JP2000207063A - Information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To mount a CPU whose power consumption (>=8 W) is large and an operation frequency is >=450 MHz (>=15 W) on a notebook-sized PC and to enable a normal operation. SOLUTION: A fan 5 build in a docking device and for cooling a CPU 6 is provided in a docking device 2 being attachable to a notebook information processor 1. Also, a system controller 18 which has a means detecting the existence/absence of the mounting of the device 2, a means which controls the fan 5 built in the device 2, a means that detects whether it is AC driven or battery driven and a means which controls the operation frequency of the CPU 6 is provided in the processor 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, particularly a notebook type information processing apparatus, which can be equipped with an arithmetic processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) having a high operating frequency. The present invention relates to an information processing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Information processing devices, especially A4 size (297 m)
2. Description of the Related Art In a notebook information processing apparatus represented by an A4 file size (about 310 mm x 245 mm x 45 mm) or a A4 file size (about 310 mm x 245 mm x 40 mm), heat pipes, cooling fins, cooling Cooling means such as a fan and a heat sink are employed. These cooling means have been devised in various ways as the information processing apparatus becomes thinner.

For example, in JP-A-8-6671,
There is disclosed a device in which an air hole is provided in an information processing apparatus main body to secure a ventilation hole so that a temperature rise inside the information processing apparatus can be efficiently mitigated with an inexpensive structure.

Further, in order to improve the performance of such a notebook type information processing apparatus, a CPU having a higher operating frequency has been mounted.

[0005]

Naturally, as the operating frequency of the CPU mounted on the information processing device increases, the amount of heat generated inside the information processing device also increases. However, with the conventional cooling means described above, it is becoming difficult to keep up with the structural constraint of maintaining the portability of the information processing device and to cope with the amount of heat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system and an information processing apparatus capable of stably using a CPU having a high operating frequency while maintaining portability.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, in an information processing system including an information processing device having an arithmetic processing device and an external device connectable to the information processing device, the information processing device further has a hole for taking in air, and the external device Is also
It is configured to include a cooling unit, an outside air intake for taking in air, and an air outlet for discharging air taken in from the outside air intake.

In this configuration, it is conceivable to add a configuration having a means for detecting whether or not the external device is connected to the information processing apparatus.

Further, in this configuration, the information processing device controls a cooling unit of the external device connected to the information processing device, and controls an operating frequency of an arithmetic processing device of the information processing device. It is also conceivable to add a configuration having means.

Further, the present invention also includes an external device having a cooling means, an outside air intake for taking in air, and an air outlet for discharging air taken in from the outside air intake.

[0012] Further, it is possible to connect an external device having cooling means, wherein means for detecting whether or not the external device is connected to the information processing device, and an external device connected to the information processing device. The present invention also includes an information processing device including a device that controls a cooling device included in the device.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an external view of an embodiment of an information processing system in which an information processing device and an external device are combined, employing the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is an information processing device, and 2 is an external device. The external device 2 is connected to the information processing device 1 and has a configuration for sending air to the information processing device 1.

Here, the means for connecting the information processing device and the external device is a means for physically joining and connecting the information processing device itself and the external device itself, for example, because one device fits the other device. A connection means or a means for connecting only signal lines without contacting each other with a physical shape of, for example, a connection means for connecting signal lines with a cable can be considered. In FIG. An embodiment adopted as connection means will be described. An external device connected to the information processing device by such a connection unit by physical connection is hereinafter referred to as a docking device.

The docking device has a CD-ROM
Devices, various storage media such as floppy disk drives,
Alternatively, by adding a general-purpose I / O interface such as a parallel, serial, mouse, keyboard, or the like, a function of a docking station generally used for an information processing device, that is, a function of the connected information processing device 1 It is also conceivable to add a function to extend the docking device to the docking device.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the first and second embodiments of the docking device 2, respectively.

2 and 3, reference numeral 3 denotes an information processing apparatus.
This is a blow port for sending air to 1. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which air is sent from the back of the information processing apparatus 1 to cool it. In this case, the information processing device 1 connected to the docking device 2 is also provided with a hole at a location corresponding to the position of the air outlet 3 at the time of connection.

When the CPU, which is a heat source inside the information processing device 1, is mounted on the bottom surface side of the information processing device 1, a hole for taking in air is provided on the bottom surface of the information processing device 1, and the docking device 2 It is also conceivable to provide the position of the blower port 3 provided in a portion corresponding to the hole provided in the information processing device 1. In this case, various storage devices and general-purpose I / O
An interface can be added to the back of the docking device 2.

The docking device 2 shown in FIG. 3 is an embodiment in which only the cooling means and its control circuit are provided, and the size is further reduced.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show air flows (No. 1) and (No. 2) in the docking device 2. FIG.

4 and 5, reference numeral 4 denotes an outside air intake for taking in air, and reference numeral 5 denotes a fan incorporated in the docking device 2 (hereinafter referred to as a docking device built-in fan).

In FIG. 4, the outside air intake 4 is provided on the back of the docking device 2. Then, air is taken in from the outside air intake port 4, air is sent into the information processing apparatus 1 via the air blowing port 3, and the inside of the information processing apparatus 1 is cooled.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the outside air intake port 4 is provided on the side surface of the docking device 2.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, a duct structure is adopted to guide air from the outside air intake port 4 to the blower port 3 through the docking device built-in fan 5.

FIG. 6 is a hardware block diagram showing the internal configuration of the information processing system including the information processing device 1 and the docking device 2.

In FIG. 6, 6 is a CPU, 7 is a CPU 6
, A display controller, 10 a main memory, 11 a local bus, 9 a host controller for controlling the CPU 6, the display controller 8, the main memory 10 and the local bus 11, and 12 a floppy disk. A peripheral controller for controlling various input / output interfaces such as a disk drive, a serial interface and a parallel interface; 13, a control bus; 14, a thermal sensor for monitoring the temperature inside the information processing device 1, mainly the CPU 6; Power supply controller for controlling the power supply of the power supply, 16 is a DC input from an AC adapter, 17 is a battery, 18 is a system controller, 19 is a built-in fan, 21 is a power supply for the built-in docking device fan 5, fan speed control and docking Device 2 A control signal line for exchanging a control signal for the fan with a built-in docking device including an attachment detection signal and the like, and a control for exchanging a control signal for the built-in fan having the same function as the control signal for the cooling fan with a built-in docking device 5 This is a signal line. The control signal line 21 is
Although the connection is made via the joint when the information processing device 1 and the docking device 2 are connected, the signal line may be connected using another cable.

Here, a plurality of thermal sensors 14 may be provided in the information processing apparatus 1. Further, the display controller 8 does not need to be directly connected to the host controller 9, and there is no problem if it is connected to the local bus 11. Furthermore, it is conceivable that there is no secondary cache memory 7.

The power supply controller 15 may directly connect the power supply source determination signal to the system controller 18 without passing through the control bus 13. Further, examples of the control bus 13 include an I2C bus and an SM bus.

Here, the functions of the system controller 18 will be described.

The system controller 18 obtains information on whether or not the docking device 2 is mounted, based on the mounting detection signal from the docking device built-in fan control signal line 21. Further, information about the power supply of the information processing apparatus 1, that is, whether the power supply of the information processing apparatus 1 is the battery 17 or the DC input 16 from the AC adapter is obtained from the power supply controller 15 via the control bus 13. Then, the operating frequency of the CPU 6 and the control of the docking device built-in fan 5 are controlled based on the information.

For example, when the CPU 6 is operating at a certain operating frequency, the power of the information processing apparatus 1 is
6 and the system controller 18 obtains information that the docking device 2 is not attached to the information processing device 1, the system controller 18
Is controlled so as to lower the operating frequency of the above.

When the system controller 18 obtains information different from the above, for example, information that the power supply of the information processing apparatus 1 is the DC input 16 and the docking apparatus 2 is attached to the information processing apparatus 1, The system controller 18 does not change the operating frequency of the CPU 6 and controls the docking device built-in fan 5 to be driven.

