Embedded thermistor for on-board thermal monitoring of electrical components
First Claim
1. A computer system comprising:
- a microprocessor;
a circuit board for supporting and coupling to said microprocessor;
an electrically conductive flat trace of predetermined shape formed on said circuit board, said trace having a temperature dependent electrical property;
means for mounting said microprocessor on said board adjacent to said trace;
temperature detection circuit coupled to said trace for measuring said electrical property of said trace;
means, coupled to said detection circuit, for providing a signal to indicate that said temperature of said trace has exceeded a predetermined level; and
means for modifying the operation of said computer system in response to said overtemperature signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for monitoring the temperature of a heat-producing electronic component located on a circuit board and a method of manufacturing therefor. The system includes: (1) an electrically-conductive trace of predetermined dimensions formed integrally with the circuit board, the trace having a temperature-dependent electrical property, a temperature of the electronic component affecting the electrical property and (2) an overtemperature detection circuit coupled to the trace for measuring the electrical property. The detection circuit provides, in response thereto, an overtemperature signal to thereby indicate that the temperature of the electronic component has exceeded a predetermined level. Preferably, the system is used to protect a microprocessor in a personal computer ("PC") from overheating.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A computer system comprising:
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a microprocessor; a circuit board for supporting and coupling to said microprocessor; an electrically conductive flat trace of predetermined shape formed on said circuit board, said trace having a temperature dependent electrical property; means for mounting said microprocessor on said board adjacent to said trace; temperature detection circuit coupled to said trace for measuring said electrical property of said trace; means, coupled to said detection circuit, for providing a signal to indicate that said temperature of said trace has exceeded a predetermined level; and means for modifying the operation of said computer system in response to said overtemperature signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer system for monitoring the temperature of a heat-producing electronic component, comprising:
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a circuit board for coupling to said heat-producing electronic component; an electrically conductive flat trace of predetermined dimensions formed integrally with said circuit board; a temperature detection circuit coupled to said trace; means for determining a temperature of said trace as a function of an electrical current flow through said trace; and means for modifying the data operation of said electronic component in response to an output of said determining means. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer system, contained within an enclosure, comprising:
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a microprocessor for executing software instructions; a circuit board for supporting and coupling to said microprocessor; an electrically conductive flat trace of predetermined shape formed on said circuit board, said trace having a temperature dependent electrical property; selectively operable means for mounting said microprocessor on said board adjacent to said trace; means for inducing air flow through said enclosure; temperature detection circuit coupled to said trace for measuring said electrical property of said trace; means for providing a signal to indicate that said temperature of said trace has exceeded a predetermined level; and means for modifying the data processing operations of said computer system in response to said overtemperature signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification