Unified Communication Mode Power Control for Heat Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unified communication services in information processing apparatuses lead to increased power consumption and heat generation, necessitating more extensive cooling fan operation, which is often unnecessary and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs a power control unit that selects between dynamic control modes and a unified communication mode based on usage duration, prioritizing the unified communication mode during unified communication tasks, and adjusts power consumption and cooling fan output accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple processes are executed simultaneously in unified communication, then communication functionality is improved, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunified communication functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between a unified communication mode and dynamic control modes based on operational state. When unified communication is detected, the system transitions to a dedicated power control mode that optimizes power distribution for communication tasks, allowing multiple processes to run simultaneously without excessive power consumption penalties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The power control unit changes power consumption parameters by selecting different power control modes. The unified communication mode has distinct power parameters optimized for handling multiple simultaneous communication processes, allowing the system to adapt power consumption levels to match the actual operational requirements rather than using fixed high-power settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If automatic power control mode selection is used, then power management is simplified, but high power consumption modes are selected during unified communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic power controlVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power control unit incorporates feedback mechanisms that detect when unified communication is occurring and automatically adjust the power control mode accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the system selects the appropriate unified communication mode when needed, rather than defaulting to generic dynamic control modes that result in excessive power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Power

If higher power control modes are selected for unified communication, then processing capability is improved, but heat generation and cooling fan output increase unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic mode switching to transition between unified communication mode and dynamic control modes based on actual operational needs. This dynamic adjustment ensures that processing capability is optimized for unified communication tasks without continuously maintaining high power states that generate excessive heat, thereby reducing unnecessary cooling requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic control modes are used for power management, then power flexibility is improved, but unified communication performance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower control flexibilityVSAvoidunified communication performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power control modes are segmented into distinct categories: unified communication mode and dynamic control modes. This segmentation allows the system to apply specialized power management parameters optimized for unified communication when needed, while maintaining the flexibility of dynamic control modes for other operations, thus preserving both communication performance and power management versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces excessive power consumption and heat generation, leading to more efficient and comfortable unified communication by minimizing unnecessary cooling fan operation and maintaining computational resources for unified communication tasks.

Implementation Method 1

a fan which rotates to dissipate heat generated by the processor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11586263B2Information processing apparatus and control method

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a processor that can take plural power control modes different in rated power from one another, a fan that rotates to dissipate heat generated by the processor, and a power control unit that controls the power consumption of the processor. The plural power control modes include two or more stages of dynamic control modes different in rated power from one another and a unified communication mode. The power control unit selects any one of the dynamic control modes based on an event in which a power consumption state of the processor continues for a predetermined duration or more, and when the unified communication works, the power control unit preferentially selects the unified communication mode.