JP2017054164A - Electronic device temperature controller, electronic device temperature control method, and electronic device temperature control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently quickly and normally activate an electronic device installed in a low-temperature environment.SOLUTION: An electronic device temperature controller 40 comprises: a first measuring unit 41 which measures a temperature of a place where an electronic device 4 is installed; a second measuring unit 42 which measures a temperature of the electronic device 4; a prediction unit 43 which predicts a fall timing when the temperature of the electronic device 4 will fall to the lowest operable temperature 450, on the basis of measurement results of the first and second measuring units and temperature prediction criteria 451 at a monitoring timing preset by the electronic device temperature controller 40 and sets the predicted fall timing as the next monitoring timing; and a control unit 44 which controls a heating unit so as to raise the temperature of the electronic device 4 to the lowest operable temperature 450 or higher if the temperature measured by the second measuring unit 42 is lower than the lowest operable temperature 450 at the monitoring timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for normally starting an electronic device installed in a low temperature environment.

  Electronic devices are used in various temperature environments, and the temperature range in which normal operation is possible is defined individually. For example, electronic devices with a normal operating temperature range of 0 ° C (degrees Celsius) to 40 ° C are not guaranteed to operate normally in temperatures below 0 ° C or above 40 ° C. Operation or failure may occur. In particular, an electronic device or the like installed in a cold region is required to have a technique for steadily starting up normally from a shutdown state or a standby state such as a standby state.

  As an example of such a technique, Patent Document 1 discloses a low-temperature countermeasure system for an electronic device that is arranged in a space surrounded by a system wall and that reads and executes an application program by a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Yes. This low-temperature countermeasure system includes a fan and a fan control device with a temperature sensor that controls driving of the fan and monitors the temperature. In this low-temperature countermeasure system, if the temperature is equal to or lower than the startup temperature when the electronic device is started up, the CPU waits without reading the application program, and if the temperature exceeds the startup temperature, the CPU executes the application program. Read and execute.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an electronic apparatus including a temperature detection unit, a plurality of electronic elements, a storage unit, and a control unit. The plurality of electronic elements are connected to the temperature detection unit. The storage unit stores the temperature monitoring process and the operating system. The control unit is electrically connected to the temperature detection unit, the plurality of electronic elements, and the storage unit. The control unit acquires the operating temperature of each electronic element through the temperature detection unit, executes a temperature monitoring process to drive the plurality of electronic elements, and increases the operating temperature of the plurality of electronic elements. The control unit executes the operating system when the operating temperature of the electronic device becomes higher than the rated temperature.

  Patent Document 3 discloses an electronic device in which a temperature sensor detects the temperature of a heat sink, and the activation switch is turned on when the detected temperature is equal to or lower than a set value. In this electronic device, when the switch is turned on, the resistor element generates heat in response to the formation of a current path to the resistor element. This heat generation raises the temperature of the heat sink and the control unit, so that the electronic device starts the control unit well.

  Further, in Patent Document 4, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a set value when starting, the CPU peripheral circuit until the temperature detected by the temperature sensor rises to the set value or more due to self-heating of the CPU peripheral circuit. And an electronic device for heating a circuit board is disclosed. This electronic device starts activation after temporarily stopping the supply of the normal power source and the backup power source to the CPU peripheral circuit.

JP 2004-185439 A JP 2012-014682 A JP 2008-234591 JP 2010-225111 A

  In the technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4, when starting an electronic device, if the temperature of the electronic device is lower than the operable temperature, the electronic device is started after the electronic device is warmed. Therefore, the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 have a problem that it takes time to activate an electronic device in a dormant state.

  In order to avoid such a problem, for example, the temperature of the electronic device in a dormant state is constantly monitored, and when the temperature of the electronic device becomes lower than the operable temperature, the temperature of the electronic device A technique for controlling the temperature so as to rise to an operable temperature is conceivable. However, in this case, it is necessary to constantly monitor the temperature of the electronic device and provide a resource for performing a predetermined process, which is not efficient from the viewpoint of cost or power consumption.

  In other words, with the technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4, it is not possible to efficiently and quickly start an electronic device installed in a low-temperature environment. The main object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device temperature control apparatus that solves this problem.

  An electronic device temperature control device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first measurement unit that measures a temperature of a place where the electronic device is installed, a second measurement unit that measures the temperature of the electronic device, and the device itself Predicts the lowering timing at which the temperature of the electronic device falls to the minimum operable temperature based on the measurement results obtained by the first and second measuring means and the temperature prediction criteria at the previously set monitoring timing. Predicting means for setting the predicted lowering timing to the next monitoring timing, and when the temperature measured by the second measuring means is lower than the operable minimum temperature at the monitoring timing, Control means for controlling the heating means so that the temperature rises above the minimum operable temperature.

