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WO2022046066A1 - Commande d'émission de chaleur de confort d'utilisateur - Google Patents

Commande d'émission de chaleur de confort d'utilisateur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022046066A1
WO2022046066A1 PCT/US2020/048355 US2020048355W WO2022046066A1 WO 2022046066 A1 WO2022046066 A1 WO 2022046066A1 US 2020048355 W US2020048355 W US 2020048355W WO 2022046066 A1 WO2022046066 A1 WO 2022046066A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
computing device
comfort
user
controller
input
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2020/048355
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English (en)
Inventor
Kimon Erik BERLIN
J. Michael Stahl
Lucas LEMOS ROSA
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Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing date
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Priority to PCT/US2020/048355 priority Critical patent/WO2022046066A1/fr
Publication of WO2022046066A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022046066A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • G06F1/20—Cooling means
    • G06F1/206—Cooling means comprising thermal management

Definitions

  • Computing devices such as desktop computers, laptop computers and workstations, are used in a variety of environments for a variety of purposes. Such computing devices may generate significant amounts of heat.
  • Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating portions of an example user comfort heat emission control system.
  • Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of an example user comfort heat emission control method.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating portions of an example user comfort heat emission control system.
  • Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of an example user comfort heat emission control method.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating portions of an example computing device with example applications and heat emitting components.
  • Fig. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating portions of an example user comfort heat emission control system.
  • This comfort input indicates a user comfort level with respect to a temperature of the air surrounding the user.
  • This comfort level input is independent of user contact with outer surfaces of the computing device. Said another way, this comfort level input is not restricted to merely temperature induced tactile sensations.
  • the comfort input may be provided by user of the computing device in several fashions. For example, a user may be presented with a touchscreen with graphical icons for selection or movement to provide such input.
  • the computing device may include a slide bar, dial, pushbutton or other tactile input device providing such comfort input.
  • the computing device may include a microphone and speech recognition software, facilitating verbal comfort level input.
  • the comfort input may be in the form of a subjective evaluation of the current state of the environment. For example, the user may move a slide bar or rotate a dial (a physical slide bar dial, or a graphic on a display screen) to indicate that the room or cubicle is too hot or too cold.
  • the comfort input may omit any temperature values, but merely utilize different colors or shades of red and blue to indicate hot and cold.
  • the comfort input may utilize letters or words such as “C” for cold and “H” for hot.
  • the comfort input may be in the form of what changes to the surrounding environment the user would choose. For example, the user may move a slide bar or rotate a dial to indicate the direction of change to be made to the temperature of a room or cubicle. If the user feels that the room is too cold, the user may indicate that the room needs to be heated up by moving the slide bar or by rotating the dial to a red indicator. Conversely, if the user feels the room is too hot, the user may indicate the room needs to be cooled by moving the slide bar or rotating the dial to a blue indicator.
  • the comfort level input may involve the input of actual target temperatures (specified in degrees Fahrenheit or degrees Celsius) for the surrounding environment.
  • the operational state of the computing device may be adjusted in various fashions to alter heat emission by heat emitting components of the computing device to the external environment.
  • the operational state may be adjusted by controlling what particular applications (also known as services) are being carried out by the computing device. For example, if the comfort input indicates that the environment is to hot or warm, high processing intensity applications, that result in greater heat emission, may be turned off or shuttered.
  • the operational state of the computing device may be adjusted by controlling operational settings of the individual heat emitting components.
  • operational settings such as its clock frequency or voltage, or the workload, such as instructions being executed by each internal core, of the central processing unit, may be adjusted to alter heat emission to the surrounding environment.
  • Memory access such as DIMM memory access, may be adjusted through the use of power management integrated circuitry on a motherboard to control heat emission.
  • Operational settings for a platform controller hub (PCH) on a motherboard may be adjusted to alter heat emission by the PCH.
  • Operational settings, such as read clock frequencies and fan speeds, or the workload, such as instructions being executed by each internal core, of one or multiple graphics card may be adjusted to control heat emission to the environment surrounding the computing device.
  • a controller may output control signals to adjust an operational state of the computing device by selectively altering a state of applications being executed by the computing device and/or heat emitting components being used by the computing device.
  • the controller may receive priority values for the applications and/or the heat emitting components
  • the controller may select particular applications and/or particular heat emitting components for state altering based upon the received priority values or order the state altering of different application/heat emitting components based upon the received priority values.
  • user may prioritize the value or importance of particular applications/programs and particular heat emitting components given the user’s objectives and preferences.
  • the user comfort heat emission control systems, methods, and processor instructions adjust or alter heat emission by the heat emitting components of the computing device additionally based upon sensed environmental conditions or parameters. Temperature, humidity, airflow and/or luminous energy (visible light, such as the intensity of light through a window) may be sensed and utilized as a basis for altering heat emission by the heat emitting components to enhance a user comfort level with respect to a temperature of the air surrounding the user.
  • environmental parameters are sensed by sensors provided by the computing device.
  • such environmental parameters are sensed by sensors that are remote with respect to the computing device, facilitating the acquisition of environmental parameter measurements from locations that are also remote from the computing device. The remote environmental parameter measurements may be more accurate with respect to the actual environment directly surrounding the user of the computing device, rather than internal regions of the computing device or very local external surfaces of the computing device.
  • the controller may adjust the operational state of the computing device based on the signals from the sensors.
  • the sensed values for the environmental parameters are used to determine an extent of adjustments to operational state of the computing device to alter heat emission by the computing device.
  • sensed values for the environmental parameters are used to determine how the operational state of the computing device should be adjusted to alter the heat emission by the computing device. For example, in response to a sensed value for a first environmental parameter exceeding a particular threshold, a first operational state of computing device may be adjusted to alter heat emission. In response to a sensed value for a second different environmental parameter exceeding a particular threshold, a second different operational state of the computing device may be adjusted to alter heat emission.
  • temperature measurements taken by sensors remote to the computing device may facilitate more precise control of heat emission to the environment external to the computing device.
  • Changes in the temperature measurements may be linked or correlated to associated changes to the operational state of the computing device. For example, a first change to the operational state of the computing device may result in a first temperature change external to the computing device. A second change to the operational state of the computing device may result in a second different temperature change external to the computing device. Different changes to different operational states and different extents of such changes may be recorded along with the corresponding resulting changes in the external temperature.
  • the example systems, methods and processor instructions may interpolate or extrapolate the relationships between different changes to the operational state of the computing device to different resulting external temperature changes. These relationships or “profiles” may be utilized by the systems, methods and processor instructions to determine how the operational state of the computing device should be adjusted, what applications or heat emitting components should be adjusted and the extent to which such adjustments should be made.
  • the example user comfort heat emission control systems, methods, and processor instructions further generate and store user comfort “profiles”.
  • a user comfort profile may correlate different values for different environmental parameters (for example, temperature, humidity, airflow, luminous energy) to different comfort inputs by particular user. For example, a first user may subjectively feel cold given a first set of values for a first environmental parameter or a set of environmental parameters. A second different user may be fine are even feel hot given the same first set of values for the first environmental parameter or the set of environmental parameters.
  • Such user comfort profiles may be generated by storing the existing measured values for the environmental parameters with the user provided comfort input at the time that the user provides the comfort input.
  • a controller computing device may generate and store different user comfort profiles for different users and utilize the different profiles depending upon what particular user is currently using the computing device.
  • Such comfort profiles may be utilized to automatically adjust the operational state of the computing device to provide a more comfortable environment for the user of the computing device.
  • a controller may receive signals from external or remote sensors indicating particular values for environmental parameters. In response to such values satisfying threshold of the comfort profile, the controller may automatically, without receiving any additional comfort input, adjust the operational state of the computing device to alter heat emission by the heat emitting components of the computing device.
  • the comfort profiles of individual computing device users may be additionally dependent upon the time of day, time of year or other factors.
  • the relationship between a particular comfort level for a particular user and a set of values for different environmental parameters may be different in the morning as compared to the afternoon or be different during the winter compared to the summer. In the morning, a user may prefer the warmer operating environment. In the afternoon, user may prefer a cooler operating environment. In the evening, user may once again prefer a warmer operating environment.
  • the example user comfort heat emission control systems, methods and processor instructions may automatically adjust the operational settings of the computing device to alter heat emission based upon additional factors such as the time of day or time of year (as tracked by the computing device or obtained by the computing device).
  • Disclosed are example user comfort heat emission control systems may include a computing device.
  • the computing device may include an outer enclosure, a heat emitting component housed within the outer enclosure and a controller.
  • the controller may receive a comfort input from a person using the computing device, the comfort input indicating a user comfort level with respect to a temperature of air surrounding the user and independent of user contact with the outer enclosure
  • the controller may further output control signals to adjust an operational state of the computing device to alter heat emission by the heat emitting component based on the comfort input.
  • the methods may include receiving, via an input, a comfort input from a person using the computing device, the comfort input indicating a user comfort level with respect to a temperature of air surrounding the user and independent of a surface temperature of the outer enclosure.
  • the methods may further include adjusting an operational state of the computing device to alter heat emission by the heat emitting component based on the comfort input.
  • the instructions are to direct a processor to: (1) receive, via an input, a comfort input from a person using the computing device, the comfort input indicating a user comfort level with respect to a temperature of air surrounding the user and independent of a surface temperature of the outer enclosure; (2) receive first signals from a first sensor external to the computing device, the first signals indicating a value for a first environmental parameter; (3) receive second signals from a second sensor external to the computing device, the second signals indicating a value for a second environmental parameter different than the first environmental parameter; and (4) output control signals to adjust an operational state of the computing device to alter heat emission by the heat emitting component based on the comfort input, the first signals and the second signals.
  • Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating portions of an example user comfort heat emission control system 20.
  • System 20 utilizes comfort input indicating a user comfort level with respect to a temperature of the air surrounding the user.
  • the comfort input is utilized to adjust an operational state of a computing device to alter heat emission by the computing device, providing the user with a more comfortable working environment.
  • System 20 comprises computing device 24 and controller 30.
  • Computing device 24 comprises a device having a processor for carrying out various computations. Examples the computing device include, but are not limited to, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, and a workstation. As schematically shown by Fig. 1 , computing device 24 comprises an outer enclosure 32 and a heat emitting component 40 that is housed within the outer enclosure 32. Outer enclosure 32 may be in the form of an outer housing, casing or other structure containing the processor and other internal componentry of the computing device 24. In some implementations, portions of outer enclosure 32 may have surfaces that serve as inputs or outputs for the computing device 24. For example, in some implementations, portions about outer enclosure 32 may comprise a display screen, a touchpad, a touchscreen or the like. In some implementations, distinct peripherals such as a keyboard, a mouse or the like may serve as input devices which are connected to the computing device via ports of the outer enclosure 32.
  • Heat emitting component 40 comprises an electronic component of device 24 that emits heat during use. Such heat may be generated as a result of electrical current passing through electrically resistive structures or components. The generation of heat is not the prime function of such components, but is a byproduct of the computing operations being carried out. Examples of heat emitting component 40 include, but are not limited to, processor cores, memory, such as dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs), a platform controller hub, persistent storage (e.g. a hard disk drive), graphic cards, and the like. The amount of heat emitted by such components may depend upon the clock cycle or frequency, the voltage and the power consumed by such components.
  • DIMMs dual in-line memory modules
  • persistent storage e.g. a hard disk drive
  • Controller 30 comprises a processor that executes instructions contained in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Controller 30 receives comfort input 50. Such comfort input 50 indicates a user comfort level with respect to a temperature of air surrounding the user. This comfort input is independent of user contact with the outer enclosure 32. This comfort input 50 is not restricted to merely temperature induced tactile sensations.
  • comfort input 50 encompasses how warm or how cold the user feels based upon the air surrounding the users face, head, arms, torso, legs and feet as he or she sits behind a workstation or computing device. Such comfort input 50 may indicate how the user feels, warm or cold, while the user is not even touching the computing device.
  • the comfort input 50 may be provided by user of the computing device 24 in several fashions. For example, a user may be presented with graphical icons for selection or movement by a mouse, touchpad or the like, or through the use of a touchscreen, to provide such input.
  • the computing device 24 may include a physical slide bar, dial, pushbutton or other tactile input device providing such comfort input.
  • the computing device 24 may include a microphone and speech recognition software, facilitating verbal comfort level input.
  • the comfort input 50 may be in the form of a subjective evaluation of the current state of the environment. For example, the user may move a slide bar or rotate a dial (a physical slide bar dial, or a graphic on a display screen) to indicate that the room or cubicle is too hot or too cold.
  • the comfort input 50 may omit any temperature values, but merely utilize different colors or shades of red and blue to indicate hot and cold.
  • the comfort input 50 may utilize letters or words such as “C” for cold and “H” for hot.
  • the comfort input 50 may be in the form of what changes to the surrounding environment the user would prefer. For example, the user may move a slide bar or rotate a dial to indicate the direction of change to be made to the temperature of a room or cubicle. If the user feels that the room is too cold, the user may indicate that the room needs to be heated up by moving the slide bar or by rotating the dial to a red indicator. Conversely, if the user feels the room is too hot, the user may indicate the room needs to be cooled by moving the slide bar or rotating the dial to a blue indicator. In some implementations, the comfort input 50 may involve the input of actual target temperatures (specified in degrees Fahrenheit or degrees Celsius) for the surrounding environment.
  • Controller 30 utilizes the received comfort input 50 as a basis for outputting control signals that adjust an operational state of computing device 24 to alter heat admission by the heat emitting components 40.
  • the operational state of the computing device may be adjusted in various fashions to alter heat emission by heat emitting components of the computing device 24 to the external environment.
  • the operational state may be adjusted by controlling what particular applications (also known as services) are being carried out by the computing device 24. For example, if the comfort input 50 indicates that the environment is to hot or warm, high processing intensity applications, that result in greater heat emission, may be turned off, shuttered, or throttled.
  • heat output by the computing device may be sensed or measured during the use of particular programs or applications or during use of particular options in the particular programs or applications. As such data is recorded by controller 30, controller 30 may determine and store the relationship between what programs or program options are being carried out and the heat output by the computing device. For example, it may be determined that the execution of a first program results in a first rate of heat emission by a computing device and that the execution of a second program results in a second greater rate of heat emission by the computing device.
  • execution of a first graphics option as part of the first program may result in a third rate of heat emission by the computing device while execution of a second graphics option as part of the first program may result in a fourth greater rate of heat omission by the computing device.
  • the various relationships between heat output and application/program execution is determined from the particular computing device being used by the person providing the comfort input 50. As a result, the various relationships may be customized and finely tuned to the particular characteristics of the computing device before the user. In some implementations, the various relationships between heat output and application/program execution may be empirically determined using data from computing devices other than the computing device presently being used by the person providing the comfort input 50. For example, a particular relationship may be an average rate of heat output for a given program/application or a given program/application option, wherein the average rate is based upon data acquired from multiple computing devices and multiple instances of execution of the given program/application or program/application option.
  • controller 30 may recommend or automatically trigger use or execution of the second program option which results in emission of a slightly greater amount of heat.
  • controller 30 may recommend or automatically initiate use or execution of the second program (rather than the first program) to cause the computing device to emit an even greater amount of heat.
  • controller 30 may recommend or automatically initiate use or execution of both the first program and the second program, in parallel, to emit an even greater amount of heat.
  • controller 30 may recommend or automatically discontinue execution of particular program/application options or entire programs/applications to reduce the amount of heat being emitted by the computing device. For example, In response to the first and second programs both being executed in parallel, and controller 30 receiving comfort input 50 indicating that the user is slightly warm (such as a dial or other input pointing to a light red indicator), controller 30 may recommend or automatically discontinue use or execution of one of the two program options of the first program to cause the computing device to emit a lesser amount of heat. In some implementations, controller 30 may recommend or automatically discontinue use or execution of the first program to emit an even lesser amount of heat.
  • controller 30 may recommend or automatically discontinue use or execution of both the first program and the second program to cause the computing device to emit an even lesser amount of heat.
  • the selection of which of the first program the second program to discontinue may depend upon the comfort input 50 that is currently being received. If the user is less hot, the computer may recommend or automatically discontinue use of the first program which emits a lesser amount of heat as compared to the second program.
  • particular thresholds for the user input 50 for example, the degree to which a physical or graphical dial has been rotated with respect to the hot and cold indicators, the position of the slide bar or the like
  • controller 30 may prompt the user to input and assign a priority value for each of the various program/applications. The priority value may identify relative importance of the different program options or programs.
  • the priority value may identify a sequencer or order for discontinuing or throttling certain programs or program options when a user feels too hot or for turning on and executing certain programs or program options when a user feels too cold.
  • the user may provide a priority value input that prevents controller 30 from throttling or discontinuing a particular program option or a particular program.
  • the controller 30 may receive input from the user indicating at what thresholds different programs and/or program options should be discontinued, initiated, accelerated, or throttled.
  • the operational state of the computing device 24 may be adjusted by controlling operational settings of the individual heat emitting components 40.
  • the central processing unit may undergo throttling to lower the amount of heat being output through use of the CPU.
  • operational settings of the central processing unit such as its clock frequency or voltage may be adjusted to alter heat emission to the surrounding environment.
  • Memory access such as DIMM memory access, may be adjusted through the use of power management integrated circuitry on a motherboard to control heat emission.
  • Operational settings for a platform controller hub (PCH) on a motherboard may be adjusted to alter heat emission by the PCH.
  • Operational settings of a graphic card such as read clock frequencies, fan speeds and the like may be adjusted to control heat emission to the ambient environment surrounding the computing device.
  • controller 30 may prompt the user to input and assign a priority value for each of the various heat emitting components.
  • the priority input may identify a sequencer order for discontinuing or throttling certain heat emitting components when a user feels too hot or for turning on and executing certain programs or program options when a user feels too cold.
  • the user may provide a priority value input that prevents controller 30 from throttling or discontinuing a particular heat emitting component.
  • the controller 30 may receive input from the user indicating at what thresholds different heat emitting components should be discontinued, initiated, accelerated, or throttled.
  • controller 30 is provided as part of the computing device 24, being housed within outer enclosure 32. As indicated by broken lines, in other implementations, controller 30 may be remote from computing device 24, communicating with a different processor of computing device 24. In some implementations, controller 30, whether as part of computing device 24 or external to computing device 24, may control the heat emission of several different computing devices 24 which are in communication with controller 30, wherein such control is based upon the individual comfort inputs of the different users of the different computing devices.
  • Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of an example user comfort heat emission control method 100.
  • Method 100 may be carried out by controller 30 of system 20.
  • Method 100 enhances a user’s environment and experience by utilizing comfort input, indicating a user comfort level with respect to a temperature of the air surrounding the user, to adjust an operational state of a computing device to alter heat emission by the computing device.
  • a controller such as controller 30, receives a comfort input via an input interface such as a mouse, keyboard, touchscreen, microphone, or the like.
  • the comfort input is from the person using the computing device.
  • the comfort input indicates the user comfort level with respect to a temperature of air surrounding the user, such as the air surrounding the user’s torso, head, feet, legs, and the like.
  • the comfort level indicated by the comfort input may be independent of a surface temperature of the outer enclosure in that it is not restricted to hot or cold touch sensations of the user with external surfaces of the computing device.
  • a controller such as controller 30, automatically adjusts an operational state of the computing device to alter heat emission by the heat emitting components based upon the comfort input.
  • the operational state of the computing device may be adjusted to alter heat emitting properties of the computing device by adjusting what applications are being run by the computing device or how they are being run.
  • the operational state of the computing device may alter the heat emitting properties of the computing device by additionally or alternatively adjusting the operational settings of the heat emitting components of the computing device.
  • Fig. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating portions of an example user comfort heat emission control system 220.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates an example of how environmental parameters may be additionally used to adjust the operational state of the computing device to enhance user comfort.
  • System 220 is similar to system 20 described above except that system 220 additionally comprises sensors 260-1 , 260-2 (collectively referred to as sensors 260) and comprises controller 230 in lieu of controller 30. Those remaining components of system 220 which correspond to components of system 20 are numbered similarly.
  • Sensors 260 sense environmental parameters in regions of a room or other area which contains computing device 24. Sensors 260 output signals which indicate a measurement of such environmental parameters. Such signals are communicated to controller 230. Sensor 260-1 senses a first environmental parameter (EP-1 ). Sensor 260-2 senses a different second environmental parameter (EP-2). Such environmental parameters EP may include, but are not limited to, temperature, humidity, air flow and luminous energy. Luminous energy refers to the brightness of visible light which may result in heat. For example, a user sitting in a region exposed to sunlight through a window may perceive heat more so than a person sitting not exposed to such sunlight.
  • temperature may be sensed by a sensor comprising a thermocouple or, a resistance temperature detector, a thermistor, or a semi-conductor base integrated circuit, wherein the sensor communicates signals to controller 230.
  • humidity may be sensed by a sensor comprising a capacitive, resistance or thermal humidity sensor, wherein the humidity sensor transmit signals indicating the sense humanity to controller 230.
  • capacitive humidity sensors may be formed by humidity-sensitive dielectric surrounded by electrodes.
  • airflow may be sensed by a volume airflow sensor or a mass airflow sensor.
  • luminous energy may be sensed by a photovoltaic cell, a phototransistor, a photo resistor, photo tube, a photo multiplier tube, a photodiode, a charge coupled device or other light sensors, wherein the light sensors transmit signals indicating the sensed luminous energy or light to the controller 230.
  • system 220 may comprise a single environmental sensor 260 or greater than two environmental sensors 260. In some implementations, more than two different environmental parameters may be sensed. In some implementations, each of the different environmental parameters may be detected through the use of multiple sensors positioned about computing device 24 and/or about the user who is providing the comfort input 50. For example, multiple sensors spaced about a room may provide readings regarding the temperature of the room. Multiple sensors spaced about room may provide different readings regarding the humidity of the room, airflow in different locations in the room or luminous energy at different locations within the room. As shown by broken lines, in some implementations, sensors 260 may be located within the outer enclosure 32 of computing device 24. In some implementations, sensors 206 may be located external or remote from computing device 24 and may provide signals to controller 230 which is also external to a remote from computing device 24.
  • Controller 230 is similar to controller 30 described above. Like controller 30, controller 230 comprises a processor 232 which executes instructions contained in a non-transitory computer-readable medium 234.
  • the non-transitory computer readable medium 234 may be a nonvolatile memory such as contained in a flash memory, hard disk drive or other persistent storage device. Instructions on medium 234 direct processor 232 to carry out the method 300 outlined in Fig. 4. Executing such instructions, processor 232 outputs control signals based upon comfort input 50 and the signals from sensors 260 to adjust an operational state of computing device 24 so as to alter heat being emitted by heat emitting components 40. As described above, the operational state of computing device 24 may be adjusted by adjusting how or what applications are being run by computing device 24 and/or by adjusting the operational settings or states of heat emitting component 40 or multiple heat emitting components 40.
  • Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of an example user comfort heat emission control method 300. Although method 300 is described in the context of being carried out by system 220, it should be appreciated that method 300 may likewise be carried out with any of the systems described in this disclosure or with other similar computing systems.
  • controller 230 receives comfort input 50 from the person using the computing device 24 or from another person in the vicinity of computing device 24. Controller 230 receives a comfort input 50 via an input interface such as a mouse, keyboard, touchscreen, microphone, or the like.
  • the comfort input 50 is from the person using the computing device.
  • the comfort input 50 indicates the user comfort level with respect to a temperature of air surrounding the user, air surrounding the user’s torso, head, feet, legs, and the like.
  • the comfort level indicated by the comfort input 50 is independent of a surface temperature of the outer enclosure in that it is not restricted to hot or cold touch sensations of the user with external surfaces of the computing device.
  • controller 230 further receives first signals from a first sensor external to the computing device 24, such as from sensor 260-1 .
  • the first signals indicate a value or measurement for a first environmental parameter.
  • controller 230 receives second signals from a second sensor external to the computing device 24, such as from sensor 260-2.
  • the second signals indicate a value for a second environmental parameter different than the first environmental parameter. Examples of such environmental parameters include, but not limited to, temperature, humidity, airflow, and luminous energy.
  • controller 230 outputs control signals to adjust an operational state of computing device 24 so as alter heat omission by heat emitting component 40 based upon the comfort input, the first signals received in block 306 and the second signals received in block 308.
  • the adjustment is automatic.
  • controller 230 may prompt or request the user provide a confirmation or authorization before initiating such an adjustment.
  • the operational state of the computing device 24 may be adjusted to alter heat emitting properties of the computing device by adjusting what applications are being run by the computing device or how they are being run. Controller 230 may adjust the operational state of the computing device 24 to alter the heat emitting properties of the computing device by additionally or alternatively adjusting the operational settings of the heat emitting component 40 of the computing device.
  • Fig. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating examples of various heat emitting components 440-1 , 440-2, 440-3, 440-4, 440-5 (collectively referred to as heat emitting components 440) of an example computing device 24 that may be monitored and controlled by controller, such as controller 30 or controller 230, to alter their heat emission properties.
  • controller such as controller 30 or controller 230
  • applications 444 further illustrates an example set 442 of applications 444-1 , 444-2, 442-3 and 444-4 (collectively referred to as applications 444) that may be adjusted to alter the heat emission properties of computing device 24.
  • Component 440-1 comprises processing cores of computing device 24.
  • a controller such as controller 30 or 230 may monitor the temperature T and/or the performance state PS of each individual core.
  • the controller may adjust the operational settings of such cores, such as by changing the frequency F (clock cycle) of each individual core or changing the voltage V of each individual core.
  • the controller can also create parallel workloads to be executed by individual cores of the central processing unit to alter the heat output of component 440-1 .
  • Component 440-2 comprises a memory of computing device 24.
  • controller 30, 230 may monitor the internal temperatures DT of the memory, such as internal DIMM temperatures or may monitor the accumulated dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) energy. Based upon such readings, the state or settings of the power management integrated circuit (PMIC) may be adjusted to alter the heat being output from the use of component 440-2.
  • DRAM dynamic random-access memory
  • Component 440-3 comprises a platform controller hub (PCH) found on a motherboard of computing device 24.
  • PCH platform controller hub
  • the controller 30, 230 may monitor the die temperature T of the PCH or fan speeds (tachometer inputs) associate with the PCH.
  • controller 30, 230 may adjust the operational settings of the inputs to a proportional integrated derivative fan controller (PID) to alter the amount of heat being output as a result of use of the PCH.
  • PID proportional integrated derivative fan controller
  • Component 440-4 comprises an internal persistent storage unit, such as a hard drive, solid state drive or M.2 drive, of a computing device 24.
  • controller 30, 230 may monitor the temperature of the persistent storage unit.
  • controller 30, 230 may adjust the usage of the persistent storage unit by the operating system, such as by reducing the frequency of data access or reducing the amount of data that is transferred from the persistent storage unit into dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), to alter the heat output of the component 440-4.
  • DRAM dynamic random-access memory
  • Component 440-5 comprises graphic cards of computing device 24.
  • controller 30, 230 may monitor such operational parameters of such graphic card such as fan speed FS, performance states PS, graphic processing unit (GPU) temperature T, power draw PD and clock frequencies F.
  • the controller can also create parallel workloads to be executed by all individual cores of the graphic processing unit to alter the heat output of component 440-5.
  • T As schematically indicated by a block, controller 30, 230 may adjust the operational settings of the graphic cards to control the graphic/GPU card power and to control the heat admitted during use of the component 440-5.
  • Set 442 of applications 444 comprises various applications/services that may be run or executed by computing device 24.
  • the different applications 444 may have different processing intensities, using the various heat emitting components 440 of computing device 24 by different extents. As a result, execution of the different applications 444 may result in different amounts of heat being emitted.
  • particular graphics applications may be more processor intensive such at a greater amount of heat is output as a result of their execution.
  • controller 30, 230 may adjust how or what particular applications 444 are executed based upon the existing comfort input 50. For example, if comfort input 50 (shown in Figs.
  • controller 30, 230 may discontinue execution of some of applications 444, may slow the execution of some of applications 444 or may limit what processes are carried out by particular applications 444 such that less heat is output. If comfort input 50 reflects that user is too cold, controller 30, 230 may begin the execution of some of applications 444, increase the execution of some of applications 444 or expand what processes are carried out by the particular applications 444 such that a greater amount of heat is output.
  • Fig. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating portions of an example user comfort heat emission control system 520.
  • Fig. 6 provides an example of how multiple external or remote sensors and a comfort input, in combination with software profiles, hardware profiles and user comfort profiles, may be used to adjust an operational state of a computing device to provide a more comfortable environment for a user of a computing device or multiple users of different computing devices in the same environment.
  • System 520 comprises computing devices 524-1 , 524-2 (collectively referred to as computing devices 524, user comfort input components 526-1 , 526-2 (collectively referred to as input components 526), remote sensors 560-1 , 560-2, 560-3, 560-4 (collectively referred to as sensors 560 and profile databases, software profiles 570-1 , hardware profiles 570-2 and user comfort profiles 570-3 (collectively referred to as profiles 570) and controller 530.
  • Computing devices 524 are similar to computing devices 24 described above.
  • computing devices 524 may have different componentry in different heat emission characteristics.
  • Each of computing device 524 comprises an outer enclosure 532 which houses heat emitting components 540.
  • Those particular features of computing device number 524-2 are schematically shown.
  • the outer enclosures 532 and heat emitting components 540 of the two different computing device 524 may be different and have different heat emitting properties.
  • the heat emitting components 540 may comprise heat emitting upon such as those described above with respect to Fig. 5.
  • each of computing devices 524 may have a set 442 of available applications 444 for execution.
  • the two computing devices 524 may have different sets of applications available for execution.
  • User comfort input components 526 comprises electronic devices that facilitate the input of a comfort input 50 (described above) to controller 530.
  • each of user comfort input 1526 comprises a graphic presented on a display screen in the form of a dial, wherein the dial may be rotated through manipulation of a mouse, touchpad, touchscreen or the like to provide controller 30 with feedback regarding the current comfort level of the user 552-1 , 552-2 of the associated computing device 524-1 , 524-2.
  • the comfort input 50 may be in the form of the current subjective comfort of the user 552 or a request for increasing or decreasing the temperature of the user’s environment.
  • other graphics may be presented on the display screen to facilitate input of a comfort input.
  • comfort input components 526 may have other forms, such as physical slide bars, physical dials, or the like.
  • Remote sensors 560 are similar to sensors 260 described above.
  • system 520 comprises a remote temperature sensor 560-1 , a remote humidity sensor 560-2, a remote airflow sensor 560-3 and a remote luminous energy sensor 560-4.
  • each of computing devices 524 is associated with a set of remote sensors which are in closer proximity to the associated computing device.
  • some of the sensors 560 may include multiple spaced sensors for each environmental parameter being measured. Signals from each of the remote sensors are communicated to controller 530.
  • Profiles 570 are used by controller 530 to adjust operational settings of computing devices 524 to alter heat emission properties of computing devices 524.
  • Software profiles 570-1 comprises records indicating the relationship between various amounts of heat emitted by the individual computing devices 524 during the execution of different applications or the selection of different options in the applications. Such profiles 570-1 may be provided to system 520 based upon other similar computing devices 524. In some implementations, such profiles 570-1 are generated and stored by system 520. For example, in some implementations, changes to what applications 444 are being run or how individual applications 444 are being run and corresponding temperature changes (obtained from signals from temperature sensors 560-1 or other temperature sensors within or proximate to computing devices 524) are recorded to identify the relationship between such values. Such relationships may be subsequently utilized by controller 530 to determine how to adjust the execution of applications or what particular application should be run while other application should be throttled, shuttered or discontinued based upon a current comfort input 50.
  • Hardware profiles 570-2 comprises records indicating the relationship between various operational settings of heat emitting components 540 and the resulting heat emission by such heat emitting components 540 as determined from signals from temperature sensor 560-1 or other temperature sensors within our proximate to computing devices 524. Such profiles 570-2 may be provided to system 520 based upon other similar computing devices 524. In some implementations, such profiles 570-1 are generated and stored by system 520. For example, in some implementations, changes to particular operational settings of heat emitting components 540 and corresponding temperature changes from signals from temp sensors 560-1 (or other temperature sensors within or proximate to computing devices 524) are recorded to identify the relationship between such values. Such relationships may be subsequently utilized by controller 530 to determine how to adjust the operational settings of particular heat emitting components 540 based upon a current comfort input 50.
  • profiles 570-1 and 570-2 are locally generated and stored, the profiles are customized to the individual characteristics of the computing devices 524 or the particular environment of computing devices 524. For example, depending upon age, different heat emitting components 540 may generate heat at different rates. In some implementations, profiles 570-2 are periodically updated at predefined times by controller 530 to take into account aging of the heat emitting components. In addition, different rooms or different environments may have different heat dissipative capacities. Heat dissipative capacity refers to the ability of a room to absorb and dissipate heat without undergoing a substantial temperature change. Different heat dissipative capacities may impact temperature changes in a room resulting from heat emitted by computing device.
  • a given of heat may be emitted by a computing device without substantially changing the temperature of the room.
  • the same given amount of heat may result in a substantial change in the temperature of the room.
  • a user may be able to tolerate a greater amount of BTUs or heat from a computing device in a room having a high heat dissipative capacity as compared heat from a computing device in a room having a low heat dissipative capacity.
  • User comfort profiles 570-3 comprises records reflecting particular comfort preferences of a particular user 552 of a particular computing device 524.
  • a user comfort profile 570-3 may correlate different values for different environmental parameters (for example, temperature, humidity, airflow, luminous energy) to different comfort inputs by particular user. For example, a first user may subjectively feel cold given a first set of values for a first environmental parameter or a set of environmental parameters. A second different user may be fine are even feel hot given the same first set of values for the first environmental parameter or the set of environmental parameters.
  • Such user comfort profiles may be generated by storing the existing measured values for the environmental parameters with the user provided comfort input at the time that the user provides the comfort input.
  • Controller 530 may generate and store different user comfort profiles for different users and utilize the different profiles depending upon what particular user is currently using the computing device 524-1 , 524-2.
  • comfort profiles 570-3 may be utilized to automatically adjust the operational state of the computing device 524-1 , 524-2 to provide a more comfortable environment for the user of the computing device 524-1 , 524-2.
  • controller 530 may receive signals from external or remote sensors 560 indicating particular values for environmental parameters. In response to such values satisfying threshold of the comfort profile 570-3, the controller may automatically, without receiving any additional comfort input, adjust the operational state of the computing device 524-1 , 524-2 to alter heat emission by the heat emitting components 540 of the computing device.
  • the comfort profiles 570-3 of individual computing device users may be additionally dependent upon the time of day, time of year or other factors. For example, the relationship between a particular comfort level for a particular user and a set of values for different environmental parameters may be different in the morning as compared to the afternoon or be different during the winter compared to the summer. In the morning, a user may prefer the warmer operating environment. In the afternoon, user may prefer a cooler operating environment. In the evening, user may once again prefer a warmer operating environment. Such comfort profiles 570-3 would correlate different comfort preferences to such different times of the day.
  • Controller 530 may automatically adjust the operational settings of the computing device to alter heat emission based upon additional factors such as the time of day or time of year (as tracked by the computing device or obtained by the computing device). In some implementations, controller 530 may prompt or request authorization or confirmation from the user before initiating such adjustments to the operating state of the particular computing device 524-1 , 524-2.
  • Controller 530 is similar to controllers 30 and 230 described above. Controller 530 bases its output of control signals based upon comfort input 50, sensed values for environmental parameters from sensors 560 and profiles 570. As indicated by arrows 571 , controller 530 may utilize signals from each computing device 524 and corresponding signals from sensors 562 generate profiles 570-1 and 570-2. Likewise, as indicated by arrows 572, controller 530 may utilize comfort input 50, and signals from sensors 562 generate and store user comfort profiles 570-3. As described above, controller 530 may automatically adjust the operational settings of computing devices 5242 alter the heat emission by the heat emitting components 540 based upon comfort input 50 or based upon user comfort profiles 570-3 which are generated based upon prior comfort inputs 50.
  • controller 530 is contained within an outer enclosure of computing device 524-1 , wherein controller 530 additionally controls heat emission by computing device 524-2. In some implementations, controller 530 may additionally control heat emission by additional computing devices. In some implementations each of computing devices 524-1 , 524-2 may include its own dedicated controller 530 for controlling heat emission based upon comfort inputs. In some implementations, profiles 570 may be stored in one or both of computing device 524 or may be remotely stored and retrieved by controller 530.

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  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
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Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de commande d'émission de chaleur de confort d'utilisateur donné à titre d'exemple, pouvant comprendre un dispositif informatique. Le dispositif informatique peut comprendre une enceinte externe, un composant d'émission de chaleur logé à l'intérieur de l'enceinte externe et un dispositif de commande. Le dispositif de commande peut recevoir une entrée de confort d'une personne à l'aide du dispositif informatique, l'entrée de confort indiquant un niveau de confort d'utilisateur par rapport à une température d'air entourant l'utilisateur et indépendant du contact de l'utilisateur avec l'enceinte externe. Le dispositif de commande peut en outre délivrer des signaux de commande ayant pour objet de régler un état fonctionnel du dispositif informatique pour modifier l'émission de chaleur par le composant d'émission de chaleur sur la base de l'entrée de confort.
PCT/US2020/048355 2020-08-28 2020-08-28 Commande d'émission de chaleur de confort d'utilisateur Ceased WO2022046066A1 (fr)

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PCT/US2020/048355 WO2022046066A1 (fr) 2020-08-28 2020-08-28 Commande d'émission de chaleur de confort d'utilisateur

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050049729A1 (en) * 2003-08-15 2005-03-03 Michael Culbert Methods and apparatuses for operating a data processing system
US20090296342A1 (en) * 2008-05-30 2009-12-03 International Business Machines Corporation Reducing Maximum Power Consumption Using Environmental Control Settings
US20130289792A1 (en) * 2012-04-27 2013-10-31 Chao-Wen Cheng Thermal Management
US20150057830A1 (en) * 2013-08-21 2015-02-26 Motorola Mobility Llc Method and apparatus for adjusting portable electronic device operation based on ambient temperature

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050049729A1 (en) * 2003-08-15 2005-03-03 Michael Culbert Methods and apparatuses for operating a data processing system
US20090296342A1 (en) * 2008-05-30 2009-12-03 International Business Machines Corporation Reducing Maximum Power Consumption Using Environmental Control Settings
US20130289792A1 (en) * 2012-04-27 2013-10-31 Chao-Wen Cheng Thermal Management
US20150057830A1 (en) * 2013-08-21 2015-02-26 Motorola Mobility Llc Method and apparatus for adjusting portable electronic device operation based on ambient temperature

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