JPH07141052A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To use a CPU provided with throughput to generate runaway by heat generation when a continuous operation is kept by controlling a temperature by changing a CLK frequency based on the maximum CLK frequency of the CPU, the CPU type and the ratio of operation time by frequencies at prescribed time. CONSTITUTION:The CPU type is discriminated concerning the CLK frequency, kind of a CPU 1, kind of interrupt and CLK type. Next, an operation mode setting part 8 sets an operation mode concerning the temperature control and corresponding to that setting, control signals are outputted to a parameter setting part 9 and a CLK control part 11. Further the parameter setting part 9 outputs a control signal to the CLK control part 11 corresponding to the temperature provided by the temperature check, the set values of parameters and factors from a factor detection part 10 and the CLK control part 11 controls the temperature of the CPU 1 by controlling the frequency of a CLK 13. Thus, the radiation panel of the CPU is detached, and it can be made into a note personal computer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing device capable of changing the CLK frequency.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a heat generation countermeasure for a CPU of a portable personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a portable PC), a method of forcibly removing heat and a method of suppressing heat generation by reducing power consumption are generally used. It was For example, there was the following method.

To forcibly remove heat, (1) a fan for forced air cooling (hereinafter referred to as a fan) is used. (2) A heat sink is attached to the CPU to disperse the heat and Uniform heat generation (3) Make a hole in the case of the device to take in air and radiate heat.

As a method of suppressing heat generation by reducing power consumption, (1) the power consumption is reduced by changing the design rule of the IC and the chip size. (2) The power supply voltage of the information processing device is lowered, Reduce power consumption. For this, various methods such as a method of reducing the power consumption by reducing the most common power supply voltage of 5V to 3.3V or the like have been performed. Then, these measures are basically taken in order to guarantee the safety of the device against the heat generation at the maximum designed power.

However, since the processing capacity of the CPU has been improved and the power consumption has been increased accordingly, the heat countermeasure for the portable PC has reached its limit even with the above methods. First of all, the above-mentioned measures taken as a method to forcibly take heat are inconsistent with the fact that the size of the portable PC is originally small and that an air-cooling fan or a heat sink must be attached. It is very difficult to obtain proper heat dissipation effect. In addition, the unit with an air-cooling fan is installed to increase the CLK frequency only when the AC adapter is used indoors, and when used outdoors with a battery, the unit with the air-cooling fan is removed to drop the CLK frequency. However, there is a limit to the wind power that can be attached to a portable PC, and CP when operating on a battery.
There is a big problem in not being able to fully utilize U power.

On the other hand, even in the case of a desktop PC having a relatively large case, it is becoming difficult to take heat countermeasures due to the limited size of the heat sink and the heat radiation effect of the air-cooling fan. Further, the noise caused by the air cooling fan is becoming a problem in terms of environmental problems in the office, and it is becoming difficult to provide more forced air cooling means.

Therefore, it is now very important how to suppress heat generation by reducing power consumption. However, even with the above-described method of reducing power consumption, the limit is becoming apparent as the power consumption increases with the improvement of the processing capability of the CPU due to the progress of design rules and the reduction of power supply voltage.

From the above, it can be seen that the extension of the conventional technique has limited the improvement of the processing capacity of the CPU due to the heat problem. Therefore, in order to use a CPU having a higher processing capability (and thus a higher power consumption) especially in a portable PC, conventionally there are roughly four methods. Each method will be described below using a conventional example.

(1). When the CPU has a temperature sensor and the temperature becomes constant, the CLK frequency is lowered, HOLD signal, cache control, etc. are performed.

An example of this is Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-181252.
There is a bulletin, etc. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-181252,
It is characterized in that the frequency of the clock signal supplied to the clock input device of the CPU controls the execution time of the bus cycle by the ambient temperature or the like. More specifically, a sensor for detecting the ambient temperature is provided, and the CPU clock is delayed when the temperature exceeds the temperature set by the sensor.
The purpose itself of this patent is to obtain optimum performance by controlling the execution time of the bus cycle depending on the temperature, but the function itself is temperature control as a result.

As another measure, a method of stopping the entire system when the temperature exceeds the blocking breakdown temperature set by the temperature sensor can be considered. As an example of this, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 3
-114409 is available. In Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 3-11409, two sensors (thermal switches) are provided to change the frequency of the clock signal output by the clock oscillating means according to the detected temperature. And means for stopping the operation. The above method has a drawback in that the CLK frequency is forcibly suppressed when the temperature of the sensor reaches a predetermined constant temperature, so that the subsequent processing is substantially delayed.

As an example of reducing the temperature of the CPU by controlling the HOLD signal and the cache signal instead of the clock signal of the CPU by the temperature sensor, there is a joint application Japanese Patent Application No. 4-310540 including the author.

(2). High C only when CPU operates
The LK frequency is set to a low frequency when not operating. However, this is not for temperature, but for power saving.

The present method is a function intended not for the temperature control of the CPU but for the power saving directly. However, there are limits to how to forcibly remove heat and to reduce power consumption by the conventional method. Now, not only power saving, but only when the CPU needs high-speed operation, high-speed operation waits for keyboard input. CPU when
The function that can operate at low speed when the processing of (1) is not required is indispensable. If the throughput is constant, CP
The higher the processing capacity of U, the shorter the processing time should be. Therefore, even if the processing capacity of the CPU increases, the power and temperature should be kept constant.

An example of this is Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-3 of the present application.
54,094, and Japanese Patent Application No. 3-164657.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-354099 discloses that a high speed operation is performed for a specific time after receiving an access signal from a keyboard, a mouse, an FDD, etc., and a low speed operation is performed when no access is made. Japanese Patent Application 3
In No. 164657, the voltage is simultaneously dropped during low speed operation.

Another possible method is to monitor the address to the memory to determine whether the CPU is currently executing or is waiting for some interrupt in a simple loop, and lower the CLK frequency when the CPU is not executing. .
There is also a method in which the application side notifies the system that the program is in an idle state and lowers the CLK frequency. With any of the above methods, it is difficult to completely determine whether the CPU is executing without limiting the program. Therefore, as is obvious, operating the CPU at the highest frequency is the first method that does not impair performance unless there is a problem with battery life or heat.

(3). Without a temperature sensor, the temperature rise curve is estimated from the ratio of the high frequency to the low frequency of the CLK frequency for a certain period of time, and the CLK frequency is lowered when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature limit.

If the CLK frequency and operating time for a particular CPU are known, a rough temperature rise curve can be inferred. Using this, if a certain specific time (hereinafter referred to as temperature curve detection time; here 10 minutes) is determined and the ratio of high speed and low speed operation within that time is determined to be 60%, for example, 6 minutes There is also known a method of preventing the temperature rise of the CPU by performing a high speed operation for 4 minutes and a low speed operation for the next 4 minutes. When this method is combined with the method shown in (2) above, the low speed operation is performed when no access is occurring, so the temperature does not apparently decrease the performance until the total value of the high speed operation time reaches 6 minutes. Control can be performed. Of course, when a continuous operation of more than 10 minutes occurs, the CPU operates at a low speed for 4 minutes after 6 minutes from the viewpoint of heat dissipation, so that it can only exhibit a processing capacity of about 60% to 70% on average. However, since a continuous operation hardly occurs in a program such as a word processor operating on the MS-DOS, it is unlikely that the low speed operation actually occurs due to the temperature limit. The problem occurs with a program that a device driver built in like WINDOWS checks the device at regular intervals. In such a program, continuous operation always occurs, and in fact CP
When U-power is needed, temperature limits result in slow operation. (MS-DOS and WINDOWS are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation) (4). By generating an interrupt to the CPU by the output from the temperature sensor, thermal protection of the CPU is performed by software.

An example is Japanese Patent Application No. 4-310540, which is a joint application including the author. The temperature control is performed by software by generating an interrupt to the CPU by the output from the temperature sensor. The interrupt used at this time is a system management interrupt (hereinafter referred to as SMI) that can be transparently issued without losing compatibility. ) Interrupt, it is possible to generate a high priority interrupt that is not affected by the application. In the case of SMI, it is not necessary to completely control by hardware, so that flexible temperature control is possible.

In the above, the CPU is pre-mounted, but in recent years, the number of desktop PCs and portable PCs, which have a structure in which the CPU can be attached to and detached from the main body and which can upgrade the CPU itself, has increased. Is coming. In the case where the CPU to be upgraded here is not actually available yet, it has been difficult to guarantee the temperature in the past. This is because it is impossible to know whether or not the CPU standard is satisfied unless the temperature rise test is actually performed. However, from the viewpoint of resource utilization and cost, there is a desire to use a PC for as long as possible and a desire to obtain the latest CPU power. Therefore, even if the CPU does not exist in reality, it is required to previously provide some kind of guarantee means in the PC in terms of temperature. A conventional example for dealing with such a case is shown below.

(1). A temperature sensor is provided in the CPU socket or the like to control the temperature. As an example, there is the aforementioned Japanese Patent Application No. 4-310540. In FIG. 10, the temperature sensor 1002 is provided in the middle of the IC socket 1001 in which the CPU is mounted, so that the temperature can be controlled even if the CPU is upgraded.

(2). Optimal power saving and temperature control are realized for each upgraded CPU by receiving information such as frequency and CPU type from the replaceable CPU module. An example is Japanese Patent Application No. 5-154786 filed by the writer. In the present application, PQFP (PL
ASTIC QUAD FLATPACK PACKA
GE), PGA (PIN GRID ARRAY), etc. are mounted on a printed circuit board, and the solder jumper for setting the frequency, CPU type, etc. provided on the printed circuit board is changed to change the CPU.
Notify the main unit with different information for each. The main body receives this and performs appropriate power saving and temperature control for each CPU.

[0023]

As described above, various methods have been considered for power saving and temperature control, especially in a portable PC. Moreover, it has been realized in consideration of the upgrade of the CPU. However, it cannot be said that the conventional method has constructed a system capable of using a CPU with higher processing capability (and therefore higher power consumption). that is,
In any of the above-mentioned methods, there is a poor balance between heat protection of the CPU and use of a CPU having a higher processing capacity, which is its original purpose, and the feasibility is poor. First,
The function of detecting the heat generation of the CPU by the temperature sensor and reducing the CLK frequency depending on the level, changing the HOLD insertion time, turning off the backlight of LCD etc. to prevent the temperature rise inside the main body After the fever is detected by the temperature sensor, it is practically CP
The user cannot use the power of U. If the processing power of the CPU increases and the amount of heat generation increases, this may even lead to a situation where the PC can only be used at full power for several tens of minutes after the power is turned on.

What was then considered was that the temperature rise curve was estimated from the ratio of the high frequency and the low frequency of the CLK frequency for a certain period of time without the temperature sensor described above, and the temperature limit reached in advance was reached. By the way, this is a method of lowering the CLK frequency. This is the CL of the CPU only when the running program requires CPU power.
Assuming that the K frequency is raised, C at regular intervals
Since it controls the LK frequency finely, it takes a longer period C than detecting the heat generation of the CPU by the temperature sensor.
PU power can be obtained. As described above, this method is premised on that almost no continuous operation occurs in the operation of a normal application program such as a word processor operating on MS-DOS. This method does not require a sensor but has some problems.

(1). In WINDOWS, the temperature limit causes a low speed operation. As mentioned above, WIND
If the device driver built in like OWS is a program that checks the device at regular intervals, continuous operation will always occur as a result, and when CPU power is actually required, it will be slowed down due to the temperature limit. Will end up.

(2). Since it does not have a temperature sensor, it cannot respond to changes in environmental temperature. Regardless of the output from the sensor to measure the ambient temperature of the temperature and the CPU of the CPU, and controls only the operating time and CLK frequency results in inevitably set under the worst environment for margin is required from the equipment warranty CPU I can't fully use my power.

(3). When a long calculation that exceeds the temperature curve detection time is required, the power of the CPU is limited. As described above, the temperature curve detection time is set to 10
If the temperature limit is set to 60 minutes and the temperature limit is set to 60%, the CPU operates at a low speed for 4 minutes after 6 minutes from the viewpoint of heat dissipation when continuous operation for more than 10 minutes occurs.
Only the processing capacity of about 70% can be exhibited.

(4). The temperature rise of the CPU is not determined only by the CLK frequency. The temperature rise of the CPU depends not only on the CLK frequency, but also on the cycle used, the function being used such as the internal cache. It also depends on the configuration inside the CPU, the number of transistors inside the CPU, and the minimum line width (design rule). Therefore, in this method, if the design is made with a margin, the power of the CPU tends to be reduced.

(5). It is difficult to deal with several types of CPUs such as information equipment whose CPUs can be upgraded. C
Since the temperature rise curve depending on the operating time differs depending on the PU, the temperature rise curve cannot be completely simulated only by the CLK frequency. Therefore, it is not suitable for an information device that can upgrade the CPU in multiple stages. Not only this method but also the heat generation countermeasure itself corresponding to the information equipment whose CPU can be upgraded has not existed conventionally.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a CPU having a processing capability that causes thermal runaway due to heat generation when continuous operation is continued is generated by the heat generation without deteriorating the processing capability. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that can be used by controlling the temperature so as not to cause thermal runaway. as a result,
The purpose of the present invention is to enable a CPU having an originally large heat dissipation plate to be attached to a portable notebook personal computer (notebook personal computer) by removing the heat dissipation plate.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus capable of optimally controlling heat generation in accordance with the upgraded CPU, especially in a portable notebook personal computer or the like.

[0032]

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is a means for making a first CPU and a second CPU having a processing capacity higher than that of the first CPU replaceable with the first CPU. And the first CPU and the second CPU
CP having means for notifying the information processing apparatus body of the maximum CLK frequency of the above, and means for notifying the information processing apparatus body of the first CPU and the second CPU type.
CLK frequency of U module and CPU is at least 2
Instructions for real-time changing to different types of frequencies (first frequency and second frequency) and means for changing the first frequency to at least an operation signal from the input unit or data from the input unit Is performed by a specific factor (hereinafter referred to as a CLK frequency changing factor), and the specific factor is not detected after a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as a CLK frequency holding time) after the CLK frequency is changed to the first CLK frequency. In this case, in the information processing device having the function of returning to the second frequency before being changed, the information processing device has means for detecting the operating time for each of the two types of frequencies (hereinafter, referred to as operating time by frequency), and each CPU Maximum C
The CLK frequency is changed based on the LK frequency, the CPU type, and the ratio of the frequency-dependent operation time in a predetermined time.

Another information processing apparatus of the present invention is the first information processing apparatus.
Means for exchanging the second CPU having a higher processing capacity than the first CPU with the first CPU, and the maximum C of the first CPU and the second CPU.
Means for notifying the information processing apparatus body of the LK frequency,
The CPU module has a CPU module having means for notifying the main body of the information processing apparatus of the first CPU and the second CPU type, and the CPU outputs a CLK to a CPU core inside the CPU to an external signal (hereinafter referred to as a CLK stop signal). (Hereinafter referred to as "CLK stop mode"), and a mode for inputting the CLK stop signal to the CPU at a constant period for a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as "CLK stop mode"). Means for canceling the CLK stop mode when a CLK frequency changing factor including an instruction for accessing the data is detected (hereinafter referred to as CLK operation mode), and when the specific factor is not detected after the CLK frequency holding time. In the information processing device having a function of returning to the CLK stop mode, the CLK operation mode and the C The CLK stop signal is provided based on the maximum CLK frequency of each CPU, the CPU type, and the ratio of the frequency-dependent operation time in a predetermined time, which has means for detecting the operation time (frequency-dependent operation time) for each K stop mode. It is characterized by controlling.

The information processing apparatus further comprises temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature inside the case, the internal temperature of the CPU, the surface temperature of the CPU, or the temperature on the board on which the CPU is mounted. It is characterized in that the CLK frequency or the CLK stop signal is controlled by a signal indicating the operating time for each frequency and the temperature from the temperature measuring means.

Another information processing apparatus of the present invention is a CP
A means for changing the CLK frequency of U to at least two kinds of frequencies (first frequency and second frequency) in real time, and means for changing the frequency to the first frequency are at least an operation signal from the input section or an input signal from the input section. If the CLK frequency changing factor is not detected after the CLK frequency holding time elapses after the CLK frequency is changed to the first CLK frequency, it is changed by the CLK frequency changing factor including an instruction for accessing data. In an information processing device having a function of returning to the previous second frequency, means for detecting the operating time for each of the two types of frequencies, and a temperature inside the case of the information processing device, a surface temperature of the CPU, or a CPU is mounted. Temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature on the substrate being operated, the operating time for each frequency and the temperature measuring means Wherein C by a signal indicating the temperature of the al
It is characterized in that the LK frequency is changed.

Another information processing apparatus of the present invention is a CPU having means for stopping CLK for an internal CPU core by a CLK stop signal, and a CLK stop for inputting the CLK stop signal to the CPU at a constant cycle for a predetermined time. A CLK operation mode for canceling the CLK stop mode when a CLK frequency changing factor including an operation signal from the input unit or an instruction for accessing data from the input unit is detected, and a CLK frequency holding mode. If the specific factor is not detected after a lapse of time, in the information processing device having a function of returning to the CLK stop mode, the CL
A means for detecting the operation time (operation time for each frequency) for each of the K operation mode and the CLK stop mode, and the temperature inside the case of the information processing device, the surface temperature of the CPU, or the substrate on which the CPU is mounted. Temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the CLK, and the CLK by the signal indicating the operating time for each frequency and the temperature from the temperature measuring means.
It is characterized by controlling a stop signal.

Further, the CLK frequency is always the maximum C of the CPU.
There is a mode for fixing the LK frequency (hereinafter referred to as a normal mode), and the CLK can be selected by a key combination on the keyboard or a pop-up menu that appears by hitting the key combination or a dedicated key.
It is characterized in that it has means for switching between a mode having means for controlling the frequency or the CLK stop signal and a normal mode.

Further, the CLK frequency or the CL
In addition to the means for controlling the K stop signal, it is characterized by having means for changing the power supply voltage of the CPU.

Further, a second CLK frequency changing factor selected from the CLK frequency changing factor (hereinafter referred to as a first CLK frequency changing factor in the present claim) is included, and the first CLK frequency changing factor is selected.
And a second CLK frequency holding time different from the CLK frequency holding time after the CLK frequency is changed to the first CLK frequency. The second C
Means for changing to the second frequency when the LK frequency changing factor is not detected (hereinafter referred to as second CLK frequency changing means in the claims. Note that the CLK frequency changing means based on the first CLK frequency changing factor described above. Is referred to as a first CLK frequency changing unit), and C of the final CPU is further provided.
The LK frequency is characterized in that it has means for switching by the AND signal of the frequency switching signal by the first CLK frequency changing means and the frequency switching signal by the second CLK frequency changing means.

The second CLK frequency changing factor is selected from the first CLK frequency changing factor, and the means for changing to the CLK stop mode is performed by the second CLK frequency changing factor. After the second CLK frequency holding time different from the CLK frequency holding time after the change to the stop mode, the second CLK
A second CLK frequency changing means for changing to a CLK operation mode when a frequency changing factor is not detected;
The final CLK stop signal is characterized in that it has means for switching by the AND signal of the frequency switching signal by the first CLK frequency changing means and the frequency switching signal by the second CLK frequency changing means.

Further, there is further provided means for arbitrarily setting the CLK frequency or the cycle and pulse width of the CLK stop signal. When the CLK frequency is set to a predetermined CLK frequency or lower, or the cycle and pulse width of the CLK stop signal are set. It is characterized by having a function of invalidating the second CLK frequency changing means when set to a predetermined value.

Furthermore, another information processing apparatus of the present invention is a CP
A means for changing the CLK frequency of U to at least two kinds of frequencies (first frequency and second frequency) in real time, and means for changing the frequency to the first frequency are at least an operation signal from the input section or an input signal from the input section. If the CLK frequency changing factor is not detected after the CLK frequency holding time elapses after the CLK frequency is changed to the first CLK frequency, it is changed by the CLK frequency changing factor including an instruction for accessing data. An information processing device having a function of returning to the previous second frequency is characterized by having a function of setting the frequency after the factor detection for each of the CLK frequency changing factors.

Another information processing apparatus of the present invention is a CPU having means for stopping CLK for an internal CPU core by a CLK stop signal, and a CLK for inputting the CLK stop signal to the CPU at a constant cycle for a predetermined time. A CLK operation mode having a stop mode and releasing the CLK stop mode when a CLK frequency changing factor including an operation signal from the input unit or an instruction for accessing data from the input unit is detected; When the specific factor is not detected after the holding time, in the information processing device having a function of returning to the CLK stop mode, the C
It is characterized by having a function of setting the cycle and pulse width of the CLK stop signal after the factor detection for each LK frequency changing factor.

Further, means for changing not only the cycle and pulse width of the CLK frequency or the CLK stop signal but also the power supply voltage of the CPU according to the CLK frequency changing factor, and the voltage after the factor detection for each CLK frequency changing factor. It is characterized by having means for setting.

When the type of the CPU is a type in which the CLK signal is multiplied inside the CPU by using the PLL and used, the first CLK signal input through the PLL into the CPU is used. , A second CLK signal not passing through the PLL, and a selector for selecting the first CLK signal and the second CLK signal inside the CPU.

Further, it is characterized in that it has means for changing the CLK frequency holding time according to the type of the CPU and the maximum CLK frequency of the CPU.

The rotation speed of the air-cooling fan is controlled by the temperature inside the case of the information processing apparatus, the internal temperature of the CPU, the surface temperature of the CPU, or the temperature on the board on which the CPU is mounted. It is characterized by having a means to do.

Another information processing apparatus of the present invention is an information processing apparatus having means for detecting the temperature of a CPU mounted on a removable CPU module and the information processing apparatus main body, wherein the temperature detecting means is a temperature It is characterized by comprising a detection element and a resistor connected in series with the temperature detection element.

Another information processing apparatus of the present invention is a CP
By means for detecting the temperature of U and the temperature detecting means,
An information processing apparatus having means for reducing the processing speed of the CPU by controlling the CLK frequency or the CLK stop signal is characterized by having display means for indicating that the processing speed of the CPU has decreased.

Another information processing apparatus of the present invention is a CPU having means for stopping CLK for an internal CPU core by a CLK stop signal, and a CLK for inputting the CLK stop signal to the CPU at a constant cycle for a predetermined time. In an information processing device having a stop mode, CL that outputs to the CPU at the same time when the CLK stop signal is input
It is characterized in that the frequency of K is also changed.

Another information processing apparatus of the present invention is a CP
A means for changing the CLK frequency of U to at least two kinds of frequencies (first frequency and second frequency) in real time, and means for changing the frequency to the first frequency are at least an operation signal from the input section or an input signal from the input section. If the CLK frequency changing factor is not detected after the CLK frequency holding time elapses after the CLK frequency is changed to the first CLK frequency, it is changed by the CLK frequency changing factor including an instruction for accessing data. The first mode to return to the previous second frequency and the CLK frequency always to the first
In an information processing device having a second mode of fixing the frequency to, a temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature inside a case of the information processing device, a surface temperature of the CPU, or a temperature on a board on which the CPU is mounted, A means for changing the CLK frequency according to a signal indicating the temperature from the temperature measuring means, and a means for switching between the first mode and the second mode according to the temperature data from the temperature measuring means. Characterize.

Another information processing apparatus of the present invention is a CPU having means for stopping CLK for an internal CPU core by a CLK stop signal, and a CLK for inputting the CLK stop signal to the CPU at a constant cycle for a predetermined time. A CLK operation mode having a stop mode and releasing the CLK stop mode when a CLK frequency changing factor including an operation signal from the input unit or an instruction for accessing data from the input unit is detected; In the information processing device, which has a first mode for returning to the CLK stop mode and a second mode for controlling a CLK stop signal without being influenced by a CLK frequency change factor when the specific factor is not detected after a holding time, The temperature inside the case of the information processing device, the surface temperature of the CPU, or the CPU
Temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature on the board on which the circuit is mounted, means for controlling the CLK stop signal by a signal indicating the temperature from the temperature measuring means, and the first data by the temperature data from the temperature measuring means. And a means for switching the second mode and the second mode.

[0053]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in detail below based on three examples. In Example 1, an overall concept and explanation will be given, and in Example 2, an example in which Example 1 is partially embodied will be shown. Further, in the third embodiment, another example of a part of the first embodiment is shown.

<Embodiment 1> FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a notebook computer as an embodiment of the present invention. The notebook computer includes a CPU module 2, a main memory 27 and a BIOS.
A memory / CPU control unit 7 that controls the ROM 24, a VIDEO circuit unit 30 that controls the LCD 28 and the CRT 29, a keyboard control unit 22 that controls the keyboard 31, an FDD 32, and an IC card 3.
An I / O control circuit unit 25 for controlling an external storage device such as 3 and an expansion bus unit 26 for connecting another device or the like to the outside of the notebook computer.

An external view of the CPU module 2 of FIG. 3 is shown in FIG.
Shown in. Also, the CPU module 2 and the memory / CP shown in FIG.
U control unit 7, main memory 27, BIOS R
FIG. 5 is an external view of the CPU board 46 on which the OM 24 and the like are mounted.
Shown in. In the notebook computer of this embodiment, the user can touch the substrate 46 shown in FIG. 5 when the back cover is opened. The user can open the back cover, add two additional RAM modules 47 by himself, and replace the CPU module 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU module 2 is C
It is composed of a CPU 40 and a connector 40 for allowing the PU board 46 to be freely attached and detached. The external shape of the CPU 1 mounted on the CPU module 2 is PQFP (PLASTIC Q
UAD FLATPACKPACKAGE), PGA,
It may be either LGA or any other package. The number of pins on the package is also free. C
If the outer shape of PU is PGA, the CPU module 41
The case of LGA is shown in the CPU module 42. By using the form of CPU module 2, it is cheap, compact, and thin.
FP and PQFP packages can be used, as well as future new packages and C from different manufacturers.
It can also be applied to PU. It is especially effective for laptops with limited space.

A representative schematic flow chart of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6 and a block diagram is shown in FIG. The present invention applies the conventional power saving as a measure against heat generation, the temperature inside the CPU or the case, the operation time at the CLK frequency and each frequency, the CPU type notified from the CPU module 2, the operation mode setting by the user, etc. The temperature is controlled by. Then, the method is to switch the CLK frequency of the CPU, switch the cache control, or set the CPU to the H level according to the individual temperature setting or other set values.
This is performed by setting the OLD state or changing the voltage of the CPU. In addition, in the case of the CPU shown in FIG. 11, the STPCLK terminal that temporarily stops the CLK for the CPU core is used, and the CLK for the CPU core is stopped at regular intervals, so that the CL of the CPU apparently appears.
It is possible to reduce the power consumption of the CPU as well as the K frequency. Further, the above control conditions and methods are not necessarily required to be performed, and can be selectively applied. That is, the present invention is, for example, C
An IC as shown in FIG. 2B instead of the PU module 2.
It is also effective when the CLK frequency is reduced when the temperature rises in the desktop PC having the socket 20. or,
Even in the flowchart of FIG. 6, all the steps are not necessary. As such, the present invention is often numerous and difficult to explain in full. Therefore, although each step will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6, it should be noted that the present invention is effective in the control method by any combination of each item.

1. Step 50 The user turns on the power switch.

2. Step 51 In this step, the type of CPU is determined. This step is not necessary when the CPU is fixed and is not upgraded in advance. There are several types of CPU shapes and types and their determination methods, which will be described below.

(1). Shape of CPU As described above, the shape of the CPU includes PQFP, PGA,
There are LGA, etc. When considering a PC that can be upgraded, as a mounting method, there are a case where the CPU module shown in FIG. 4 is used, a case where the PGA-shaped CPU 60 shown in FIG. 7 is directly set in an IC socket mounted on a board, and 8
As shown in FIG. 3, the CPU originally mounted on the board may be set with a CPU having a PGA shape or the like in the upgrade socket 63 when the CPU 62 having a shape such as QFP is upgraded.

(2). How to determine the CPU The type of the CPU will be described in detail in the next item. Here, the CP for each shape of the CPU is described.
A method of discriminating U will be described.

A). First, the case of using the form of the CPU module 2 shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a simplified circuit diagram of the CPU module 2. C
The PU module 2 is basically composed of a CPU 1 and a connector 40, and an input / output signal 65 of the CPU 1 is connected to the connector 4. However, CPU 1 and connector 4
The number of signals is not the same, and signals that are not necessarily required by the CPU 1 (for example, ground lines) are omitted. SCK0 signal 76, SCK1 signal 75, SC of FIG.
The K2 signal 74 is a signal indicating the CLK frequency of the CPU 1, and the SINT signal 72 and the S2XC signal 73 are signals indicating the CPU type. On the CPU module 2, the value of each signal can be selected to “H” or “L” by the solder jumper 71 depending on the type of the CPU 1. The CLK2 signal 67 is a signal for outputting a CLK having an internal CLK frequency of the CPU 1, and C
LK68 is a signal indicating CLK having a double frequency of the CLK frequency. Since both CLK signals are always output from the system, depending on the CPU type, jumper 66
Switch with. In addition, depending on whether or not the CPU 1 is compatible with the SMI, an interrupt generation due to power-off, pop-up menu display, software power saving function, etc. is selectively supplied to either the SMI 69 or INTR 70 of FIG. Build an optimal system for each.

In the case where the CPU module 2 is formed in this manner, it is the most excellent method because it has a wide range of applications because a number of settings can be set by the jumper 71 or the like on the CPU module 2 unexpectedly. For example, when upgrading from Intel's 486SX to PENTIUM, it can be mounted without using a dedicated IC socket, and the main body can be notified by setting not only the CLK frequency but also the CPU type with a jumper. This makes it possible to switch the circuit by notifying the main body which of 486 with 1.2 million transistors and PENTIUM with 3.1 million transistors is mounted by hardware, and not only a heat sink but a dedicated air cooling. This is one of the important points of the present invention that enables PENTIUM that requires even a fan to be used in a notebook computer (486SX, PENTIUM is a trademark of Intel Corporation).

B). Second, the PGA-shaped CPU 6 of FIG.
A case where 0 is directly set in the IC socket mounted on the substrate will be described. In this case, usually, only the CPU that matches the predetermined CLK frequency is used for upgrading. CLK by the internal PLL on the CPU side
If the frequency is increased several times or the CLK frequency is the same, the internal circuit is changed to increase the processing capacity. As a method for the main body to know the type of CPU for temperature control, there is a method of making a judgment by a CPU internal register or a method of having a user change a jumper separately prepared on the board.

C). Thirdly, as shown in FIG. 8, what is originally mounted on the substrate is a CPU 62 having a shape such as QFP.
In the case of upgrading, a case where a CPU having a PGA shape or the like is set in the upgrade socket 63 will be described. Also in this case, it is almost the same as b). Normally, the CPU 60 of FIG. 7 is the upgrade socket 63 of FIG.
When set to, the upgrade signal that releases the signal of the CPU 62 is prepared, so if this signal is used, it is easy to determine the CPU type for temperature control and power saving when limiting the upgraded CPU. Is.

(3). CPU Type Determining the CPU type is very important in the present invention. In the present invention, higher performance can be realized by optimizing the means of temperature control and power saving by the upgraded CPU. Since the temperature rise curve differs depending on the CPU, knowing the type of CPU is an indispensable element when temperature control is performed by an information processing device that enables the CPU to be upgraded.

The types of CPUs will be described below in order, but the present invention does not necessarily have to discriminate all, and it is possible to have a function of selectively discriminating. a). CLK frequency The information required for the CPU to be upgraded first is the maximum CLK frequency of the CPU. This is the same CP
Even U (for example, 486SX) may not need temperature control depending on the frequency, so it is used for the separation.

B). CPU type Next is the type of CPU. This is to determine whether the installed CPU is 486SX, 486DX2, or PENTIUM. Same C
If the CPU is different even at the LK frequency, the temperature rise curve is different. It is impossible to uniformly control the temperature of a CPU whose number and structure of transistors are greatly different only by the CLK frequency.

C). Interrupt type It is determined whether the SMI described above is supported. When SMI is supported, temperature control and power saving can be performed by software, and thus a wider range of control can be performed than when completely controlled by hardware. It should be noted that the temperature control and the like can be performed by software using other interrupts without using the SMI, but depending on the program, the temperature control may not be possible because the corresponding interrupt is used. Therefore, normally, when SMI is not supported, it is completely controlled by hardware.

D). CLK type Temperature control is mainly performed by switching the CLK frequency. Therefore, it is very important to obtain information on the CLK type of the CPU and how to switch the CLK. CP
Internal block diagrams for U CLK types are shown in Figs.
12 shows.

FIG. 10 shows a standard CPU type. First, (A) shows an internal block diagram of 386SX and the like (386 is a trademark of Intel Corporation). This type of C
In the PU, the CLK2 signal 67 is directly input to the CPU core. Thus, since the external CLK and the internal CLK are the same, the CLK can be switched in real time.
(B) is an internal block diagram of a CPU such as the 486SX and 486DX, in which a PLL that doubles the input frequency is internally provided.
81, and CLK with double frequency of CLK68 is CP
It is input to the U core 80. (C) is the PLL 81 of (B)
Has a PLL 82 that doubles the input frequency, whereas it doubles the input frequency. In the 486DX2, this PLL 82 doubles the input frequency. (B), (C)
In the CPU as shown in (1), the CLK frequency input by the PLL is increased several times, so the CLK frequency cannot be changed in real time. Therefore, when the CLK is switched by such a CPU, there is only a method of resetting the CPU and switching the CLK during that period. Therefore,
Since it takes a long time to switch the CLK, frequent switching of the CLK seriously impairs the performance. This is important in determining the method of temperature control. Further, when the external CLK frequencies of (B) and (C) are the same, the power consumption increases in (C) as much as the internal CLK frequency is higher. Therefore, not only the frequency of CLK68,
Information about how many times the internal PLL 82 multiplies the input frequency is also important for temperature control. These types are notified to the main body by setting the jumper 71 on the CPU module 2 described above.

In FIGS. 10B and 10C, it is necessary to perform special processing when switching CLK as described above, but the CPU has this function in advance, which is the enhanced SL 486DX2 of Intel Corporation. And Fig. 1
Represented as 1. The logic is actually complicated, but it is shown here in a simplified form.

When switching the CLK output from the PLL 82, first set the STPCLK 83 to "L" and the CPU
Stop the CLK output to the core 80. Next, the CLK frequency of CLK68 is changed, and a fixed period is waited until the PLL 82 becomes stable. After that, set STPCLK83 to "H" and C
The CLK is output again to the PU core 80.

However, even in this case, the CPU having the built-in PLL impairs the performance by the PLL stable waiting time when the CLK is switched.

Therefore, in this type of CPU, STPC
A method is also considered in which the apparent CLK frequency is lowered by inputting LK83 to the CPU at a constant cycle for a predetermined time. Then, the power consumption of the CPU can be reduced without changing the external CLK frequency, and the apparent CLK frequency of the CPU can be changed in real time. Actually, the CP of STPCLK83 is set at a certain fixed cycle (the cycle can be set in any number of times using a register).
This can be realized by having a circuit for inputting to U and setting the width (time) of STPCLK 83 in any number of ways by using a register or the like. However, this method has a drawback that the circuit becomes complicated because the timing to stop the CPU core must be taken into consideration. The details will be described in Example 2 which will be described later.
It must wait for a signal that allows U to receive STPSLK83 and actually stop the internal CLK. Therefore,
Although the current CPU has only the structures shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the present patent has a structure that does not impair the performance at the time of CLK switching and shows that the external CLK PL to drop the frequency
FIG. 12 shows an example of an internal block diagram of a CPU incorporating L. The present example will be described only partially, and the present invention is of course effective for structures other than that shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 shows three examples. (A) PLL8 by giving a select signal SEL86 from the outside.
The CLK output from 2 is the CLKB 85 and the selector 84.
This is a method of switching by and supplying CLK to the CPU core 80. When the CLKB 85 is selected, it is directly input to the CPU core 80, so that the CLK frequency can be dynamically switched. By doing this, the CPU core 80 becomes C
There is no loss in performance because processing continues even when switching LKs. It is also possible to fix the frequency of CLK68 and simply switch between CLK68 and CLKB85.

(B) PLL8 to CLKB85 of (A)
7 is added. By having two PLLs, even if the CLK frequency of the CPU core 80 is high and the CLK frequency to be switched is both high, CLK6
8. Both CLK frequencies of CLKB85 can be dropped. The frequency on the CLKB85 side can be reduced as compared with (A).

(C) does not have CLKB85 of (A),
The output of the PLL 82 and the output of the CLK 68 are switched by the selector 84. Compared to FIG. 11, according to this method, it is not necessary to stop the operation of the CPU core 80 at the time of CLK switching despite the same number of terminals.

As described above, according to the present invention, the above various CPU types are discriminated and the temperature control suitable for the CPU is performed.
You can save power. As a matter of course, the present invention is effective not only for the CISC-based CPU manufactured by Intel, but also for all the CPUs such as the RISC-based CPU.

2. Step 52 In this step, the user sets the operation mode for temperature control and power saving. It should be noted that this step does not have to be performed during a series of initialization work when the power is turned on, and a pop-up menu during operation (the pop-up menu in the present invention means that a key combination of the keyboard or a dedicated key is used to Various setting screens appearing in a form of being overwritten on the screen displaying the application) may be set. It is also possible to omit this step and automatically control the system.

Step 5 is a detailed description of each operation mode.
3 and 54, a brief description of the operation and the necessity for switching the operation mode will be given here. FIG. 13 shows the surface temperature rise curve when the CPU in continuous operation is used in a notebook computer. In the order of the temperature rise curves 90, 91, 92, 93, the power consumption of the corresponding CPUs increases. The temperature rise curve 9
Temperature limit 94 even if continuous operation is continued like 0, 91
(In this case, 80 ° C.) is not reached. However, CP that requires forced air cooling means such as a heat sink and an air cooling fan.
If U is used in a laptop computer, it will exceed the temperature limit. As can be seen by comparing the temperature rising curves 92 and 93, the temperature limit is exceeded in a shorter time as the power consumption of the CPU increases.

Therefore, conventionally, a temperature control point 95 (70 ° C. in this case) is provided as shown in FIG. 14, and when the set value is reached, the CLK frequency is suppressed and the temperature is still increased to reach the temperature limit 94. Sometimes it shuts down to protect the CPU from thermal runaway. A temperature rise curve in this case is shown at 96.

Next, FIG. 15 shows an example of a temperature rise curve incorporating the temperature control and power saving of the present invention. Since there are various modes for temperature control and power saving of the present invention, details will be described in steps 53 and 54, but a curve shown in FIG. 15 is drawn as a temperature rise curve.
In the present invention, since the temperature is finely controlled in real time according to the environmental temperature, the operating state of the system, the CPU type, the CLK frequency, and the operating mode set in this step 52, the temperature rising curve is constantly compared with that in FIGS. Go up and down.

The operation mode will be described below by comparing the above temperature rise curves. The user sets the operation modes described below when the power is turned on or in a pop-up menu displayed on the screen by a hardware DIP switch or keyboard combination.

(1). Automatic Temperature Control Mode First, there is an automatic temperature control mode which is the point of the present invention. The details of this mode will be described in step 54, so only a brief description will be given here. The automatic temperature control mode referred to here means the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-354,094 and the Japanese Patent Application No. 3-4039, which have already been described in the section of the prior art.
The power saving means shown in No. 164657 is applied to temperature control. The temperature control method to which the technology of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-35409 is applied is called dynamic temperature control, and the temperature control method to which the technology of Japanese Patent Application No. 3-164657 is applied is called voltage variable dynamic temperature control. .

(A). Dynamic temperature control Dynamic temperature control is not controlled after the temperature of the CPU rises as in the conventional example, but C
The power of the CPU can be drawn out for a long time by suppressing the temperature rise of the PU as much as possible.
It is closely related to the power saving method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 354009 (hereinafter referred to as dynamic power saving).

The dynamic power save means that when a certain specific factor (a specific IO access, a specific interrupt) occurs, the frequency of CLK13 of the CPU1 becomes a high frequency for a predetermined time and is low when there is no factor. It is a method of power saving that becomes frequency. In dynamic temperature control, in the case of a CPU that requires temperature control, the dynamic power save is entered first. As a result, the CLK frequency is made high only when the CPU is performing processing, so that the temperature rise is suppressed more than in the normal mode described below.

In the dynamic temperature control, step 53
The high frequency time of the CLK frequency within a predetermined period is controlled so as to suppress the temperature rise rate from the temperature obtained in step 5 and the CPU type obtained in step 51.
Although detailed in step 54, it should be noted that dynamic temperature control may have some performance penalties.

(B). Variable Voltage Dynamic Temperature Control The variable voltage dynamic temperature control is a temperature control method of changing the voltage in addition to controlling the CLK frequency by the dynamic temperature control. Japanese Patent Application No. 3-164657 discloses a power saving method in which the voltage is changed in response to the dynamic power saving. This power saving means is called voltage variable type dynamic power saving.

In the voltage variable type dynamic temperature control, in the case of a CPU which requires temperature control, first, the voltage variable type dynamic power save is started. Then, based on the temperature obtained in step 53, the CPU type obtained in step 51, etc., the high frequency time and voltage of the CLK frequency within a predetermined period are controlled so as to suppress the temperature rise rate. The details are described in step 54, but it should be noted that some performance may be impaired as with dynamic temperature control.

(2). Normal Mode The normal mode is a normal mode in which the CLK frequency is fixed to the maximum CLK frequency of the corresponding CPU without performing power saving and temperature control. The automatic temperature control of this embodiment always impairs performance. STEP
As will be described in detail later with reference to 54, for example, when a program that performs a long-time calculation is run, the CLK frequency is always low in the automatic temperature control mode described above. The reason is that if a factor that makes the speed high even in the case of a simple loop (for example, main memory access or VIDEO RAM access) is included in the factor that makes CLK high speed, WI
Not only NDOWS but also programs on MS-DOS always operate with high frequency CLK. As a result, the temperature limit is reached in a short time, and the CLK frequency must be lowered due to the temperature limit. In order to avoid this, the automatic temperature control of the present invention prevents temperature limits from being reached in a short time by performing temperature control only when a physical signal from the outside such as a keyboard or a mouse is applied. Therefore, when running a program that calculates for a long time, the CLK frequency is lowered by the automatic temperature control mode.

This is very troublesome for some users. The automatic temperature control mode is designed on the assumption that performance will not be impaired in general application programs.
Although it is unlikely that the frequency will be dropped, it is possible that CPU power can be used effectively if the CLK frequency is dropped by the automatic temperature control mode when trying to create and execute a self-made program such as scientific calculation. No, the CPU power is wasted. Therefore, a means to enter the normal mode is prepared by a key combination of the keyboard or a pop-up menu that appears by hitting the key combination or the dedicated key. The key combination means, for example, pressing the CTRL key, the GRPH key, and the P key at the same time. In the normal mode, when the temperature of the CPU measured in step 53 reaches the limit, the CLK frequency is lowered to automatically prevent the temperature rise of the CPU. Once the temperature rises, it takes time to cool down, so the performance after that is lower than in the automatic temperature control mode.

As described above, both modes have merits and demerits, so it is necessary to provide a means for the user to select. This is one of the important points of the present invention.
Is one. In addition, in the case of calculation that exceeds, for example, 10 minutes to 1 hour, it may be better to always operate at the temperature limit point rather than operating in both modes. In this case, this is achieved by dropping the CLK frequency below the pre-calculated CLK frequency. That is, the information processing apparatus of the present invention is also provided with a mechanism for automatically removing the temperature control when the frequency of CLK is lowered and when the frequency of CLK is a frequency at which continuous operation is possible. This is done by removing temperature control when the BIOS sets the CLK frequency. CL in case of CPU with STPCLK83
When controlling the STPCLK 83 without changing the K frequency, when the STPCLK 83 period and pulse width are in a certain condition (the average value of the CLK frequency is the same as the frequency at which continuous operation is possible), the temperature is automatically changed. Remove control. This mode is not always necessary because it can be replaced by the above two modes. It is also one of the important points of the present invention to have a mechanism for automatically removing the temperature control when the frequency of CLK is dropped. The above is shown below for easy understanding.

(A). For normal applications, use the automatic temperature control mode (b). For processing of about 1 second to 10 minutes Use normal mode The user returns to the automatic temperature control mode after processing. (C). In the case of processing for about 10 minutes or more, lower the CLK frequency and cancel the temperature control before use.

In Example 3 to be described later, the above (a) to
A means for automatically switching to (c) will be described. The first embodiment will be described on the assumption that the user switches the mode using a menu or the like.

3. Step 53 In this step, the temperature is measured. The temperature measuring method of the present invention includes a method of directly measuring the surface temperature of the CPU, a method of measuring the temperature inside the case, and a method of measuring the temperature outside the case. Besides, it is also possible to estimate the temperature curve from the ratio of the CLK frequency after the power is turned on without providing a sensor. In this case, it can be performed by providing a counter in the memory / CPU control unit 7 that generates and controls the CLK 13, and monitors and counts the CLK frequency or the CLK stop signal at a predetermined fixed time. For example, during automatic temperature control, the CLK frequency holding time changes in units of 1 mS to several S, so 10
The frequency is monitored every 0 μS, and the count is increased at the maximum frequency and the count is decreased at the minimum frequency. Then, when the count value reaches 1000000 (which is equivalent to 100 S of continuous high frequency), it can be determined that the temperature has risen.

This means corresponds to the operating time by frequency shown in the claims. Although the outline has been described in the section of the prior art, since the CPU type and the operating frequency are known in this embodiment, the percentage of the operation for each CPU reaches the temperature limit. be able to. If the speed is controlled so as not to reach the operating limit% (the% is taken as the operating limit%), the temperature limit will not come.
Since the CPU does not always operate at a high frequency during automatic temperature control, the counter rarely reaches the operating limit%. When the factors for increasing the CLK speed continuously occur, the operating frequency is automatically controlled so as to keep the operating limit%. (However, consideration of environmental temperature etc. is insufficient as described in the section of the prior art.) Also, the operating frequency is automatically controlled to keep the operating limit% by the actual measured temperature and the use of the counter. It is also possible to combine the measures so that when a certain temperature is reached, the counter% of the operation is controlled.

It should be noted that this step 53 is not a serial process as shown in FIG. 6 but a real-time process. The respective temperature measuring methods will be described below.

(1). Directly measuring the temperature of the CPU Since the present invention controls the temperature of the CPU, the method of directly measuring the temperature of the CPU is most suitable. In this case, two methods are possible. First, there is a method in which the CPU itself has a temperature sensor inside to protect itself or to output a predetermined signal as a warning signal. The other is to attach a sensor to the surface of the CPU.

(A). If there is a sensor inside the CPU Install a sensor inside the CPU
A method of protection by forcibly lowering the LK frequency can be considered. In this case, as a matter of course, only a CPU having such a structure can be used. Although the CPU can know its own temperature limit, it cannot know what the current process is intended to do by the program. Therefore, when a sensor is provided inside the CPU, it is possible to protect against thermal runaway, but it is difficult to perform fine temperature control during operation.
Note that if the temperature control signal from the outside is taken in and controlled, it is possible to perform fine temperature control because it does not change whether or not the sensor is outside depending on where the sensor is. If the sensor is provided inside the CPU, it is considered that the height can be suppressed as compared with the method described in (b), so it is suitable for mounting.

(B). Method of Attaching Sensor to CPU Surface This embodiment is shown in FIG. (A) is a method in which the thermistor 3 is attached on the CPU 1 in a flat package such as QFP. 7B shows the PG as shown in FIG. 7 in which the thermistor 3 is set in the center of the PGA IC socket 20 in advance.
When the CPU 60 of A is set, the thermistor 3 comes into contact with (or is arranged in the vicinity of) the CPU.

In the case where the height inside the case is strict like a notebook computer, a flat package CPU as in (A) is used rather than in (B). And this CP
When U is upgraded, it has the form of the CPU module 2 shown in FIG. Therefore, since the thermistor 3 is set on the CPU 1 on the CPU module 2, the height is lower than in the case of (B), but there is a disadvantage that the height is increased by the amount of the thermistor 3. There is also a problem in that the sensor is physically unstable because the sensor is placed on the CPU module 2 that the user replaces.

One means for solving this problem is shown in FIG. The thermistor 3 on the CPU module 2 is set on a ground pattern 48 (which may be a power supply pattern) extending from the terminals of the CPU 1. The heat generated by the CPU 1 is transmitted from the terminal to the ground pattern 48 and is detected by the thermistor 3.
The thermistor 3 may be another temperature sensor such as a thermocouple.
This method is one of the points of the present invention.

Now, as another method for solving the above problems, a method of measuring not the surface temperature of the CPU but the temperature inside the case will be described below.

(2). Measuring the internal temperature of the case It is the best way to measure the surface temperature of the CPU, but it has been explained that there is a physical drawback due to height and handling by the user. Therefore, here, it will be described whether or not the result equivalent to that of measuring the surface temperature of the CPU can be obtained by measuring the temperature inside the case. This item is also an important point in the present invention.

First, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 show temperature rise curves due to the difference in environmental temperature. FIG. 16 is a graph when the environmental temperature is 25 ° C., and FIG. 17 is a graph when the environmental temperature is 40 ° C. under the same operating condition with the CPU exactly the same as in FIG. Each figure shows the ambient temperature, that is, room temperature 10
2 and a temperature graph of the case internal temperature 101 and the CPU surface temperature 100 are shown. In FIG. 16, the temperature after 4 hours when the temperature is almost saturated is 40 ° C., which is 15 ° C. higher than room temperature, and 30 ° C. higher than room temperature.
It is 5 ° C. And the room temperature is 40 ℃, which is 15 ℃ higher than 25 ℃.
17, the case internal temperature is 55 ° C., which is 15 ° C. higher than when the room temperature is 25 ° C., and the CPU surface temperature is 70 ° C. which is 15 ° C. higher than when the room temperature is 25 ° C. Thus, it can be seen that the case internal temperature and the CPU surface temperature rise by the amount corresponding to the change in the environmental temperature. In particular, note that the temperature inside the case reflects the increase in environmental temperature.

Next, FIGS. 18 and 19 show temperature rise curves due to differences in CPU. Both graphs are measured under the same operating condition at room temperature of 25 ° C. and are shown in FIG.
The CPU has higher processing capability and therefore consumes more power.
As a matter of course, the temperature 101 in the case and the CPU in FIG.
The surface temperature 100 is higher than that in FIG. What should be noted here is the relationship between the case internal temperature 101 and the CPU surface temperature 100, and it can be seen from both graphs that the case internal temperature reflects the increase in the CPU surface temperature.

As described above, it can be seen that the case internal temperature reflects both the environmental temperature and the surface temperature of the CPU.
Furthermore, the surface temperature of the CPU can be estimated by adding a certain temperature in consideration of the CPU type and operating conditions to the case internal temperature. One of the means for realizing the present invention is
The surface temperature of the CPU is estimated and the temperature is controlled by adding a predetermined constant value corresponding to the CPU type obtained in step 51 to the in-case temperature.

An example of actually setting the sensor is shown in FIG. In this way, the temperature sensor such as the thermistor
It may be provided on the substrate 46. In this way, even if the CPU module 2 is replaced, the temperature inside the case at the same point can be measured at all times and the surface temperature of the CPU 1 can be estimated.

(3). Measuring the temperature outside the case In addition to the above methods (1) and (2), there is also a method for measuring the temperature outside the case. However, since the above (1) and (2) can control the temperature of the CPU more accurately, the method can be applied only.

4. Step 54 In this step, temperature control is performed according to each information obtained in STEP51 to STEP53. Among the modes set by the user in STEP 52, the automatic temperature control will be described in detail here. The normal mode similar to the conventional operation described in STEP 52 will not be described here.

As described in STEP 52, the automatic temperature control is the conventional power saving, especially the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-35.
It is closely related to the power save disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 4009 and Japanese Patent Application No. 3-164657. There are two types of automatic temperature control, dynamic temperature control and variable voltage dynamic temperature control, corresponding to the above publication. Therefore, the automatic temperature control will be described while adding some explanation to the conventional power saving.

