Abstract:
An architecture for a power supply with an integrated UPS control system to which generic batteries may be connected. Such an architecture greatly reduces the overall cost, complexity, size and inefficiency of providing uninterruptible power to a device such as a computer system.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the field computer systems and more particularly to computer systems having a power supply with integrated uninterruptible power control. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Stand alone uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) have been used on many known computer systems. UPS systems typically provide backup power to computer systems by running an inverter on batteries to generate AC power. These UPS systems are typically connected in series between an AC power source and the AC power input of the computer system. 
         [0005]    One issue relating to UPS systems is that the cost of the UPS system can be a relatively large percentage of the cost of the computer system to which the UPS system is connected, sometimes approaching the actual cost of the computer system. This can be an issue with budget conscious customers, especially where the budget is for the combination of the computer system and the UPS system. Often in locations where power is an issue, a customer&#39;s budget is the combination of the computer system and the UPS system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In accordance with the present invention, an architecture for a power supply with an integrated UPS control system to which generic batteries may be connected is set forth. In this way, the overall cost, complexity, size and inefficiency of providing uninterruptible power to the computer system may be greatly reduced. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the invention relates to an apparatus for providing uninterruptible power to a device including a power supply that receives an alternating current signal and generates a direct current signal wherein the direct current signal has a voltage for powering the device. The power supply includes an integrated uninterruptible power supply control system. The integrated uninterruptible power supply control system is integrated within the power supply and includes a connector for coupling to a battery and also provides a direct current signal from the battery to the device when the alternating current signal is not present. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the invention relates to a power supply for providing uninterruptible power to a device which includes an alternating current to direct current converter circuit that receives an alternating current signal and generates a direct current signal which has a voltage for powering the device and, an integrated uninterruptible power supply control system integrated within the power supply that includes a connector for coupling to a battery and provides a direct current signal from the battery to the device when the alternating current signal is not present. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the invention relates to a computer system that includes a processor, a memory coupled to the processor and a power supply for providing uninterruptible power to the processor and the memory. The power supply includes an alternating current to direct current converter circuit. The alternating current to direct current converter circuit receives an alternating current signal and generates a direct current signal. The direct current signal has a voltage for powering the computer system. The power supply further includes an integrated uninterruptible power supply control system which is integrated within the power supply and includes a connector for coupling to a battery. The integrated uninterruptible power supply control system provides a direct current signal from the battery to the computer system when the alternating current signal is not present. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram representing a computer system having an integrated UPS control system according to the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of UPS system which includes an integrated UPS control system according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram of a computer system having an integrated UPS control system is shown. More specifically, the computer system  100  includes a central processor unit (CPU)  101 , a read only memory  102 , a random access memory or system main store memory  104 , a display adapter  106  coupled to a display  108 . The CPU  101  is connected to a user interface (UT) adapter  110  which is connected to a pointer device (and keyboard)  112 . The CPU  101  is further connected to an input/output (I/O) adapter  114 , which is connected to a direct access storage device (DASD)  116  and a tape unit  118 . The CPU  101  is also connected to a communications adapter  120  providing a communications function with external devices and/or systems, for example. 
         [0014]    The computer system  100  also includes a power supply  130  which in turn include an integrated UPS control system  132 . The power supply  132  is coupled to an AC power source and provides power to the computer system  100 . A battery (or batteries)  134  may be coupled to the power supply  130  via battery connectors  136   a ,  136   b . The combination of the power supply having a UPS control system  132  and the battery  134  provide a UPS system  140 . 
         [0015]    During normal operation, an AC input is coupled to an AC input of the system power supply  130 . Upon detection of a utility power loss, the integrated UPS control system  132  enables the power supply  130  (in combination with the battery  134 ) to supply power to the computer system  100 . 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram of UPS system  140  which includes an integrated UPS control system  132  is shown. More specifically, in addition to the UPS control system  132 , the power supply includes an AC to DC converter circuit  210  and a voltage transformer circuit  220 . The UPS control system  132  includes a detector circuit  230 , a switch circuit  240  and a voltage converter circuit  250 . 
         [0017]    The AC to DC converter circuit  210  converts the AC input signal to a DC signal, which is provided to the voltage transformer circuit  220 . The transformer circuit  220  receives the DC signal from the AC to DC converter circuit  210  and converts the DC signal to the various DC voltage levels used by the computer system  100 . 
         [0018]    At least one of the DC output voltages is provided to the UPS control system  132 . The detector circuit  230  of the UPS control system monitors this input (and possibly other signals) to determine whether an AC input signal is being provided to the power supply  130 . When the AC input signal is being provided, the UPS control system uses this DC voltage (or possibly another DC voltage) to provide a trickle charge to the battery  134 . 
         [0019]    When the AC input signal is not present, the detector circuit  230  generates a control signal that is provided to enable the switch circuit  240 . When the switch circuit  240  is enabled, the switch circuit  240  turns on to pass a DC signal from the battery  134  to the voltage converter circuit  250 . The voltage converter circuit  250  receives the DC signal from the battery and converts the DC signal to the various DC voltage levels used by the computer system  100 . 
         [0020]    By providing the integrated UPS control system  132  with an external battery connection, it is possible to couple a generic battery to the computer system  100  and thus to have a computer system which includes uninterruptible power supply functionality without the need of purchasing a separate uninterruptible power supply. For example, the generic battery can include a traditional 6 or 12 volt vehicle battery. The voltage converter  250  of the UPS control circuit  132  includes circuitry to detect the voltage of the DC signal from the generic battery and to convert this DC signal to the appropriate voltages for powering the computer system. 
         [0021]    The present invention is well adapted to attain the advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While the present invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to particular embodiments of the invention, such references do not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described embodiments are examples only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. 
         [0022]    For example, it will be appreciated that variations to the functionality and design of the power supply  130  and the integrated UPS control circuit  132  can be made while keeping with the spirit and scope of the invention. For example referring to  FIG. 3 , the UPS control circuit  132  could be configured to be coupled to the output of the AC to DC converter circuit  210 . In this way, the UPS control circuit would provide a single DC output voltage that is then converted to the various voltages used by the computer system via the transformer circuit  220  (thus eliminating the need for the voltage converter circuit  250 ). 
         [0023]    Also for example, it will be appreciated that the computer system  100  can include many additional or fewer components, such as I/O adapters, interconnect bridges, non-volatile storage, ports for connection to networks or attached devices, etc. Because such components are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, they are not illustrated in  FIG. 1  or discussed further herein. 
         [0024]    Also for example, in certain embodiments, the UPS system  140  may include a cable that is designed to safely couple the generic battery to the external connector  136   a . Thus, the cable would include a connector  136   b  at one end as well as connector or connectors for safely connecting to the generic battery at the other end. 
         [0025]    It will be appreciated that the present invention enables the leveraging of components within a power supply to provide efficient integrated uninterruptible power functionality. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the power supply  130  could be implemented external to the remainder of the computer system  100  (e.g., via a power supply brick). In such a system, the combination of the power supply  130  and the battery  134  still provide uninterruptible power functionality without the need for duplicating power supply circuitry with a separate UPS system. 
         [0026]    Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.