Enhancements To Improve The Functionality And Efficiency Of Brick Power Adapters

• US 20070300089A1
• Filed: 06/21/2006
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Bhogal, Kulvir S., Boss, Gregory J., Polozoff, Alexandre, HAMILTON, RICK A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,516,343 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/320
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode

Abstract

The enhanced power supply adds a control circuit and rechargeable battery to the prior art transformer. The enhanced power supply uses an internal rechargeable battery in standby mode, so that the power supply does not draw AC power when the attached device is not in use. Control contacts on the power supply receptacle act as a communication channel allowing the attached device to power requirements to the power supply. The power supply has the ability to detect the power draw and switch between power modes, even when there is no communication with the attached device.

Claims

1. A method for reducing the power consumption of an AC to DC adaptor, the method comprising:

converting AC power to DC power with a transformer on the adaptor;

charging a local battery on the adaptor;

supplying DC power to a detecting and switching mechanism on the adaptor;

detecting the presence of a target electronic device attached to the adaptor;

determining the power requirements of the target device;

supplying DC power from the transformer to the target device when required;

disabling the transformer when DC power is not needed by the target device; and

using the local battery to supply DC power to the switching and detecting mechanism while the transformer is disabled.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein control contacts on a receptacle that couples with the target device detect the presence of the target device attached to the adaptor.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein measuring devices on the adaptor detect the power requirements of the target device attached to the adaptor.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein control contacts on a receptacle that couples with the target device enables the target device attached to the adaptor to control the detecting and switching mechanism on the adaptor.

5. An apparatus for reducing the power consumption of an AC to DC adaptor, the apparatus comprising:

an AC to DC transformer;

a detecting and switching mechanism attached to the transformer;

a local battery attached to the detecting and switching mechanism;

a switching logic program in the detecting and switching mechanism operable to charge the local battery, detect the presence of a target electronic device attached to the adaptor, determine the power requirements of the target device, supply DC power from transformer to the target device when required, disable the transformer when DC power is not needed by the target device and supply DC power to the switching and detecting mechanism from the local battery while the transformer is disabled.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising control contacts on a receptacle that couples with the target device to detect the presence of the target device attached to the adaptor.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising measuring devices on the adaptor detect the power requirements of the target device attached to the adaptor.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising control contacts on a receptacle that couples with the target device to enable the target device attached to the adaptor to control the detecting and switching mechanism on the adaptor.