Thermal Protection Mode Switching in Information Processing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing apparatuses face challenges in managing high temperatures, leading to potential system failure and user discomfort due to abrupt mode changes and inefficient thermal protection mechanisms that may cause processors to shut down prematurely.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a temperature sensor and controller that dynamically switches between standard, thermal protection, dormant, and low power consumption modes, actively managing heat dissipation and power consumption to prevent overheating and maintain system functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the thermal protection mechanism shuts down the processor to reduce temperature, then the temperature is controlled within safe limits, but the system fails to recover automatically and requires manual reboot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment where the temperature threshold for shutting down is not fixed but adapts based on the processor's operational history and thermal characteristics. The system dynamically determines when to shut down and when to recover based on real-time temperature monitoring and historical data analysis, enabling automatic recovery without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors processor temperature and operational status, using feedback loops to determine when shutdown is necessary and when recovery is safe. The feedback mechanism tracks temperature trends, power consumption patterns, and thermal protection activations to automatically restore normal operation when conditions permit, eliminating the need for manual reboot.
2Productivity
If the processor operates at high throughput to meet performance demands, then productivity is improved, but power consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the processor's operational parameters including clock frequency, voltage, and throughput based on real-time temperature monitoring and workload analysis. The system automatically scales performance up when temperature is acceptable and down when thermal limits are approached, optimizing the balance between productivity and energy consumption without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key operational parameters such as clock frequency, voltage levels, and instruction throughput based on temperature conditions and power consumption patterns. By dynamically modifying these parameters, the system can maintain high productivity when thermal conditions permit while reducing power consumption and heat generation when temperature limits are approached.
3Reliability
If the processor maintains minimum clock frequency to preserve functionality, then the processor remains operational, but heat generation continues at baseline level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic frequency adjustment that allows the processor to operate at variable clock frequencies rather than maintaining a fixed minimum. The system can reduce the clock frequency below the traditional minimum threshold when thermal conditions permit, thereby reducing baseline heat generation while maintaining sufficient functionality through intelligent workload management and thermal-aware scheduling.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a computer system, a temperature sensor that detects a temperature, and a controller that controls an operation mode of the apparatus based on the temperature. The controller changes an operation mode of the computer system to a thermal protection mode in a case where the operation mode is a standard mode and the temperature exceeds a first reference temperature, changes the operation mode of the computer system to a dormant mode in a case where the operation mode is the thermal protection mode and the temperature exceeds a second reference temperature, and stops the operation of the apparatus in the case where the operation mode is the dormant mode and the temperature exceeds a third reference temperature. The thermal protection mode being an operation mode that consumes less power than the standard mode.