Method and apparatus for providing energy to an information handling system
First Claim
1. An information handling system comprising:
- a memory;
an input device;
a processor operably connected to said memory and to said input device for receiving data from said input device and for executing instructions stored in said memory;
a power supply having a plurality of energy sources for providing energy to the system;
a voltage level detecting circuit connected to said power supply for monitoring the voltage level of said plurality of energy sources;
a power supply control circuit connected to said processor and to said plurality of energy sources of said power supply and responsive to a coupling control signal from said processor for coupling said plurality of energy sources in series in a first operating mode and for coupling said plurality of energy sources in parallel with respect to each other in a second operating mode;
said processor being responsive to a low voltage detection signal from said voltage level detecting circuit when said voltage level detecting circuit senses a low voltage condition below a predetermined voltage threshold of said plurality of energy sources for producing a coupling control signal to said power supply control circuit; and
said power supply control circuit being responsive to the coupling control signal from said processor for switching said plurality of energy sources from a series coupling in the first operating mode to a parallel coupling of said plurality of energy sources in the second operating mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An information handling system is described having a power supply (16) having a switching circuit (24) that switches a plurality of energy sources (20) and (22) between series and parallel couplings. Associated with the switching circuit (24) is a voltage level detecting circuit (18) for monitoring the voltage level of the energy sources (20) and (22). A processor (12) for controlling the information handling system (10) responds to the voltage level detecting circuit (18) and in the event of a low voltage condition, the processor (12) activates the switching circuit (24) to switch the energy sources (20) and (22) from a series to a parallel coupling. Alternatively, processor (12) responds to other inputs or conditions for actuating switching circuit (24).
33 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An information handling system comprising:
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a memory; an input device; a processor operably connected to said memory and to said input device for receiving data from said input device and for executing instructions stored in said memory; a power supply having a plurality of energy sources for providing energy to the system; a voltage level detecting circuit connected to said power supply for monitoring the voltage level of said plurality of energy sources; a power supply control circuit connected to said processor and to said plurality of energy sources of said power supply and responsive to a coupling control signal from said processor for coupling said plurality of energy sources in series in a first operating mode and for coupling said plurality of energy sources in parallel with respect to each other in a second operating mode; said processor being responsive to a low voltage detection signal from said voltage level detecting circuit when said voltage level detecting circuit senses a low voltage condition below a predetermined voltage threshold of said plurality of energy sources for producing a coupling control signal to said power supply control circuit; and said power supply control circuit being responsive to the coupling control signal from said processor for switching said plurality of energy sources from a series coupling in the first operating mode to a parallel coupling of said plurality of energy sources in the second operating mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for controlling a power supply in an information handling system wherein said power supply has a plurality of energy sources, comprising the steps of:
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comparing a system voltage level with a first predetermined voltage level; switching the plurality of energy sources to a series coupling if the system is on, and the system voltage level is greater than the first predetermined voltage level; switching the plurality of energy sources to a parallel coupling if the system is off; comparing the system voltage level with a second predetermined voltage level; and switching the plurality of energy sources to a parallel coupling if the system voltage level is less than the second predetermined voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification