System having a power adapter that generates a data signal based on the state of an external power source that is used to manage the power consumption of a CPU

Abstract

A system and method for determining the type of power source supplying electrical power to a power adapter for a portable computer. In an embodiment of the invention, a power adapter for a portable computer is provided with a first power identification circuit for generating system information relating to operation on an AC power source and a second power identification circuit for generating system information relating to operation on a DC power source. A power source detector is operable to detect whether the electrical power supplied to the power adapter is AC or DC power and to enable the first or second power identification circuit, respectively, thereby generating a data signal indicating the respective type of power source. The data signal is provided to a subsystem manager in the computer to allow identification of the type of external power source. The information regarding the type of external power source can be used by the portable computer to control various operating parameters, including the charging state of the battery and the power consumption levels of various system components.

1 . A method for determining the managing power utilization in an information handling system, the method comprising: 
 sensing the state of an external power source;    activating a first identification circuit corresponding to said external power source having a first state, thereby generating a data signal corresponding to said first state of said external power source;    activating a second identification circuit corresponding to said external power source having a second state, thereby generating a data signal corresponding to said second state of said external power source; and    using said data signal to dynamically manage power utilization in said information handling system.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first state of said external power source corresponds to AC power.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said management of said power utilization comprises implementing a first set of predetermined performance parameters in accordance with detection of AC power.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said first set of predetermined performance parameters comprises controlling charging of a battery in said information handling system.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said first set or performance parameters comprises controlling the power consumption level of system components in said information handling system.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first state of said external power source corresponds to DC power.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said management of said power utilization comprises implementing a second set of predetermined performance parameters in accordance with detection of DC power.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said second set of predetermined performance parameters comprising controlling charging of a battery in said information handling system.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said second set or performance parameters comprises controlling the power consumption level of system components in said information handling system.  
   
   
       10 . A system for monitoring the state of an external power source provided to an information handling system, the system comprising: 
 a power adapter comprising a first identification circuit operable to generate a first data signal indicating a first state of said external power source and a second identification circuit operable to generate a second data signal indicating a second state of said external power source; and    a subsystem manager operably interfaced to receive said first and second data signals and to cause said information handling system to operate in accordance with first and second sets of operating parameters in response to said first and second data signals, respectively.    
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a state machine operable on the subsystem manager, the state machine sensing said first and second data signals to determine the external power source state.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said first state of said external power source corresponds to AC power.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said first set of predetermined performance parameters comprises controlling charging of a battery in said information handling system.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said first set of performance parameters comprises controlling the power consumption level of system components in said information handling system.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said second state of said external power source corresponds to DC power.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said second set of predetermined performance parameters comprising controlling charging of a battery in said information handling system.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said second set of performance parameters comprises controlling the power consumption level of system components in said information handling system.  
   
   
       18 - 20 . (canceled)