JP2017062726A - Electronic device and temperature control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device which can prevent temperature increase of the electronic device even when software for temperature management control does not operate normally.SOLUTION: An electronic device includes: a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the device; a power supply control unit for controlling a power supply of the device; and a main control unit which executes thermal control software for temperature management control of the device. When a temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher than a first threshold (S12), the power supply control unit turns off the power supply of the electronic device (S13). When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than the first threshold and higher than a second threshold which is lower than the first threshold (S14), the power supply control unit turns off the power supply of the electronic device (S13) upon determination that the thermal control software is not in normal operation (S15, S16).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present disclosure provides an electronic device that performs temperature management control in a device using predetermined software.

  2. Description of the Related Art Electronic devices having a function of detecting the temperature of an electronic device with a sensor and performing a predetermined process to lower the temperature of the electronic device when the electronic device becomes high temperature are known (Patent Documents 1 and 2). reference).

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a computer including temperature management control means (sub CPU) that detects temperature in an apparatus and performs temperature management control. The sub CPU stores data such as preset temperature set in the ROM. The sub CPU compares the ambient temperature inside the computer detected by the thermistor provided on the I / O board and the temperature of the microprocessor detected by the thermistor provided on the MPU board with the set temperature. The sub CPU controls driving, stopping, and driving voltage of the heat dissipation fan motor based on the result. Thus, the ambient temperature inside the computer and the temperature of the microprocessor are managed.

JP 11-259179 A JP 2003-345174 A

  The present disclosure provides an electronic device that can suppress an increase in temperature of a device even when software that performs temperature management control does not operate normally.

  In a first aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the own device, a power control unit that performs control related to the power source of the own device, and a main control unit that executes thermal control software for performing temperature management control of the own device. Prepare. The power control unit turns off the power of the electronic device when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher than the first threshold. Furthermore, the power supply control unit confirms that the thermal control software is operating normally when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than the first threshold and higher than the second threshold lower than the first threshold. The electronic device is turned off when it is determined whether or not the thermal control software is operating normally.

  In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a temperature control method for controlling the temperature of an electronic device is provided. The temperature control method of an electronic device includes a step of detecting the temperature of the electronic device and a step of executing thermal control software for performing temperature management control of the electronic device. When the detected temperature is higher than the first threshold, the electronic device is turned off. When the detected temperature is lower than the first threshold and higher than the second threshold lower than the first threshold, it is determined whether or not the thermal control software is operating normally, When it is determined that the control software is not operating normally, the electronic device is turned off.

  According to the electronic device of the present disclosure, when the thermal control software that performs temperature management control is operating correctly, the temperature increase of the electronic device is suppressed by the thermal control software and the power supply control unit. Even when the thermal control software is not operating normally, when the electronic device becomes higher than a predetermined temperature, the electronic device is shut down by the power supply control unit, and thus the temperature rise of the electronic device is suppressed.

The perspective view of the information processor which is an example of the electronic equipment of this indication Block diagram showing internal configuration of information processing apparatus Flowchart showing control of power supply controller of information processing apparatus

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of already well-known matters and repeated descriptions for substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following description from becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.
The inventor (s) provides the accompanying drawings and the following description in order for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and is intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims. Not what you want.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[1. Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an information processing apparatus that is an example of the electronic apparatus of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus 10 is a notebook personal computer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the information processing apparatus 10.

  The information processing apparatus 10 includes a main control unit 11 that controls the overall operation of the information processing apparatus 10 and a power supply controller 13 that performs various controls relating to the power supply of the information processing apparatus 10. The information processing apparatus 10 also includes a display unit 14 that displays various information, an operation unit 15 that receives user operations, a RAM 16, and a data storage unit 17 that stores data and programs. Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a device interface 18 for connecting an external device and a network interface 19 for connecting to a network.

  The display unit 14 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The operation unit 15 is a user interface operated by the user, and includes, for example, a keyboard 15a and a touch pad 15b as shown in FIG. The operation unit 15 is a member that is operated by the user, and may include a touch panel, buttons, switches, and the like.

  The device interface 18 is a circuit (module) for connecting other devices to the information processing apparatus 10. The device interface 18 performs communication according to a predetermined communication standard. The predetermined standard includes USB, HDMI (registered trademark), IEEE 1395, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like. The network interface 19 is a circuit (module) for connecting the information processing apparatus 10 to a network via a wireless or wired communication line. The network interface 19 performs communication conforming to a predetermined communication standard. The predetermined communication standard includes communication standards such as IEEE802.3, IEEE802.11a / 11b / 11g / 11ac, WiFi, 3G, and LTE.

  The RAM 16 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor device such as DRAM or SRAM, and temporarily stores data and also functions as a work area for the main control unit 11.

  The data storage unit 17 is a recording medium that stores parameters, data, control programs, and the like necessary for realizing a predetermined function, and includes, for example, a semiconductor storage device (SSD) or a hard disk (HDD).

  The main control unit 11 includes a CPU or MPU, and implements a predetermined function by executing a control program (software). For example, the control program is stored in the data storage unit 17.

  The temperature sensor 20 is a device that detects the temperature of the housing of the information processing device 10 (or the ambient temperature in the information processing device 10), and is realized by a thermistor, for example. The temperature sensor 20 is disposed at a predetermined location of the information processing apparatus 10. The temperature sensor 20 may be disposed at any position as long as the temperature of the casing of the information processing apparatus 10 can be detected. For example, the temperature sensor 20 may be disposed at a position in contact with the main control unit 11 or in the vicinity of the vent hole.

  The power supply controller 13 performs various controls relating to the power supply of the information processing apparatus 10. The power controller 13 includes a CPU or MPU, and a predetermined function is realized by the CPU or MPU executing a program (software). For example, the power supply controller 13 switches the power supply state (normal state, sleep state, shutdown, etc.) of the information processing device 10 based on the operation state or power supply state of the information processing device 10.

[2. Operation]
[2-1. Thermal control software]
The main control unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 10 executes software (hereinafter referred to as “thermal control software”) for performing temperature management control of the information processing apparatus 10. When the thermal control software detects that the temperature of the information processing apparatus 10 has become equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the thermal control software performs a predetermined process for suppressing a temperature rise (or heat generation) of the information processing apparatus 10. For example, the thermal control software activates a fan for air-cooling the main control unit 11, reduces the performance of the information processing apparatus 10, or forcibly turns off (shuts down) the information processing apparatus 10. . The performance degradation of the information processing apparatus 10 can be realized by, for example, reducing the frequency of the clock signal supplied to the main control unit 11 or the RAM 16.

  When the thermal control software is not operating normally (for example, when it is hung up), the temperature management by the thermal control software does not function, and the temperature of the information processing apparatus 10 is increased or maintained at a high temperature.

  Therefore, in the information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the power controller 13 checks the operating state of the thermal control software when the information processing apparatus 10 is at a temperature higher than normal. When the thermal control software is not operating normally, the power supply controller 13 forcibly turns off the information processing apparatus 10 and shuts down the information processing apparatus 10. Since the heat generation is stopped by the shutdown of the information processing apparatus 10, the temperature of the information processing apparatus 10 can be lowered.

[2-2. Power controller operation]
When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 20 is a high temperature that indicates a hardware failure of the information processing apparatus 10, the power supply controller 13 forcibly cuts off the power supply to each part in the information processing apparatus 10 (off) ) Further, even when the temperature of the information processing apparatus 10 is not a temperature that indicates a hardware failure, but is higher than the normal use state, the power controller 13 is also considered to be considered that the thermal control software is not operating normally. Forcibly turns off the power supply to each unit in the information processing apparatus 10. Hereinafter, the operation of the power supply controller 13 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The power supply controller 13 acquires information about the detected temperature of the information processing apparatus 10 from the temperature sensor 20 (S11). The power controller 13 compares the detected temperature with the first threshold T1 (S12). The first threshold T1 is set to a value (for example, 100 degrees) at which it is determined that the information processing apparatus 10 has caused a hardware failure.

  When the detected temperature is higher than the first threshold T1 (YES in S12), the power supply controller 13 forcibly turns off the information processing apparatus 10 and shuts down the information processing apparatus 10 (S13). This is because, when the detected temperature is higher than the first threshold T1, it is considered that the information processing apparatus 10 is at a high temperature because a hardware failure has occurred. By turning off the power of the information processing apparatus 10, further heat generation of the information processing apparatus 10 can be suppressed, and safety can be ensured.

  On the other hand, when the detected temperature is equal to or lower than the first threshold T1 (NO in S12), the power supply controller 13 compares the detected temperature with the second threshold T2 (S14). The second threshold T2 is set to a value (for example, 50 to 70 degrees) at which it is determined that the thermal control software is not operating normally. For example, the second threshold value T2 may be set to the same value as or higher than the threshold value when the thermal control software executes a predetermined operation for suppressing heat generation. If the detected temperature is equal to or lower than the second threshold T2 (NO in S14), the control returns to step S11.

  When the detected temperature is higher than the second threshold T2 (YES in S14), the power supply controller 13 checks whether or not the thermal control software is operating normally (S15). This check can be realized, for example, by transmitting a predetermined check command to the thermal control software via the operating system (OS) of the information processing apparatus 10 and confirming a response to the command. For example, if the power controller 13 does not receive a response to the check command within a predetermined period (for example, 1 minute) from the time of command transmission, it can determine that the thermal control software is not operating normally. The power supply controller 13 can determine that the thermal control software is not operating normally even when the received response content is not a response corresponding to the check command.

  As a result of the check, if it is determined that the thermal control software is not operating normally (YES in S16), it is determined whether or not an abnormality has been continuously detected a predetermined number of times (S17). The predetermined number of times may be one time or a plurality of times. By detecting that the abnormality of the thermal control software is finally detected when the abnormality of the thermal control software is continuously detected a plurality of times, the detection accuracy of the abnormality can be improved.

  When an abnormality is continuously detected a predetermined number of times (YES in S17), the power supply controller 13 forcibly turns off the power supply of the information processing apparatus 10 in the same manner as when a hardware failure occurs (S13).

  If it is determined that the thermal control software is operating normally (NO in S16), the control returns to step S11 and the above process is repeated.

  As described above, when it is determined that the detected temperature is higher than the normal temperature and the thermal control software (that is, the main control unit) is not operating normally, the power supply controller 13 forces the information processing apparatus 10 to operate. Shut down. Thereby, even if it is a case where thermal control software (namely, main control part) does not operate | move normally, the temperature rise (heat_generation | fever) of the information processing apparatus 10 can be suppressed.

[3. Effect]
The information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a temperature sensor 20 that detects the temperature of the own apparatus, a power supply controller 13 that performs control related to the power supply of the own apparatus, and thermal control that performs processing for suppressing temperature rise of the own apparatus. A main control unit 11 that executes software. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 20 is higher than the first threshold value (T1) (step S12 in FIG. 3), the power supply controller 13 forcibly turns off the information processing apparatus 10 (S13). Furthermore, the power supply controller 13 detects heat when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 20 is lower than the first threshold (T1) and higher than the second threshold (T2: T2 <T1) (S12, S14). It is determined whether or not the control software is operating normally (S15). If it is determined that the thermal control software is not operating normally (S16), the power controller 13 forcibly turns off the power of the information processing apparatus 10 (S13).

  With this configuration, when the thermal control software on the system (in other words, the main control unit 11) is operating correctly, an optimal thermal control function in which performance and temperature are mutually considered can be realized. On the other hand, when the thermal control software (in other words, the main control unit 11) is not operating normally due to hang-up or the like, the information processing apparatus 10 is shut down by the power controller 13 different from the main control unit 11. For this reason, even if the heat control software (in other words, the main control unit 11) is not operating normally, the temperature rise (heat generation) of the information processing apparatus 10 can be reliably suppressed.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technique disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can also be applied to an embodiment in which changes, replacements, additions, omissions, and the like are appropriately performed. Moreover, it is also possible to combine each component demonstrated in the said Embodiment 1, and it can also be set as a new embodiment. Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

  In the above embodiment, the main control unit 11 and the power supply controller 13 have been described as being configured by a CPU or MPU that realizes a predetermined function in cooperation with software. The main control unit 11 and the power supply controller 13 may be dedicated electronic circuits designed to realize predetermined functions. That is, the main control unit 11 and the power supply controller 13 can be realized by various semiconductor integrated circuits such as a CPU, MPU, microcomputer, DSP, FPGA, ASIC and the like.

  In the above embodiment, the operation state of the thermal control software is checked in step S15 of the flowchart of FIG. 3, but instead, the operation state of the main control unit 11 (system) may be checked. At this time, the power supply controller 13 may forcibly shut down the information processing apparatus 10 based on a check result for the main control unit 11 (system). If the main control unit 11 is not operating normally (if it is hung up), it is considered that the thermal control software is not operating normally. For this reason, it is considered that the temperature of the information processing apparatus 10 is further increased if left in this state.

  Checking whether the main control unit 11 is operating normally can be realized, for example, by transmitting a predetermined check command from the power supply controller 13 to the operating system (OS) and confirming a response to the command. For example, if the power controller 13 does not receive a response to the check command within a predetermined period (for example, 1 minute) from the time of command transmission, it can determine that the thermal control software is not operating normally. Also, when the received response content is not a response corresponding to the check command, the power supply controller 13 can determine that the thermal control software is not operating normally.

  The power supply controller 13 shuts down the information processing apparatus 10 when determining that the main control unit 11 (system) is not operating normally. Thereby, the temperature rise (heat generation) of the information processing apparatus 10 resulting from the main control unit 11 (system), that is, the thermal control software not operating normally can be suppressed.

  In the information processing apparatus 10, a plurality of temperature sensors may be arranged at different locations. At this time, different temperatures are used as the detected temperature compared with the first threshold (T1) (step S12 in FIG. 3) and the detected temperature compared with the second threshold (T2) (step S14 in FIG. 3). A value detected by a sensor may be used.

  In the above embodiment, a notebook personal computer has been described as an example of an electronic device. However, the electronic device may be another type of device. For example, the electronic device may be a desktop personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or a portable information terminal.

  As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology in the present disclosure. For this purpose, the accompanying drawings and detailed description are provided.

  Accordingly, among the components described in the accompanying drawings and the detailed description, not only the components essential for solving the problem, but also the components not essential for solving the problem in order to illustrate the above technique. May also be included. Therefore, it should not be immediately recognized that these non-essential components are essential as those non-essential components are described in the accompanying drawings and detailed description.

  Moreover, since the above-mentioned embodiment is for demonstrating the technique in this indication, a various change, replacement, addition, abbreviation, etc. can be performed in a claim or its equivalent range.

  The present disclosure is useful for an electronic device that performs temperature management control in the device using predetermined software.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Information processing apparatus 11 Main control part 13 Power supply controller 14 Display part 15 Operation part 16 RAM
17 Data storage unit 18 Device interface 19 Network interface 20 Temperature sensor

Claims (5)

A temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the aircraft,
A power control unit that performs control related to the power of its own machine;
A main control unit that executes thermal control software for performing temperature management control of the own machine,
When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher than the first threshold, the power control unit turns off its own power, and
When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than the first threshold value and higher than a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value, the power supply control unit normally operates the thermal control software. It is determined whether or not it is operating, and when it is determined that the thermal control software is not operating normally, the power of its own machine is turned off.
Electronics.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the thermal control software executes a predetermined process for suppressing a temperature rise of the electronic device based on a temperature of the electronic device.   3. The predetermined process includes at least one of driving a fan for air-cooling the main control unit, changing a frequency of a clock signal supplied to the main control unit, and shutting down an electronic device. Electronics.   4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a personal computer. A method for controlling the temperature of an electronic device,
Detecting the temperature of the electronic device;
Executing thermal control software for performing temperature management control of the electronic device;
When the detected temperature is higher than a first threshold, turning off the electronic device; and
When the detected temperature is lower than the first threshold and higher than a second threshold lower than the first threshold, it is determined whether or not the thermal control software is operating normally. And steps to
Turning off the electronic device when it is determined that the thermal control software is not operating normally;
A temperature control method for an electronic device having

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