Electronic system with variable threshold power failure signaling
First Claim
1. An electronic system having a power failure monitoring function, said system comprising:
- monitoring means for monitoring DC power parameters of the electronic system, said DC power parameters including system voltage;
means operatively associated with said monitoring means for determining an instantaneous variable parameter from said DC power parameters;
means for periodically determining a threshold voltage, said threshold voltage being derived at least in part from said instantaneously variable parameter of said system;
comparison means for periodically comparing said system voltage to said threshold voltage and for determining whether said system voltage is less than said threshold voltage; and
signal means operatively associated with said comparison means for outputting a signal indicative of an impending power failure when said system voltage is less than said threshold voltage.
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Abstract
A digital electronics system, such as a computer, includes circuits which provides signals proportional to the instantaneous voltage and current on the power bus to a microprocessor. The microprocessor uses these signals, the capacitance of the system filter capacitors, and the desired time for the system voltage to remain above a minimum voltage, to calculate an instantaneous voltage threshold. When the power bus voltage falls below this threshold voltage, the microprocessor provides a signal warning of impending power failure. The product of the voltage and current, i.e. the instantaneous system power, is displayed on an alphanumeric LED on the front panel of the computer.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic system having a power failure monitoring function, said system comprising:
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monitoring means for monitoring DC power parameters of the electronic system, said DC power parameters including system voltage; means operatively associated with said monitoring means for determining an instantaneous variable parameter from said DC power parameters; means for periodically determining a threshold voltage, said threshold voltage being derived at least in part from said instantaneously variable parameter of said system; comparison means for periodically comparing said system voltage to said threshold voltage and for determining whether said system voltage is less than said threshold voltage; and signal means operatively associated with said comparison means for outputting a signal indicative of an impending power failure when said system voltage is less than said threshold voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer system having a power failure monitoring function said computer system comprising:
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a digital memory; a digital processor communicating with said digital memory; parameter monitoring means for monitoring a system power parameter; means operatively associated with said parameter monitoring means or determining an instantaneous variable parameter from said system power parameter; means operatively associated with said digital processor for periodically determining a threshold power parameter, said threshold power parameter being derived at least in part from said instantaneous variable power parameter of said computer system; comparison means operatively associated with said digital processor for periodically comparing said system power parameter to said threshold power parameter and for determining whether said system power parameter is less than said threshold power parameter; and signal means operatively associated with said digital processor for outputting a signal indicative of an impending power failure when said system power parameter is less than said threshold power parameter. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of providing a power failure anticipatory function in an electronics system comprising the steps of:
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monitoring a system parameter; measuring an instantaneous variable parameter from said system parameter; periodically calculating a threshold power parameter, said threshold power parameter being derived at least in part from said instantaneous variable parameter; comparing said system parameter to said threshold power parameter; and outputting a signal indicative of an impending power failure when said compared system parameter is less than said threshold power parameter. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification