BALANCING POWER SUPPLY AND DEMAND

• US 20100153757A1
• Filed: 02/26/2010
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tahoe Research Limited (f/k/a Learndale Limited) (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Don J. Nguyen, Peter T. Li
• Inventors: Li, Peter T., Nguyen, Don J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,242,750 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 Regulating electric power
• 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 1/305 in the event of power-supply fluctuations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence

Abstract

A method and apparatus to balance adapter power supply and computing device power demand. In one embodiment, power to/from battery pack(s) maybe controlled by adjusting the output voltage of the power adapter via the current input to the power adapter through a feedback pin to meet power demand of electrical loads. Another embodiment provides a way to adjust the activities of the electrical loads such that neither adapter power rating nor the electrical load power limit is exceeded while avoiding system shutdown.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

controlling the output voltage of a power adapter based on its output power rating and the supply needs of one or more computing device electrical loads; and

controlling the charging/discharging activities of one or more battery packs to supply power to the one or more computing device electrical loads while the power adapter supplies power to the one or more computer device electrical loads.

2. The method of claim 1, in which the power adapter voltage is controlled by modifying control current to the power adapter through a feedback pin.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising detecting the power rating of the power adapter through the feedback pin.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising increasing adapter output voltage by modifying current through the feedback pin.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising reducing adapter output current when power demand approaches the adapter power rating.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting power demand of the electrical loads.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising providing electrical load power information from the power module to the computing device.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising providing system power limit to the power module through a system management controller.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising adjusting electrical load power demand through an input/output hub.

6. The method of claim 15 further comprising reducing adapter output voltage when adapter power rating is exceeded.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising managing power demand of the electrical loads.