Data processing device with cooling fan

• US 20060117205A1
• Filed: 11/28/2005
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera MITA Corporation (Kyocera Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kyocera MITA Corporation (Kyocera Corporation)
• Inventors: Sawada, Ryoji
• Granted Patent: US 7,499,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/500
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/206 comprising thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

To provide a data processing device with cooling fan capable of executing data processing by using a processor which always works within the maximum range of its specifications.

In the data processing device with cooling fan 3 for cooling down the processor 1 that performs data processing, the device includes: a working rate calculating section 4 for calculating the working rate of the processor 1; and a control section 5 for activating the cooling fan 3 when the value of the working rate reaches or exceeds a predetermined reference value.

Claims

1. A data processing device with a cooling fan to cool down a processor that performs data processing, said device comprising:

working rate calculating means for calculating the working rate of said processor; and

control means for activating said cooling fan when the value of said working rate reaches or exceeds the predetermined reference value.

2. The data processing device with a cooling fan according to claim 1, wherein said working rate calculating means is made up of an idle signal counter that counts idle signals generating in said processor, an accumulation counter that accumulates count values of said idle signal counter for a predetermined period, and a working rate calculating circuit that calculates the working rate from the count value of said accumulation counter and transmits the calculation data.

3. A data processing device with a cooling fan to cool down a processor that performs data processing, said device comprising:

working rate calculating means for calculating the working rate of said processor;

control means for activating said cooling fan when the value of said working rate reaches or exceeds the predetermined reference value; and

changing means for changing said reference value for the working rate from the operation start point of said data processing until a predetermined time passes, which forms setting conditions for starting activation of said cooling fan, to a value larger than said reference value for the working rate after the predetermined time has passed.

4. The data processing device with a cooling fan according to claim 3, wherein said working rate calculating means is made up of an idle signal counter that counts idle signals generating in said processor, an accumulation counter that accumulates count values of said idle signal counter for a predetermined period, and a working rate calculating circuit that calculates the working rate from the count value of said accumulation counter and transmits the calculation data.