Panel device for adjusting computer's operating frequency and showing system information

• US 7,100,068 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2003
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elitegroup Computer Systems Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Elitegroup Computer Systems Company Limited
• Inventors: Shyu, Ruey-Ching
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Anand B.
• Application Number:
  US10/370,468
• Publication Number:
  US 20040148530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,282 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 713/600
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/18 Packaging or power distribution

Abstract

A panel device mounted on a computer case comprises an adjustment unit for adjusting CPU'"'"'s operating frequency, a display module for showing system information, and a microprocessor which interconnects the adjustment unit and the display module with the computer system. The microprocessor can perform adjustment done by the adjustment unit and issue a service request signal to the computer. In response, the computer issues signals about system information to the microprocessor for being processed and showed on the display module.

Claims

1. A panel device mounted on the front side of a computer case for adjusting operating frequency and showing system information of a computer including a central processing unit (CPU), a basic input output system (BIOS), a system management (SM) bus and a system clock generator, the system clock generator providing a plurality of system clocks, wherein one of the system clocks is the operating frequency of the CPU, the panel device comprising:

an adjustment unit having a plurality of adjustment stages for enabling a user to selectively increase or decrease the operating frequency of the CPU;

a display module for showing the system information; and

a microprocessor interconnecting the adjustment unit and the display module with the CPU, the microprocessor being capable of adjusting the operating frequency of the CPU in response to an adjustment done by the adjustment unit;

wherein the microprocessor issues an interrupt signal to the CPU for interrupting the CPU so as to control the system clock generator to modify the operating frequency of the CPU via the BIOS and SM bus, and the microprocessor also issues a service request to the computer to request the system information and then displays the system information on the display module, and

wherein the displayed system information includes a CPU temperature, a system temperature, a motherboard status, a memory status, a hard disk status, and a CD-ROM status, and the display module comprises a plurality of display units for showing the CPU temperature, the system temperature, the motherboard status, the memory status, the hard disk status, and the CD-ROM status respectively.

2. The panel device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display module comprises an operating frequency indicator for showing the operating frequency of the CPU.

3. The panel device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display module is an LED.

4. The panel device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display module is an LCD.

5. The panel device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computer further comprises a plurality of operating elements and the display module comprises a call-help indicator that is lit when activated by the microprocessor if at least one of the operating elements has malfunctioned.

6. The panel device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the operating elements of the computer comprise a motherboard, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, and a memory.

7. The panel device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a buzzer for making a warning sound when activated by the microprocessor if one of the operating elements has malfunctioned.

8. The panel device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display units comprise a CPU temperature indicator and a system temperature indicator for showing the CPU temperature and the system temperature respectively, and wherein each of the CPU temperature indicator and the system temperature indicator comprises a green LED that is lit for representing a normal value of temperature, a yellow LED that is lit for representing a relatively high value of temperature, and a red LED that is lit for representing an over heat of temperature.

9. The panel device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a fan being that is activated by the microprocessor for cooling the computer if the yellow LED is lit.

10. The panel device as claimed in claim 8, wherein in response to a lighting of the red LED for a predetermined period of time, the microprocessor issues a shut down signal to the CPU for automatically turning off the computer.

11. The panel device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit is a knob or a set of buttons including a speed-up button and a speed-down button mounted on the front side of a computer case, and accordingly one of the adjustment stages is manually determined to complete increasing or decreasing of the operating frequency of CPU.