US 7939967

US Patent 7939967: Multiple Power Supply Control

Summary:

• Title: Multiple power supply control
• Current Assignee: Valtrus Innovations Ltd; Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
• Inventors: Daniel Humphrey, Amin Bemat, Reynaldo Domingo
• Filing Date: June 25, 2009
• Issue Date: May 10, 2011
• Abstract: The patent describes apparatus and methods for controlling multiple power supplies. A system includes two or more power supplies that receive electrical energy from independent sources. If one power supply detects an anomalous condition in its associated energy source, it provides an alert signal. At least one of the other power supplies then transitions from a standby mode to a normal output mode in response to this alert signal. Importantly, the failing power supply continues to provide operating level energy to an electrical load while the responding power supplies transition to normal output levels, ensuring continuous power.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Apparatus): This claim describes a power supply system with at least two power supplies. A first power supply is connected to an electrical load and a first energy source. It is designed to detect a failure in its energy source and issue an alert. A second power supply is also connected to the same electrical load and a second energy source. This second power supply is configured to switch from a lower power output (standby) to a higher power output (normal operation) when it receives an activation signal.

• Independent Claim 9 (System): This claim outlines a system that includes an electrical load and two independent power supplies. Both the first and second power supplies are connected to their own independent sources of electricity and to the electrical load. Each power supply is configured to issue its own alert signal if its respective independent electricity source experiences an anomalous condition. Furthermore, each power supply is designed to transition from a lower output level to a greater output level in response to a specific activation signal (a first activation signal for the first power supply and a second for the second power supply).

• Independent Claim 14 (Method): This claim describes a method for managing power supply. It involves asserting a signal when an anomalous condition is detected in a first independent source of electrical energy, which typically energizes a first power supply. In response to this signal, a second power supply (energized by a second independent source of electrical energy) begins to transition from a standby output level to a normal output level. Crucially, during this transition period, the first power supply continues to provide operating power to the electrical load.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:

A search for CAFC 2026 dockets for patent 7939967 did not return any direct matches. The provided search results for CAFC dockets in 2026 discuss other patent cases, such as Moskowitz Family LLC v. Globus Medical, Inc. and Universal Electronics, Inc. v. Roku, Inc., and a precedential decision regarding incorrect inventorship for US Patents 9,790,707 and 10,883,290. There is no authoritative information linking US patent 7939967 to any cases in the CAFC 2026 dockets.I have successfully identified the core patent information and analyzed the independent claims. I have also performed a search for CAFC 2026 dockets for the specific patent number and found no direct results. Therefore, I have all the necessary information to construct the final response.

{
  "patent_number": "7939967",
  "title": "Multiple power supply control",
  "current_assignee": "Valtrus Innovations Ltd; Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP",
  "inventors": [
    "Daniel Humphrey",
    "Amin Bemat",
    "Reynaldo Domingo"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2009-06-25",
  "issue_date": "2011-05-10",
  "abstract": "Apparatus and methods are provided. A system includes two or more power supplies receiving electrical energy from respective independent sources. One of the power supplies detects an anomalous condition of the associated energy source and provides an alert signal. At least one of the other power supplies transitions from a standby mode to a normal output mode in response to the alert signal. The failing power supply provides operating level energy to an electrical load while the one or more other power supplies transition from standby to normal output level.",
  "independent_claims_overview": [
    {
      "claim_number": "1",
      "type": "Apparatus",
      "overview": "This claim describes a power supply system including a first power supply connected to an electrical load and a first energy source. This first power supply is configured to issue an alert signal when it detects a failure in its energy source. The system also includes a second power supply connected to the same electrical load and a second energy source. This second power supply is configured to switch from a lesser (e.g., standby) output level to a greater (e.g., normal) output level upon receiving an activation signal."
    },
    {
      "claim_number": "9",
      "type": "System",
      "overview": "This claim defines a system comprising an electrical load, a first power supply, and a second power supply. The first power supply is coupled to a first independent electricity source and the electrical load, and it's set up to provide a first alert signal for an anomalous condition in its source. Similarly, the second power supply is coupled to a second independent electricity source and the electrical load, and it's configured to provide a second alert signal for an anomalous condition in *its* source. Additionally, both the first and second power supplies are configured to transition from a lesser output level to a greater output level in response to a first and second activation signal, respectively."
    },
    {
      "claim_number": "14",
      "type": "Method",
      "overview": "This claim describes a method that involves asserting a signal in response to an anomalous condition of a first independent source of electrical energy, which is connected to power a first power supply. The method then includes transitioning a second power supply (which is energized by a second independent source of electrical energy) from a standby output level to a normal output level in response to this signal. A key aspect is that operating power is provided from the first power supply to an electrical load during this transitioning period of the second power supply."
    }
  ],
  "cafc_2026_dockets": "No direct matches found for patent 7939967 in CAFC 2026 dockets. The search results discussed other patent litigation cases."
}
```**US Patent 7939967: Multiple Power Supply Control**

**Summary:**

*   **Title:** Multiple power supply control
*   **Current Assignee:** Valtrus Innovations Ltd; Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
*   **Inventors:** Daniel Humphrey, Amin Bemat, Reynaldo Domingo
*   **Filing Date:** June 25, 2009
*   **Issue Date:** May 10, 2011
*   **Abstract:** The patent describes apparatus and methods for controlling multiple power supplies. A system includes two or more power supplies receiving electrical energy from respective independent sources. One of the power supplies detects an anomalous condition of the associated energy source and provides an alert signal. At least one of the other power supplies transitions from a standby mode to a normal output mode in response to the alert signal. The failing power supply provides operating level energy to an electrical load while the one or more other power supplies transition from standby to normal output level.

**Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:**

*   **Independent Claim 1 (Apparatus):** This claim describes a power supply system. It includes a first power supply connected to an electrical load and a first source of electrical energy. This first power supply is designed to send an alert signal if its connected energy source fails. The system also has a second power supply, also connected to the electrical load and its own second source of electrical energy. This second power supply is configured to increase its power output from a lower level (like standby) to a greater level (like normal operation) when it receives an activation signal.

*   **Independent Claim 9 (System):** This claim outlines a system featuring an electrical load and two power supplies. A first power supply is connected to a first independent electricity source and the electrical load, and it's set to generate a first alert signal if its source has an issue. Similarly, a second power supply is linked to a second independent electricity source and the electrical load, and it's configured to generate a second alert signal for anomalies in its source. Both power supplies are also designed to ramp up their output from a lesser to a greater level when they receive their respective activation signals.

*   **Independent Claim 14 (Method):** This claim describes a method for power management. It involves sending out a signal when there's an anomalous condition with a first independent source of electrical energy, which normally powers a first power supply. In response to this signal, a second power supply, which is powered by a second independent source of electrical energy, begins to switch from a standby power output to a normal operating power output. During this transition period, the first power supply continues to provide necessary operating power to an electrical load.

**CAFC 2026 Dockets:**

No direct matches were found for US patent 7939967 in the CAFC 2026 dockets. The search results provided information on other patent cases before the Federal Circuit, such as those involving *Fortress Iron LP* (U.S. Patents 9,790,707 and 10,883,290) and various other scheduled cases, but none specifically mention patent 7939967.