Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is related to and claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2003-428918 filed Dec. 25, 2003 in the Japanese Patent Office, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed to a power supply control apparatus such as an uninterruptible power supply apparatus used in a system formed of at least one information processing apparatus. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Almost all information processing apparatuses forming a network use a commercial power supply system. The most serious threat to these information processing apparatuses forming a network is a power failure. 
   A power failure may be caused by a blackout due to an operation mistake or a natural disaster. A momentary brownout, a variation in voltage or a variation in frequency due to starting up a large information processing apparatus may become a cause of malfunction and missing data. In the worst case, such troubles result in breakdown of the operating system and stoppage of the network function. 
   In order to protect the functions of a large system (e.g. online banking system) and an information processing apparatus (e.g. a server) from such problems, an uninterruptible power supply apparatus continues to supply the stable electrical power to the system or the apparatus. 
   An uninterruptible power supply apparatus has a battery to supply power to the information processing apparatus in case a power failure occurs in a commercial power resource so that the information apparatus secures sufficient time to execute safety power off. Therefore, it has had widespread use mainly for back-up of information processing apparatuses in systems such as the online banking systems. 
   Recently, with progress in high performance and downsizing of the information processing apparatus, the spread of personal computers and workstations and the expansion of networks, demand for a convenient uninterruptible power supply apparatus has increased. 
   Conventional examples using an uninterruptible power supply apparatus in a system formed of a plurality of electronic apparatuses such as a plurality of information processing apparatuses are illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
   A first prior art system illustrated in  FIG. 1  is formed of information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  provided with a network connecting unit  6  and an administration apparatus  4 . The information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  are supplied power from an uninterruptible power supply apparatus  5  connected to an external AC power source  10 . 
   In  FIG. 1 , a thick black line indicates a network, while a double line indicates a power supply line. The information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  are each provided with a power supply control program for monitoring the operating condition of each information processing apparatus and for executing a disconnection of the power supply from the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  5  in compliance with an instruction from the administration apparatus  4 . 
   The administration apparatus  4  is provided with a power supply control program for displaying the operating conditions of the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  by using a monitor and for instructing a disconnection of the power supply to one of the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  in compliance with a failure in the operating condition of the corresponding one of the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3 . 
   For example, in the information processing apparatus  1 , if a fault occurs in the hardware due to a power failure or an application failure, the occurrence of a fault is notified to the administration apparatus  4  from the power supply control program within the information processing apparatus  1 . After the administration apparatus  4  is notified of a fault, an operator causes the administration apparatus  4  to send a disconnecting instruction to the information processing apparatus  1  to cause the information processing apparatus  1  to execute a disconnection of the power supply from the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  5 . 
   In a second prior art system illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the power supply control units  100 ,  200 ,  300  provided in the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  execute on/off control of the power supply from the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  5 . 
   The system of prior art  FIG. 2  is constituted by the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  provided with the network connecting units  6 , the administration apparatus  4 , and the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  5  connected to the external AC power source  10 . The information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  are supplied with electrical power from the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  5 . 
   In  FIG. 2 , a black thick line indicates the network, while a double line indicates the power supply line. The information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  are provided with power supply control units  100 ,  200 ,  300  which monitor the operating conditions of the information processing apparatus and execute disconnection of the power supply from the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  5  in compliance with an instruction from the administration apparatus  4 . 
   The administration apparatus  4  is provided with a power supply control program for displaying the operating conditions of the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  using a monitor, and instructing disconnection of the power supply to the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  in compliance with a fault in the operating condition of the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3 . 
   For example, a fault may be generated in the hardware or in the application due to a power failure in the information processing apparatus  1 . Occurrence of a fault is notified to the administration apparatus  4  from the power supply control units  100 ,  200 ,  300  in the information processing apparatus  1 . After the administration apparatus  4  is notified of a fault, an operator causes the administration apparatus  4  to send a disconnecting instruction to the information apparatus  1  to cause the power supply control unit  100  to execute disconnection of the power supply from the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  5 . 
   Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10(1998)-51979 discloses executing control of power supplied to a computer from an uninterruptible power supply apparatus by exchange of control information between the uninterruptible power supply apparatus and the computer via a communication packet. 
   However, in the prior art illustrated in  FIG. 1  and the prior art of the above described Japanese patent application, a function and software to disconnect the power supply are required for each individual information processing apparatus. 
   Moreover, since the power supply control for the information processing apparatus is executed by the software, if a fault is generated in which the application falls into a loop, it is no longer possible to receive the instruction from the administration apparatus to disconnect the power supply. 
   Further, in the prior art illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the uninterruptible power supply apparatus has an increased cost because specific hardware to disconnect the power supply via the network and to monitor a fault, is required for the each information processing apparatus. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An aspect of the present invention is to surely and economically realize power supply control of a plurality of information processing apparatuses without relation to the intrinsic function of the information processing apparatus and the network. 
   To achieve the above mentioned aspect, the present invention includes a power supply control apparatus connected with at least one information processing apparatus comprising a supply circuit that supplies electrical power to the information processing apparatus, a network connecting unit that connects a network with an administration apparatus for detecting a failure in operating conditions of the information processing apparatus, and a power supply control unit that controls power supply of the supply circuit on the basis of a power supply on/off instruction received from the administration apparatus via the network connecting unit. 
   Moreover, the present invention includes a power supply control apparatus comprising a power supply switch controlled with the power supply control unit for on/off operations in compliance with the power supply on/off instruction from the administration apparatus. 
   Moreover, the present invention includes a computer-readable medium storing a program which, when executed by an administration apparatus connected with a power supply control apparatus through a network, causes the administration apparatus to perform operations comprising, detecting a failure in the operating condition of at least one information processing apparatus, and sending a power off instruction to the power supply control apparatus to cause the power supply control apparatus to disconnect the power supply to the failed information processing apparatus. 
   Moreover, the present invention includes A power supply control method for at least one information processing apparatus comprising, detecting a failure in the operating condition of at least one information processing apparatus, and sending power off instruction to the power supply apparatus to make the power supply control apparatus to disconnect the power supply to the failed information processing apparatus. 
   In the present invention, the power supply control of the information processing apparatus is executed by a power supply control apparatus such as an uninterruptible power supply apparatus connected to the administration apparatus through the network. Therefore, even if the application of the information processing apparatus falls into a loop, disconnection of the power supply of the information apparatus can be executed by the uninterruptible power supply apparatus. 
   Moreover, it is no longer required to mount hardware having a monitoring function and a power supply controlling function such as the power supply control unit, in the information processing apparatus. 
   In addition, since the power supply control and monitoring condition in the present invention is not controlled by the program executed in the information processing apparatus, the power supply control of a plurality of information processing apparatuses can surely be performed at a lower cost without relation to a function of the information processing apparatus itself. 
   These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a conventional uninterruptible power supply system for disconnecting a power supply via a program on the information processing apparatus. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a conventional uninterruptible power supply system for disconnecting a power supply via a power supply control unit on the processing apparatus. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an uninterruptible power supply system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the administration apparatus  14  in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the administration apparatus  14  in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the uninterruptible power supply system in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 
     FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an uninterruptible power supply apparatus (as a power supply control apparatus) in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 3 , the reference numerals  1 ,  2 ,  3  designate information processing apparatus;  14 , an administration apparatus; and  15 , an uninterruptible power supply apparatus. Also, a black thick line indicates a network and a double line indicates an electrical power supply line. 
   The uninterruptible power supply apparatus  15  comprises a network connecting unit  6 ′, a power supply control unit  17  and a power supply circuit  9 . The power supply control unit  17  comprises a switching instruction detecting unit  7  and a power supply source switching unit  8 . 
   The electrical power supply circuit  9  comprises change-over switches  911 ,  912 ,  913  for switching between ON and OFF conditions based on the output of the power supply source switching unit  8 , a rectifying circuit  92  for converting an external AC power source  10  to a DC power source, a storage battery  93  for supplying electrical power if the power supply from the external AC power source  10  is disrupted, an inverter  94  for converting a DC current to an AC current and a power supply source change-over switch  95 . 
   The administration apparatus  14  is connected to the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  using respective network connecting units  6 , and an uninterruptible power supply apparatus  15  is connected to the administration apparatus  14  through the network connecting unit  6 ′ in the present invention. 
   The administration apparatus  14  also comprises, although not illustrated in the figure, a storage unit for storing an operating program, a memory for developing the program and a central processing unit (CPU) for operating the program, in addition to the network connecting unit  6 . 
   The information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  are connected, for the purpose of receiving the electrical power, to the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  15  which extracts the electrical power from the external AC power source  10 . The information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  are provided with an operating condition monitoring program for monitoring the operating conditions thereof. 
   The administration apparatus  14  is provided with a monitoring program for monitoring the operating conditions of the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  (for example, executing a ping command) and a power supply instruction program for instructing the ON and OFF conditions of the connection change-over switches  911 ,  912 ,  913  of the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  15 . 
   Here, the ping command is used for searching for a response condition and response rate of the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3 , depending on the return of answer after arrival of packets to the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  as the transmission destination. 
   While the uninterruptible power supply system illustrated in  FIG. 3  is operating, the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  15  fetches electrical power from the external AC power source  10  and converts the AC current to the DC current using the rectifying circuit  92  to store the electric power in the storage battery  93 . The AC current converted from DC current by inverter  94  is supplied to the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3 . 
   When a hardware failure or an application failure due to power failure of the external AC power source are detected with the operating condition monitoring program installed in the information processing apparatus  1 , the administration apparatus  14  receives such failure information from the information processing apparatus  1  and displays this information on a monitor of administration apparatus  14 . Also, when no response to the request from the administration apparatus  14  due to power failure of the external AC power source is detected by the monitoring program installed in the administration apparatus  14 , the administration apparatus  14  displays this information on the monitor of administration apparatus  14 . 
   The administration apparatus  14  transmits, to the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  15 , a switching instruction for the power supply source change-over switch  95  to change the power supply resource into storage battery  93 , and a disconnect instruction for the change-over switch  911  to disconnect the power supply to the information processing apparatus  1  in accordance with the power supply instruction program. 
   The switching instruction detecting unit  7  transmits, to the power supply source switching unit  8 , the switching signal of the power supply source change-over switch  95  and the signal for disconnecting the connection change-over switch  911 . After the electrical power supply source is switched to the storage battery and the information processing apparatus  1  shuts off operation, the connection change-over switch  911  is disconnected and thereby the power supply to the information processing apparatus  1  is stopped. 
   When the electrical power of the external AC power source  10  is recovered, the administration apparatus  14  transmits, to the switching instruction detecting unit  7 , an instruction for connecting (closing) the connection change-over switch of the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  15  with a program for instructing the ON and OFF conditions of the connection change-over switch  911 . The switching instruction detecting unit  7  transmits the signal for connecting the connection change-over switch  911  to the power supply source switching unit  8  to connect the connection change-over switch  911 , while the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  15  re-starts the power supply to the information processing apparatus  1 . Moreover, when the power supply is started again, the information processing apparatus  1  is re-started with an automatic restarting program. 
   If a power failure occurs, as described above, in the external AC power source  10 , the administration apparatus  14  is capable of providing power supply control of the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3 . This is done by transmitting, to the switching instruction detecting unit  7 , the instruction for ON and OFF conditions of the connection change-over switches  911 ,  912 ,  913  for controlling the power supply of the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3 , and then controlling the power supply switching unit  8  to perform the connection switching of the connection change-over switches  911 ,  912 ,  913  with the instruction for the ON and OFF conditions. 
   With the operations described above, the power supply operation of the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  15  can be controlled without relation to the functions of the information processing apparatuses  1 , 2 , 3  connected to the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  15 . 
     FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  are flowcharts illustrating the control performance by the administration apparatus  14  for the power supply of the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  15 . 
   In  FIG. 4 , the administration apparatus  14  starts the monitoring of the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3 . The administration apparatus  14  confirms whether the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 ,  3  are connected to the network or not (operation  401 ). Thereafter, the administration apparatus  14  transmits packets to the information processing apparatus  1  with the ping command (operation  402 ). 
   If a response is not returned upon determination of the response of the information processing apparatus  1  for the ping command (operation  403 ), it is recognized that a failure is occurring in the information processing apparatus  1  (operation  404 ) and the ping command is transmitted to the information processing apparatus  2  (operation  405 ). If a response is returned upon determination of the response of the information processing apparatus  1  for the ping command (operation  403 ), it is recognized that the information processing apparatus  1  is normal and the ping command is transmitted to the information processing apparatus  2  (operation  405 ). 
   In the same manner, if a response is not returned upon determination of the response of the information processing apparatus  2  for the ping command (operation  406 ), it is recognized that a failure is occurring in the information processing apparatus  2  (operation  407 ) and the ping command is transmitted to the information processing apparatus  3  (operation  408 ). If a response is returned upon determination of the response of the information processing apparatus  1  for the ping command (operation  406 ), it is recognized that the information processing apparatus  2  is normal and the ping command is transmitted to the information processing apparatus  2  (operation  408 ). If a response is not returned upon determination of the response of the information processing apparatus  3  for the ping command (operation  409 ), it is recognized that a failure is occurring in the information processing apparatus  3  (operation  410 ). If a response is returned upon determination of the response of the information processing apparatus  3  for the ping command (operation  409 ), it is recognized that the information processing apparatus  3  is normal. 
   Next, in  FIG. 5 , the administration apparatus  14  starts issuing an instruction for disconnecting the power supply of the information processing apparatus in which a failure occurs. The administration apparatus  14  displays the identification (ID) number (for example, IP address) or the like of the information processing apparatus for which the response of the ping command is not returned indicating occurrence of a failure in the flowchart of  FIG. 4  (operation  501 ). An instruction for switching the power supply change-over switch  95  is issued (operation  502 ). An instruction is issued for disconnecting the connection change-over switch ( 911 ,  912  or  913 ) corresponding to the information processing apparatus in which a failure is detected is issued (operation  503 ). 
   Accordingly, when a failure is generated in the information processing apparatus connected to the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  15 , the power supply by the uninterruptible power supply apparatus  15  can be controlled without relation to the functions of the information processing apparatus. 
   Referring to the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the reference numerals  1 ,  2  designate the information processing apparatuses;  11 , a HUB;  14 , the administration apparatus; and  15 , the uninterruptible power supply apparatus. In  FIG. 6 , a black thick line indicates a network and a double line indicates an electrical power supply line. The uninterruptible power supply apparatus  15  comprises a network connecting unit  6 ′, a power supply control unit  17  and a power supply circuit  9 . The power supply control unit  17  comprises a switching instruction detecting unit  7  and a power supply source switching unit  8 . 
   The electrical power supply circuit  9  comprises change-over switches  911 ,  912 ,  913  for switching between ON and OFF conditions based on the output of the power supply source switching unit  8 , a rectifying circuit  92  for converting an external AC power source  10  to a DC power source, a storage battery  93  for supplying electrical power if the power supply from the external AC power source  10  is disrupted, an inverter  94  for converting a DC current to an AC current and a power supply source change-over switch  95 . 
   The HUB  11  is connected to the network using the information processing apparatuses  1 ,  2 , administration apparatus  14 , uninterruptible power supply apparatus  15  and respective network connecting units  6 . The administration apparatus  14  transmits the instruction for disconnecting (opening) the connection change-over switch  913  to the switching instruction detecting unit  7  via the HUB controlling unit  12  within the HUB using the power supply instruction program for instructing ON and OFF conditions of the connection change-over switch  913 . 
   The switching instruction detecting unit  7  transmits the signal for disconnecting the connection change-over switch  913 , to the power supply source switching unit  8 . Thereby, the connection change-over switch  913  is disconnected and the power supply to the HUB  11  is stopped. 
   Generally, HUB  11  is capable of remotely executing various settings and updating its firmware via the network. However, the reset operation (by power source OFF/ON) is required to enable new settings or new firmware. Accordingly, in addition to the reset when a failure occurs as described above, various setting and updating or the like can be completed from the remote areas. 
   Next, examples of modifications to the embodiment of the uninterruptible power supply apparatus of the present invention and the other technical extended items will be described below. 
   In the above embodiment, three information processing apparatuses are connected to the uninterruptible power supply apparatus, but the number of information processing apparatuses is not limited to three units. It is also possible that three or more apparatuses may be connected, or only one apparatus may also be connected to the uninterruptible power supply apparatus. 
   Also, the power supply circuit described above may be alternated to others such as a line interactive power supply system or a permanent inverter power supply system. 
   In the above embodiment, an AC power source is used as the external power source but this external power source is not limited to an AC power source, and an external DC current may also be employed. 
   In the above embodiment, operations of the uninterruptible power supply system have been described in which a hardware failure or an application failure is generated in the information processing apparatus  1  or in which no response is returned to the request from the administration apparatus  14 . However, such operations are not limited only to the failure of information processing apparatus  1 , but can also be applied to the information processing apparatus  2  or  3 . 
   In the above embodiment, the power supply for the information processing apparatus  1  has been switched to the storage battery  93  in order to stop the power supply described above. However, it is not always required to switch the change-over switch  95 , and the electrical power of the external AC power source  10  may be suspended without switching to the storage battery  93 . 
   The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Technology Category: h