  In another aspect of achieving the above object, an electronic device temperature control method according to one aspect of the present invention measures the temperature of a place where the electronic device is installed, measures the temperature of the electronic device, The temperature of the electronic device falls to the minimum operable temperature based on the measurement timing related to the temperature of the place where the electronic device is installed and the temperature of the electronic device, and the temperature prediction standard. Predicting a descent timing, setting the predicted descent timing as the next monitoring timing, and when the measured temperature of the electronic device is lower than the minimum operable temperature at the monitoring timing, the temperature of the electronic device The heating means is controlled so as to rise above the minimum operable temperature.

  Further, in a further aspect of achieving the above object, the electronic device temperature control program according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first measuring unit that measures the temperature of the place where the electronic device is installed at the set monitoring timing, and Based on the measurement result by the second measuring means for measuring the temperature of the electronic device and the temperature prediction criterion, the falling timing at which the temperature of the electronic device decreases to the minimum operable temperature is predicted, and the predicted decrease Prediction processing for setting the timing to the next monitoring timing, and when the temperature measured by the second measuring means is lower than the minimum operable temperature at the monitoring timing, the temperature of the electronic device is the operable And causing the computer to execute a control process for controlling the heating means so as to rise above the minimum temperature.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be realized by a computer-readable non-volatile recording medium in which the electronic device temperature control program (computer program) is stored.

  The present invention makes it possible to efficiently and quickly start an electronic device installed in a low-temperature environment.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device temperature control device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a characteristic view (graph) which illustrates the contents of temperature prediction standard information 151 concerning a 1st embodiment of the invention in this application. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic device temperature control apparatus 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic device temperature control apparatus 20 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the inclination of the temperature change with respect to the time in the measurement result of the temperature of the electronic device 2 used when the update part 26 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention updates the temperature prediction reference | standard information 251. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the measurement result and temperature prediction reference | standard information 251 which are used when the update part 26 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention updates the temperature prediction reference | standard information 251. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic device temperature control apparatus 30 which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a characteristic view (graph) which illustrates the relationship between the unused time of the electronic device 3 which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and the temperature of the electronic device 3. FIG. It is a characteristic view (graph) which illustrates time transition of temperature of electronic equipment 3 when electronic equipment temperature control device 30 concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention controls temperature of electronic equipment 3. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic device temperature control apparatus 30 which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic device temperature control apparatus 40 which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which illustrates the composition of the information processor which can execute the electronic equipment temperature control device concerning each embodiment of the invention in this application.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing an electronic apparatus temperature control apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device temperature control device 10 is a device that controls the temperature of the electronic device 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the electronic device temperature control device 10 may be built in the electronic device 1 or may be installed outside the electronic device 1.

  The electronic device temperature control device 10 includes an external temperature measurement sensor 11, an internal temperature measurement sensor 12, a prediction unit 13, a control unit 14, and a storage unit 15. The prediction unit 13 and the control unit 14 may be an electronic circuit, or may be realized by a computer program and a processor that operates according to the computer program. The storage unit 15 is a storage device such as a memory or a magnetic disk. The storage unit 15 has a storage control function realized by an electronic circuit or a computer program and a processor that operates according to the computer program.

  The external temperature measurement sensor 11 (first measurement sensor) is a device capable of measuring temperature, and measures the temperature (for example, air temperature) at a place where the electronic apparatus 1 is installed. The external temperature measurement sensor 11 is installed, for example, on the surface of the casing of the electronic device 1 or a predetermined place in a building where the electronic device is installed. The external temperature measurement sensor 11 inputs the measurement result to the prediction unit 13.

  The internal temperature measurement sensor (second measurement sensor) 12 is a device capable of measuring temperature, and measures the temperature (for example, surface temperature) of a predetermined electronic component provided in the electronic apparatus 1. The internal temperature measurement sensor 12 is installed on the surface of an electronic component that is a measurement target, for example. The internal temperature measurement sensor 12 inputs the measurement result to the prediction unit 13.

  The prediction unit 13 may detect the measurement results obtained by the external temperature measurement sensor 11 and the internal temperature measurement sensor 12.

  The storage unit 15 stores operable minimum temperature information 150 and temperature prediction reference information 151. The operable minimum temperature information 150 is information indicating the minimum operable temperature (for example, 0 ° C.) at which normal operation of the electronic device 1 is guaranteed.

  The temperature prediction reference information 151 is information indicating the relationship between the temperature of the electronic device 1 that has been shut down or in a rest state such as a standby state and the elapsed time for each temperature of the place where the electronic device 1 is installed. For example, numerical data. FIG. 2 is a characteristic diagram (graph) illustrating the contents of the temperature prediction reference information 151. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the temperature of the electronic device 1 in a dormant state decreases with the passage of time according to the ambient air temperature (the temperature of the place where the electronic device 1 is installed). And the degree to which the temperature of the electronic device 1 falls per unit time becomes larger as the air temperature is lower. The temperature of the electronic device 1 drops to a temperature lower than the lowest operable temperature of the electronic device 1 depending on the air temperature. For example, the temperature prediction reference information 151 is created by a user or the like based on the actual value related to the temperature transition of the electronic device 1. The characteristic diagram shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and the content of the temperature prediction reference information 151 may be different from the content illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the prediction unit 13 can obtain measurement results from the external temperature measurement sensor 11 and the internal temperature measurement sensor 12. The prediction unit 13 obtains a measurement result from the external temperature measurement sensor 11 and the internal temperature measurement sensor 12 when notified from the electronic device 1 that the electronic device enters the hibernation state. The prediction unit 13 compares the temperature measured by the external temperature measurement sensor 11 with the value indicated by the minimum operable temperature information 150 stored in the storage unit 15.

  When the air temperature is lower than the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150, the temperature of the electronic device 1 in the dormant state decreases to a temperature lower than the operable minimum temperature of the electronic device 1 over time. In this case, based on the temperature prediction reference information 151 stored in the storage unit 15, the prediction unit 13 determines the time (decrease timing) until the temperature of the electronic device 1 decreases to the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150. Predict. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the prediction unit 13 can predict the descent timing based on the air temperature measured by the external temperature measurement sensor 11 and the temperature of the electronic device 1 measured by the internal temperature measurement sensor 12. .

  The prediction unit 13 starts the countdown of the timer 130 after setting the predicted descending timing as a monitoring timing in the built-in timer 130. When the timer 130 counts down and the value reaches a predetermined value (for example, 0) (that is, when the monitoring timing comes), the prediction unit 13 determines whether the external temperature measurement sensor 11 and the internal temperature measurement sensor 12 Get the measurement results.

  At this time, when the temperature is lower than the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150 and the temperature of the electronic device 1 is higher than the operable minimum temperature information 150, the prediction unit 13 is based on the temperature prediction reference information 151. Thus, the lowering timing is newly predicted. The prediction unit 13 starts the countdown of the timer 130 after setting the newly predicted descending timing as a monitoring timing in the built-in timer 130.

  When the value of the timer 130 becomes 0 and the temperature of the electronic device 1 is lower than the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150, the prediction unit 13 informs the control unit 14 of a heating unit (not shown). To instruct control to increase the temperature of the electronic device 1. The prediction unit 13 also inputs the measurement results obtained from the external temperature measurement sensor 11 and the internal temperature measurement sensor 12 to the control unit 14. At this time, the prediction unit 13 predicts the time (arrival timing) until the temperature of the electronic device 1 reaches the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150 by the control of the control unit 14 based on the temperature prediction reference information 151. To do. The temperature prediction reference information 151 represents the relationship between the temperature of the electronic device 1 and the elapsed time for each temperature of the place where the electronic device 1 is installed when the temperature of the electronic device 1 is increased by control by the control unit 14. Information shall be included. As described above, the prediction unit 13 sets the predicted arrival timing as the monitoring timing in the built-in timer 130, and then starts counting down the timer 130.

  In this way, the prediction unit 13 repeatedly performs the operation of predicting the descent timing or arrival timing and setting the predicted descent timing or arrival timing as the monitoring timing every time the monitoring timing arrives.

  In response to the instruction from the prediction unit 13, the control unit 14 performs predetermined control for increasing the temperature of the electronic device 1 to a value indicated by the minimum operable temperature information 150. As the heating unit, the control unit 14 temporarily raises the temperature of the electronic device 1 by controlling the electrical load of the electronic device 1 after temporarily returning the electronic device 1 from the resting state to the operating state, for example. Also good. Alternatively, the control unit 14 may increase the temperature of the electronic device 1 by controlling a heat source (not shown) that can increase the temperature of the electronic device 1. Alternatively, the control unit 14 may increase the temperature of the electronic device 1 by controlling an air conditioning facility where the electronic device is installed. The control unit 14 adjusts the strength of control for increasing the temperature of the electronic device 1 based on the measurement results by the external temperature measurement sensor 11 and the internal temperature measurement sensor 12 input from the prediction unit 13.

  Next, the operation (process) of the electronic device temperature control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The prediction unit 13 is notified from the electronic device 1 that the electronic device 1 enters the sleep state (step S101). The prediction unit 13 acquires measurement results from the external temperature measurement sensor 11 and the internal temperature measurement sensor 12 (step S102). If the temperature measured by the external temperature measurement sensor 11 is equal to or greater than the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150 (No in step S103), the entire process ends.

  When the temperature measured by the external temperature measurement sensor 11 is lower than the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150 (Yes in step S103), the prediction unit 13 determines that the temperature of the electronic device 1 is based on the temperature prediction reference information 151. The time until the temperature falls to the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150 is predicted, and the timer 130 is set to the predicted value (step S104).

  The timer 130 counts down (step S105). If the value of the timer 130 is not 0 (No in step S106), the process returns to step S105. When the value of the timer 130 is 0 (Yes in Step S106), the prediction unit 13 acquires measurement results from the external temperature measurement sensor 11 and the internal temperature measurement sensor 12 (Step S107).

  If the temperature measured by the external temperature measurement sensor 11 is equal to or greater than the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150 (No in step S108), the entire process ends. When the temperature measured by the external temperature measurement sensor 11 is lower than the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150 (Yes in step S108), the process proceeds to step S109.

  When the temperature of the electronic device 1 is equal to or higher than the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150 (No in step S109), the process returns to step S104. When the temperature of the electronic device 1 is lower than the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150 (Yes in step S109), the control unit 14 performs control to increase the temperature of the electronic device 1 in accordance with an instruction from the prediction unit 13. (Step S110). The prediction unit 13 predicts the time until the temperature of the electronic device 1 rises to the value indicated by the minimum operable temperature information 150 based on the temperature prediction reference information 151, and sets the timer 130 to the predicted value (step (S111), the process returns to step S105.

The electronic device temperature control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can efficiently start electronic devices installed in a low temperature environment quickly and normally. The reason is that the electronic device temperature control apparatus 10 operates as follows.
That is,
The external temperature measurement sensor 11 measures the temperature of the place where the electronic device 1 is installed.
The internal temperature measurement sensor 12 measures the temperature of the electronic device 1.
The prediction unit 13 decreases the temperature of the electronic device 1 to the lowest operable temperature based on the measurement result by the external temperature measurement sensor 11 and the internal temperature measurement sensor 12 and the temperature prediction reference information 151 at the set monitoring timing. Predict descent timing. The prediction unit 13 sets the descending timing to the next monitoring timing.
When the temperature of the electronic device 1 is lower than the minimum operable temperature at the monitoring timing, the control unit 14 performs control so that the temperature of the electronic device 1 rises above the minimum operable temperature.

  Below, the effect implement | achieved by the electronic device temperature control apparatus 10 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated in detail.

  If the temperature of the electronic device in the hibernating state is lower than the minimum operable temperature, starting up after the electronic device has been warmed has a problem that it takes time to start up. In order to avoid such a problem, for example, when the temperature of an electronic device in a dormant state is constantly monitored, and the temperature of the electronic device becomes lower than the operable temperature, the temperature of the electronic device is It is conceivable to control the temperature so as to increase to an operable temperature. However, in this case, it is necessary to provide a resource for constantly monitoring the temperature of the electronic device and performing a predetermined process, which is not efficient from the viewpoint of cost or power consumption.

  With respect to such a problem, in the electronic device temperature control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the prediction unit 13 determines that the temperature of the electronic device 1 is operable based on the temperature prediction reference information 151 at the set monitoring timing. The descending timing to descend is predicted, and the predicted descending timing is set as the next monitoring timing. When the temperature of the electronic device 1 is lower than the minimum operable temperature at the monitoring timing, the control unit 14 controls the temperature of the electronic device 1 to rise above the minimum operable temperature. That is, the electronic device temperature control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment sets the monitoring of the temperature of the electronic device and performs a predetermined process based on the result of predicting the temperature drop of the electronic device 1 instead of always. At the monitored timing. Since the temperature of the electronic device 1 generally does not change abruptly, there is no problem even if the temperature of the electronic device is monitored at a monitoring timing instead of constantly and a predetermined process is performed. Thereby, the electronic device temperature control apparatus 10 which concerns on this embodiment can perform efficiently starting normally the electronic device installed in the low temperature environment.

  Further, the prediction unit 13 according to the present embodiment predicts the arrival timing at which the temperature of the electronic device 1 reaches the operable minimum temperature even when the temperature of the electronic device rises due to the control by the control unit 14, and the prediction The arrived arrival timing is set to the next monitoring timing. Thereby, the electronic device temperature control apparatus 10 which concerns on this embodiment can perform the temperature control of the electronic device 1 more correctly and efficiently.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram conceptually showing the electronic apparatus temperature control apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device temperature control device 20 is a device that controls the temperature of the electronic device 2. In the following description, configurations that operate in the same manner as in the first embodiment are given the same numbers as in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

  The electronic device temperature control device 20 includes an external temperature measurement sensor 11, an internal temperature measurement sensor 12, a prediction unit 13, a control unit 14, a storage unit 15, and an update unit 26.

  The storage unit 25 stores operable minimum temperature information 150, temperature prediction reference information 251, and temperature measurement result information 252.

  The content of the temperature prediction reference information 251 is the same as that of the temperature prediction reference information 151 according to the first embodiment, but is updated by the update unit 26 at the monitoring timing.

  The temperature measurement result information 252 is information representing a measurement result by the internal temperature measurement sensor 12 and is stored in the storage unit 25 by the prediction unit 13 at a monitoring timing. The temperature measurement result information 252 is information in which the time T indicating the monitoring timing and the temperature K of the electronic device 2 measured by the internal temperature measurement sensor 12 are associated with the monitoring timing.

  The update unit 26 updates the temperature prediction reference information 251 based on the temperature prediction reference information 251 and the temperature measurement result information 252. The procedure in which the update unit 26 updates the temperature prediction reference information 251 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Regarding the temperature measurement result information 252, the measurement result by the internal temperature measurement sensor 12 at each monitoring timing can be represented by a two-dimensional coordinate graph with the time T as the horizontal axis and the temperature K as the vertical axis, as shown in FIG. it can. In the graph shown in FIG. 5, coordinates representing a measurement result at the n-th (n is an arbitrary integer greater than or equal to 1) monitoring timing are represented as (T (n), K (n)). Similarly, the coordinates representing the measurement result at the (n−1) th monitoring timing are represented as (T (n−1), K (n−1)). At this time, the inclination representing the change in temperature K with respect to time T, which is obtained from the measurement results at the (n−1) th and nth monitoring timings, is defined as θ1 (n).

  The contents of the temperature prediction reference information 251 can be expressed as the graph illustrated in FIG. 2, similarly to the temperature prediction reference information 151 according to the first embodiment. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, θ2 (n) represents the gradient representing the change in temperature K with respect to time T in the temperature prediction reference information 251 updated by the updating unit 26 at the n-th monitoring timing. Here, the update unit 26 sets information to be updated as information in the temperature prediction reference information 251 regarding the temperature measured by the external temperature measurement sensor 11 at the n-th monitoring timing.

  At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the update unit 26, for example, at the n-th monitoring timing, for example, the temperature prediction reference information so that θ2 (n) becomes an average value of θ2 (n−1) and θ1 (n). 251 is updated. That is, the update unit 26 updates the content of the temperature prediction reference information 251 to the content based on the content of the temperature prediction reference information 251 before the update and the latest measurement result by the internal temperature measurement sensor 12. Thereby, the update part 26 updates the shape of the curve which shows the content of the temperature prediction reference | standard information 251 illustrated in FIG. Note that the updating unit 26 sets θ2 (n) to an average value of θ1 and θ2 (n−1) at the monitoring timing from the (n−i) (i is an integer of 1 or more and less than n) times to the nth time. The temperature prediction reference information 251 may be updated. Moreover, the update part 26 may update the content of the temperature prediction reference | standard information 251 similarly, when the temperature of the electronic device 2 rises by control by the control part 14. FIG.

The electronic device temperature control device 20 according to the present embodiment can efficiently start electronic devices installed in a low temperature environment quickly and normally. The reason is that the electronic device temperature control device 20 operates as follows.
That is,
The external temperature measurement sensor 11 measures the temperature of the place where the electronic device 2 is installed.
The internal temperature measurement sensor 12 measures the temperature of the electronic device 2.
The prediction unit 13 decreases the temperature of the electronic device 2 to the lowest operable temperature based on the measurement result by the external temperature measurement sensor 11 and the internal temperature measurement sensor 12 and the temperature prediction reference information 251 at the set monitoring timing. Predict descent timing. The prediction unit 13 sets the descending timing to the next monitoring timing.
When the temperature of the electronic device 2 is lower than the minimum operable temperature at the monitoring timing, the control unit 14 performs control so that the temperature of the electronic device 2 rises above the minimum operable temperature.

  The electronic device temperature control device 20 according to the present embodiment includes an update unit 26 in addition to the configuration of the electronic device temperature control device 10 according to the first embodiment. The update unit 26 updates the content of the temperature prediction reference information 251 to the content based on the content of the temperature prediction reference information 251 before the update and the latest measurement result by the internal temperature measurement sensor 12. Thereby, the electronic device temperature control apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment can increase the accuracy with which the prediction unit 13 predicts the descent timing or the arrival timing.

  The update unit 26 according to the present embodiment updates the temperature prediction reference information 251 so that θ2 (n) is an average value of θ2 (n−1) and θ1 (n), but this is different. The temperature prediction reference information 251 may be updated by a procedure.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram conceptually showing an electronic apparatus temperature control device 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device temperature control device 30 is a device that controls the temperature of the electronic device 3. In the following description, configurations that operate in the same manner as in the first or second embodiment are given the same numbers as in the first or second embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

  The electronic device temperature control device 30 includes an external temperature measurement sensor 11, an internal temperature measurement sensor 12, a prediction unit 33, a control unit 34, and a storage unit 15.

  The prediction unit 33 receives the unused time information 500 from the terminal device 5. The unused time information 500 is information indicating a scheduled time during which the electronic device 3 is not used in a dormant state, and is set by a user, for example.

  In FIG. 8, the graph showing the relationship between the unused time of the electronic device 3 which concerns on this embodiment, and the temperature of the electronic device 3 is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the air temperature is −20 ° C., the temperature of the electronic device 3 becomes lower than the lowest operable temperature before the unused time T <b> 1 elapses. However, since the electronic device 3 is not used during the unused time T1, there is no problem even if the temperature of the electronic device 3 is lower than the operable minimum temperature until the unused time T1 elapses. That is, the electronic device temperature control device 30 according to the present embodiment may ensure that the temperature of the electronic device 3 is equal to or higher than the minimum operable temperature when the unused time T1 has elapsed.

  FIG. 9 illustrates a graph representing a time transition of the temperature of the electronic device 3 when the electronic device temperature control device 30 according to the present embodiment controls the temperature of the electronic device 3.

  The prediction unit 33 obtains the measurement result from the external temperature measurement sensor 11 and the internal temperature measurement sensor 12 when notified from the electronic device 3 that the electronic device enters the hibernation state. The prediction unit 33 compares the temperature measured by the external temperature measurement sensor 11 with the value indicated by the minimum operable temperature information 150 stored in the storage unit 15. When the temperature is lower than the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150, the prediction unit 33 determines whether the temperature of the electronic device 3 becomes lower than the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150 when the unused time T1 has elapsed. Determine whether or not.

  In this determination, when the temperature of the electronic device 3 becomes lower than the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150, the prediction unit 33 predicts the rise start timing T2 illustrated in FIG. 9 based on the temperature prediction reference information 151. The rise start timing T2 causes the control unit 34 to raise the temperature of the electronic device 3 so that the temperature of the electronic device 3 can exceed the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150 when the unused time T1 has elapsed. This is the timing for starting control. As described in the first embodiment, the temperature prediction reference information 151 is obtained when the temperature of the electronic device 3 in the dormant state decreases for each temperature of the place where the electronic device 3 is installed, and by the control unit 34. When the temperature of the electronic device 3 rises due to the control, information indicating the relationship between the temperature of the electronic device 3 and the elapsed time is included. Therefore, the prediction unit 33 can predict the rise start timing T2 based on the temperature prediction reference information 151.

  The prediction unit 33 sets the unused time T1 and the predicted rise start timing T2 in the timer 330 that can count down a plurality of times, and then starts the timer 330 to count down. The prediction unit 33 instructs the control unit 34 to start control for increasing the temperature of the electronic device 3 when the increase start timing T2 arrives. The prediction unit 33 obtains measurement results from the external temperature measurement sensor 11 and the internal temperature measurement sensor 12 when the unused time T1 has elapsed. At this time, the prediction unit 33 operates in the same manner as the prediction unit 13 according to the first embodiment operates at the monitoring timing.

  The control unit 34 performs control to increase the temperature of the electronic device 3 when receiving an instruction from the prediction unit 33 such as the increase start timing T2.

  Next, the operation (process) of the electronic device temperature control apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The unused time information 500 is input to the prediction unit 33 (step S301). The prediction unit 33 performs the same processing as S101 to S103 (step S302). The prediction unit 33 determines whether or not the temperature of the electronic device 3 is lower than the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150 when the unused time T1 has elapsed (step S303).

  When the temperature of the electronic device 3 is equal to or higher than the value indicated by the operable minimum temperature information 150 (No in Step S304), the prediction unit 33 determines the temperature of the electronic device 3 based on the temperature prediction reference information 151. The time until it falls to the value indicated by 150 is predicted, and the timer 330 is set (step S310). The electronic device temperature control apparatus 30 performs the same process as steps S105 to S111 (step S311), and the entire process ends.

  When the temperature of the electronic device 3 is lower than the value indicated by the minimum operable temperature information 150 (Yes in step S304), the prediction unit 33 determines that the temperature of the electronic device 3 is the minimum operable temperature when the unused time T1 has elapsed. The rising start timing T2 that can exceed the value indicated by the temperature information 150 is predicted. The prediction unit 33 sets T1 and T2 in the timer 330 and starts counting down the timer 330 (step S306).

  In response to the instruction from the prediction unit 33, the control unit 34 starts control to increase the temperature of the electronic device 3 at the increase start timing T2 (step S307). The prediction unit 33 obtains measurement results from the external temperature measurement sensor 11 and the internal temperature measurement sensor 12 when the unused time T1 has elapsed (step S308). The electronic device temperature control device 30 performs the same processing as steps S108 to S111 (step S309), and the processing proceeds to step S311.

The electronic device temperature control device 30 according to the present embodiment can efficiently and quickly start up an electronic device installed in a low-temperature environment. The reason is that the electronic device temperature control device 30 operates as follows.
That is,
The external temperature measurement sensor 11 measures the temperature of the place where the electronic device 3 is installed.
The internal temperature measurement sensor 12 measures the temperature of the electronic device 3.
The predicting unit 33 decreases the temperature of the electronic device 3 to the lowest operable temperature based on the measurement result by the external temperature measuring sensor 11 and the internal temperature measuring sensor 12 and the temperature prediction reference information 151 at the set monitoring timing. Predict descent timing. The prediction unit 33 sets the descending timing to the next monitoring timing.
When the temperature of the electronic device 3 is lower than the minimum operable temperature at the monitoring timing, the control unit 34 controls the temperature of the electronic device 3 to rise above the minimum operable temperature.

  In this embodiment, the unused time T1 regarding the electronic device 3 is set by the user. Since the electronic device 3 is not used until the unused time T1 elapses, no problem occurs even if the temperature of the electronic device 3 becomes lower than the minimum operable temperature. Therefore, the prediction unit 33 according to the present embodiment predicts the rise start timing T2 so that the temperature of the electronic device 3 becomes equal to or higher than the operable minimum temperature when the unused time T1 has elapsed. And the control part 34 starts the control which raises the temperature of the electronic device 3 in the rise start timing T2 estimated by the estimation part 33. FIG. That is, the electronic device temperature control device 30 according to the present embodiment is installed in a low-temperature environment by preventing the electronic device 3 from being controlled more than necessary so that the temperature of the electronic device 3 does not become lower than the minimum operable temperature. It is possible to more efficiently perform the activated electronic device quickly and normally.

  The prediction unit 33 according to the present embodiment increases so that the arrival timing after the control by the control unit 34 is started at the rising start timing T2 matches or substantially matches the timing at which the unused time T1 ends. The start timing T2 may be predicted. Thereby, the electronic device temperature control apparatus 30 concerning this embodiment can perform more efficiently starting electronic equipment installed in the low temperature environment promptly and normally.

<Fourth Embodiment>
FIG. 11 is a block diagram conceptually showing the structure of the electronic apparatus temperature control device 40 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The electronic device temperature control device 40 according to the present embodiment includes a first measurement unit 41, a second measurement unit 42, a prediction unit 43, and a control unit 44.

  The first measurement unit 41 measures the temperature of the place where the electronic device 4 is installed.

  The second measurement unit 42 measures the temperature of the electronic device 4.

  The prediction unit 43 sets the temperature of the electronic device 4 to the operable minimum temperature 450 based on the measurement results by the first measurement unit 41 and the second measurement unit 42 and the temperature prediction reference 451 at the set monitoring timing. Predict descent timing. The prediction unit 43 sets the predicted lowering timing to the next monitoring timing.

  When the temperature measured by the second measuring unit 42 is lower than the operable minimum temperature 450 at the monitoring timing, the control unit 44 performs control so that the temperature of the electronic device 4 increases to the operable minimum temperature 450 or higher. .

The electronic device temperature control apparatus 40 according to the present embodiment can efficiently and quickly start up an electronic device installed in a low temperature environment. The reason is that the electronic device temperature control device 40 operates as follows.
That is,
The external temperature measurement sensor 41 measures the temperature of the place where the electronic device 4 is installed.
The internal temperature measurement sensor 42 measures the temperature of the electronic device 4.
The predicting unit 43 drops the temperature of the electronic device 4 to the lowest operable temperature 450 based on the measurement result by the external temperature measuring sensor 41 and the internal temperature measuring sensor 42 and the temperature prediction reference 451 at the set monitoring timing. Predict descent timing. The prediction unit 43 sets the descending timing to the next monitoring timing.
When the temperature of the electronic device 4 is lower than the minimum operable temperature 450 at the monitoring timing, the control unit 44 controls the temperature of the electronic device 4 to rise above the minimum operable temperature.

<Hardware configuration example>
In each of the above-described embodiments, each unit illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 7, and 11 can be realized by a dedicated HW (HardWare) (electronic circuit). In FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 7, and FIG. 11, at least the following configuration can be regarded as a function (processing) unit (software module) of a software program.
Prediction units 13, 33, and 43
Control units 14, 34 and 44
Storage control function provided in storage units 15 and 25 Update unit 26
However, the division of each part shown in these drawings is a configuration for convenience of explanation, and various configurations can be assumed for mounting. An example of the hardware environment in this case will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustratively illustrating the configuration of an information processing apparatus 900 (computer) that can execute the electronic device temperature control apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIG. 12 shows a configuration of a computer (information processing apparatus) capable of realizing the electronic device temperature control apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 7, and 11, and each function in the above-described embodiment. Represents a hardware environment capable of realizing

The information processing apparatus 900 illustrated in FIG. 12 includes the following as constituent elements.
CPU (Central_Processing_Unit) 901,
ROM (Read_Only_Memory) 902,
RAM (Random_Access_Memory) 903,
-Hard disk (storage device) 904,
・ Bus 906 (communication line),
An input / output interface 909;

  In other words, the information processing apparatus 900 including the above-described components is a general computer in which these configurations are connected via the bus 906.

  The present invention described by taking the above-described embodiment as an example supplies a computer program capable of realizing the following functions to the information processing apparatus 900 shown in FIG. The functions are the prediction units 13, 33, and 43, the control units 14, 34, and the block configuration diagrams (FIGS. 1, 4, 7, and 11) referred to in the description of the embodiment. 44, the storage control function included in the storage units 15 and 25, and the update unit 26 or the functions of the flowcharts (FIGS. 3 and 10). The present invention is then achieved by reading the computer program to the CPU 901 of the hardware, interpreting it and executing it. The computer program supplied to the apparatus may be stored in a readable / writable volatile memory (RAM 903) or a nonvolatile storage device such as the hard disk 904.

