Computer system and its cooling control method

US 6,134,667 A
Filed: 05/06/1998
Issued: 10/17/2000
Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1997
Status: Expired due to Term

First Claim

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1. A computer system comprising:

a first device to be cooled;

a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;

a cooling fan having variable rotational speed;

a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;

a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and

fan control means for changing a rotational speed of said cooling fan, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes the rotational speed of said cooling fan when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature.

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Abstract

Temperature sensors A, B, and C are arranged near a CPU, HDD, and PC card controller, and monitor changes in temperature of these devices. When a given temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the corresponding device has exceeded a threshold temperature, the device to be cooled is determined by identifying that temperature sensor, and cooling is done at power suited to the temperature characteristics of the determined device.

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35 Claims

1. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a cooling fan having variable rotational speed;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a rotational speed of said cooling fan, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes the rotational speed of said cooling fan when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature.

2. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a cooling fan having variable rotational speed;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a rotational speed of said cooling fan, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes the rotational speed of said cooling fan when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, and wherein at least one of said and first and second threshold temperatures is changeable by a user.

3. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a cooling fan having variable rotational speed;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a rotational speed of said cooling fan, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes the rotational speed of said cooling fan when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, wherein said fan control means also changes the rotational speed of said cooling fan, based on whether or not the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become less than a third threshold temperature and whether or not the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor has become less than a fourth threshold temperature, and the third threshold temperature is less than the first threshold temperature and the fourth threshold temperature is less than the second threshold temperature.

4. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a cooling fan having variable rotational speed;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a rotational speed of said cooling fan, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes the rotational speed of said cooling fan when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, and wherein said fan control means controls to rotate said cooling fan at a first rotational speed while the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor is not less than the first threshold temperature, and said fan control means controls to rotate said cooling fan at a second rotational speed while the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor is not less than the second threshold temperature and the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor is less than the first threshold temperature.

5. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a cooling fan having variable rotational speed;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a rotational speed of said cooling fan, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes the rotational speed of said cooling fan when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, and wherein said first device is a CPU, and said system further comprises means for decreasing an operation speed of the CPU when the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become not less than the first threshold temperature.
- View Dependent Claims (6)
- - 6. The system according to claim 5, further comprising means for, when the temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become not less than the first threshold temperature, controlling to selectively one of i) decreasing the operation speed of the CPU and ii) increasing the rotational speed of said cooling fan.

7. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a cooling fan having variable rotational speed;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a rotational speed of said cooling fan, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes the rotational speed of said cooling fan when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, wherein said fan control means includes;
  
  means for, when the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor is not less than the first threshold temperature, informing a CPU of said computer system of a temperature sensor ID indicating said first temperature sensor using an interrupt signal, and means for, when the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor is not less than the second threshold temperature, informing the CPU of said computer system of a temperature sensor ID indicating said second temperature sensor using an interrupt signal, and wherein the CPU determines the rotational speed of said cooling fan on the basis of the informed temperature sensor ID.

8. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a cooling fan having variable rotational speed, wherein said cooling fan is an exhaust fan for exhausting air outside said computer system that accommodates the first and second devices, and said system further comprises an inlet fan for taking outer air into said computer system;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a rotational speed of said cooling fan, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes the rotational speed of said cooling fan when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature.

9. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a plurality of cooling fans;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a number of cooling fans to be driven, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes a number of cooling fans to be driven when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature.

10. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a plurality of cooling fans;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a number of cooling fans to be driven, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes a number of cooling fans to be driven when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, and wherein at least one of said first and second threshold temperatures is changeable by a user.

11. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a plurality of cooling fans;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a number of cooling fans to be driven, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes a number of cooling fans to be driven when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, and wherein said fan control means also changes the number of cooling fans, based on whether or not the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become less than a third threshold temperature and whether or not the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor has become less than a fourth threshold temperature, and the third threshold temperature is less than the first threshold temperature and the fourth threshold temperature is less than the second threshold temperature.

12. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a plurality of cooling fans;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a number of cooling fans to be driven, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes a number of cooling fans to be driven when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, and wherein said fan control means controls to drive a first number of cooling fans while the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor is not less than the first threshold temperature, and said fan control means controls to drive a second number of cooling fans while the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor is not less than the second threshold temperature and the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor is less than the first threshold temperature.

13. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a plurality of cooling fans;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a number of cooling fans to be driven, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes a number of cooling fans to be driven when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, and wherein said first device is a CPU, and said system further comprises means for decreasing an operation speed of the CPU when the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become not less than the first threshold temperature.
- View Dependent Claims (14)
- - 14. The system according to claim 13, further comprising means for, when the temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become not less than the first threshold temperature, controlling to selectively one of i) decreasing the operation speed of the CPU and ii) increasing the number of cooling fans to be driven.

15. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a plurality of cooling fans;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a number of cooling fans to be driven, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes a number of cooling fans to be driven when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, and wherein said fan control means includes;
  
  means for, when the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor is not less than the first threshold temperature, informing a CPU of said computer system of a temperature sensor ID indicating said first temperature sensor using an interrupt signal; and
  
  means for, when the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor is not less than the second threshold temperature, informing the CPU of said computer system of a temperature sensor ID indicating said second temperature sensor using an interrupt signal, and whereinthe CPU determines the number of cooling fans to be driven on the basis of the informed temperature sensor ID.

16. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a plurality of cooling fans, wherein said plurality of cooling fans are exhaust fans for exhausting air outside said computer system that accommodates the first and second devices, and said system further comprises an inlet fan for taking outer air into said computer system;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a number of cooling fans to be driven, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes a number of cooling fans to be driven when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature.

17. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a first cooling fan which is arranged to lower a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second cooling fan which is arranged to lower a second temperature related to said second device;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for ON/OFF controlling said first and second cooling fans, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means causes at least one of said first and second cooling fans to be rotated when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature.

18. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a first cooling fan which is arranged to lower a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second cooling fan which is arranged to lower a second temperature related to said second device;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for ON/OFF controlling said first and second cooling fans, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means causes at least one of said first and second cooling fans to be rotated when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, and wherein at least one of said first and second threshold temperatures is changeable by a user.

19. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a first cooling fan which is arranged to lower a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second cooling fan which is arranged to lower a second temperature related to said second device;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for ON/OFF controlling said first and second cooling fans, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means causes at least one of said first and second cooling fans to be rotated when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, and wherein said fan control means also ON/OFF controls said first and second cooling fans, based on whether or not the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become less than a third threshold temperature and whether or not the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor has become less than a fourth threshold temperature, and the third threshold temperature is less than the first threshold temperature and the fourth threshold temperature is less than the second threshold temperature.

20. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a first cooling fan which is arranged to lower a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second cooling fan which is arranged to lower a second temperature related to said second device;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for ON/OFF controlling said first and second cooling fans, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means causes at least one of said first and second cooling fans to be rotated when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, and wherein said fan control means controls to drive said first cooling fan while the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor is not less than the first threshold temperature, and said fan control means controls to drive said second cooling fan while the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor is not less than the second threshold temperature.

21. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a first cooling fan which is arranged to lower a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second cooling fan which is arranged to lower a second temperature related to said second device;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for ON/OFF controlling said first and second cooling fans, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means causes at least one of said first and second cooling fans to be rotated when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, and wherein said first device is a CPU, and said system further comprises means for decreasing an operation speed of the CPU when the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become not less than the first threshold temperature.
- View Dependent Claims (22)
- - 22. The system according to claim 21, further comprising means for, when the temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become not less than the first threshold temperature, controlling to selectively one of i) decreasing the operation speed of the CPU and ii) driving said first cooling fan.

23. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a first cooling fan which is arranged to lower a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second cooling fan which is arranged to lower a second temperature related to said second device;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for ON/OFF controlling said first and second cooling fans, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means causes at least one of said first and second cooling fans to be rotated when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, and wherein said fan control means includes;
  
  means for, when the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor is not less than the first threshold temperature, informing a CPU of said computer system of a temperature sensor ID indicating said first temperature sensor using an interrupt signal, andmeans for, when the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor is not less than the second threshold temperature, informing the CPU of said computer system of a temperature sensor ID indicating said second temperature sensor using an interrupt signal, and whereinthe CPU determines a corresponding one of said first and second cooling fans to be driven on the basis of the informed temperature sensor ID.

24. A computer system comprising:
- a first device to be cooled;
  
  a second device to be cooled, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a first cooling fan which is arranged to lower a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second cooling fan which is arranged to lower a second temperature related to said second device;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for ON/OFF controlling said first and second cooling fans, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means causes at least one of said first and second cooling fans to be rotated when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature, and wherein said first and second cooling fans are exhaust fans for exhausting air outside said computer system that accommodates the first and second devices, respectively, and said system further comprises an inlet fan for taking outer air into said computer system.

25. A cooling control method for use in a computer system having a first device to be cooled, a second device to be cooled, a cooling fan having variable rotational speed, a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a temperature related to said first device, and a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a temperature related to said second device, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining whether or not a temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become not less than a first threshold temperature and whether or not a temperature detected by said second temperature sensor has become not less than a second threshold temperature; and
  
  changing a rotational speed of said cooling fan, based on results of the determining step.

26. A cooling control method for use in a computer system having a first device to be cooled, a second device to be cooled, a plurality of cooling fans, a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a temperature related to said first device, and a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a temperature related to said second device, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining whether or not a temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become not less than a first threshold temperature and whether or not a temperature detected by said second temperature sensor has become not less than a second threshold temperature; and
  
  changing a number of cooling fans to be driven, based on results of the determination step.

27. A cooling control method for use in a computer system having a first device to be cooled, a second device to be cooled, a first cooling fan which is arranged to lower a temperature related to said first device, a second cooling fan which is arranged to lower a temperature related to said second device, a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the temperature related to said first device, and a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the temperature related to said second device, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining whether or not a temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become not less than a first threshold temperature and whether or not a temperature detected by said second temperature sensor has become not less than a second threshold temperature; and
  
  ON/OFF controlling said first and second cooling fans, based on results of the determining step.

