Patent ID: 8850241

Claim:
A method implemented by a power adapter comprising: connecting a host computing device to a source of external power to supply power to the host computing device from the source of external power via a power manager module of the power adapter that operates to switch circuitry of the power adapter to toggle between different power modes associated with different power levels, the power adapter external to the host computing device; supplying low power by the power adapter from the source of external power in a low power mode upon initial connection of the power adapter to the 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 from the source of external power, the notification communicated by a power controller of the host computing device for recognition and handling by the power manager module of the power adapter to initiate a switch to a high power mode; 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.