US6029119A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal management of computers
Assignee: HP Inc
•
Filing: 1996-01-16
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Granted: 2000-02-22
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Expires: 2016-01-16
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a method and apparatus for the thermal management of computers. The method features determining a temperature of a predetermined location in the computer, reading indirect inputs of the computer, determining desired states of cooling options based on the temperature and the indirect inputs, and placing the cooling options in their desired states. To determine the desired states of the cooling options, an index is formed based on the indirect inputs; and the index indicates to which of a plurality of tables of desired states of the cooling options to refer. Alternatively, the desired states of the cooling options are determined by adjusting the value of the temperature input based on the indirect inputs; the desired states of the cooling options also are dependent on the adjusted value of the measured temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee W. Atkinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/20; G06F1/206; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1917
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for thermal management of a computer, comprising: a processor, a device for measuring temperature, an output from said device being communicated to said processor, a cooling output response table accessible to the processor, said cooling output response table having at least one cooling option entry; and an indirect input being dynamically communicated to said processor, said indirect input being dynamically used by the processor to select the cooling output response table, and said measure temperature being used to select one of said cooling output response table's cooling option entries.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for thermal management of a computer, comprising: a processor, a device for measuring temperature, an output from said device being communicated to said processor, a cooling output response table accessible to the processor, said cooling output response table having at least one cooling option entry; and an indirect input being dynamically communicated to said processor, said indirect input being dynamically used by the processor to select the cooling output response table, and said measure temperature being used to select one of said cooling output response table's cooling option entries.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for use in thermal management of a computer comprising: obtaining an indirect input from said computer, said indirect input reflecting a condition capable of affecting the computer's operating temperature; selecting, based on said indirect input, a cooling option output response table from possible cooling option output response tables, each said cooling option output response table having at least one cooling option entry indicating a temperature range and an associated cooling option state, selecting a cooling option entry from said cooling option output response table and effecting the selected cooling option entry's cooling option state; as said indirect input changes, repeating said selecting steps accordingly.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for use in thermal management of a computer comprising: obtaining an indirect input from said computer, said indirect input reflecting a condition capable of affecting the computer's operating temperature; selecting, based on said indirect input, a cooling option output response table from possible cooling option output response tables, each said cooling option output response table having at least one cooling option entry indicating a temperature range and an associated cooling option state, selecting a cooling option entry from said cooling option output response table and effecting the selected cooling option entry's cooling option state; as said indirect input changes, repeating said selecting steps accordingly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein multiple indirect inputs are obtained.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the cooling option output response table has multiple cooling option entries.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 where said temperature range is a single temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the multiple indirect inputs are used to form an index, said index being used to select the cooling option output response table.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising sensing a temperature of the computer and selecting a cooling option entry from the selected cooling option output response table by matching the sensed temperature with said selected cooling option entry's temperature range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising sensing a temperature of the computer and adjusting the sensed temperature based on said indirect input and using an adjusted sensed temperature to select a cooling option entry from a selected cooling option output response table by matching said adjusted sensed temperature with said selected cooling option entry's temperature range.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said indirect input indicates whether the computer is docked to a docking station.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said indirect input indicates whether a display screen is closed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said indirect input indicates whether an option card is installed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said indirect input indicates whether a device is present which requires lower ambient temperature or generates disproportionate heat.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said indirect input indicates whether an audio function is running.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said indirect input indicates which processor is installed in the computer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said indirect input indicates whether a user-setable bit that can customize cooling requirements is set.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said indirect input indicates a status of a charge of a battery.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said indirect input indicates a video mode of the computer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said indirect input indicates whether there has been a sudden and drastic increase in temperature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said indirect input indicates whether a disk drive is being spun up or accessed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said indirect input indicates whether the computer is in a power conservation mode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said cooling option state specifies a desired state of a fan.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said cooling option state specifies a complete or partial standby condition of the processor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said cooling option state specifies a desired time-out of a peripheral.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said cooling option state specifies a desired frequency setting of a peripheral.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said cooling option state specifies turning off the computer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein at least one of said cooling option output response tables are stored in disk memory.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for use in thermal management of a computer comprising: storing a plurality of cooling option output response tables, each cooling output response table having at least one cooling option entry, each cooling option entry including a temperature range and an associated cooling option state; obtaining indirect inputs of said computer, said indirect inputs reflecting respective conditions capable of affecting said computer's operating temperature; sensing temperature in the computer; adjusting a sensed temperature based on said indirect input; selecting one of said plurality of cooling option output response tables based on said indirect input; and selecting a cooling option entry from said one of said plurality of cooling option output response tables based on a match between said cooling option entry's temperature range and an adjusted sensed temperature; repeating said steps, except said storing step, when said indirect inputs or said sensed temperature change.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for use in thermal management of a computer comprising: storing a plurality of cooling option output response tables, each cooling output response table having at least one cooling option entry, each cooling option entry including a temperature range and an associated cooling option state; obtaining indirect inputs of said computer, said indirect inputs reflecting respective conditions capable of affecting said computer's operating temperature; sensing temperature in the computer; adjusting a sensed temperature based on said indirect input; selecting one of said plurality of cooling option output response tables based on said indirect input; and selecting a cooling option entry from said one of said plurality of cooling option output response tables based on a match between said cooling option entry's temperature range and an adjusted sensed temperature; repeating said steps, except said storing step, when said indirect inputs or said sensed temperature change.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
91 words
A computer, comprising: a first device which determines the temperature at a first position in said computer; a second device which provides dynamic information regarding at least one condition which affects the temperature at a second position in said computer which is different from said first position; a third device which receives inputs from said first and said second devices and, in accordance with said inputs, at least partially controls fourth and fifth devices, at least one of which is not a fan, but which affect the temperature in said computer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
91 words
A computer, comprising: a first device which determines the temperature at a first position in said computer; a second device which provides dynamic information regarding at least one condition which affects the temperature at a second position in said computer which is different from said first position; a third device which receives inputs from said first and said second devices and, in accordance with said inputs, at least partially controls fourth and fifth devices, at least one of which is not a fan, but which affect the temperature in said computer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer of claim 28, wherein said fourth device is a disk drive and said third device controls the length of timed inactivity before said disk drive is put on partial standby.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer of claim 28, wherein said fourth device is a central processing unit and said third device controls the frequency of said central processing unit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
The computer of claim 28, wherein said fifth device is a fan.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer of claim 28, wherein said second device monitors whether said computer is on battery power or AC power.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer of claim 28 wherein said second device monitors whether said computer is charging a battery.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of controlling the temperature in a computer: (a.) dynamically measuring the temperature at a first position in said computer; (b.) dynamically receiving information regarding at least one condition which affects the temperature at a second position in said computer which is different from said first position; (c.) in accordance with the results of said steps (a.) and (b.), at least partially controlling first and second devices, at least one of which is not a fan, but, which affect the temperature in said computer.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of controlling the temperature in a computer: (a.) dynamically measuring the temperature at a first position in said computer; (b.) dynamically receiving information regarding at least one condition which affects the temperature at a second position in said computer which is different from said first position; (c.) in accordance with the results of said steps (a.) and (b.), at least partially controlling first and second devices, at least one of which is not a fan, but, which affect the temperature in said computer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 33, wherein said step (b.) detects whether a lid of said computer is closed.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 33, wherein said step (b.) detects whether said computer has an audio function operating.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 33, wherein said step (c.) at least partially controls at least two of a group consisting of the following devices: central processing unit, disk drive, battery charger, fan, graphics controller, and system bus.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor is further connected to control a plurality of devices which affect the thermal load of said computer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-21 | 2003-08-23 | 2004-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-21 | 2007-08-23 | 2008-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-21 | 2011-08-23 | 2012-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |