Status LED Power Reduction via Dynamic Control Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face high energy consumption and heat generation due to numerous electronic components, and identifying faulty components within them is challenging, leading to increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing control circuits to temporarily disable status LEDs when not needed, using power switches and control circuitry to manage LED operation based on timeout periods, fault conditions, and scheduled times, allowing for energy savings and easier component identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If status LEDs are continuously enabled to indicate operational status and facilitate fault identification, then ease of operation and fault detection are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the LED status indicators adjustable between enabled and disabled states based on operational conditions. The system dynamically transitions from continuous operation to selective operation, allowing LEDs to be disabled during non-critical periods while maintaining the ability to identify faults when needed. This resolves the contradiction by adapting the operational state to current needs rather than maintaining a fixed state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through scheduled enable/disable cycles of status LEDs. The system enables LEDs during critical periods (such as business hours or when faults are detected) and disables them during non-critical periods (such as nighttime or weekends). This periodic operation pattern reduces overall power consumption while ensuring fault identification capability is available when required.
2Productivity
If a large number of electronic components are deployed to centralize network information storage, then productivity and data processing capability are improved, but power consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power consumption issue from the overall system by targeting a specific subset of components (status LEDs) that contribute to energy consumption but are not essential for core data processing functions. By selectively disabling these peripheral indicators while maintaining the operational status of critical components, the system reduces overall power consumption without compromising productivity or data processing capability.
3Loss of energy
If status LEDs are disabled to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but fault identification capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor system conditions and automatically adjust LED status accordingly. When faults are detected or critical operational states occur, the system receives feedback and automatically re-enables status LEDs to provide visible indication of the problem. This feedback loop ensures that fault identification capability is maintained when needed while allowing power savings during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by proactively enabling status LEDs when fault conditions are anticipated or detected, rather than waiting for users to report issues. The monitoring system identifies potential problems and pre-activates visual indicators to alert operators, ensuring fault identification capability is ready before problems escalate.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of lowering power consumption. The method includes temporarily disabling a plurality of status indicators on a plurality of electronic components without disabling the operation of the electronic components.