Controlling temperatures in computers
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsMarion H. Shimoda, Kelan C. Silvester, Gunjeet Baweja
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for controlling the temperature inside a computer system housing involves determining whether a predetermined temperature set point has been exceeded. If the temperature set point has been exceeded, corrective action is attempted without adversely affecting the performance of the computer system. This may be accomplished by determining whether there are unused devices which are consuming power. If so, these devices may be transitioned to a lower power consumption state which may correspond to a lower heat generation state as well.
Claims29
A method for controlling a computer system comprising:
- determining whether a temperature set point has been exceeded;
- if a temperature set point has been exceeded, determining whether a first device is being used;
- if said first device is not being used, determining whether the first device is consuming power;
- and
- if said first device is consuming power, powering down said first device.
An article comprising a medium for storing instructions that cause a computer to:
- determine whether a temperature set point has been exceeded;
- if a temperature set point has been exceeded, determine whether a first device is being used;
- if said first device is not being used, determine whether the first device is consuming power;
- and
- if said first device is consuming power, power down said first device.
A method of controlling the temperature inside the housing of a computer component having at least one heat generating device comprising:
- monitoring the temperature inside said component;
- using the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface to determine whether the device can be transitioned to a lower power consumption state;
- and
- in response to the detection of excessive temperature, transitioning said device to a lower power consumption state.
An article comprising a medium for storing instructions that cause a computer to:
- monitor the temperature inside a component of a computer system;
- use the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface to determine whether a heat generating device in said component can be transitioned to a lower power consumption state;
- and
- in response to the detection of excessive temperature, transition said device to a lower power consumption state.
A computer system comprising:
- a processor;
- a temperature sensor;
- a medium that stores instructions that cause said processor to:
- determine whether said temperature sensor indicates that a temperature limit has been exceeded;
- determine whether a first device is being used;
- determine whether the first device is consuming power;
- and
- powering down said first device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.