Multi-Stage Power Adapter
First Claim
1. A method implemented by a power adapter comprising:
- supplying low power by the power adapter in a low power mode upon initial connection of the power adapter to a host computing device to power a microcontroller for performance of power management tasks without supplying power to a primary processing system of the host computing device;
detecting a notification from the host computing device configured to indicate to the power adapter that the host computing device is ready for high power; and
supplying by the power adapter high power in a high power mode to the host computing device in response to detection of the notification.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Multi-stage power adapter techniques are described in which a power adapter for a device is configured to selectively switch between a relatively low power supply and a relatively high power supply. The low power supply may be employed upon initial connection of the adapter to a host device to ensure that the adapter is safe when disconnected and does not supply full power before the device is ready to receive the high power supply. The low power supply may supply enough power for the host device to detect the connection of the adapter and establish initial communication with the adapter. A switch to the high power supply by the adapter may then occur in response to a notification from the host device that indicates the host device is ready for the high power supply. The switch to high power supply enables normal operation of the host device.
89 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method implemented by a power adapter comprising:
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supplying low power by the power adapter in a low power mode upon initial connection of the power adapter to a host computing device to power a microcontroller for performance of power management tasks without supplying power to a primary processing system of the host computing device; detecting a notification from the host computing device configured to indicate to the power adapter that the host computing device is ready for high power; and supplying by the power adapter high power in a high power mode to the host computing device in response to detection of the notification. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method implemented by a host computing device comprising:
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obtaining a low power supply from a power adapter in a low power supply mode, the low power supply sufficient to operate a power controller of the host computing device to perform power management tasks without supplying power to a primary processing system of the host computing device; detecting connection of the power adapter to an adapter interface of the host computing device; determining whether the host computing device is ready for high power from the power adapter; responsive to determining that the host computing device is ready for high power from the power adapter; generating a notification for communication to the power adapter to cause the power adapter to switch to a high power supply mode; and obtaining a high power supply from the power adapter in the high power mode in response to communication of the notification. - View Dependent Claims (10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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11. (canceled)
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18. A power adapter for a host computing device comprising:
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power supply circuitry of the power adapter configured to provide a low power supply in a low power mode and a high power supply in a high power mode to the host computing device, the lower power supply being sufficient to operate a power controller of the host computing device to perform power management tasks without booting the host computing device; and a power manager module operable to selectively switch between supplying power to the host computing device in the low power mode and the high power mode based upon feedback obtained from the host device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification