Computer power management system

• US 4,611,289 A
• Filed: 09/29/1983
• Issued: 09/09/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anthony F Coppola
• Original Assignee: Anthony F Coppola
• Inventors: Coppola, Anthony F.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/537,333
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 364/200, 364/900, 364/492, 364/493, 371/66
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/00 Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00 architectures of general purpose stored program computers G06F15/76
• 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 11/20 using active fault-masking, e.g. by switching out faulty elements or by switching in spare elements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2015 Redundant power supplies power supply failure G06F1/30

Abstract

A power management system is disclosed for providing power to one or more computers having provisions for communication with an external data source. A source of backup power, including a bank of batteries, is provided which is provided to the power bus during a utility power interruption. A microprocessor monitors the utility line and the energy remaining in the batteries and provides data signals to the computer in response to utility power interruption and to predetermined battery energy levels. The data signals enable the computer to transfer data to non-volatile media to prevent data loss. In one embodiment, two way data links are provided between the computers and the microprocessor, which also controls power cutoff switches connected to each computer. Each computer may signal the microprocessor to cutoff backup power after data has been transferred to non-volatile media.

Claims

1. A power management system for providing power to a computer having provision for communication with an external data source, comprising:

a source of backup power;

means for providing utility power to the computer on a power bus;

means for providing the backup power source to the power bus when the utility power is interrupted;

processor means connected to the computer as an external data source and responsive to the state of the utility power for providing to the computer a first signal after the utility power is interrupted and a second signal after the utility power is restored, whereby the computer may respond to the first signal to prevent loss of data and to the second signal to restore normal operation; and

switch means responsive to a power cutoff signal from the processor means for removing backup power from the computer during an interruption of utility power; and

in which the processor means includes means for receiving data from the computer and means for providing the power cutoff signal in response to a safety signal generated by the computer when data loss has been prevented by the computer.

2. A power management system for providing power to a computer having provision for communication with an external data source, comprising:

a source of backup power;

means for providing utility power to the computer on a power bus;

means for providing the backup power source to the power bus when the utility power is interrupted;

processor means connected to the computer as an external data source and responsive to the state of the utility power for providing to the computer a first signal after the utility power is interrupted and a second signal after the utility power is restored, whereby the computer may respond to the first signal to prevent loss of data and to the second signal to restore normal operation; and

in which the processor means is further responsive to the backup power source for determining the remaining energy which can be supplied by the source during a utility power interruption and further includes means for storing a value representing a predetermined level of electrical energy, and means for comparing the remaining energy from the backup power source to the predetermined level, and in which the first signal is provided after the utility power is interrupted and the remaining energy is less than or equal to the predetermined level of energy.

3. The system of claim 2 in which the processor means includes means for receiving data from the computer and in which the value of the predetermined level of electrical energy is provided to the processor means by the computer.

4. A power management system for providing power to a computer having provision for communication with an external data source, comprising:

a source of backup power;

means for providing utility power to the computer on a power bus;

means for providing the backup power source to the power bus when the utility power is interrupted;

processor means connected to the computer as an external data source and responsive to the state of the utility power for providing to the computer a first signal after the utility power is interrupted and a second signal after the utility power is restored, whereby the computer may response to the first signal to prevent loss of data and to the second signal to restore normal operation;

switch means responsive to a power cutoff signal from the processor means for removing backup power from the computer during an interruption of utility power; and

in which the processor means includes means for storing a predetermined interval of time, means for providing the power cutoff signal when the predetermined interval of time has elapsed, as measured form the occurrence of the first signal, and

means for receiving data from the computer whereby the predetermined interval of time is provided to the processor means by the computer.