28. A computer system comprising:
- a first device generating heat;
  
  a second device generating heat, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a cooling fan having variable rotational speed;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a rotational speed of said cooling fan, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes the rotational speed of said cooling fan when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature.

29. A computer system comprising:
- a first device generating heat;
  
  a second device generating heat, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a plurality of cooling fans;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for changing a number of cooling fans to be driven, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means changes a number of cooling fans to be driven when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature.

30. A computer system comprising:
- a first device generating heat;
  
  a second device generating heat, said second device being different from said first device;
  
  a first cooling fan which is arranged to lower a first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second cooling fan which is arranged to lower a second temperature related to said second device;
  
  a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the first temperature related to said first device;
  
  a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the second temperature related to said second device; and
  
  fan control means for ON/OFF controlling said first and second cooling fans, based on at least one of the first temperature detected by said first temperature sensor and the second temperature detected by said second temperature sensor, wherein said fan control means causes at least one of said first and second cooling fans to be rotated when said first temperature sensor detects the first temperature has become not less than a first threshold temperature, and when said second temperature sensor detects that the second temperature has become not less than a second threshold temperature.

31. A cooling control method for use in a computer system having a first device generating heat, a second device generating heat, a cooling fan having variable rotational speed, a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a temperature related to said first device, and a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a temperature related to said second device, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining whether or not a temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become not less than a first threshold temperature and whether or not a temperature detected by said second temperature sensor has become not less than a second threshold temperature; and
  
  changing a rotational speed of said cooling fan, based on results of the determining step.

32. A cooling control method for use in a computer system having a first device generating heat, a second device generating heat, a plurality of cooling fans, a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a temperature related to said first device, and a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a temperature related to said second device, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining whether or not a temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become not less than a first threshold temperature and whether or not a temperature detected by said second temperature sensor has become not less than a second threshold temperature; and
  
  changing a number of cooling fans to be driven, based on results of the determination step.

33. A cooling control method for use in a computer system having a first device generating heat, a second device generating heat, a first cooling fan which is arranged to lower a temperature related to said first device, a second cooling fan which is arranged to lower a temperature related to said second device, a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the temperature related to said first device, and a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect the temperature related to said second device, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining whether or not a temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become not less than a first threshold temperature and whether or not a temperature detected by said second temperature sensor has become not less than a second threshold temperature; and
  
  ON/OFF controlling said first and second cooling fans, based on results of the determining step.

34. A cooling control method for use in a computer system having a first device including a CPU to be cooled, a second device to be cooled, a cooling fan having variable rotational speed, a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a temperature related to said first device, and a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a temperature related to said second device, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining whether or not a temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become not less than a first threshold temperature and whether or not a temperature detected by said second temperature sensor has become not less than a second threshold temperature;
  
  changing a rotational speed of said cooling fan, based on results of the determining step; and
  
  decreasing an operation speed of the CPU when the temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become not less than the first threshold temperature.

35. A cooling control method for use in a computer system having a first device to be cooled, a second device to be cooled, a cooling fan having variable rotational speed, a first temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a temperature related to said first device, and a second temperature sensor which is arranged to detect a temperature related to said second device, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining whether or not a temperature detected by said first temperature sensor has become not less than a first threshold temperature and whether or not a temperature detected by said second temperature sensor has become not less than a second threshold temperature;
  
  changing a rotational speed of said cooling fan, based on results of the determining step;
  
  informing a CPU of said computer system of a temperature sensor ID indicating said first temperature sensor using an interrupt signal, when the temperature detected by said first temperature sensor is not less than the first threshold temperature;
  
  informing the CPU of said computer system of a temperature sensor ID indicating said second temperature sensor using an interrupt signal, when the temperature detected by said second temperature sensor is not less than the second threshold temperature; and
  
  causing the CPU to determine the rotational speed of said cooling fan on the basis of the informed temperature sensor ID.

Specification

Resources

Litigation Campaign Assessment

Current Assignee
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
Original Assignee
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
Inventors
Yokomichi, Hiroaki, Suzuki, Shinichi
Primary Examiner(s)
Ray, Gopal C.

Application Number

US09/073,268
Time in Patent Office

895 Days
Field of Search

713/300, 713/322, 713/320, 702/65, 702/130, 702/132, 361/33, 361/687, 361/688, 361/695, 361/697, 318/471, 318/268, 165/80.3, 165/244, 340/584, 340/635, 388/934
US Class Current

713/300
CPC Class Codes

G06F 1/206   comprising thermal management

Y02D 10/00   Energy efficient computing,...

Y10S 388/934   Thermal condition

Computer system and its cooling control method

First Claim

1 Assignment

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

Citations

35 Claims

Specification

Solutions

Use Cases

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Computer system and its cooling control method

First Claim

1 Assignment

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

Citations

35 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links