BIOS Progress Code Thermal Control for IHS Boot Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems face challenges during start-up due to inadequate cooling system hardware, leading to over-cooling or under-cooling issues, resulting in extended boot loading times and excessive fan noise, as existing methods rely on fixed fan speed settings that are configuration-dependent.
Innovation Solution
A thermal control system that detects BIOS progress codes during boot loading and adjusts cooling device settings dynamically, using pre-established cooling levels mapped to specific BIOS progress codes to ensure optimal cooling levels, thereby preventing overheating and noise issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fixed high fan speed is used during boot loading operation, then system cooling is improved, but excessive fan noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed fan speed to dynamic fan speed adjustment based on BIOS progress codes. The cooling fan operates at variable speeds during different stages of the boot loading process, matching the thermal requirements of each stage while minimizing noise during low-thermal periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter of fan speed dynamically during boot loading. Different fan speed levels are assigned to different BIOS progress codes, allowing the system to adapt cooling intensity to the actual thermal state at each boot stage, thereby reducing noise when high cooling is not needed.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If fixed low fan speed is used during boot loading operation, then fan noise is reduced, but system overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts fan speed based on detected BIOS progress codes, ensuring adequate cooling during high-thermal stages while maintaining low noise during low-thermal stages. This dynamic response prevents both overheating and excessive noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses BIOS progress codes as feedback signals to determine appropriate fan speed levels. Each progress code provides information about the current boot stage, allowing the control system to select the optimal fan speed that prevents overheating without generating unnecessary noise.
3Device complexity
If fixed fan speed for fixed time duration is used, then cooling control is simplified, but over-cooling or under-cooling occurs due to boot time variability
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing BIOS progress code information to automatically determine appropriate cooling levels without requiring external configuration or complex timing logic. The BIOS progress codes themselves serve as the control input, making the system self-regulating and adaptable to different boot scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from fixed time duration to BIOS progress code-based control. This allows the cooling system to adapt to variable boot times and configurations while maintaining appropriate cooling levels throughout the boot process.
4Device complexity
If configuration-dependent fixed cooling is used, then cooling system operation is simplified, but adaptability to different system configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The BIOS progress code-based control method is universally applicable across different system configurations and boot scenarios. The same control mechanism adapts to various configurations without requiring configuration-specific settings, providing both simplicity and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from configuration-dependent fixed parameters to dynamic parameters based on BIOS progress codes. This allows the cooling system to automatically adapt to different system configurations, memory sizes, and boot scenarios while maintaining simple operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method enables Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) progress code based thermal control during start-up of an information handling system (IHS). A start-up thermal control sub-system (i) determines an initial cooling level for use during a pre-BIOS progress code operation state of the IHS, (ii) detects each BIOS progress code provided during a boot loading operation of the IHS, and (iii) determines whether a detected BIOS progress code has an associated cooling level requirement that is different from a current cooling level provided by one or more cooling devices of the IHS. In response to the detected BIOS progress code having an associated cooling level requirement that is different from the current cooling level provided by the one or more cooling devices, the one or more cooling devices are triggered to adjust the current cooling level to a next pre-established cooling level associated with the detected BIOS progress code.