IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,793,518
Granted Patent B2
US 8,793,518 · App. 13/495,631 · Granted Jul 29, 2014

Systems and methods for providing supplemental power to battery powered information handling systems

Inventor: Karunakar P. Reddy (Round Rock, TX)
Assignee: Dell Products LP
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,793,518
App. No.
13/495,631
Filed
Jun 13, 2012
Granted
Jul 29, 2014
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2118
USPC
713/300
Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing supplemental power to a battery powered information handling systems. The disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to intelligently control the selected use of supplemental power so as to reduce or substantially prevent an increase in battery usage cycle count by only allowing use of supplemental power above a given minimum supplemental battery charge level threshold. Battery cycle count may be further enhanced by only again allowing recharging of the system battery pack when its charge level drops below the minimum supplemental battery charge level threshold, and then recharging to a maximum recharge battery charge level threshold which also may be selectable by a user and/or provider of the information handling system.

Claims (42)

1. A method for operating a battery powered information handling system, comprising:

a) providing a battery powered information handling system including:

a system load, the system load comprising at least one first processing device that is configured to operate in first power mode having a first power consumption level and a separate second power mode having a second power consumption level, the second power consumption level being greater than the first power consumption level,

a battery system including one or more battery cells,

battery charger and power switching circuitry configured to receive current from an external power source and to selectably provide the received current to recharge the battery cells of the battery system, and to selectably power the system load from either one or both of the external power source or the battery system, the external power source having a maximum available power capacity that is equal to or greater than the total system load power requirement when the processing device is operating in the first power mode and is less than the total system load power requirement when the processing device is operating in the second power mode, and

at least one second processing device coupled to control the battery charger and power switching circuitry to selectably enable a supplemental power mode to allow the first processing device to operate in the second power mode and the system load to be simultaneously powered from both the external power source and the battery system when the operating power mode of the first processing device is the second power mode, and to selectably disable the supplemental power mode to prevent the first processing device from operating in the second power mode and to only allow the system load to be powered by the external power source when the battery charger and power switching circuitry is receiving current from the external power source;

b) using the second processing device to control the battery charger and power switching circuitry while the first processing device is powered so as to only enable the supplemental power mode when each of the following two conditions exist at the same time:

the battery charger and power switching circuitry is receiving current from the external power source, and

the charge level of the battery cells of the battery system has a value above a given minimum supplemental battery charge level threshold, the minimum supplemental battery charge level having a value below the 100% charge level; and

c) using the second processing device to control the battery charger and power switching circuitry while the first processing device is powered so as to disable the supplemental power mode and to provide received external current to recharge the battery cells of the battery system when the current charge level of the battery cells of the battery system has a value equal to or below the given minimum supplemental battery charge level threshold.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the second processing device to monitor for each of: the presence of external power provided to battery charger and power switching circuitry, the charge level of the battery cells of the battery system, and the power mode of the first processing device.

3. The method of claim 1 , where step c) further comprises continuing to use the second processing device to disable the supplemental power mode and to control the battery charger and power switching circuitry to provide received external current to recharge the battery cells of the battery system until the charge level of the battery cells of the battery system reaches a value that is equal to a maximum recharge battery charge level threshold that is greater than the supplemental battery charge level threshold; and then while the first processing device remains powered repeating step b) after the charge level of the battery cells of the battery system reaches a value that is equal to the maximum recharge battery charge level threshold.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising providing at least one user input device coupled to provide user input to the second processing device; and using the second processing device to accept input from a user to define the value of at least one of the minimum supplemental battery charge level threshold, the maximum recharge battery charge level threshold, or both.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising performing step b) before step c) every time that the first processing device enters a powered operating state from a de-powered non-operating state; and then iteratively performing steps b) and c) for so long as the first processing device remains continuously powered thereafter in the operating state.

6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising performing step b) before step c) every time that the information handling system enters a S0 system power state from a system power state in which the first processing device is not powered.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing steps b) and c) while the information handling system is operating in a S0 power state; and performing the following steps before allowing the information handling system to change from the S0 system power state to any one of a S3, S4 or S5 system power state while the battery charger and power switching circuitry is receiving current from the external power source:

d) using the second processing device to control the battery charger and power switching circuitry to disable the supplemental power mode; and

e) using the second processing device to control the battery charger and power switching circuitry to substantially fully charge the battery cells of the battery system.

8. The method of claim 1 , where the minimum supplemental battery charge level threshold has a value of from about 70% to about 90%.

9. The method of claim 8 , where the maximum recharge battery charge level threshold has a value less than 100% and greater than the value of the minimum supplemental battery charge level threshold.

10. The method of claim 9 , where the maximum recharge battery charge level threshold has a value of less than or equal to about 95% and greater than the value of the minimum supplemental battery charge level threshold.

11. A battery powered information handling system, comprising:

a system load, the system load comprising at least one first processing device that is configured to operate in first power mode having a first power consumption level and a separate second power mode having a second power consumption level, the second power consumption level being greater than the first power consumption level;

a battery system including one or more battery cells;

battery charger and power switching circuitry configured to receive current from an external power source and to selectably provide the received current to recharge the battery cells of the battery system, and to selectably power the system load from either one or both of the external power source or the battery system, the external power source having a maximum available power capacity that is equal to or greater than the total system load power requirement when the processing device is operating in the first power mode and is less than the total system load power requirement when the processing device is operating in the second power mode; and

at least one second processing device coupled to control the battery charger and power switching circuitry to selectably enable a supplemental power mode to allow the first processing device to operate in the second power mode and the system load to be simultaneously powered from both the external power source and the battery system when the operating power mode of the first processing device is the second power mode, and to selectably disable the supplemental power mode to prevent the first processing device from operating in the second power mode and to only allow the system load to be powered by the external power source when the battery charger and power switching circuitry is receiving current from the external power source;

where the second processing device is configured to perform the following steps:

a) control the battery charger and power switching circuitry while the first processing device is powered so as to only enable the supplemental power mode when each of the following two conditions exist at the same time: the battery charger and power switching circuitry is receiving current from the external power source, and the charge level of the battery cells of the battery system has a value above a given minimum supplemental battery charge level threshold, the minimum supplemental battery charge level having a value below the 100% charge level; and

b) control the battery charger and power switching circuitry while the first processing device is powered so as to disable the supplemental power mode and to provide received external current to recharge the battery cells of the battery system when the current charge level of the battery cells of the battery system has a value equal to or below the given minimum supplemental battery charge level threshold.

12. The system of claim 11 , where the second processing device is configured to monitor for each of: the presence of external power provided to battery charger and power switching circuitry, the charge level of the battery cells of the battery system, and the power mode of the first processing device.

13. The system of claim 11 , where the second processing device is further configured to:

perform step c) by continuing to use the second processing device to disable the supplemental power mode and to control the battery charger and power switching circuitry to provide received external current to recharge the battery cells of the battery system until the charge level of the battery cells of the battery system reaches a value that is equal to a maximum recharge battery charge level threshold that is greater than the supplemental battery charge level threshold; and

then while the first processing device remains powered to repeat step b) after the charge level of the battery cells of the battery system reaches a value that is equal to the maximum recharge battery charge level threshold.

14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising at least one user input device coupled to provide user input to the second processing device; and where the second processing device is configured to accept input from a user to define the value of at least one of the minimum supplemental battery charge level threshold, the maximum recharge battery charge level threshold, or both.

15. The system of claim 13 , where the second processing device is further configured to perform step b) before step c) every time that the first processing device enters a powered operating state from a de-powered non-operating state; and then to iteratively perform steps b) and c) for so long as the first processing device remains continuously powered thereafter in the operating state.

16. The system of claim 13 , where the second processing device is further configured to perform step b) before step c) every time that the information handling system enters a S0 system power state from a system power state in which the first processing device is not powered.

17. The system of claim 11 , where the second processing device is further configured to perform steps b) and c) while the information handling system is operating in a S0 power state; and where the second processing device is further configured to perform the following steps before allowing the information handling system to change from the S0 system power state to any one of a S3, S4 or S5 system power state while the battery charger and power switching circuitry is receiving current from the external power source:

d) controlling the battery charger and power switching circuitry to disable the supplemental power mode; and

e) controlling the battery charger and power switching circuitry to substantially fully charge the battery cells of the battery system.

18. The system of claim 11 , where the minimum supplemental battery charge level threshold has a value of from about 70% to about 90%.

19. The system of claim 18 , where the maximum recharge battery charge level threshold has a value less than 100% and greater than the value of the minimum supplemental battery charge level threshold.

20. The system of claim 19 , where the maximum recharge battery charge level threshold has a value of less than or equal to about 95% and greater than the value of the minimum supplemental battery charge level threshold.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2012
From: REDDY, KARUNAKAR P.
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 028369/0257 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130339757A1 · Dec 19, 2013