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US5906315A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Watchdog timer for controlling a cooling system
Assignee: Oracle America Inc
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Filing: 1998-05-08
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Granted: 1999-05-25
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Expires: 2018-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for preventing a computer system from overheating when a processor or software controlling the processor which controls the cooling system fails. The apparatus utilizes a watchdog timer which receives periodic signals confirming proper operation of the processor. When these status signals are not received, the watchdog timer transmits signals causing the cooling system that prevents overheating of the computer system.
Inventors
- 👤 Quentin J. Lewis
- 👤 Garry M. Tobin
- 👤 Kenneth Mark Leigh
- 👤 Arthur H. Cianelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:40
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; F24F11/50; F24F11/52; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S236/00; Y10S236/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A cooling system to cool an apparatus comprising: a cooling device; a processor that controls a setting of the cooling device during normal operation; and a watchdog timer coupled to said processor and said cooling device, said watchdog timer to turn said cooling device to a preset setting when said watchdog timer fails to receive a status signal from the processor after a predetermined period.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A cooling system to cool an apparatus comprising: a cooling device; a processor that controls a setting of the cooling device during normal operation; and a watchdog timer coupled to said processor and said cooling device, said watchdog timer to turn said cooling device to a preset setting when said watchdog timer fails to receive a status signal from the processor after a predetermined period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cooling system of claim 1 wherein said preset level is set to handle a maximum level of heat generated by the apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cooling system of claim 1 wherein the cooling device is a cooling fan and the preset setting is a cooling fan speed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The cooling system of claim 1 further comprising: a temperature sensor coupled to the processor to indicate to the processor an ambient temperature around the processor, the ambient temperature used by the processor to determine a cooling device setting during normal operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cooling system of claim 1 wherein the watchdog timer controls said cooling device until the processor is reset.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cooling system of claim 1 wherein said processor is a central processing unit in a computer system and the cooling device setting during normal operation is determined by system software controlling the processor.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of preventing overheating of an apparatus cooled by a cooling device comprising: receiving status signals from a processor controlling the cooling device, the status signals indicating normal operation of the processor; and transmitting a processor failure signal to set the cooling device to a setting sufficient to handle a worst case condition when the status signal from the processor has not been received for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of preventing overheating of an apparatus cooled by a cooling device comprising: receiving status signals from a processor controlling the cooling device, the status signals indicating normal operation of the processor; and transmitting a processor failure signal to set the cooling device to a setting sufficient to handle a worst case condition when the status signal from the processor has not been received for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising: transmitting periodically a polling signal to the processor requesting confirmation of processor operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising: receiving a temperature signal from a temperature sensor, the processor using the temperature signal to adjust a setting of the cooling device during normal operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the processor is a central processing unit in a computer system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the cooling device switches to a maximum setting upon receiving the processor failure signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising: resetting the processor, after the processor failure signal is sent to the cooling device the resetting of the processor returning control of the cooling device to the processor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the cooling device is a cooling fan.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
A computer system comprising a central processing unit; a cooling device to cool the computer system, a setting of the cooling device determined by the central processing unit; a watchdog timer coupled to the central processing unit, the watchdog timer configured to receive status signals from the central processing unit and to control the setting of the cooling device when the status signal is not received for a predetermined length of time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
72 words
A computer system comprising a central processing unit; a cooling device to cool the computer system, a setting of the cooling device determined by the central processing unit; a watchdog timer coupled to the central processing unit, the watchdog timer configured to receive status signals from the central processing unit and to control the setting of the cooling device when the status signal is not received for a predetermined length of time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 14 wherein said cooling device is a cooling fan.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 14 wherein the watchdog timer includes a counter which is reset upon receipt of the status signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer system of claim 14 further comprising: temperature sensors coupled to the central processing unit, the temperature sensors transmitting a temperature signal to the central processing unit for determining a setting of the cooling device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 14 wherein the watchdog timer has a wait time exceeding one minute.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-05-24 | 2002-11-23 | 2003-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-24 | 2006-11-23 | 2007-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-24 | 2010-11-23 | 2011-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |