7238 results about "Standby power" patented technology

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for providing intelligent power control in response to an external power interruption, causing a processor is in an electrical fixture to interrogate an external power control switch to gain an understanding of the switch's state, where prior to the external power interruption the electrical fixture may be powered by external power and where external power may be connected and disconnected by a user of the switch. In the event that the switch's state is determined to be such that it would normally pass power to the electrical fixture, the processor causes the electrical fixture to operate using a backup power supply. In the event that the switch's state is determined to be such that it would normally not pass power to the electrical fixture, the processor causes the electrical fixture to act as if the user of the switch has intentionally removed power. In response to a return of external power, powering the electrical fixture is then through external power where the user of the switch switches external power.

Buffering data to be written to an array of non-volatile storage devices, including: receiving a request to write data to the array of non-volatile storage devices; sending, to a non-volatile random access memory (‘NVRAM’) device, an instruction to write the data to dynamic random access memory (‘DRAM’) in the NVRAM device, the DRAM configured to receive power from a primary power source, the DRAM further configured to receive power from a backup power source in response to the primary power source failing; and writing the data to the DRAM in the NVRAM device.

A storage subsystem includes a charge pump that receives a power signal from a host system, and generates a regulated power signal that is provided to the storage subsystem's controller. When the power signal from the host is interrupted, the charge pump additionally acts as a backup power supply to enable the storage subsystem to continue to operate temporarily, and power isolation circuitry in the storage subsystem prevents power from flowing back to the host system. The storage subsystem further includes a digitally programmable voltage detection circuit that accepts various supply voltages and asserts a busy signal to the controller when an anomaly in the power signal is detected. The controller includes logic circuitry that will block the host system from performing write operations to the storage subsystem either when the voltage detection circuit asserts a busy signal or when the controller is busy executing memory operation commands.

A power supply with AC and DC back-up power has a rectifier, a rechargeable battery, a charger, a detecting circuit, a first DC / DC converter and a DC / AC converter. The rectifier is coupled to the power of the wall-socket for generating a first power. Moreover, the rechargeable battery is charged by the first power through the charger, and the detecting circuit detects a power-supplying condition of the wall-socket. The first DC / DC converter is used to convert a power of either the battery or the first power to a second power, and the DC / AC converter converts a power of the battery into AC power.

A storage subsystem, such as a flash memory card, includes a charge pump that receives a power signal from a host system, and generates a regulated power signal that is provided to the storage subsystem's controller. When the power signal from the host is interrupted, the charge pump additionally acts as a backup power supply such that the storage subsystem can continue to operate temporarily. The storage subsystem also includes a voltage detection circuit that monitors the power signal from the host system to detect anomalies therein. The voltage detection circuit responds to detection of an anomaly by asserting a busy signal to block the host system from performing write operations to the storage subsystem. By asserting the busy signal, the voltage detection circuit substantially ensures that the backup, regulated power provided by the charge pump will be sufficient for the controller to complete all outstanding operations.

A data storage system including a primary data storage device and a backup data storage device stores data with enhanced performance. The primary data storage device has a primary data storage device memory for holding data, and the backup data storage device has a backup volatile memory, a backup non-volatile memory, and a processor. The backup storage device processor causes a copy of data provided to the primary data storage device to be provided to the backup data storage device volatile memory, and in the event of a power interruption moves the data from the backup volatile memory to the backup non-volatile memory. In such a manner, data stored at the backup data storage device is not lost in the event of a power interruption. The backup data storage device further includes a backup power source such as a capacitor, a battery, or any other suitable power source, and upon detection of a power interruption, switches to the backup power source and receives power from the backup power source while moving the data from the backup volatile memory to the backup non-volatile memory.

An emergency lighting monitoring and control system controls and monitors the emergency lights in a building. A central control unit automatically schedules self tests for each of the emergency lights and stores the results of the tests in memory. The self tests include tests of the backup power source and the lamp. Some failures are predicted prior to actual failure. Failures are diagnosed and repairs are suggested. Light output is automatically monitored and adjusted. The central control unit generates a report of the self tests and notifies an operator of failures. An operator views test reports, controls the emergency lights, and schedules tests. The system automatically detects newly installed emergency lighting units.

In a logic circuit where clock gating is performed, the standby power is reduced or malfunction is suppressed. The logic circuit includes a transistor which is in an off state where a potential difference exists between a source terminal and a drain terminal over a period during which a clock signal is not supplied. A channel formation region of the transistor is formed using an oxide semiconductor in which the hydrogen concentration is reduced. Specifically, the hydrogen concentration of the oxide semiconductor is 5×1019 (atoms / cm3) or lower. Thus, leakage current of the transistor can be reduced. As a result, in the logic circuit, reduction in standby power and suppression of malfunction can be achieved.

A lighting monitor / control system for remote billboards uses a cellular network to provide utility power and light status information to a central controller, which in response provides control signals to individual remote billboard lighting controllers for setting operating parameters such as multiple on / off times, lighting power adjustments for individual billboards, and custom lighting schedules based upon geographic and environmental considerations. Battery back-up is provided in the event of utility power outage with automatic reversion to utility power when restored. Immediate notification of failure of utility power or of individual lamp or ballast failure is provided by SMS messaging formatted so as to minimize the number of messages and reduce communications costs. The monitor / control system is also adapted for use in remote power monitoring applications to automatically switch to standby power (generator) in the absence of primary power and to return to primary power when restored.

The present invention provides a system and method for providing democratizing power in a power grid system. In architecture, the system includes a module for receiving a plurality of user preferences concerning load shedding using a graphical user interface, and a module for implementing the user preferences during a grid irregularity. The method of providing democratizing power, can be broadly summarized by the following steps of determining if a device needs a transfer of energy, determining if an electric network connected to the device is able to supply backup power, and determining the quantity of the backup power. The method further includes the steps of determining the cost of the backup power and facilitating payment of the cost of the backup power.

A backup power management system connectable to a primary power source and a secondary power source, and a method of operating the same. The system includes a transfer switch connectable to the primary and secondary power sources, and a plurality of circuit branches connected to the transfer switch. The circuit branches include first and second remotely operated branches having first and second managed circuit breakers, respectively. The system further includes a controller connected to the first and second managed circuit breakers. The controller controls the managed circuit breakers, thereby controlling the current through the first and second managed circuit branches.

Vehicles, systems, and methods are disclosed for providing and directing first power, such as vehicle generator power, and alternate sources of power. In a particular embodiment, a vehicle includes a power distribution grid that includes a plurality of power sources and a plurality of distributions buses configured to distribute power from the plurality of power sources. The plurality of power sources include an engine-driven power source is configured to provide first power where the first power has first power characteristics. The plurality of power sources also includes a plurality of engine-independent power sources including a first alternate power source configured to provide first alternate power. The first alternate power has first alternate power characteristics that are different than the first power characteristics. The plurality of engine-independent power sources also includes a second alternate power source configured to provide second alternate power. The second alternate power has second alternate power characteristics that are different from the first power characteristics and different from the first alternate power characteristics. The vehicle also includes a global controller that sends control signals to control generation of power by the engine-driven power source, the first alternate power source and the second alternate power source via the plurality of distribution buses responsive to power demand of the power distribution grid.

A network apparatus includes an independent power supply providing a first power signal, and a data distribution device which is operably coupled to the independent power supply and a remote data distribution device, where the remote distribution data device exchanges data and provides a second power signal to the data distribution device, and further where the data distribution device selects the first power signal or the second power signal for operational power. A method includes scanning a plurality of sensors, each coupled to a plurality of power inputs, to ascertain if a power signal is present, determining whether a power signal associated with an independent power supply is present at a power input, sourcing power from the independent power supply if the power signal is associated with an independent power supply, and sourcing power from an alternative supply if the power signal is not associated with an independent power supply.

A fuel cell system is described for providing primary and / or auxiliary / backup power to one or more loads selected from the group comprising: lawn & garden equipment; radios; telephone; targeting equipment; battery rechargers; laptops; communications devices; sensors; night vision equipment; camping equipment; stoves; lanterns; lights; vehicles; cars; recreational vehicles; trucks; boats; ferries; motorcycles; motorized scooters; forklifts; golf carts; lawnmowers; industrial carts; passenger carts (airport); luggage handling equipment (airports); airplanes; lighter than air crafts; blimps; dirigibles; hovercrafts; trains; locomotives; submarines (manned and unmanned); torpedoes; security systems; electrical energy storage devices for solar-based, tidal-based, hydro-based, wind-based, and other renewable energy source; equipment for which a primary and / or backup power source is necessary or desirable to enable the equipment to function for its intended purpose, military-usable variants of above, and suitable combinations of any two or more thereof. The system provides power to the one or more loads upon the occurrence of a power outage condition, which includes a disruption or discontinuation in the delivery of primary power (i.e., power from a system-external primary source, namely, a source other than the fuel cell system) to, or power demand condition by, the one or more loads. A controller senses outage of primary power to, or demand for primary power by, the one or more loads, and, responsive thereto, operatively engages one or more fuel cells to provide power to the one or more loads.

The invention relates to a DC-DC power supply conversion device, in particular to a zero-voltage switch (ZVS) flyback-type DC-DC power supply conversion device with efficient conversion, efficient light-load conversion and low standby power consumption. An auxiliary switch and an absorption capacitor are additionally arranged on the flyback circuit; the auxiliary switch and the absorption capacitor are connected in series so as to form an auxiliary branch circuit; the auxiliary branch circuit can be connected in parallel to the two ends of the primary winding of a transformer or alternatively connected in parallel to the two ends of a primary-side switch; and the auxiliary switch is conductive for a determined period of time before the primary-side switch is conductive. Compared with the prior art, the energy of the circuit leakage inductor can be absorbed and transferred to the output terminal and a soft switch for realizing the primary-side switch, so that the invention can greatly improve the circuit efficiency; the parasitic oscillation caused by the leakage inductor can be suppressed, so that the EMI (electromagnetic interference) characteristics of the circuit can be improved; and the circuit can be controlled more easily, thereby improving the light-load circuit efficiency and reducing the idle-load energy loss.

Systems and methods are provided for reducing write splice failures. In one embodiment, a system for writing data to a media includes a write buffer for storing a data sector and a backup power device for providing power to the write buffer in the event of a power failure to hold the data sector in the write buffer. The next time the system is powered up after the power failure, the system reads the data sector from the write buffer and uses the read data sector to correct a write splice on the media that may have occurred due to the power failure.

A method for compensating the threshold voltage roll-off using transistors containing back-gates or body nodes is provided. The method includes designing a semiconductor system or chip having a plurality of transistors with a channel length of Lnom. For the present invention, it is assumed that the channel length of these transistors at the completion of chip manufacturing is Lmax. This enables one to set the off-current to the maximum value of I-offmax which is done by setting the threshold voltage value to Vtmin. The Vtmin for these transistors is obtained during processing by using the proper implant dose. After manufacturing, the transistors are then tested to determine the off-current thereof. Some transistors within the system or chip will have an off-current value that meets a current specification. For those transistor devices, no further compensation is required. For other transistors within the system or chip, the off-current is not within the predetermined specification. For those transistors, threshold voltage roll-off has occurred since they are transistors that have a channel length that is less than nominal. For such short channel transistors, the threshold voltage is low, even lower than Vtmin, and the off-current is high, even higher than I-offmax. Compensation of the short channel transistors is achieved in the present invention by biasing the back-gate or body node to give increased threshold voltage about equal to Vtmin and hence an off-current that meets the predetermined specification, which is about equal to I-offmax.

It provides a video display system capable of effective control of power consumption, safe power-off operation, and resetting from a hang-up state by properly setting power supply to a plug-in module in accordance with the operational request and operational status of a digital broadcast receiving device and the plug-in module, a display device, a plug-in module, and a plug-in module power control method. Each of the digital broadcast receiving device and plug-in module includes an authentication part for equipment authentication thereof, CEC communication part for control signal communication, and a video audio transmitter receiver. The digital broadcast receiving device serves for switching the module power supply part for power supply to the plug-in module from standby power to main power in accordance with the control signal after equipment authentication is obtained for the plug-in module.

Systems and methods are provided for swapping the battery on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) while providing continuous power to at least one system on the UAV. The UAV may be able to identify and land on an energy provision station autonomously. The UAV may take off and / or land on the energy provision station. The UAV may communicate with the energy provision station. The energy provision station may store and charge batteries for use on a UAV. The UAV and / or the energy provision station may have a backup energy source to provide continuous power to the UAV.

A method for managing power in a data processing system having multiple components includes determining a power budget for the system. Activity levels during a forthcoming time interval are then predicted for each of the components. Using the predicted activity levels, the power budget is allocated among the system components. An activity limit is then established for each component based on its corresponding portion of the power budget. The activity of a component is then monitored and, if the component's activity exceeds the component's corresponding activity limit, constrained. Determining the predicted level of activity may include determining a predicted number of instructions dispatched by a processor component or a predicted number of memory requests serviced for a system memory component. Allocating the power budget includes allocating each component its corresponding standby power and a share of the system power available for dynamic powering based on the expected levels of activity.

An emergency lighting monitoring and control system controls and monitors the emergency lights in a building. A central control unit automatically schedules self tests for each of the emergency lights and stores the results of the tests in memory. The self tests include tests of the backup power source and the lamp. Some failures are predicted prior to actual failure. Failures are diagnosed and repairs are suggested. Light output is automatically monitored and adjusted. The central control unit generates a report of the self tests and notifies an operator of failures. An operator views test reports, controls the emergency lights, and schedules tests. The system automatically detects newly installed emergency lighting units.

The present invention is a power supply (10) that starts a load (20) with a heavy start-up power draw from a power grid (12) and then switches the load to a generator (22) for lower power draw operation thereby avoiding the need for a large capacity generator capable of initial start-up of the load (20). The power supply comprises a conductor (15) for connecting to a power grid, an electrical power generation device (30), an electrical power using device or load (20) and a switching mechanism (40) for 1) isolating the power grid (12) from the power generation device (30), 2) connecting the power grid conductor (15) to the electrical power using device (20) for the initial start-up of the power using device (20), and 3) connecting the power generation device (30) to the power using device (20) after initial start-up. In addition the power supply (10) can also serve as a backup source of power for multiple circuits whose total startup load exceeds the total output of the generator (30) during periods of grid power failure by selectively turning off interruptible circuit load (20) during the startup of other circuits (16) or allowing intermittent circuit loads (20) to complete their cycle and return to an off state prior to the start-up of other circuits (16).

An apparatus, system, and method for providing DC battery backup power to Power over Ethernet, (PoE) Mid Span or End Point Power Sourcing Equipment, (PSE), such that in the event of the loss of utility power the PSE device is able to continue to provide power for some time while battery capacity remains. The apparatus includes an AC to DC converter that receives an AC power input and outputs DC power to the power over Ethernet circuitry and a DC battery pack that provides backup DC power to the power over Ethernet circuitry.

A system and method provide emergency back-up power for communications, security and other systems of an electric power consumer, and for peak-shifting of the electrical load so that electricity is generated and stored when demand is low, and the stored power is used when demand is high. Embodiments include providing an electric power management device having a battery and a communication system at the premises of a consumer of electricity, and connecting the power management device to an electric power provider. The battery is charged at an off-peak time when a demand for electricity is low, as determined by the electric power provider; and discharged to provide electricity to the consumer at a time when the demand for electricity is high, as determined by the electric power provider. The charging and discharging is controlled by the electric power provider.

A method of preventing data loss in a data storage system includes supplying write data to a high speed volatile write buffer and supplying electrical power from an energy storage device upon detection of a primary power loss event. The backup electrical power is supplied to the write buffer and nonvolatile cache. Under backup power, the write data is transferred into the nonvolatile cache and the backup power is removed. Upon regaining main power, a data presence indication triggers a transfer of the write data from the nonvolatile cache to the long term storage media. The method may be implemented for a system to protect it from inadvertent power losses or it may implemented in a system where the long term storage device is power cycled to save power. The energy storage device is not necessarily needed in the power cycled system unless power failure protection is also desired.

A method of preventing data loss in a data storage system includes supplying write data to a high speed volatile write buffer and supplying electrical power from an energy storage device upon detection of a primary power loss event. The backup electrical power is supplied to the write buffer and nonvolatile cache. Under backup power, the write data is transferred into the nonvolatile cache and the backup power is removed. Upon regaining main power, a data presence indication triggers a transfer of the write data from the nonvolatile cache to the long term storage media. The method may be implemented for a system to protect it from inadvertent power losses or it may implemented in a system where the long term storage device is power cycled to save power. The energy storage device is not necessarily needed in the power cycled system unless power failure protection is also desired.

System and method for regulating a power conversion system. For example, a system controller includes a signal generator and one or more power-consumption components. The signal generator is configured to receive a feedback signal related to an output signal of the power conversion system, a current sensing signal and an input voltage, and to generate a control signal based on at least information associated with the feedback signal, the current sensing signal and the input voltage. The power-consumption components are configured to receive the control signal. The signal generator is further configured to determine whether the feedback signal is smaller than a feedback threshold for a first predetermined period of time, the current sensing signal is smaller than a current sensing threshold for a second predetermined period of time, and the input voltage is smaller than a first threshold for a third predetermined period of time in magnitude.

An analyte monitoring system includes a biosensor for detecting an analyte concentration in blood. The monitoring system includes first and second power sources, each selectively couplable to the biosensor for providing power to the biosensors. A sensor may be associated with the first power source and senses the output thereof. A selector is coupled to both the first and second power sources and the biosensor, such that it may selectively couple an output or outputs of either the first or second power sources to the biosensor. In operation, the first power source is coupled to the biosensor to thereby bias the sensor. If the sensor indicates that the first power source is not providing power to the biosensor, the selector decouples the first power source from the biosensor and couples the second power source to the biosensor to thereby maintain the biosensor in a biased state.

Aspects of the invention are directed to power distribution systems and methods for distributing power from a primary power source and a backup power source to a load. In one particular aspect, a power distribution system includes a first input to receive input power from the primary power source, a second input to receive input power from the backup power source, an output that provides output power from at least one of the primary power source and the backup power source, a first switch operatively coupled to the first input and the output and operative to selectively couple the first input to the output, a second switch operatively coupled to the second input and the output and operative to selectively couple the second input to the output, and a controller operatively coupled to the first switch and to the second switch and configured to control the first switch and the second switch to provide an electrical interlock.