UPS Web Interface for Centralized PDU Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and power distribution units (PDUs) are cumbersome to manage, especially for medium and small-sized enterprises, as they require expensive network management software and are not suitable for all industries, making it inconvenient to control and monitor multiple connected apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

A UPS with a web-based user interface that allows users to log in, add and control multiple PDUs, performing handshaking tasks to simulate additional sockets, display and control PDU information, and manage power distribution units remotely without the need for a separate management server.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional network management software (e.g., HP OpenView, IBM Tivoli) is used to manage multiple PDUs, then centralized control capability is improved, but system cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized control capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The UPS system provides self-service management capabilities through built-in web-based user interface that enables direct control of PDUs without requiring external management servers. The UPS controller handles PDU control requests, performs handshaking tasks, and manages socket simulations internally, eliminating dependency on costly third-party management software.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The UPS system is designed to perform multiple functions including power supply, PDU control, socket simulation, and web-based user interface provision. This multi-functionality allows a single UPS device to replace the need for separate management servers and specialized software, reducing overall system cost while maintaining centralized control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple separate PDUs are used to provide sufficient sockets, then socket quantity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesocket quantityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple PDU control functions into a single integrated system managed through the UPS. The UPS controller consolidates control of multiple PDUs, performs handshaking tasks with each PDU, and simulates additional sockets through software logic, reducing the number of independent devices users must manage while providing equivalent or enhanced socket capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The UPS controller acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple PDUs. It receives control requests, performs handshaking tasks with relevant PDUs, and executes control actions, thereby simplifying the user interface and reducing the complexity of directly managing multiple separate PDU devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If each PDU is controlled separately through individual logins, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The UPS system provides universal control capability that allows users to manage multiple PDUs through a single login interface. The web-based user interface enables users to control different PDUs and their sockets without requiring separate logins, while maintaining precise control over each PDU's power distribution through the unified interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If conventional UPS with limited sockets is used, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the parameter of available socket quantity through software-based socket simulation. When a PDU is added to the system, the UPS controller performs handshaking tasks and simulates additional sockets, effectively increasing the system's adaptability to connect more apparatuses without adding physical sockets to the UPS hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9069544B2Uninterruptible power supply and method for controlling power distribution unit by the same

Publication Date: 2015.06.30 CYBER POWER SYST

AI summary

A method for controlling power distribution unit (PDU) by an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) has steps of allowing logging in the UPS through a network, providing a web-based user interface and allowing adding an identification of at least one PDU to use sockets on the added PDU to simulate additional sockets on the UPS, performing a handshaking task with the added PDU, receiving information from the added PDU during performing of the handshaking task, displaying the received information of the added PDU on the web-based user interface and allowing either operating the UPS or controlling the added PDU. The method allows the UPS to be capable of communicating with all connected PDUs so the user can merely login the UPS to control and manage all PDUs connected to the UPS.