Abstract: A method and apparatus to modify an output power of a power adapter coupled to a computing device in accordance with a power consumption of the computing device is discussed. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A power control circuit includes a selector coupled to a first power source and a second power source. The selector selects power from the first power source for powering a load based on a status signal from at least the first power source. The first power source may be an environmental power source and the second power source may be another type of power source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for short circuit detection for batteries. Some embodiments of a method include receiving a battery pack in a system, where the battery pack is rechargeable and includes multiple battery cell blocks, each cell block including one or more battery cells. The voltages of the plurality of cell blocks are monitored. Upon shutting down the system, the voltages of the plurality of cell blocks are logged to generate a set of logged voltage values. Upon restarting the system, the current voltage values of the cell blocks are measured. A determination whether any of the battery cells of the battery pack has developed a short circuit is made based at least in part on a comparison of the current voltage values with the set of the logged voltage values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligent battery safety management. Some embodiments of a method for managing battery operation may include receiving a battery pack in a device, where the battery pack is rechargeable and includes a battery cell. In some embodiments data may be collected regarding the operation of the battery cell in the device, and the collected data may be compared with a set of battery reference data. In some embodiments a determination may be made whether the battery cell is non-authentic or defective based at least in part on the comparison between the collected data and the battery reference data.

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.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a method, apparatus, and system for power source failure prediction are described. According to some embodiments, the system may include, among other things, a display device to draw power from a direct current power source, two or more electrical lines positioned on either side of the direct current power source to determine a voltage across the direct current power source, and a power source management unit coupled to the two or more electrical lines to measure the voltage. In some embodiments, a cell monitoring unit may be coupled to the two or more electrical lines to measure the voltage for the power source management unit, where the cell monitoring unit is capable of converting the measured voltage to a digital signal, measuring the rate of change of the voltage over a period of time, and providing information to the power source management unit. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Multiple components of a computer system may be capable of entering wake and sleep states. The power consumption of a processor during wake state may draw significant amount of current. In order to keep power consumption of a voltage regulator low, a two-phase voltage regulator may be used during wake state. During sleep state, since power consumption is lower, the two-phase voltage regulator may be operated in a single-phase mode to further reduce voltage regulator power consumption.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to a multiple load line voltage regulators are described. In one embodiment, a voltage regulator may adjust an input voltage level based on information received from a load and current supplied to the load. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a method, apparatus, and system for power source failure prediction are described. According to some embodiments, the system may include, among other things, a display device to draw power from a direct current power source, two or more electrical lines positioned on either side of the direct current power source to determine a voltage across the direct current power source, and a power source management unit coupled to the two or more electrical lines to measure the voltage. In some embodiments, a cell monitoring unit may be coupled to the two or more electrical lines to measure the voltage for the power source management unit, where the cell monitoring unit is capable of converting the measured voltage to a digital signal, measuring the rate of change of the voltage over a period of time, and providing information to the power source management unit. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Multiple components of a computer system may be capable of entering wake and sleep states. The power consumption of a processor during wake state may draw significant amount of current. In order to keep power consumption of a voltage regulator low, a two-phase voltage regulator may be used during wake state. During sleep state, since power consumption is lower, the two-phase voltage regulator may be operated in a single-phase mode to further reduce voltage regulator power consumption.

Abstract: A system including at least one electronic component and a battery check circuit. When a power consumption level of the at least one electronic component is increased, the battery check circuit determines whether to provide power from a battery to the at least one electronic component by comparing a power level of the battery to a first power level.

Abstract: A system including at least one electronic component and a battery check circuit. When a power consumption level of the at least one electronic component is increased, the battery check circuit determines whether to provide power from a battery to the at least one electronic component by comparing a power level of the battery to a first power level.

Abstract: Power management techniques are disclosed. For instance, an apparatus may include a bidirectional voltage converter circuit, and a control module that selectively operates the bidirectional voltage converter circuit in a charging mode and a delivery mode. The charging mode converts a voltage provided by an interface (e.g., a USB interface) into a charging voltage employed by an energy storage module (e.g., a rechargeable battery). Conversely, the delivery mode converts a voltage provided by the energy storage module into a voltage employed by the interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for short circuit detection for batteries. Some embodiments of a method include receiving a battery pack in a system, where the battery pack is rechargeable and includes multiple battery cell blocks, each cell block including one or more battery cells. The voltages of the plurality of cell blocks are monitored. Upon shutting down the system, the voltages of the plurality of cell blocks are logged to generate a set of logged voltage values. Upon restarting the system, the current voltage values of the cell blocks are measured. A determination whether any of the battery cells of the battery pack has developed a short circuit is made based at least in part on a comparison of the current voltage values with the set of the logged voltage values.

Abstract: Power is applied to a voltage supply. A signal that indicates reduced work capability in an integrated circuit (IC) that is being powered by the voltage supply is generated based on workload demand or conscious power and performance tradeoffs. This signal is applied to increase the power efficiency of the voltage supply, while the supply is powering the IC in its reduced work capability state.

Abstract: A computer system having one or more components capable of being in either wake or sleep states includes a power manager and a voltage regulator. The power manager may generate a power state signal indicating the power state of the component, and this signal may be provided to the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator may supply power to the component. The target voltage level of the power may be dependent on both a current level of the power and the power state signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligent battery safety management. Some embodiments of a method for managing battery operation may include receiving a battery pack in a device, where the battery pack is rechargeable and includes a battery cell. In some embodiments data may be collected regarding the operation of the battery cell in the device, and the collected data may be compared with a set of battery reference data. In some embodiments a determination may be made whether the battery cell is non-authentic or defective based at least in part on the comparison between the collected data and the battery reference data.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of power management for a computer system having a display may include identifying at least one area of interest displayed on a display screen. The area of interest may be a selected window. Color of at least one pixel not associated with the area of interest may be adjusted to a new color that consumes less power than an intended color. This new color may be white when the display is a normally white liquid crystal display (LCD).

Abstract: A system may include a voltage regulator controller to provide a control signal, a voltage regulator converter comprising a power switching element coupled between an output node of the voltage regulator converter and ground, the voltage regulator converter to receive the control signal, and a logic circuit to detect current flow from the output node to the voltage regulator converter and to disable the power switching element in response to detecting the current flow.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are approaches for reducing the difference in voltage between a DC power source and a system supply voltage for a mobile system, for example, to reduce over-voltages, inrush currents, and power conversion inefficiencies when a DC source such as an adapter is connected to the mobile system.