US6728601B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple host power control system and method
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 2001-07-19
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Granted: 2004-04-27
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Expires: 2021-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A system and method is provided for multiple hosts to control one or more power systems redundantly, by constructing a power supply system having a plurality of physically separate and redundant communication interfaces, one coupled to each host, wherein a software algorithm determines whether the power supply system should be on or off at a given point in time, based on signals received from the hosts. In an exemplary embodiment, a power control system consistent with the invention comprises at least two hosts, each host comprising a host communications interface; and a power supply system comprising a power supply, control software, and a plurality of power supply system communications interfaces. Each power supply system communications interface corresponds to, and is in communication with, one host communications interface on each host; and the control software is adapted to turn on the power supply when at least one power supply system communications interface receives a “turn on” signal from the corresponding host communications interface. In method form, a method for controlling power in a power control system having at least two hosts and a power supply system comprising a power supply comprises: determining whether at least one host requires the power supply system to be on; and turning on the power supply based on that determination.
Inventors
- 👤 Enrique Garcia
- 👤 Yvonne Hanson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:09
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F1/3206; G06F1/3209; G06F1/263; G06F1/3234; G06F1/3246
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A power control system comprising: at least two hosts, each said host comprising a host communications interface; and a power supply system, said power supply system comprising a power supply, control software, and a plurality of power supply system communications interfaces; wherein each said power supply system communications interface corresponds to, and is in communication with, one said host communications interface on each said host; and wherein said control software is adapted to turn on said power supply when at least one said power supply system communications interface receives a “turn on” signal from the corresponding host communications interface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A power control system comprising: at least two hosts, each said host comprising a host communications interface; and a power supply system, said power supply system comprising a power supply, control software, and a plurality of power supply system communications interfaces; wherein each said power supply system communications interface corresponds to, and is in communication with, one said host communications interface on each said host; and wherein said control software is adapted to turn on said power supply when at least one said power supply system communications interface receives a “turn on” signal from the corresponding host communications interface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A power control system comprising: at least two hosts; a power supply system comprising a power supply, control software, and a separate power supply system communications interface coupled to each said host; wherein said control software is adapted to turn on said power supply when at least one said power supply system communications interface receives a “turn on” signal from the corresponding host.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A power control system comprising: at least two hosts; a power supply system comprising a power supply, control software, and a separate power supply system communications interface coupled to each said host; wherein said control software is adapted to turn on said power supply when at least one said power supply system communications interface receives a “turn on” signal from the corresponding host.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
114 words
A power control system comprising: at least two hosts, each said host comprising a host communications interface; and at least one power supply system, each said power supply system comprising a power supply, control software, and a plurality of power supply system communications interfaces; wherein each said power supply system communications interface of each said power supply system corresponds to, and is in communication with, one said host communications interface on each said host; and wherein said control software is adapted to turn on its respective power supply when at least one said power supply system communications interface of said power supply system receives a “turn on” signal from the corresponding host communications interface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
A power control system comprising: at least two hosts, each said host comprising a host communications interface; and at least one power supply system, each said power supply system comprising a power supply, control software, and a plurality of power supply system communications interfaces; wherein each said power supply system communications interface of each said power supply system corresponds to, and is in communication with, one said host communications interface on each said host; and wherein said control software is adapted to turn on its respective power supply when at least one said power supply system communications interface of said power supply system receives a “turn on” signal from the corresponding host communications interface.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for controlling power in a power control system, said method comprising: coupling at least two hosts to a power supply system comprising a power supply, each said host repeatedly transmitting either a “turn on” command or a “turn off” command; coupling said power supply to each said host, via a separate communications interface for each said host; and turning on said power supply if at least one said “turn on” signal is received from at least one said host.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for controlling power in a power control system, said method comprising: coupling at least two hosts to a power supply system comprising a power supply, each said host repeatedly transmitting either a “turn on” command or a “turn off” command; coupling said power supply to each said host, via a separate communications interface for each said host; and turning on said power supply if at least one said “turn on” signal is received from at least one said host.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for controlling power in a power control system, said method comprising: coupling at least two hosts to a power supply system comprising a power supply, each said host repeatedly transmitting either a “turn on” command or a “turn off” command; coupling said power supply to each said host, via a separate communications interface for each said host; and turning off said power supply if no said “turn on” signal is received from any said host.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for controlling power in a power control system, said method comprising: coupling at least two hosts to a power supply system comprising a power supply, each said host repeatedly transmitting either a “turn on” command or a “turn off” command; coupling said power supply to each said host, via a separate communications interface for each said host; and turning off said power supply if no said “turn on” signal is received from any said host.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method for controlling power in a power control system, as claimed in claim 5 , said method further comprising: when neither a “turn off” nor a “turn on” signal is received from a given host, transmitting a signal to at least one of the remaining said hosts, to indicate a failure condition at said given host.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for controlling power in a power control system, said method comprising: coupling at least two hosts to a power supply system comprising a power supply, each said host repeatedly transmitting a “heartbeat” signal when said host is functioning correctly; coupling said power supply to each said host, via a separate communications interface for each said host; and controlling power to said power supply by: turning on said power supply if said “heartbeat” signal is received from more than one said host and any of said more than one said host is transmitting a “turn on” signal; turning on said power supply if said “heartbeat” signal is received from only one said host and said host is transmitting a “turn on” signal; and turning off said power supply if every host transmitting said “heartbeat” signal is also transmitting a “turn off” signal.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for controlling power in a power control system, said method comprising: coupling at least two hosts to a power supply system comprising a power supply, each said host repeatedly transmitting a “heartbeat” signal when said host is functioning correctly; coupling said power supply to each said host, via a separate communications interface for each said host; and controlling power to said power supply by: turning on said power supply if said “heartbeat” signal is received from more than one said host and any of said more than one said host is transmitting a “turn on” signal; turning on said power supply if said “heartbeat” signal is received from only one said host and said host is transmitting a “turn on” signal; and turning off said power supply if every host transmitting said “heartbeat” signal is also transmitting a “turn off” signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for controlling power in a power control system, as claimed in claim 7 , said method further comprising: when no “heartbeat” signal is received from a given host, transmitting a signal to at least one of the remaining said hosts, to indicate a failure condition at said given host.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for controlling power in a power control system comprising at least two hosts and a power supply, said method comprising: turning on said power supply if a “turn on” signal is received from more than one said host; and turning off said power supply if either a “turn off” signal, or no signal, is received from every host.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for controlling power in a power control system comprising at least two hosts and a power supply, said method comprising: turning on said power supply if a “turn on” signal is received from more than one said host; and turning off said power supply if either a “turn off” signal, or no signal, is received from every host.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-04-27 | 2007-10-27 | 2008-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-27 | 2011-10-27 | 2012-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-27 | 2015-10-27 | 2016-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |