Information processing device

Abstract

This invention provides an information processing device that enables normal operation even when the ambient temperature is outside the operating temperature specifications of the electronic devices that constitute the information processing device. [Solution] The information processing device of this embodiment includes a hard disk drive storing an operating system. This information processing device includes a temperature sensor positioned to detect the ambient temperature around the hard disk drive, a temperature acquisition unit that acquires the temperature detected by the temperature sensor in response to power-on, and a temperature determination unit that determines whether the detected temperature is above a predetermined threshold, starts the operating system if the detected temperature is above the threshold, and does not start the operating system if the detected temperature is below the threshold, and repeats the determination at regular time intervals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Information processing apparatuses are used in various temperature environments. Electronic devices (especially storage drives and electronic components) incorporated inside an information processing apparatus each have defined operating temperature specifications. Using an information processing apparatus in an environment outside the specified temperature range can cause operational failures, malfunctions, startup failures, performance degradation, and the effects on user applications caused by these problems.

[0003] Among the electronic devices that make up an information processing apparatus, a hard disk drive (HDD) is exemplified as having strict temperature limits. In particular, the stable operation of an HDD in a low temperature environment such as winter in a cold region is an issue.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As described above, in conventional information processing apparatuses, the operation of the information processing apparatus may be hindered due to the operating temperature specifications of the constituent electronic devices. The information processing apparatus of the embodiment is made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus that enables normal operation even when the temperature of the environment is outside the operating temperature specifications of the electronic devices that make up the information processing apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device of this embodiment includes a hard disk drive storing an operating system. This information processing device includes a temperature sensor positioned to detect the ambient temperature around the hard disk drive, a temperature acquisition unit that acquires the temperature detected by the temperature sensor in response to power-on, and a temperature determination unit that determines whether the detected temperature is above a predetermined threshold, starts the operating system if the detected temperature is above the threshold, and does not start the operating system if the detected temperature is below the threshold, and repeats the determination at regular time intervals. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This figure shows the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Summary of the embodiment) Among the electronic components of an information processing system, HDDs are exemplified as having strict temperature limitations. HDDs have upper and lower operating temperature limits, and it is known that they cannot operate normally if the temperature falls below the lower limit. The operating temperature range specified for the HDD determines the operating temperature range of the entire information processing system. The information processing system of this embodiment focuses on this point and monitors the ambient temperature of the HDD in low-temperature environments such as winter or cold regions to ensure that its operating temperature is maintained.

[0009] The information processing device of this embodiment measures the temperature of the HDD or the vicinity of the HDD after power-on. This is because the enclosure temperature before the HDD starts up affects the startup operation. The information processing device of this embodiment has a temperature sensor near the HDD installed inside the device. The temperature sensor is preferably capable of detecting temperatures below room temperature. Examples of temperature sensors include resistance thermometers, thermistors, and thermocouples.

[0010] The information processing device of this embodiment compares the detected temperature detected by the temperature sensor with a predetermined threshold. This threshold is set based on the lower limit of the HDD's operating temperature range. If the detected temperature falls below the predetermined threshold as a result of the comparison, the startup sequence of the information processing device is interrupted. In other words, the startup of the OS (Operating System) which involves driving the HDD is postponed. Even while the startup sequence of the information processing device is interrupted, temperature measurement by the temperature sensor and the comparison of the detected temperature with the threshold are repeated at regular time intervals.

[0011] If the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is found to be equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the device startup sequence continues and the OS is started. The temperature measurement, temperature comparison, and temperature determination processes can be incorporated into the execution sequence of the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).

[0012] If the temperature detected by the temperature sensor falls below a predetermined threshold, the area around the HDD may be heated. A heating element, such as a resistor, may be used to heat the HDD. The system may also be configured to warn the user via an LED or LCD if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor falls below a predetermined threshold. After heating the area around the HDD, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor rises above the predetermined threshold, the heating of the area around the HDD may be stopped.

[0013] (Configuration of the embodiment) The configuration of the embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information processing device of the embodiment. In the following description, common elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the information processing device 1 of this embodiment includes a main board 10, a power supply unit 20, a hard disk drive (HDD) 30, and a temperature sensor 40. The main board 10 is a so-called motherboard and integrates the functions of the components of the information processing device 1. The power supply unit 20 is a power supply that supplies power of a predetermined voltage to the electronic devices and electronic components that constitute the information processing device 1. The power supply unit 20 can generate a predetermined number of voltages. The HDD 30 is an auxiliary storage device of the information processing device 1 and is a medium capable of storing various data, computer programs, operating systems, etc. The temperature sensor 40 is a sensor positioned close to the HDD 30 and is configured to detect the casing temperature of the HDD 30 itself. The temperature sensor 40 can be, for example, a resistance thermometer, a thermistor, a thermocouple, etc. The temperature sensor 40 may be a digital temperature sensor disposed on the main board 10, or an HDD-integrated sensor built into another device or the HDD 30. In other words, the information processing device 1 of this embodiment has a configuration in which a temperature sensor is equipped on a so-called computer.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the main board 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, a chipset 104, memory 106, ROM (Read Only Memory) 108, and an input / output interface (I / F) 110.

