US6259172B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cooling fan controlling apparatus for computer
Assignee: Hanger Solutions LLC
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Filing: 1999-07-15
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Granted: 2001-07-10
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Expires: 2019-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A cooling fan controlling apparatus for a computer including a power management portion for managing a power management system (PMS) mode of the computer, and a switching portion having n parallel-connected resistors and n switches serially connected to the resistors and turned on/off according to the power management system mode managed by the power management portion, and serially connected to a power source for driving a cooling fan, for controlling a voltage supplied to the cooling fan, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Since voltages for driving a switching mode power supply cooling fan and a central processing unit cooling fan can be controlled by power save mode steps of a system, noises generated when the cooling fans rotate can be properly managed.
Inventors
- 👤 Kyung-Sang Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:38
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; H05K7/20009; H05K7/20209; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/20; G06F1/206; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
An apparatus, comprising: a power supply unit inputting a first power and outputting a plurality of second powers powering a computer system, said power supply unit generating heat; a first fan unit being positioned to cool said power supply unit; a second fan unit being positioned to cool a central processing unit of the computer system; a control unit controlling a power mode of the computer system, said power mode being one selected from among a plurality of different power modes; and a first switching unit being coupled to said control unit and said first and second fan units, said first switching unit receiving a control signal from said control unit corresponding to said power mode of the computer system, said first switching unit receiving power driving said first and second fan units, said first switching unit controlling a voltage supplied to said first and second fan units in response to said control signal, said first and second fan units operating at cooling speeds selected from among a plurality of different cooling speeds, said selected cooling speeds of said first and second fan units being selected in response to the voltage supplied from said first switching unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
197 words
An apparatus, comprising: a power supply unit inputting a first power and outputting a plurality of second powers powering a computer system, said power supply unit generating heat; a first fan unit being positioned to cool said power supply unit; a second fan unit being positioned to cool a central processing unit of the computer system; a control unit controlling a power mode of the computer system, said power mode being one selected from among a plurality of different power modes; and a first switching unit being coupled to said control unit and said first and second fan units, said first switching unit receiving a control signal from said control unit corresponding to said power mode of the computer system, said first switching unit receiving power driving said first and second fan units, said first switching unit controlling a voltage supplied to said first and second fan units in response to said control signal, said first and second fan units operating at cooling speeds selected from among a plurality of different cooling speeds, said selected cooling speeds of said first and second fan units being selected in response to the voltage supplied from said first switching unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , said power supply unit corresponding to a switching mode power supply unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
136 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , said power mode corresponding to one power level selected from among a plurality of power levels comprising: a power-on mode supplying a fill level of electrical power to the computer system for full operational use of the computer system; a standby mode supplying a first intermediate level of electrical power to the computer system, said first intermediate level of electrical power being below said full level of electrical power; a suspend mode supplying a second intermediate level of electrical power to the computer system, said second intermediate level of electrical power being below said first intermediate level of electrical power; and a power-off mode supplying a low level of electrical power to the computer system, said low level of electrical power being below said second intermediate level of electrical power.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , said selected cooling speed of said first fan unit corresponding to a high speed rapidly cooling said power supply unit when said power mode of the computer system corresponds to said power-on mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 4 , said selected cooling speed of said first fan unit corresponding to a low speed slowly cooling said power supply unit when said power mode of the computer system corresponds to said standby mode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
The apparatus of claim 5 , said first switching unit further comprising: a plurality of resistors being mounted in said first switching unit, said plurality of resistors receiving the power driving said first fan unit, said plurality of n resistors being connected in parallel; and a plurality of switches being mounted in said first switching unit, each one switch selected from among said plurality of switches being connected in series with a respective one resistor selected from among said plurality of resistors, said plurality of switches being switched on and off according to said power mode controlled by said control unit in dependence upon said control signal, said control signal corresponding to a power management system mode control signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , said plurality of resistors corresponding to a quantity of n resistors, said plurality of switches corresponding to a quantity of n switches, where n is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , said selected cooling speed of said first fan unit corresponding to a low speed slowly cooling said power supply unit when said power mode of the computer system corresponds to said standby mode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , said power mode corresponding to one mode selected from among a plurality of modes comprising: a working mode supplying a fall level of electrical power to the computer system for full operational use of the computer system; a sleeping mode corresponding to a first power save state, the computer system being restored to said working mode from said sleeping mode in response to a control signal; and a soft-off mode corresponding to a second power save state, the computer system being restored to said working mode from said soft-off mode while consuming a reduced amount of power in response to a booting of the computer system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , said sleeping mode further comprising: an idle state having all hardware system settings of the computer system being maintained; a global standby state having settings of a central processing unit and a cache being not maintained; a suspend to memory state having only hardware settings of a system memory being maintained by being stored in a random access memory; and a suspend to disk state having said all hardware system settings of the computer system being not maintained, said all hardware system settings of the computer system being stored in a disk.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
306 words
An apparatus, comprising: a power supply unit inputting a first power and outputting a plurality of second powers powering a computer system, said power supply unit generating heat; a first fan unit being positioned to cool said power supply unit; a central processing unit processing data in the computer system, said central processing unit generating heat; a second fan unit being positioned to cool said central processing unit; a control unit controlling a power mode of the computer system, said power mode being one selected from among a plurality of different power modes; a first switching unit being coupled to said control unit and said first fan unit, said first switching unit receiving a control signal from said control unit corresponding to said power mode of the computer system, said first switching unit receiving power driving said first fan unit, said first switching unit controlling a voltage supplied to said first fan unit in response to said control signal, said first fan unit operating at a cooling speed selected from among a plurality of different cooling speeds, said selected cooling speed of said first fan unit being selected in response to the voltage supplied from said first switching unit; and a second switching unit being coupled to said control unit and said second fan unit, said second switching unit receiving said control signal from said control unit corresponding to said power mode of the computer system, said second switching unit receiving power driving said second fan unit, said second switching unit controlling a voltage supplied to said second fan unit in response to said control signal, said second fan unit operating at a cooling speed selected from among a plurality of different cooling speeds, said selected cooling speed of said second fan unit being selected in response to the voltage supplied from said second switching unit.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
306 words
An apparatus, comprising: a power supply unit inputting a first power and outputting a plurality of second powers powering a computer system, said power supply unit generating heat; a first fan unit being positioned to cool said power supply unit; a central processing unit processing data in the computer system, said central processing unit generating heat; a second fan unit being positioned to cool said central processing unit; a control unit controlling a power mode of the computer system, said power mode being one selected from among a plurality of different power modes; a first switching unit being coupled to said control unit and said first fan unit, said first switching unit receiving a control signal from said control unit corresponding to said power mode of the computer system, said first switching unit receiving power driving said first fan unit, said first switching unit controlling a voltage supplied to said first fan unit in response to said control signal, said first fan unit operating at a cooling speed selected from among a plurality of different cooling speeds, said selected cooling speed of said first fan unit being selected in response to the voltage supplied from said first switching unit; and a second switching unit being coupled to said control unit and said second fan unit, said second switching unit receiving said control signal from said control unit corresponding to said power mode of the computer system, said second switching unit receiving power driving said second fan unit, said second switching unit controlling a voltage supplied to said second fan unit in response to said control signal, said second fan unit operating at a cooling speed selected from among a plurality of different cooling speeds, said selected cooling speed of said second fan unit being selected in response to the voltage supplied from said second switching unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , said selected cooling speed of said first fan unit being different from said selected cooling speed of said second fan unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
136 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , said power mode corresponding to one power level selected from among a plurality of power levels comprising: a power-on mode supplying a full level of electrical power to the computer system for full operational use of the computer system; a standby mode supplying a first intermediate level of electrical power to the computer system, said first intermediate level of electrical power being below said full level of electrical power; a suspend mode supplying a second intermediate level of electrical power to the computer system, said second intermediate level of electrical power being below said first intermediate level of electrical power; and a power-off mode supplying a low level of electrical power to the computer system, said low level of electrical power being below said second intermediate level of electrical power.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 13 , said selected cooling speed of said first fan unit corresponding to a low speed slowly cooling said power supply unit when said power mode of the computer system corresponds to said standby mode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
136 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , said power mode corresponding to one power level selected from among a plurality of power levels comprising: a power-on mode supplying a full level of electrical power to the computer system for full operational use of the computer system; a standby mode supplying a first intermediate level of electrical power to the computer system, said first intermediate level of electrical power being below said full level of electrical power; a suspend mode supplying a second intermediate level of electrical power to the computer system, said second intermediate level of electrical power being below said first intermediate level of electrical power; and a power-off mode supplying a low level of electrical power to the computer system, said low level of electrical power being below said second intermediate level of electrical power.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 15 , said selected cooling speed of said first fan unit corresponding to a low speed slowly cooling said power supply unit when said power mode of the computer system corresponds to said standby mode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
113 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , said power mode corresponding to one mode selected from among a plurality of modes comprising: a working mode supplying a full level of electrical power to the computer system for full operational use of the computer system; s a sleeping mode corresponding to a first power save state, the computer system being restored to said working mode from said sleeping mode in response to a control signal; and a soft-off mode corresponding to a second power save state, the computer system being restored to said working mode from said soft-off mode while consuming a reduced amount of power in response to a booting of the computer system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 17 , said selected cooling speed of said first fan unit corresponding to a high rotation speed rapidly cooling said power supply unit when said power mode of the computer system corresponds to said working mode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 18 , said selected cooling speed of said first fan unit corresponding to a low rotation speed slowly cooling said power supply unit when said power mode of the computer system corresponds to said sleeping mode, said low speed being lower than said high speed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus of claim 17 , said sleeping mode further comprising: an idle state having all hardware system settings of the computer system being maintained; a global standby state having settings of a central processing unit and a cache being not maintained; a suspend to memory state having only hardware settings of a system memory being maintained by being stored in a random access memory; and a suspend to disk state having said all hardware system settings of the computer system being not maintained, said all hardware system settings of the computer system being stored in a disk.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 20 , said selected cooling speed of said first fan unit corresponding to a high speed rapidly cooling said power supply unit when said power mode of the computer system corresponds to said working mode, said selected cooling speed of said first fan unit corresponding to a low speed slowly cooling said power supply unit when said power mode of the computer system corresponds to said global standby state.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
306 words
An apparatus, comprising: a power supply unit inputting a first power and outputting a plurality of second powers powering a computer system, said power supply unit generating heat; a first fan unit being positioned to cool said power supply unit; a central processing unit processing data in the computer system, said central processing unit generating heat; a second fan unit being positioned to cool said central processing unit; a control unit controlling a power mode of the computer system, said power mode being one selected from among a plurality of different power modes; a first switching unit being coupled to said control unit and said first fan unit, said first switching unit receiving a control signal from said control unit corresponding to said power mode of the computer system, said first switching unit receiving power driving said first fan unit, said first switching unit controlling a voltage supplied to said first fan unit in response to said control signal, said first fan unit operating at a cooling speed selected from among a plurality of different cooling speeds, said selected cooling speed of said first fan unit being selected in response to the voltage supplied from said first switching unit; and a second switching unit being coupled to said control unit and said second fan unit, said second switching unit receiving said control signal from said control unit corresponding to said power mode of the computer system, said second switching unit receiving power driving said second fan unit, said second switching unit controlling a voltage supplied to said second fan unit in response to said control signal, said second fan unit operating at a cooling speed selected from among a plurality of different cooling speeds, said selected cooling speed of said second fan unit being selected in response to the voltage supplied from said second switching unit.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
306 words
An apparatus, comprising: a power supply unit inputting a first power and outputting a plurality of second powers powering a computer system, said power supply unit generating heat; a first fan unit being positioned to cool said power supply unit; a central processing unit processing data in the computer system, said central processing unit generating heat; a second fan unit being positioned to cool said central processing unit; a control unit controlling a power mode of the computer system, said power mode being one selected from among a plurality of different power modes; a first switching unit being coupled to said control unit and said first fan unit, said first switching unit receiving a control signal from said control unit corresponding to said power mode of the computer system, said first switching unit receiving power driving said first fan unit, said first switching unit controlling a voltage supplied to said first fan unit in response to said control signal, said first fan unit operating at a cooling speed selected from among a plurality of different cooling speeds, said selected cooling speed of said first fan unit being selected in response to the voltage supplied from said first switching unit; and a second switching unit being coupled to said control unit and said second fan unit, said second switching unit receiving said control signal from said control unit corresponding to said power mode of the computer system, said second switching unit receiving power driving said second fan unit, said second switching unit controlling a voltage supplied to said second fan unit in response to said control signal, said second fan unit operating at a cooling speed selected from among a plurality of different cooling speeds, said selected cooling speed of said second fan unit being selected in response to the voltage supplied from said second switching unit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
165 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , said power mode corresponding to one power level selected from among a plurality of power levels comprising: a power-on mode supplying a full level of electrical power to the computer system for full operational use of the computer system; a standby mode supplying a first intermediate level of electrical power to the computer system, said first intermediate level of electrical power being below said fill level of electrical power; a suspend mode supplying a second intermediate level of electrical power to the computer system, said second intermediate level of electrical power being below said first intermediate level of electrical power; and a power-off mode supplying a low level of electrical power to the computer system, said low level of electrical power being below said second intermediate level of electrical power, said power mode of the computer system being converted from said suspend mode to said normal mode in response to a wake-up event corresponding to activity of input/output units.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising: a system board portion of the computer system; said central processing unit, said second fan unit, said control unit, and said second switching unit being installed on said system board unit; a power supply portion of the computer system; and said power supply unit, said first fan unit, and said first switching unit being installed on said power supply portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 24 , said power supply portion further comprising: an electromagnetic interference filter filtering out noise generated when said power supply unit performs a high frequency wave switching operation; and a supplemental power source not receiving said first power and not receiving said second powers, said supplemental power source supplying power to a circuit detecting the wake-up event to convert said power mode from said suspend mode to said normal mode.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , said power supply unit corresponding to a switching mode power supply unit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , said selected cooling speed of said first fan unit being different from said selected cooling speed of said second fan unit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
112 words
The apparatus of claim 27 , said power mode corresponding to one mode selected from among a plurality of modes comprising: a working mode supplying a full level of electrical power to the computer system for full operational use of the computer system; a sleeping mode corresponding to a first power save state, the computer system being restored to said working mode from said sleeping mode in response to a control signal; and a soft-off mode corresponding to a second power save state, the computer system being restored to said working mode from said soft-off mode while consuming a reduced amount of power in response to a booting of the computer system.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
165 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , said power mode corresponding to one power level selected from among a plurality of power levels comprising: a power-on mode supplying a fill level of electrical power to the computer system for full operational use of the computer system; a standby mode supplying a first intermediate level of electrical power to the computer system, said first intermediate level of electrical power being below said full level of electrical power; a suspend mode supplying a second intermediate level of electrical power to the computer system, said second intermediate level of electrical power being below said first intermediate level of electrical power; and a power-off mode supplying a low level of electrical power to the computer system, said low level of electrical power being below said second intermediate level of electrical power, said power mode of the computer system being converted from said suspend mode to said normal mode in response to a wake-up event corresponding to activity of input/output units.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 29 , further comprising: a system board portion of the computer system; said central processing unit, said second fan unit, said control unit, and said second switching unit being installed on said system board unit; a power supply portion of the computer system; and said power supply unit, said first fan unit, and said first switching unit being installed on said power supply portion.
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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) | 2004-07-09 | 2005-01-08 | 2005-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-07-09 | 2009-01-08 | 2009-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-07-09 | 2013-01-08 | 2013-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |