of the power device.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein determining the first value for each of the plurality of operational parameters includes determining a value for at least one of an upper transfer point, a lower transfer point, a sensitivity of the power device to power changes, a frequency tolerance, an AVR operating mode and a self test frequency.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

prompting the user to enter at least one indication of at least one user preference;

receiving the at least one indication via the user interface; and

applying, to the power device, at least one second value of at least one of the plurality of operational parameters, the at least one second value being based at least in part on the at least one indication.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein prompting the user to enter the at least one indication of the at least one user preference includes prompting the user to enter at least one indication of at least one of a display mode value and a language value.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein prompting the user to enter the at least one indication of the at least one user preference includes prompting the user to enter an indication of a menu type value and wherein applying, to the power device, at least one second value includes adapting an interface structure based at least in part on the menu type value.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein adapting the interface structure includes:

activating elements within the interface structure; and

deactivating elements within the interface structure.

16. A power device comprising:

a housing;

an input to receive power from a power source;

an output operatively coupled to the input and configured to provide power;

a data storage disposed within the housing;

a controller coupled the data storage and configured to;

prompt, during an initial power-up of the power device, a user to enter an indication of quality of power supplied to the power device;

receive the indication;

determine a first value for each of the plurality of operational parameters of the power device based at least in part on the indication; and

apply each first value to the plurality of operational parameters.

17. The power device according to claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to require receipt of the indication.

18. The power device according to claim 16, further comprising an external system interface disposed within the housing and wherein the controller is coupled to the external system interface and is configured to receive the indication via the external system interface.

19. The power device according to claim 16, further comprising an alphanumeric user interface disposed within the housing and wherein the controller is coupled to the alphanumeric user interface and is configured to receive the indication via the alphanumeric user interface.

20. The power device according to claim 19, wherein the alphanumeric user interface includes a display.

21. The power device according to claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to determine the first value for at least one of an upper transfer point, a lower transfer point, a sensitivity of the power device to power changes, a frequency tolerance and an AVR operating mode.

22. The power device according to claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to store each first value in the data storage.

23. The power device according to claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to reinitialize the power device, whereby the next power-up of the power device will be an initial power-up.

24. The power device according to claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to:

receive an indication to prolong battery runtime; and

adjust, in response to the indication to prolong the battery runtime, the first value of at least one of the plurality of operational parameters of the power device.

25. The power device according to claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to:

receive an indication to prolong battery lifespan; and

adjust, in response to the indication to prolong the battery lifespan, the first value of at least one of the plurality of operational parameters of the power device.

26. The power device according to claim 25, wherein the controller is configured to determine the first value for at least one of an upper transfer point, a lower transfer point, a sensitivity of the power device to power changes, a frequency tolerance, an AVR operating mode and a self test frequency.

27. The power device according to claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to:

prompt the user to enter at least one indication of at least one user preference;

receive the at least one indication; and

apply, to the power device, at least one second value of at least one of the plurality of operational parameters, the at least one second value being based at least in part on the at least one indication.

28. The power device according to claim 27, wherein the controller is configured to prompt the user to enter at least one indication of at least one of a display mode value and a language value.

29. The power device according to claim 27, wherein the controller is configured to prompt the user to enter an indication of a menu type value and to adapt an interface structure based at least in part on the menu type value.

30. The power device according to claim 29, wherein the controller configured to adapt an interface structure is further configured to:

activate elements within the interface structure; and

deactivate elements within the interface structure.

31. A power device comprising:

a housing;

an input to receive power from a power source;

an output operatively coupled to the input and configured to provide power; and

means for directing, during an initial power-up of the power device, a user to configure the power device via an alphanumeric user interface.