System and method for visually indicating unsafe handling temperature of an information handling system component

• US 8,368,547 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2009
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Berke, Stuart Allen, Hoss, Shawn P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Application Number:
  US12/635,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20110140898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 340/584, 340/587, 340/589, 340/600, 340/679, 340/686.1, 340/521, 340/526, 340/454
• US Class Current: 340/584
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

Systems and methods for indicating the unsafe service handling temperature of an information handling system component are disclosed. A method may include sensing a surface temperature of the component and comparing the surface temperature to a first and second threshold temperatures. The method may further include displaying various temperature warning by multiple temperature indicators if the surface temperature is above or below the threshold temperatures.

Claims

1. A method for indicating temperature of a first component communicatively coupled to an information handling system, comprising:

sensing a surface temperature of a portion of the first component;

comparing the surface temperature to a first threshold temperature, wherein the first threshold temperature is the temperature at which a human hand would be physically harmed by contact with the first component;

comparing the surface temperature to a second threshold temperature, wherein the second threshold temperature is approximately ten to fifteen degrees Celsius below the first threshold temperature;

if the surface temperature is below the first threshold temperature, displaying a first temperature warning by a first temperature indicator coupled to the first component;

if the surface temperature is above the first threshold temperature, displaying a second temperature warning by the first temperature indicator;

if the surface temperature is below the second threshold temperature, displaying a third temperature warning by a second temperature indicator coupled to the first component;

if the surface temperature is above the second threshold temperature, displaying a fourth temperature warning by the second temperature indicator.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first temperature warning comprises an absence of a visible indicator regarding temperature.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the third temperature warning comprises an absence of a visible indicator regarding temperature.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the warning is displayed at a first time and the fourth temperature warning is displayed at a second time, wherein the first time is equal to the second time.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the second temperature warning comprises displaying the second temperature warning in such a way that the fourth temperature warning is no longer visible.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second temperature indicators comprise a label affixed to a portion of the first component.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second temperature indicators comprise paint adhered to a portion of the first component.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second temperature indicators comprise a mechanical actuator configured to move between at least a first position and a second position, and between a third position and a fourth position, wherein the first position is associated with the first temperature warning, the second position is associated with the second temperature warning, the third position is associated with the third temperature warning, and the fourth position is associated with the fourth temperature warning.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and third temperature warnings are a first color, the second temperature warning is a second color, and the fourth temperature warning is a third color.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second and fourth temperature warnings comprise symbols.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the second and fourth temperature warnings comprise text.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sensing a surface temperature of a portion of a second component, the second component being in close proximity to the first component;

comparing the surface temperature of the portion of the second component to a first threshold temperature, wherein the first threshold temperature is the temperature at which a human hand would be physically harmed by contact with the second component;

comparing the surface temperature of the portion of the second component to a second threshold temperature, wherein the second threshold temperature is approximately ten to fifteen degrees Celsius below the first threshold temperature;

if the surface temperature is below the first threshold temperature, displaying a first temperature warning by a first temperature indicator coupled to the first component;

if the surface temperature is above the first threshold temperature, displaying a second temperature warning by the first temperature indicator;

if the surface temperature is below the second threshold temperature, displaying a third temperature warning by the second temperature indicator;

if the surface temperature is above the second threshold temperature, displaying a fourth temperature warning by the second temperature indicator.

13. A system for indicating to an operator of an information handling system an unsafe service handling temperature of a first component communicatively coupled to the information handling system, comprising:

a first temperature indicator coupled to the first component, configured to respond to a change in the surface temperature of a portion of the first component by displaying a first temperature warning when a surface temperature is below a first threshold temperature and a second temperature warning when the surface temperature is above the first threshold temperature;

a second temperature indicator coupled to the first component, configured to respond to a change in the surface temperature of the portion of the first component by displaying a third temperature warning when the surface temperature is below a second threshold temperature and a fourth temperature warning when the surface temperature is above the second threshold temperature, wherein;

the first threshold temperature is the temperature at which a human hand would be physically harmed by contact with the first component; and

the second threshold temperature is approximately ten to fifteen degrees below the first threshold temperature.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first temperature warning comprises an absence of a visible indicator regarding temperature.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the third temperature warning comprises an absence of a visible indicator regarding temperature.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the second temperature warning is displayed at a first time and the fourth temperature warning is displayed at a second time, wherein the first time is equal to the second time.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein displaying the fourth temperature warning comprises displaying the fourth temperature warning in such a way that the second temperature warning is no longer visible to the operator.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the first and second temperature indicators comprise a label affixed to a portion of the first component.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the first and second temperature indicators comprise paint adhered to a portion of the first component.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the first and second temperature indicators comprise a mechanical actuator configured to move between at least a first and second positions, and between a third and fourth positions, wherein the first position is associated with the first temperature warning, the second position is associated with the second temperature warning, the third position is associated with the third temperature warning, and the fourth position is associated with the fourth temperature warning.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the first and third temperature warnings are a first color, the second temperature warning is a second color, and the fourth temperature warning is a third color.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the second and fourth temperature warnings comprise symbols.

23. The system of claim 13, wherein the second and fourth temperature warnings comprise text.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the first temperature indicator is further configured to respond to a change in the surface temperature of a portion of a second component, the second component in close proximity to the first component, by displaying a first temperature warning when the surface temperature of the portion of the second component is below the first threshold temperature and a second temperature warning when the surface temperature of the portion of the second component is above the first threshold temperature;

a second temperature indicator coupled to the first component, configured to respond to a change in the surface temperature of the portion of the second component, by displaying a third temperature warning when the surface temperature of the portion of the second component is below the second threshold temperature and a fourth temperature warning when the surface temperature of the portion of the second component is above the second threshold temperature.