Power module for information handling system and methods thereof

• US 8,656,193 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2010
• Issued: 02/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Hijazi, Mohammed, Sultenfuss, Andrew T., Clegg, Joseph A., Wood, Merle J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CONNOLLY, MARK A
• Application Number:
  US12/707,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20110202777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 713/340
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence

Abstract

An information handling system can receive power from a wireless or wired power source. In response to determining the information handling system is coupled to the wired power source, the system decouples the wireless power source from providing power. In response to the system being decoupled from the wired power source, the information handling system couples the wireless power source to the system.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving power from a wireless power source at a first power module of an information handling system;

receiving power from a battery at a second power module of the information handling system;

determining a threshold for a state of charge of the battery, wherein the threshold is based on an efficiency of the wireless power source and on an efficiency of the battery;

providing power to the information handling system from only the second power module; and

in response to the state of charge of the battery being below threshold, providing power from only the first power module to the information handling system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second power module comprises a battery charging module of the information handling system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information handling system comprises a processor device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to determining the information handling system is not receiving power from the battery, providing power from the first power module to the information handling system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein providing power from the first power module to the information handling system comprises coupling the first power module to the information handling system based on the state of a mechanical switch.

6. A method, comprising:

determining at an information handling system which of a plurality of power sources are available to provide power to the information handling system, the plurality of power sources comprising a battery and a wireless power source;

providing power only from the battery to the information handling system;

determining a threshold for a relative state of charge of the battery based on the efficiency of the battery and on the efficiency of the wireless power source;

selecting the wireless power source in response to the relative state of charge of the battery being below the threshold; and

providing power only from the wireless power source to the information handling system in response to selecting the wireless power source when the information handling system is connected to the battery.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the information handling system comprises a battery charger.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the information handling system comprises a processor device.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising providing power from the battery to the information handling system in response to determining the state of charge of the battery is above the threshold.

10. An information handling system comprising:

a wireless power module operable to receive power from a wireless power source;

a battery;

a power switch coupled to the wireless power module and to the battery;

a system module coupled to the power switch; and

a control module coupled to the power switch, the control module operable to;

control the power switch to couple the wireless power module to the system module when a state of charge of the battery is below a threshold, wherein the threshold is based on an efficiency of the wireless power source and on an efficiency of the battery; and

control the power switch to couple the battery to the system module when the state of charge of the battery is above the threshold.

11. The information handling system of claim 10, wherein the control module is operable to determine the wireless power module is available to supply power based on the state of a mechanical switch.