Cooling fan in sync with audio output level

• US 6,494,381 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2000
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Bulthuis, Willem
• Primary Examiner(s): WAYNER, WILLIAM E
• Application Number:
  US09/746,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20020079375A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 236/49.3, 622/59, 62/2, 454/184, 165/80.3, 181/141
• US Class Current: 236/49.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/206 comprising thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20209 Thermal management, e.g. fan control

Abstract

A method and device for controlling a cooling fan within an electronic device based on the temperature within the electronic device and the audio output level of the electronic device and/or the ambient noise level.

Claims

1. A cooling fan system in an electronic device, comprising:

a temperature sensor which measures the temperature within the electronic device;

an audio device which measures the audio level produced by the electronic device; and

a processor which receives the output of the temperature sensor and the output of the audio device and for controlling the cooling fan based on the audio device and temperature sensor outputs.

2. The cooling fan system as claimed in claim 1, further including an ambient noise sensor which measures the ambient noise level and wherein the processor receives the output of the ambient noise sensor and controls the cooling fan based on the audio level of the electronic device optical, the temperature sensor and the ambient noise sensor output.

3. The cooling fan system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the temperature sensor measures the temperature of an integrated circuit within the electronic device.

4. A personal computer, comprising:

a temperature sensor which measures the temperature within the personal computer;

an audio device which measures the audio level produced by the personal computer; and

a processor which receives the output of the temperature sensor and the output of the audio device and for controlling the cooling fan based on the audio and temperature sensor outputs.

5. The personal computer as claimed in claim 4, further including an ambient noise sensor which measures the ambient noise, and wherein the processor receives the output of the ambient noise sensor and controls the cooling fan based on the audio level of the personal computer, the temperature sensor and the ambient noise sensor output.

6. The personal computer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the temperature sensor measures the temperature of an integrated circuit within the electronic device.

7. An electronic device, comprising

a temperature sensor which measures the temperature within the electronic device;

an audio device which measures the audio level produced by the electronic device; and

a processor which receives the output of the temperature sensor and the output of the audio device and for controlling the cooling fan based on the audio level of the electronic device and temperature sensor output.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 7, further including an ambient noise sensor which measures the ambient noise, and wherein the processor receives the output of the ambient noise sensor and controls the cooling fan based on the audio level of the electronic device, the temperature sensor and the ambient noise sensor output.

9. A method of controlling a cooling fan in an electronic device, comprising the steps of:

measuring the temperature within the electronic device;

measuring the audio level of the electronic device; and

controlling the cooling fan based on the audio level and the temperature.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

measuring the ambient noise level; and

controlling the cooling fan based on the ambient noise level as well.

11. The method as claimed in claims 9 or 10, wherein the step of measuring the temperature within the electronic device, measures the temperature of an integrated circuit within the electronic device.

12. A consumer electronics device, comprising:

a temperature sensor which measures the temperature within the electronic device;

an audio device which measures the audio level produced by the electronic device; and

a processor which receives the output of the temperature sensor and the output of the audio device and for controlling the cooling fan based on the audio device and temperature sensor outputs.

13. A consumer electronics device as claimed in claim 12, further including an ambient noise sensor which measures the ambient noise level and wherein the processor receives the output of the ambient noise sensor and controls the cooling fan based on the audio level of the electronic device optical, the temperature sensor and the ambient noise sensor output.

14. A consumer electronics device as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the temperature sensor measures the temperature of an integrated circuit within the electronic device.