US-12619295-B2 - Power supply with overcurrent protection based on system bios setting

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for automatically controlling a power setting of a power supply unit (PSU). The apparatus includes a processor and non-volatile memory having a switch configured to instruct the PSU to operate in a first overcurrent protection (OCP) mode.

Inventors

• Alan L. Painter
• Omar Ali

Assignees

• LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20230530

Claims (20)

1. 1 . An apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a non-volatile memory configured to store code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: receive a power setting of a plurality of different power settings for the apparatus prior to startup of the apparatus, wherein each different power setting in the plurality of different power settings corresponds to a type of power plug of a plurality of different types of power plugs that receive power from a power source for powering the apparatus, set, in a basic input/output system (BIOS) setup utility prior to startup of the apparatus, an overcurrent protection (OCP) mode of a plurality of different OCP modes corresponding to the received power setting, wherein: the OCP mode set in the BIOS setup utility protects the apparatus from overcurrent in the power supplied by the power source and received via the type of power plug, and each OCP mode in the plurality of different OCP modes corresponds to a power setting in the plurality of different power settings, and instruct, at startup of the apparatus, a power supply unit (PSU) for the apparatus to operate in the OCP mode set in the BIOS setup utility, wherein: the apparatus is configurable for being powered by each different type of power plug, each different type of power plug is based on a maximum amount of power supplied by the corresponding type of power plug to the apparatus, the OCP mode sets an OCP threshold amount of power supplied by the PSU to the apparatus, and the OCP threshold amount of power set by the OCP mode and supplied by the PSU corresponds to the maximum amount of power supplied by the power plug corresponding to the power setting.
2. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a BIOS module; and a switch included in the BIOS module.
3. 3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein: the switch further causes the processor to assert and deassert a general-purpose input/output (GPIO) associated with the PSU, and asserting and deasserting the GPIO enables the PSU to select an output OCP value for the OCP mode.
4. 4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a motherboard embedded controller (EC) coupled to the processor, wherein: the switch is configured to instruct the EC to operate in one of the plurality of different OCP modes.
5. 5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the EC is configured to one of: use a first OCP threshold amount of power associated with a 15 A input responsive to a first OCP mode of the plurality of different OCP modes being a 15 A mode and the type of the power plug being a national electrical manufacturers association (NEMA) 5P-15 plug; or use a second OCP threshold amount of power associated with a 20 A input responsive to a second OCP mode of the plurality of different OCP modes being a 20 A mode and the type of the power plug being a NEMA 5P-20 plug.
6. 6 . A method, comprising: receiving, by a processor, a power setting of a plurality of different power settings for a computer system prior to startup of the computer system, wherein each different power setting in the plurality of different power settings corresponds to a type of power plug of a plurality of different types of power plugs that receive power from a power source for powering the computer system; setting, by the processor in a basic input/output system (BIOS) setup utility prior to startup of the computer system, an overcurrent protection (OCP) mode of a plurality of different OCP modes corresponding to the received power setting, wherein: the OCP mode set in the BIOS setup utility protects the apparatus from overcurrent in the power supplied by the power source and received via the type of power plug, and each OCP mode in the plurality of different OCP modes corresponds to a power setting in the plurality of different power settings, and instructing, by the processor at startup of the computer system, a power supply unit (PSU) of the computer system to operate in the OCP mode set in the BIOS setup utility; and activating, by the processor, the PSU upon start-up of the computer system, wherein: the computer system is configurable for being powered by each different type of power plug, each different type of power plug is based on a maximum amount of power supplied by the corresponding type of power plug to the computer system, the OCP mode sets an OCP threshold amount of power supplied by the PSU to the computer system, and the OCP threshold amount of power set by the OCP mode and supplied by the PSU corresponds to the maximum amount of power supplied by the power plug corresponding to the power setting.
7. 7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the computer system comprises a BIOS module and a switch in the BIOS module.
8. 8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising: asserting, by the switch, a general-purpose input/output (GPIO) associated with the PSU.
9. 9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising: deasserting, by the switch, the GPIO associated with the PSU, wherein asserting and deasserting the GPIO enables the PSU to select an output OCP value for the OCP mode.
10. 10 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising one of: at the PSU, using a first OCP threshold amount of power associated with a 15 A input responsive to the OCP mode being a 15 A mode; or at the PSU, using a second OCP threshold amount of power associated with a 20 A input responsive to the OCP mode being a 20 A mode.
11. 11 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising: instructing a motherboard embedded controller (EC) to operate in one of the plurality of different OCP modes.
12. 12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising one of: using, by the EC, a first OCP threshold amount of power associated with a 15 A input responsive to a first OCP mode of the plurality of different OCP modes being a 15 A mode and the type of the power plug being a national electrical manufacturers association (NEMA) 5P-15 plug; or using, by the EC, a second OCP threshold amount of power associated with a 20 A input responsive to a second OCP mode of the plurality of different OCP modes being a 20 A mode and the type of the power plug being a NEMA 5P-20 plug.
13. 13 . A computer system, comprising: a basic input/output system (BIOS) module, the BIOS module comprising a BIOS power-setting switch configured to switch between a first overcurrent protection (OCP) mode corresponding to a first amount of power received from a power source for powering the computing system and a second OCP mode corresponding to a second amount of power received from the power source for powering the computing system, wherein: the first OCP mode or the second OCP mode is set in a BIOS setup utility, the set first OCP mode protects the computer system from overcurrent in the first amount of power received from the power source, and the set second OCP mode protects the computer system from overcurrent in the second amount of power received from the power source.
14. 14 . The computer system of claim 13 , wherein: the first OCP mode comprises a fifteen-amp (15 A) mode; and the second OCP mode comprises a twenty-amp (20 A) mode.
15. 15 . The computer system of claim 14 , further comprising: a power plug of a plurality of different types of power plugs; a processor; a power supply unit (PSU) coupled to the power plug and the processor; and non-volatile memory storing code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: receive a power setting of a plurality of power settings for the system that corresponds to the power plug, wherein each different power setting in the plurality of different power settings corresponds to a type of power plug of a plurality of different types of power plugs for the system, set, in the BIOS setup utility prior to startup of the computing device, one of the first OCP mode or the second OCP mode, wherein the one of the first OCP mode or the second OCP mode corresponds to the received power setting, and instruct, at startup of the system, the PSU operate in the one of the first OCP mode or the second OCP mode, wherein: the computer system is configurable for being powered by each different type of power plug, each different type of power plug is based on a maximum amount of power supplied by the corresponding type of power plug to the computer system, the OCP mode sets an OCP threshold amount of power supplied by the PSU to the computer system, and the OCP threshold amount of power set by the OCP mode and supplied by the PSU corresponds to the maximum amount of power supplied by the power plug corresponding to the power setting.
16. 16 . The computer system of claim 15 , wherein the BIOS power-setting switch is further configured to cause the processor to assert a general-purpose input/output (GPIO) associated with the PSU.
17. 17 . The computer system of claim 16 , wherein: the BIOS power-setting switch is further configured to cause the processor to deassert the GPIO associated with the PSU; and asserting and deasserting the GPIO enables the PSU to select an output OCP value corresponding to the one of the first OCP mode or the second OCP mode.
18. 18 . The computer system of claim 15 , wherein the PSU is configured to: use a first OCP threshold amount of power associated with a 15 A input responsive to the first OCP mode; and use a second OCP threshold amount of power associated with a 20 A input responsive to the second OCP mode.
19. 19 . The computer system of claim 13 , further comprising a motherboard embedded controller (EC) coupled to the processor, wherein: the BIOS power-setting switch is further configured to instruct the EC to operate in one of the first OCP mode or the second OCP mode.
20. 20 . The computer system of claim 19 , wherein the EC is configured to one of: use the first OCP threshold amount of power associated with the 15 A input responsive to the first OCP mode being set and the type of the power plug being a national electrical manufacturers association (NEMA) 5P-15 plug; or use the second OCP threshold amount of power associated with the 20 A input responsive to the second OCP mode being set and the type of the power plug being a NEMA 5P-20 plug.

Description

BACKGROUND This invention relates to computer system configuration management and more particularly relates to overcurrent protections. Power management becomes particularly important for computer workstations, which must rely upon a power source of the facility where the computer workstations are used. SUMMARY Methods, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed for automatically controlling a power setting of a power supply unit (PSU). In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a processor and non-volatile memory having a switch configured to instruct the PSU to operate in a first overcurrent protection (OCP) mode. In another embodiment, a system includes a processor, a power supply unit (PSU) coupled to the processor, and non-volatile memory comprising a switch configured to instruct the PSU to operate in a first overcurrent protection (OCP) mode. In another embodiment, a method includes instructing a power supply unit (PSU) of a computer system to operate in a first overcurrent protection (OCP) mode based on a switch setting stored in non-volatile memory in the computer system and activating the switch upon start-up of the computer system. Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a possible computer system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of memory components according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a screen shot of a basic input/output system (BIOS) setup utility according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for a configuration module according to an embodiment; and FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for a configuration module according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Many of the functional units described in this specification have been labeled as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices or the like. Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. An identified module of executable code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not be physically located together but may comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module. Indeed, a module of executable code may be a single instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. S