# US 2013/0159792 A1 · Fault detection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0159792 A1 - Document ID: US20130159792A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/818,494 - Filed: 2011-01-24 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-01-24 - Inventors: Robert Brooks; Scott Wright; Ted Nguy - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130159792A1 ## CPC - G06F 1/30: Means for acting in the event of power-supply failure or interruption, e.g. power-supply fluctuations (for resetting only G06F1/24) - G06F 1/28: Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision - G06F 11/3051: {Monitoring arrangements for monitoring the configuration of the computing system or of the computing system component, e.g. monitoring the presence of processing resources, peripherals, I/O links, software programs (verification or detection of system hardware configuration G06F11/2247)} - G06F 11/3058: {Monitoring arrangements for monitoring environmental properties or parameters of the computing system or of the computing system component, e.g. monitoring of power, currents, temperature, humidity, position, vibrations (thermal management in cooling arrangements of a computing system G06F1/206)} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for monitoring and communicating power faults. In various embodiments, a first voltage and a second voltage, both associated with an adapter, are monitored. The first voltage may provide system power and the second voltage may identify a capacity of the adapter. In response to detecting a voltage change, a power failure event may be communicated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus, comprising: a detection circuit configured to monitor a first voltage associated with an adapter and a second voltage associated with the adapter, wherein the first voltage provides system power and the second voltage identifies a capacity of the adapter; and an output coupled to the detection circuit, wherein the output is configured to indicate a power failure in response to the detection circuit detecting a change in the second voltage. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output is further configured to indicate the power failure in response to the detection circuit detecting a change in the first voltage. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the output is further configured to indicate the power failure in response to the detection circuit determining that the first voltage is below a threshold voltage. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the threshold voltage is approximately fifteen volts. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output is further configured to set a flag associated with power management logic to communicate the power failure. ### Claim 6 A system, comprising: a power rail configured to distribute power; power management logic, coupled to the power rail, wherein the power management logic is configured to control a transition of the system between states; and a detection circuit, coupled to the power management logic, wherein the detection circuit is configured to communicate a power failure to the power management logic based on a change in an identification voltage associated with an adapter, the identification voltage indicating a capacity of the adapter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the detection circuit is configured to communicate the power failure to the power management logic prior to the power rail indicating the power failure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the detection circuit is further configured to communicate the power failure in response to a change in an adapter voltage, the adapter voltage supplying the power rail with the power. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the detection circuit is configured to communicate the power failure in response to the adapter voltage falling below a voltage threshold. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system or claim 9, wherein the voltage threshold is approximately fifteen volts. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The system or claim 6, wherein the power rail is a three-point-three volt power rail. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the power management logic comprises a bit configured to indicate the power failure; and wherein the detection circuit is configured to set the bit to communicate the power failure. ### Claim 13 A method, comprising: monitoring, by a detection circuit, a first voltage provided by an adapter and a second voltage associated with an identification pin of the adapter, wherein the first voltage provides system power and the second voltage identifies a capacity of the adapter; and communicating, by the detection circuit, a power failure event to power management logic in response to detecting a change in either the first voltage or the second voltage. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method or claim 13, wherein said communicating comprises communicating the power failure event in response to detecting a decrease in the second voltage. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein said communicating comprises communicating the power failure event in response to detecting a decrease in the first voltage. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein monitoring the first voltage comprises determining whether the first voltage drops below a voltage threshold. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein monitoring the first voltage comprises determining whether the first voltage drops below fifteen volts. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claims 13, wherein said communicating comprises coupling a bit in the power management logic to a ground voltage. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving, by a controller, system power and the power failure event; and determining, by the controller, the system power is residual system power based on the power failure event. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: transitioning, by the power management logic, system to boot state in response to receipt of the power failure event.