Method and system for controlling a processor's clock frequency in accordance with the processor's temperature
First Claim
1. A computer, comprising:
- a clock module, said clock module produces a clock signal having two or more different frequencies;
a processor operatively connected to said clock module, said processor processes instructions in accordance with the clock signal;
a temperature sensor operatively connected to said clock module, said temperature sensor produces a temperature signal based on the temperature of said processor; and
an activity detector operatively connected to said processor, said activity detector monitors activity of said processor,wherein the frequency of the clock signal utilized by said processor varies depending on the temperature and the activity of said processor.
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Abstract
Novel techniques for controlling a processor'"'"'s clock frequency so as to prevent overheating are disclosed. The invention attempts to maximizes the processing speed of the processor while preventing overheating. In a preferred embodiment, the invention monitors a processor'"'"'s activity and its temperature. When there is no activity for the processor, a slowed clock frequency is used, thereby saving power and lowering the thermal heat produced by the processor. On the other hand, when there is activity for the processor, a fast clock frequency is used. However, when prolonged activity (i.e., sustained fast clock frequency) causes the processor'"'"'s temperature to become dangerously high for proper operation, the clock frequency is reduced so as to maintain processing speed at a reduced speed while preventing overheating. The invention may be implemented as an apparatus or a method.
275 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A computer, comprising:
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a clock module, said clock module produces a clock signal having two or more different frequencies; a processor operatively connected to said clock module, said processor processes instructions in accordance with the clock signal; a temperature sensor operatively connected to said clock module, said temperature sensor produces a temperature signal based on the temperature of said processor; and an activity detector operatively connected to said processor, said activity detector monitors activity of said processor, wherein the frequency of the clock signal utilized by said processor varies depending on the temperature and the activity of said processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A computer, comprising:
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a clock module, said clock module produces a clock signal having two or more different frequencies; a processor operatively connected to said clock module, said processor processes instructions in accordance with the clock signal; a temperature sensor operatively connected to said clock module, said temperature sensor produces a temperature signal based on the temperature of said processor; a fan; a fan controller, said fan controller controls the speed of the fan in accordance with the temperature of said processor, wherein the frequency of the clock signal supplied to said processor varies depending on the temperature of said processor. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A clock control apparatus for a microprocessor, comprising:
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a temperature sensor coupled to the microprocessor to monitor a chip temperature of the microprocessor and to produce a temperature signal in accordance with the chip temperature; an activity detector, said activity detector monitors activity of the microprocessor; and a clock unit operatively connected to said temperature sensor, said clock unit produces a clock for the microprocessor, the clock having a frequency that varies in accordance with both the activity and the chip temperature of the microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer, comprising:
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a clock module for producing a clock signal having two or more different frequencies; a processor, operatively connected to said clock module, for processing instructions in accordance with the clock signal; an activity detector for detecting activity of said microprocessor; a fan for cooling said processor; and a control signal supplied to said clock module to cause said clock module to lower the frequency of the clock signal when needed to avert overheating by said processor or when said activity detector requests that the frequency of the clock signal be lowered. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for producing a clock for a microprocessor, said method comprising:
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(a) monitoring chip temperature of the microprocessor; (b) monitoring activity of the microprocessor; (c) producing a clock signal having a frequency which varies in accordance with the chip temperature and the activity of the microprocessor; and (d) supplying the clock signal to the microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for producing a clock signal for a microprocessor, said method comprising:
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(a) providing a fast clock signal; (b) providing a slow clock signal; (c) receiving a control signal related to the temperature of the microprocessor; and (d) selecting between the fast clock signal and slow clock signal in accordance with the control signal, wherein the control signal is indirectly related to the temperature of the microprocessor, and wherein the control signal is influenced by activity of a fan associated with the microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A method for producing a clock for a microprocessor, said method comprising:
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(a) producing a clock signal having a frequency which varies in accordance with the chip temperature; and (b) supplying the clock signal to the microprocessor, wherein the frequency of the clock signal is influenced by activity of a fan associated with the microprocessor which serves as an indicator of the chip temperature. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A method for producing a clock for a microprocessor, said method comprising:
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(a) producing a clock signal having a frequency; (b) supplying the clock signal to the microprocessor; and (c) monitoring activity of the microprocessor, wherein the frequency of the clock signal produced by said producing (a) varies based on the chip temperature and the activity of the microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification