JPH07160367A - Cpu heating suppressing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide such a device of small capacity that can suppress the heating of a CPU and also can prevent the thermal runaway. CONSTITUTION:A clock frequency deciding part 13 judged the optimum clock frequency that is inputted to a CPU 11 based on the temperature of the CPU 11 detected by a temperature sensor 12. Then 8 clock frequency changing part 14 changes the clock frequency to be set at a clock oscillator 15 into the optimum one. Thus the heating of the CPU 11 can be suppressed by the change of the clock frequency to be inputted to the CPU 11. Therefore a device which can prevent the thermal runaway requires no large capacity and the size of a computer can be reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a CPU heat generation suppressing device for a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, what has been known as a CPU heat generation suppressing device for a computer has been to use a fan or attach a heat radiation fin to the CPU.

[0003]

However, this type of CPU heat generation suppression device has a problem that it requires a large volume, which becomes a factor that hinders downsizing of a computer.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the CPU heat-up suppressing device according to the invention of claim 1 is C
A temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the PU, a clock frequency determination unit that determines the optimum clock frequency to be input to the CPU based on information from the temperature sensor, and a clock that changes the clock frequency to the clock frequency determined by the clock frequency determination unit And a frequency changing unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a CPU heat generation suppressing device, wherein a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the CPU and a power supply voltage determination for determining an optimum power supply voltage to be supplied to the CPU based on information from the temperature sensor. And a power supply voltage changing unit for changing the power supply voltage determined by the power supply voltage determining unit.

[0006]

According to the CPU heat generation suppressing device of the first aspect of the invention, when the temperature of the CPU rises, the temperature of the CPU can be lowered by changing the clock frequency. Therefore, the CPU heat generation suppression device does not need a large volume, and the computer can be downsized.

According to the CPU heat generation suppressing device of the second aspect, when the temperature of the CPU rises, the temperature of the CPU can be lowered by changing the power supply voltage. Therefore, the CPU heat generation suppression device does not need a large volume, and the computer can be downsized.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, C of an embodiment of the invention described in claim 1
The PU heat generation suppression device will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a CPU heat generation suppressing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, 11 is a CPU, 12 is a temperature sensor, and this temperature sensor 12 measures the temperature of the CPU 11. Reference numeral 13 is a clock frequency determination unit, which determines the optimum clock frequency for the CPU 11 based on information from the temperature sensor 12. Reference numeral 14 is a clock frequency changing unit, which changes the clock frequency determined by the clock frequency determining unit 13. Reference numeral 15 is a clock oscillator.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the CPU heat generation suppressing device in the embodiment of the invention described in claim 1.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the invention described in claim 1 will be described with reference to the flow chart.

First, in step 21, the temperature sensor 12
Measures the temperature of the CPU 11.

In step 22, the clock frequency determination unit 13 compares the measured temperature obtained in step 21 with a predetermined reference temperature. If the measured temperature is higher than the reference temperature, the process proceeds to step 23, and if the measured temperature is lower than the reference temperature. Step two
Go to 5.

In step 23, the clock frequency judging section 13 judges whether or not the current clock frequency is the minimum value (the lower limit value), and if it is the minimum value, the process returns to step 21 and if it is not the minimum value. Go to step 24.

Subsequently, in step 24, the clock frequency changing unit 14 lowers the clock frequency oscillated from the clock oscillator 15 to suppress the heat generation of the CPU 11, and the process returns to step 21.

In step 25, the clock frequency judging section 13 judges whether or not the current clock frequency is the maximum value (limit value that can be raised). If it is the maximum value, the process returns to step 21, and if it is not the maximum value. Go to step 26.

Subsequently, in step 26, the clock frequency changing unit 14 increases the clock frequency oscillated from the clock oscillator 15 to increase the processing speed of the CPU 11, and then returns to step 21.

That is, when the temperature of the CPU 11 rises and there is a risk of thermal runaway, the clock frequency input to the CPU 11 is lowered to suppress heat generation of the CPU 11. After that, when the temperature of the CPU 11 drops, the clock frequency input to the CPU 11 is increased to increase the processing speed of the CPU 11. In this way, thermal runaway of the CPU 11 can be prevented in advance.

Next, C of an embodiment of the invention described in claim 2
The PU heat generation suppression device will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a CPU heat generation suppressing device according to the second embodiment of the invention.
In FIG. 3, 31 is a CPU, 32 is a temperature sensor, and this temperature sensor 32 measures the temperature of the CPU 31. Reference numeral 33 is a power supply voltage determination unit, which determines the optimum power supply voltage based on information from the temperature sensor 32. 34
Is a power supply voltage judgment changing unit, which changes the power supply voltage obtained by the power supply voltage judgment judging unit 33. Reference numeral 35 is a power supply voltage.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the CPU heat generation suppressing device in the embodiment of the invention described in claim 2.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the invention described in claim 2 will be described with reference to the flow chart.

First, in step 41, the temperature sensor 32
Measures the temperature of the CPU 31.

In step 42, the power supply voltage determination unit 33 compares the measured temperature obtained in step 41 with a predetermined reference temperature. If the measured temperature is higher than the reference temperature, the process proceeds to step 43, and if it is lower than the reference temperature. Go to step 45.

In step 43, the power supply voltage determining unit 33 determines the current power supply voltage to be the minimum value (lower limit value).
If it is the minimum value, step 41
If the value is not the minimum value, the process proceeds to step 44.

Subsequently, in step 44, the power supply voltage changing section 34 lowers the power supply voltage output from the power supply voltage 35,
The heat generation of the CPU 31 is suppressed, and the process returns to step 41.

In step 45, the current power supply voltage is the maximum value (the limit value that can be raised) in the power supply voltage judging section 33.
If it is the maximum value, step 41
Return to step 46 and go to step 46 if not the maximum value.

Subsequently, in step 46, the power supply voltage changing section 34 raises the power supply voltage output from the power supply voltage 35,
After increasing the processing speed of the CPU 31, the process returns to step 41.

That is, when the temperature of the CPU 31 rises and there is a risk of thermal runaway, the power supply voltage input to the CPU 31 is lowered to suppress heat generation of the CPU 31. Then CP
When the temperature of U31 decreases, the power supply voltage input to the CPU 31 is increased to increase the processing speed of the CPU 31. In this way, thermal runaway of the CPU 31 can be prevented in advance.

[0031]

As described above, the invention according to claim 1 is
By providing a temperature sensor, a clock frequency determination unit, and a clock frequency changing unit, and changing the clock frequency input to the CPU, it has become possible to suppress heat generation of the CPU, so CPU heat generation that prevents thermal runaway of the CPU The suppression device does not need a large volume, and the computer can be downsized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the temperature sensor, the power supply voltage determination unit, and the power supply voltage changing unit are provided, and the heat generation of the CPU can be suppressed by changing the power supply voltage input to the CPU. As a result, the CPU heat generation suppression device for preventing the CPU thermal runaway does not require a large volume, and the computer can be downsized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a CPU heat generation suppressing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the CPU heat generation suppression device in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a CPU heat generation suppressing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an operation of the CPU heat generation suppression device in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 ... CPU 12 ... Temperature sensor 13 ... Clock frequency determination unit 14 ... Clock frequency change unit 15 ... Clock oscillator 31 ... CPU 32 ... Temperature sensor 33 ... Power supply voltage determination unit 34 ... Power supply voltage change Part 35 ... Power supply voltage

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI Technical display area G06F 1/04 301 B

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of a CPU, a clock frequency determining section for determining an optimum clock frequency to be input to the CPU based on information from the temperature sensor, and a clock obtained by the clock frequency determining section. A CPU heat generation suppressing device comprising a clock frequency changing unit for changing the frequency. 2. A temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the CPU, and a power supply voltage determination unit that determines the optimum power supply voltage to be supplied to the CPU based on information from the temperature sensor.
A CPU heat generation suppressing device comprising: a power supply voltage changing unit that changes the power supply voltage determined by the power supply voltage determining unit.