[0016] The CPU 102 is an arithmetic processing component in the information processing device 1 that performs data calculations and controls various devices. The CPU 102 may include a memory controller and a graphics interface.

[0017] The chipset 104 is a computing component that houses an input / output interface 110 and the like. The chipset 104 can house input / output interfaces such as, for example, a PCI Express (registered trademark) slot, Serial ATA, USB (Universal Serial Bus) (registered trademark), Ethernet (registered trademark), etc. The chipset 104 may have a sound function. The chipset 104 is connected to the CPU 102 via a bus.

[0018] The memory 106 is the main memory device of the information processing apparatus 1. The memory 106 is composed of a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0019] The ROM 108 is a non-volatile memory that can store a startup sequence and the like in the information processing apparatus 1. The ROM 108 can store a BIOS and the like, which will be described later.

[0020] The input / output interface 110 is an interface that can connect a drive device, an input / output device, etc. to the chipset 104. Examples of the input / output interface 110 include Serial ATA for a drive, USB, etc. In the following description, it is assumed that the input / output interface 110 is Serial ATA that connects the HDD 30.

[0021] The main board 10 further has a temperature detection interface (I / F) 140, a light-emitting diode 142, a liquid crystal display 144, a heating element 146, and a control circuit 148.

[0022] The temperature detection interface 140 is an interface to which the temperature sensor 40 is connected. The temperature detection interface 140 can acquire a detection result from the temperature sensor 40 and take it in as a detection signal.

[0023] The light-emitting diode (LED) 142 is an electronic component that can emit light and display when controlled externally. The liquid crystal display (LCD) 146 is an electronic component that can display characters and images when controlled externally. The LED 142 and LCD 144 can be replaced with other components as long as they are light-emitting and display elements with relatively low power consumption.

[0024] The heating element 146 is an electronic component that generates heat when an electric current is passed through it. The heating element 146 is positioned close to the HDD 30. An example of the heating element 146 is a resistor that can generate heat through external control.

[0025] The control circuit 148 is an electronic circuit that drives the LED 142 and LCD 144 and supplies current to the heating element 146.

[0026] Next, the functional configuration of the information processing device of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing device of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the information processing device 1 of the embodiment includes a BIOS 31, an OS 32, a temperature acquisition unit 41, a timer 42, a temperature determination unit 43, a warning unit 44, and a heating unit 45.

[0027] BIOS31 is a functional element that executes the startup sequence of the information processing device 1. BIOS31 is executed simultaneously with the start of power supply from the power supply unit 20 to the main board 10, and performs tests and initializations of various functional elements mounted on the main board 10. In the information processing device 1 of this embodiment, BIOS31 executes a temperature acquisition routine. BIOS31 is stored in ROM108 and is initially started when power is supplied to the main board 10 (or when the power-on signal is received). The startup sequence of the information processing device 1 by BIOS31 ultimately starts the OS32.

[0028] OS32 is a functional element in the information processing device 1 that provides an interface between applications and hardware and performs tasks such as resource management. Applications run on OS32. OS32 is stored on HDD30 and is called and started after the BIOS31 has completed testing and initialization processes.

[0029] The temperature acquisition unit 41 is a functional element that can acquire the detection signal from the temperature sensor 40 acquired by the temperature detection interface 140 and convert it into temperature information (detected temperature) around the HDD 30.

[0030] Timer 42 is a functional element that outputs an output signal after a predetermined time has elapsed. Timer 42 can provide the detection timing (or timing for determination) of temperature detection by the temperature acquisition unit 41 by outputting pulses, for example, at 1-minute intervals. For example, Timer 42 has a reference clock that generates a reference pulse signal, a counter that counts the reference pulse signal, and a trigger circuit that outputs a timing signal when a predetermined count value is reached.

[0031] The temperature determination unit 43 is a functional element that compares the temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 41 with a threshold value set in a storage area (not shown) to determine whether or not the OS 32 can be started. The temperature determination unit 43 determines the temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 41 based on the timing signal provided by the timer 42.

[0032] The warning unit 44 is a functional element that generates a warning signal when the temperature determination unit 43 determines that the OS 32 cannot be started. The warning signal can be used to illuminate a warning indicator on the LED 142 or LCD 144 via the control circuit 148.

[0033] The heating unit 45 is a functional element that generates a heating signal when the temperature determination unit 43 determines that the OS 32 cannot be started. The heating signal can drive the heating element 146 via the control circuit 148.

[0034] The temperature acquisition unit 41, timer 42, temperature determination unit 43, warning unit 44, and heating unit 45 can be incorporated into the BIOS 31, but they may also be implemented as circuits on the main board 10.

[0035] (Operation of the embodiment) Next, the operation of the information processing device of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3.

[0036] When power is supplied to the power supply unit 20 and a predetermined voltage is applied from the power supply unit 20 to the main board 10, the main board 10 detects the power supply (S100).

[0037] When power is supplied to the main board 10, BIOS31 starts up (S110). BIOS31 performs tests and initialization of components on the main board 10, such as the CPU 102 and memory 106.

[0038] The BIOS 31 instructs the temperature acquisition unit 41 to acquire the detection signal detected by the temperature sensor 40. The temperature acquisition unit 41 acquires the detection signal from the temperature sensor 40 as temperature information via the temperature detection interface 140 (S120).

[0039] The temperature determination unit 43 compares the temperature information acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 41 with a threshold (S130). If the comparison result shows that the temperature indicated by the temperature information is above the threshold (Yes in S130), that is, if the temperature around the HDD 30 is above a predetermined temperature, the BIOS 31 starts the OS 32 (S140). When the OS 32 starts, the information processing unit 1 starts up.

[0040] If the comparison results show that the temperature information indicates a temperature below a threshold (No. in S130), the warning unit 44 outputs a warning signal (S150). The warning signal is sent to the control circuit 148, which lights up the LED 142 and displays a predetermined string of characters or the like on the LCD 144.

[0041] If the comparison results show that the temperature indicated by the temperature information falls below a threshold, the heating unit 45 may perform heating control (S160). The heating unit 45 supplies current to the heating element 146 via the control circuit 148, heating the area around the HDD 30.

[0042] Timer 42 outputs a timing signal after a predetermined time has elapsed (S170). This serves to delay the startup of OS32 until the ambient temperature of HDD30 rises.

[0043] When the timer 42 outputs a timing signal, the BIOS 31 causes the temperature acquisition unit 41 to acquire the detection signal detected by the temperature sensor 40. The temperature acquisition unit 41 acquires the detection signal from the temperature sensor 40 as temperature information via the temperature detection interface 140 (S120). Thereafter, the temperature determination unit 43 repeats the comparison and determination until the temperature indicated by the temperature information exceeds a threshold (S120, S130, S150~S170). If the temperature indicated by the temperature information exceeds a threshold due to the heating control by the heating unit 45, the heating unit 45 may stop the heating control by stopping the supply of current to the heating element 146 via the control circuit 148.

[0044] As described above, according to the information processing device of this embodiment, a temperature sensor 40 is provided near the HDD 30, and in the sequence in which power is supplied from the power supply unit 20 and the device starts up, the BIOS 31 acquires the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40. If the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, i.e., the specified temperature range of the HDD 30 (if it falls below the specified lower limit temperature), the device waits for a certain period of time before starting up. After that, when the detected temperature falls within the specified temperature range (if it rises above the specified lower limit temperature), the OS 32 is started. This operation makes it possible to avoid startup failures or malfunctions that may occur if the OS 32 does not operate normally due to the HDD 30 exceeding the specified temperature range.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the information processing device of this embodiment, since a heating element 146 is mounted on the main board, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40 exceeds the specified temperature range of the HDD 30 (falls below the specified lower limit temperature), current is passed through the heating element 146 to cause it to self-heat and raise the internal temperature of the device. With this configuration and operation, it is possible to achieve OS32 startup within the specified temperature range of the HDD 30 with a simple configuration, without using dedicated equipment for temperature monitoring or startup control, or external units such as air conditioners / heaters.

[0046] In the example above, the startup of OS32 is stopped if the temperature of HDD30 falls below a threshold to prevent failure due to HDD30 errors, but this is not the only option. In addition to stopping the startup of OS32, all tests and initialization processes performed when BIOS31 starts that require access to HDD30 may also be stopped.

[0047] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1…Information Processing Device 10…Main board 20…Power supply unit 30…Hard disk drive 31…BIOS 32…Operating Systems 40...Temperature sensor 41…Temperature acquisition section 42... Timer 43...Temperature judgment section 44...Warning section 45...Heating section 102…CPU 104…Chipset 106...Memory 108...ROM 110… Input / Output Interface 140...Temperature detection interface 142... Light-emitting diode 144... LCD display 146… Heating element 148...Control circuit

Claims

1. An information processing device equipped with a hard disk drive storing an operating system, A temperature sensor is provided to detect the ambient temperature of the hard disk drive, A temperature acquisition unit that acquires the temperature detected by the temperature sensor in response to power-on, Determine whether the detected temperature is above a predetermined threshold, If the detected temperature is equal to or greater than the threshold, the operating system is started. A temperature determination unit that, when the detected temperature is less than the threshold, does not start the operating system and repeats the determination at regular time intervals, Equipped with an information processing device.

2. A display unit capable of displaying a warning by lighting up or showing, A warning unit that displays a warning on the display unit if the detected temperature is less than the threshold as a result of the determination. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. A heat-generating element disposed near the aforementioned hard disk drive, If the result of the determination is that the detected temperature is less than the threshold, a control circuit is set to supply current to the heating element. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control circuit cuts off the current to the heating element when, after applying current to the heating element, the detected temperature, as a result of the determination, exceeds the threshold value.

5. The system further includes a timer that outputs a timing signal at the aforementioned time interval, The temperature determination unit repeats the determination in accordance with the timing signal when the detected temperature is less than the threshold. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that

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