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US 6,661,655 B2Granted
Methods and systems for monitoring computers and for preventing overheating
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorMemphis Zhihong Yin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for protecting a computing device are described. Various embodiments provide a computer having a housing that defines an internal cavity. A sensor is mounted on the housing and is configured to sense a temperature of the internal cavity or some other condition associated with the cavity. The sensor generates a signal that can be used to ensure that the computer does not overheat.
Claims14
A computer, comprising:
- a housing defining an internal cavity;
- at least one ventilation structure in the housing which allows air to enter the internal cavity;
- and
- a sensing circuit comprising a photo-sensor mounted on the housing and positioned to sense light entering the internal cavity through the at least one ventilation structure, the sensing circuit being configured to generate a signal responsive to a condition that indicates that light is not entering the internal cavity in an amount that suggests that the at least one ventilation structure is unblocked.
1 more element
A computing device comprising:
- a housing;
- a sensing circuit positioned within the housing and configured to generate a signal responsive to sensing a condition which could lead to the computing device overheating, wherein said signal causes a user notification to be generated, and wherein if the sensing circuit continues to generate said signal for a definable amount of time after the user notification is generated said signal causes the computing device to shut down.
A computing device comprising:
- a housing defining an internal cavity;
- a CPU mounted within the internal cavity;
- and,
- a sensing circuit mounted on the housing and configured to sense a temperature of the internal cavity, the sensing circuit being configured to generate a signal that can be used to ensure that the computing device does not overheat if the temperature reaches a definable threshold, wherein the signal causes a user notification to be generated by the CPU, and wherein if the signal persists for a given period of time subsequent to the user notification, then the signal causes the computing device to shut down.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.