  The present invention has been described above using the above-described embodiment as an exemplary example. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. That is, the present invention can apply various modes that can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic device 10 Electronic device temperature control apparatus 11 External temperature measurement sensor 12 Internal temperature measurement sensor 13 Prediction part 130 Timer 14 Control part 15 Memory | storage part 150 Operable minimum temperature information 151 Temperature prediction reference | standard information 2 Electronic equipment 20 Electronic equipment temperature control apparatus 25 storage unit 251 temperature prediction reference information 252 temperature measurement result information 26 update unit 3 electronic device 30 electronic device temperature control device 33 prediction unit 330 timer 34 control unit 4 electronic device 40 electronic device temperature control device 41 first measurement unit 42 first 2 measurement units 43 prediction unit 44 control unit 450 operable minimum temperature 451 temperature prediction reference 5 terminal device 500 unused time information 900 information processing device 901 CPU
902 ROM
903 RAM
904 Hard disk (storage device)
906 bus 909 I / O interface

Claims (10)

A first measuring means for measuring the temperature of the place where the electronic device is installed;
A second measuring means for measuring the temperature of the electronic device;
Based on the measurement results obtained by the first and second measuring means and the temperature prediction criteria, the timing at which the temperature of the electronic device falls to the minimum operable temperature is set at the monitoring timing set by the device itself. Predicting means for predicting and setting the predicted descending timing to the next monitoring timing;
In the monitoring timing, when the temperature measured by the second measuring unit is lower than the operable minimum temperature, the control for controlling the heating unit so that the temperature of the electronic device rises above the operable minimum temperature. Means,
An electronic device temperature control device comprising: The predicting means predicts the arrival timing at which the temperature of the electronic device reaches the operable minimum temperature when the temperature of the electronic device rises due to the control by the control means, and performs the predicted arrival timing. Set the monitoring timing;
The electronic device temperature control apparatus according to claim 1. It further comprises storage means for storing information indicating the temperature prediction criterion.
The electronic device temperature control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. Updating means for updating the information indicating the temperature prediction criterion based on the information indicating the temperature prediction criterion stored in the storage unit and the temperature measured by the second measuring unit;
The electronic device temperature control apparatus according to claim 3. The storage means stores a measurement result at the monitoring timing by the second measurement means,
The update unit is configured to calculate a ratio representing a temperature change per predetermined time with respect to the information indicating the temperature prediction reference stored in the storage unit, based on a measurement result by the second measurement unit, the temperature per predetermined time. Update to an average value with a percentage representing the change,
The electronic device temperature control apparatus according to claim 4. When the unused time indicating the time when the electronic device is not used is input, the predicting unit determines whether the falling timing is within the unused time, and the falling timing is within the unused time. If the control means is, the control means starts the control to increase the temperature of the electronic device at the start timing of the increase, so that the start timing of the increase that can realize that the arrival timing is within the unused time is predicted. And
The control means starts control in which the temperature of the electronic device rises at the rise start timing predicted by the prediction means.
The electronic device temperature control apparatus as described in any one of Claims 2 thru | or 5. The predicting means predicts the rising start timing so that the arrival timing matches or substantially matches the timing when the unused time ends;
The electronic device temperature control apparatus according to claim 6. The control means, as the heating means, by controlling an electrical load of the electronic device, or by controlling a heat source capable of increasing the temperature of the electronic device, or by installing the electronic device Controlling the temperature of the electronic device by controlling the air-conditioning equipment in the place
The electronic device temperature control apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7. Measure the temperature of the place where the electronic equipment is installed,
Measuring the temperature of the electronic device,
Based on the measurement timing related to the temperature at which the electronic device is installed and the temperature of the electronic device, and the temperature prediction criteria, the temperature of the electronic device is the lowest operable Predicting the lowering timing to fall to the temperature, set the predicted lowering timing to the next monitoring timing,
In the monitoring timing, when the measured temperature of the electronic device is lower than the minimum operable temperature, the heating means is controlled so that the temperature of the electronic device rises above the minimum operable temperature.
Electronic device temperature control method. Based on the measurement results by the first measurement means for measuring the temperature of the place where the electronic device is installed and the second measurement means for measuring the temperature of the electronic device at the set monitoring timing, and the temperature prediction standard, A prediction process for predicting a descending timing at which the temperature of the electronic device falls to the operable minimum temperature, and setting the predicted descending timing to the next monitoring timing;
In the monitoring timing, when the temperature measured by the second measuring unit is lower than the operable minimum temperature, the control for controlling the heating unit so that the temperature of the electronic device rises above the operable minimum temperature. Processing,
An electronic device temperature control program for causing a computer to execute.

Images