The system controller 18 is connected to the CPU 6
As a specific means for controlling the operating frequency of the CPU 6, the system controller 18 transmits the value of a register for setting the operating frequency of the CPU 6 to software called a basic input output system used in the information processing apparatus 1. Means for issuing a signal instructing rewriting may be considered.

Further, the system controller 18 can receive information on the temperature state of the information processing apparatus 1 from the thermal sensor 14 and control the operating frequency of the CPU 6 based on this information.

For example, when the temperature inside the information processing apparatus 1 exceeds a certain value, for example, a critical temperature at which normal operation of the information processing apparatus 1 is guaranteed, the system controller 18
Control to lower the operating frequency of the CPU 6 may be considered.

Further, the system controller 18 also controls the main body built-in fan 19 and the docking device built-in fan 5 in cooperation.

For example, when the information processing apparatus 1 can be cooled only by the operation of the built-in fan 19, specifically when the CPU 6 operates at a frequency of 350 MHz and consumes 8 W of power. The system controller 18 controls only the main body built-in fan 19 to be driven to cool the inside of the information processing apparatus 1. In this case, the docking device built-in fan 5 is controlled to be stopped.

The power supply of the information processing apparatus 1 is the DC input 1
6 and the CPU 6 operates at a high operating frequency, the CPU 6 controls to drive both the built-in main body fan 19 and the docking device built-in fan 5.

Here, the effect obtained by driving these two fans in cooperation will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the flow of air in the information processing system including the information processing device 1 and the docking device 2.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 20 denotes a device-side intake port provided in the information processing device 1 for taking in air blown out from the docking device 2.

When both of the two fans are driven, air is taken in from the outside air intake port 4 of the docking device 2 by rotation of the docking device built-in fan 5, and the air is taken into the CPU 6 via the blower port 3 and the device side intake port 20. Air is blown and cooled. Then, the blown air is discharged to the outside of the information processing apparatus 1 by the main body built-in fan 19.

That is, the docking device built-in fan 5 is sprayed, and the main body built-in fan 1 built in the information processing device 1 is blown.
No. 9 is capable of forcibly generating a flow of air by controlling the fans in cooperation with each other so as to discharge the air, thereby enhancing the cooling effect.

Further, when a cooling means for the docking device 2 becomes necessary when the docking device 2 is not mounted, for example, C
When the calorific value of the PU 6 exceeds the cooling capacity of the information processing device 1 and the temperature inside the information processing device 1 exceeds the critical temperature, the system controller 18 sounds a buzzer or displays a message on a display screen, It is also conceivable to prompt the user to mount the docking device 2. Further, in the information processing apparatus 1, since the operating frequency of the CPU 6 can be finely controlled in synchronization with the system monitor for checking the operating state of the CPU 6, the system monitor and the system controller 18 are synchronized. , CPU
It is also conceivable to control the operation frequency of the fan 6 and the drive of the fan 5 with a built-in docking device.

For example, when no characters are being input on the information processing apparatus 1, the system monitor determines that the load on the CPU 6 is small. Based on this information, the system controller 18 can also control to lower the operating frequency of the CPU 6 and stop the docking device built-in fan 5.

Further, the power management function added to the information processing apparatus 1, that is, the built-in fan 19 and the docking apparatus built-in fan 5 according to the power consumption state of the information processing apparatus 1, such as a low power consumption mode, a suspend state, and a sleep state. It is also conceivable to control the operation of.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a flowchart of the control steps in the system controller 18.

After the power of the information processing apparatus 1 is turned on (S001), the system controller 18 determines whether or not the battery is operating according to the information from the power controller 15 (S002).
In the case of battery operation, a message of power supply from the AC adapter (S003) is displayed or notified by an alarm.

Thereafter, the power supply from the AC adapter is determined (S004), and the DC input 1 from the AC adapter is determined.
6 is not performed, the CPU low-frequency operation processing (S00
5) When the docking device built-in fan 5 is driven, the docking device built-in fan 5 is stopped (S0
06).

When power is supplied from the AC adapter, a battery operation determination process (S002) is performed, and then
Attachment determination processing for determining the attachment of the docking device 2 (S00
7), if the docking device 2 is mounted, the operation frequency of the CPU 6 is increased to operate (S0
08) to perform the operation of the fan 5 with built-in docking device (S0
09). There is no problem even if the processing sequence of S008 and the processing sequence of S009 are interchanged.

Further, in order to detect an abnormal temperature rise, a process (S010) for judging a device operation assurance temperature based on information from the thermal sensor 14 is performed. Equipment operation guarantee temperature,
That is, when the temperature exceeds the upper limit value of the temperature at which the information processing device 1 operates normally, a process of lowering the operating frequency of the CPU 6 (S005) is performed, and after the temperature inside the information processing device 1 decreases, The stop processing of the docking device built-in fan 5 is performed (S006). Docking device built-in fan 5
Is for enabling the CPU 6 to operate at a high operating frequency. Therefore, the device operation assurance temperature determination process (S010) may be considered as detection of an abnormality of the information processing device 1. The battery operation determination process (S002) can be omitted.

As described above, the system controller 18
Determines various operating conditions such as the operating frequency of the CPU 6 in the information processing apparatus 1, the temperature from the thermal sensor 14, the DC input 16 from the AC adapter from the power supply controller 15 and the battery 17, and the docking device built-in fan 5 and The control of the main body built-in fan 19 can be performed. With these controls, the performance of the information processing device 1 can be stably extracted.

As described above, according to the present invention, by providing a detachable cooling module, a CPU with a large power consumption and a high operating frequency can be mounted on a notebook type information processing device having a small device size. Also, in synchronization with a system monitor or the like that indicates the occupancy of the CPU according to the operation status of the application, the operating frequency is reduced when the processing of the CPU 6 is small, so that the battery life of the device can be prolonged. It is possible.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the docking device 2.

FIG. 9 shows an internal layout of a module in which the cooling means and the CPU are mounted inside the docking device 2. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 22 denotes a CPU-mounted cooling module in which the CPU 26 and the docking device built-in fan 5 are integrated, and 24 denotes a CPU module in which the CPU 26 and the host controller 29 are mounted.

Here, considering cooling of the CPU 26, C
It is conceivable that the PU-mounted cooling module 22 is surrounded by a material having high thermal conductivity to form a thermal plate. With such a configuration, heat can be released to the outer wall of the docking device 2 itself. Also, by surrounding with materials,
Since the duct through which the air flows can be configured, the air can be efficiently concentrated, and another effect of increasing the cooling effect can be obtained.

FIG. 10 shows a cooling module 22 equipped with a CPU.
FIG. 3 is a diagram in which the docking device 2 is mounted. In FIG. 10, the depth of the docking device 2 is reduced by making the docking device built-in fan 5 directly contact the CPU 26 together with the radiation fins and the thermal plate, and the docking device built-in fan 5 is
6 can be cooled.

By adopting such a configuration, the outside air may be taken in from the side of the docking device 2 and blown out to the back, or the outside air may be taken in from the back and blown out to the side.
The outside air may be taken in from the left and right sides and blown out from the opposite side. That is, a configuration that depends on the functions and the like mounted on the docking device 2 becomes possible.

Although the example shown in FIG. 10 includes the host controller 29, there is no problem even if the configuration includes only the CPU 26. Further, a secondary cache memory may be added to the CPU mounted cooling module 22.

FIG. 11 shows a cooling module 22 with a CPU.
1 is a hardware block diagram of an information processing system in which a docking device 2 equipped with the information processing device and an information processing device 1 are connected. Here, since the host controller 29 is mounted on the CPU mounted cooling module 22, the connection with the local bus 11 can be made through the connection mechanism of the information processing device 1 and the docking device 2.

The power supply to the CPU 6 and the host controller 9 in the information processing device 1 is masked by the docking device attachment detection signal, so that when the docking device 2 is attached, the docking device 2 C
It is also conceivable that the PU 26 operates to shift to single processor processing for controlling the entire information processing system.

Further, the docking device built-in cooling fan 5 as shown in the previous embodiment can be controlled by the system controller 18 inside the information processing device 1 by the docking device built-in fan control signal line 21. is there.

It is also conceivable to add means for controlling the CPU mounted on the CPU mounted cooling module mounted on the docking device 2 via the local bus 11 to the system controller 18.

Further, by using the host controller 9 of the docking device 2 and the information processing device 1 as an interface, the entire information processing system can be used as a multiprocessor information processing device. this is,
When the host controller 9 has a multiprocessor function, an interface of the CPU, for example, a low power G
This can be realized by connecting with a TL interface.

With this configuration, by mounting a high-performance CPU on the docking device 2, it is possible to centrally cool the CPU that generates a large amount of heat, so that the influence of heat on the information processing device 1 can be prevented. Becomes In addition, when the portable device is carried, the battery operation time is prolonged even with low performance, and when the docking device is attached, the battery can be operated with a high-performance CPU, thereby improving usability.

[0068]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) A docking device having a cooling means is attached and detached depending on whether the operating frequency of the CPU is used at its upper limit or not, and when the docking device is used, the device is used at the maximum performance. It becomes possible. Also,
At the time of carrying, the CPU operates at a low operating frequency to realize a longer battery life.

(2) By providing the cooling means in an external device other than the information processing device, the cooling air can be efficiently blown to the heat source while maintaining the device size, and the cooling effect can be improved.

(3) Since the docking device can be mounted according to the operating environment, it is not necessary to always mount a plurality of cooling fans on the information processing device, and the information processing device can be used with the highest performance as required. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a docking device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the docking device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of air inside the docking device (part 1).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the flow of air inside the docking device (part 2).

FIG. 6 is a hardware block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing device and a docking device.

FIG. 7 is an apparatus overview diagram showing the flow of air in the information processing system.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the cooling fan with a built-in docking device.

FIG. 9 is an internal layout diagram of a module in which a cooling unit and a CPU are integrated.

FIG. 10 is a diagram in which a CPU-mounted cooling module is mounted on a docking device.

FIG. 11 is a hardware block diagram when a cooling module with a CPU is mounted on the docking device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing device 2 ... Docking device 3
... Blower outlet, 4 ... Outside air intake, 5 ... Docking device built-in fan, 6 ... CPU, 7 ... Secondary cache memory, 8 ... Display controller, 9 ... Host controller, 10 ... Main storage memory, 11 ...
Local bus, 12: peripheral controller, 13: control bus, 14: thermal sensor, 15: power controller, 16: DC input, 17: battery, 18: system controller, 19: built-in fan, 20: device side intake port, 21: Control signal for fan with built-in docking device, 22: Cooling module with CPU, 23: Control signal for fan with built-in body, 24: CPU
module.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasushi Nebo 810 Shimo-Imaizumi, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa PC Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Koichi Kimura 1099 Ozenji, Aso-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Hitachi, Ltd. Inside System Development Laboratory (72) Inventor Shinichi Sawamura 1099 Ozenji Temple, Aso-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside System Development Laboratory Hitachi, Ltd. Within Business Unit (72) Inventor Masato Ishii 1099 Ozenji Temple, Aso-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture F-term in Hitachi, Ltd. System Development Laboratory (Reference) 5B079 AA02 BA01 BB04 BC10 DD11

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information processing system comprising: an information processing device having an arithmetic processing device; and an external device connectable to the information processing device, wherein the information processing device further has a hole for taking in air; The information processing system further comprises: a cooling unit; an outside air intake for taking in air; and a blower outlet for discharging air taken in from the outside air intake. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein said information processing apparatus further comprises means for detecting whether said external device is connected to said information processing apparatus. Processing system. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the information processing device further controls a cooling unit of the external device, and controls an operation frequency of an arithmetic processing device of the information processing device. And an information processing system. 4. An external device connected to an information processing apparatus, comprising: a cooling unit; an outside air intake for taking in air; and a blowout opening for discharging air taken in from the outside air intake. External device. 5. An information processing apparatus to which an external device having a cooling means can be connected, a means for detecting whether the external device is connected to the information processing device, and a cooling device provided in the external device. Means for controlling the means.