The outline of automatic temperature control is STEP 5
As described above, the embodiment will be described while showing the relationship with the power saving and the difference. In FIG. 1, memory / CPU
The control unit 7 has an automatic temperature control function. The automatic temperature control function can be roughly divided into four blocks. That is, the operation mode setting unit 8, the parameter setting unit 9, the factor detection unit 10, and the CLK control unit 11. Each function will be described below.

(1). Operation Mode Setting Unit 8 When the user sets the operation mode in STEP 52, the operation mode setting unit 8 outputs a control signal to the parameter setting unit 9 and the CLK control unit 11 according to the setting. Further, the dynamic temperature control and the voltage variable type dynamic temperature control are set in this block by the determined I / O port access. As shown in FIG. 20A, the I / O port access is, for example, bi of 101h.
1 when the variable temperature dynamic temperature control is performed at t0
Or by writing 0 when the voltage variable type dynamic temperature control is not performed.

(2). Factor Detection Unit 10 The factor detection unit 10 detects a factor for increasing the CLK frequency to a high frequency and outputs a control signal to the CLK control unit 11. The factor is different between power saving and automatic temperature control. This is because, in the case of a program such as "WINDOWS which has a built-in device driver that checks devices at regular intervals as described in the above-mentioned conventional example, as a result, continuous operation will always occur, and the actual CPU This is to avoid slow speed operation due to temperature limitations when power is needed. ” Since this point is one of the points of the present invention, it will be described in more detail below. However, this is the setting of CLK frequency holding time and OS
Depending on the (operating system), even if the factors are the same during power save and during automatic temperature control, WIN
There may be no problem in DOWS. Here, an explanation will be given as an example corresponding to a wider range.

First, FIG. 22 shows an operation waveform of a dynamic power save which is one of conventional power saving methods, and FIG. 2 shows an operation waveform of a voltage variable type dynamic power save.
3 shows. In FIG. 22A, a keyboard, mouse, F
When the command signal 120 output when the I / O port is accessed during the operation of DD or the like is detected, C in FIG.
The frequency switching signal 122 for switching the frequency of CLK13 for PU1 changes from "L" to "H". When the frequency switching signal 122 becomes “H”, the CLK signal 13 has the maximum CL of the CPU 1 for a fixed period (20 mS in FIG. 22).
It operates at the K frequency (20 MHz in FIG. 22) and operates at the lowest CLK frequency (2 MHz in FIG. 22) of the CPU 1 when the frequency switching signal 122 becomes'L '. Note that there is also one that can set the frequency of the CLK 13 when the frequency switching signal 122 is “H” and “L”. When the user operates the keyboard continuously, the command signal 120 is continuously generated as shown in (B). Even in that case, the CLK signal 13 always switches to a low frequency after a lapse of a certain period (20 mS in FIG. 22) from the last command signal 120.

In the waveform of FIG. 22, the frequency switching signal 12
The voltage variable type dynamic power save shown in FIG. 23 drops the voltage when 2 is'L 'for a certain period. After a certain period of time elapses after the frequency switching signal 122 becomes “L”, the voltage switching signal 123 becomes “L”, and as a result, the output voltage 124 of the power supply changes from 5V to 3V.

FIG. 20 shows a dynamic power save control port. As shown in Table 110 of (B), this embodiment has shown an example in which there are 12 types of factors for increasing the speed of CLK. 12b of register 110h
Allot factors such as keyboard, FDD, and HDD to it so that they can be enabled / disabled by software. Further, when each factor occurs, how long the high speed operation is performed (corresponding to the above CLK frequency holding time) is set by the registers 120h and 130h. As a matter of course, the number of factors, the configuration of registers, the setting of time, etc. are not limited to this embodiment, and the main memory allocated to bit5 in this embodiment can be set for each area by address. Is.

Here, conventionally, a predetermined CLK
Although the frequency holding time is set when the power is turned on, the CLK frequency holding time can be changed according to the CPU type obtained in step 51 and the maximum CLK frequency of the CPU in the present invention. Considering the operation of software, the higher the CPU performance, the shorter the execution time. Therefore, in order to know the CPU performance, in step 51 the CPU type and maximum C
A more appropriate effect can be obtained by determining the LK frequency and reflecting the result in the power save. This idea is one of the points of the present invention.

Conventionally, it has been known that the frequency of each of the low-speed period 121 and the high-speed period 125 can be freely set regardless of the factor in the waveform of FIG. 22 described above. As shown in Table 111, the maximum frequency and the minimum frequency can be set for each factor.

FIG. 21 shows the automatic temperature control port. As can be seen by comparing Table 114 with Table 110 in FIG. 20, the factors are reduced from 12 to 5, and the set time is lengthened. Further, the maximum frequency and the minimum frequency can be set for each factor by the table 115 similarly to the case of the table 111 of FIG. This is one of the important points of the present invention.

In the case of automatic temperature control as well, it is possible to change the CLK frequency holding time according to the CPU type obtained in step 51 and the maximum CLK frequency of the CPU as in the power saving.

At present, the following three cases can be roughly considered as a case where the factors shown in Table 110 occur continuously, that is, a case where the CPU continuously operates and thermal runaway may occur.

(A). When each factor is accessed at regular intervals such as a demonstration program and WINDOWS In this case, the CPU continues to operate at high speed. Therefore, if the automatic temperature control port 114 is as shown in Table 110, temperature control cannot be performed. (In the actual operation, as shown in a second embodiment described later, C is not always applied during application operation.
Although the processing inside the PU is not continued, a model will be described here so as to be compatible with all programs. ) Therefore, the temperature is controlled only when a physical signal from the outside such as a keyboard or mouse is applied. Furthermore, the temperature control is performed only when the user gives an instruction to the application software.

This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The frequency switching signal 122 for switching the CLK13 of the CPU 1 of FIG. 1 is the frequency switching signal 130 from the dynamic power save generated based on the table 110.
And an AND signal of the frequency switching signal 131 from the automatic temperature control generated based on Table 114. Figure 2
Signal 13 in the case of the period 136 during the WINDOWS operation at 4
0 keeps'H '. In this case, the table 114
After a certain period 133 (5 s in FIG. 24) set by the above, the frequency switching signal 131 from the automatic temperature control is'
As a result, the frequency switching signal 122 of CLK13 becomes "L" and the frequency of CLK13 becomes 2 MHz. After that, if there is a factor (for example, keyboard input) shown in Table 114, the frequency switching signal 131 from the automatic temperature control immediately becomes'H ', and as a result, the frequency switching signal 122 of CLK13 becomes'H'. The frequency is 50 MHz.

As described above, C only when the user actually prompts the operation of the application by keyboard input or the like.
By making the control of increasing the frequency of the LK13 automatic temperature control, temperature control can be performed even in the case of accessing each factor at fixed intervals such as WINDOWS. Since WINDOWS has a function of notifying the main body of the operating state of the application software, in that case, WINDOWS is operating 136
Even during the period, the frequency switching signal 122 from the BIOS changes the frequency switching signal 122 to “L” and CLK
The frequency becomes 2 MHz. The frequency switching signal 137 from the BIOS is output from the operation mode setting unit 8 in FIG.
It is output to the K control unit 11.

(B). During communication, FDD disk copy, HDD formatting, printer operation, etc. More than a minute when communicating with a modem via RS-232C, FDD disk copy, HDD formatting, etc. Depending on the case, continuous access for several hours may be performed. In this case, in the conventional power save, the CPU 1 always operates at high speed. Therefore, when a CPU that causes thermal runaway in continuous operation as aimed at by the present invention is used, thermal runaway occurs during communication even if the dynamic power save function is enabled. In order to avoid this, as described in (1), "Temperature control is performed only when external physical signals such as keyboard and mouse are applied."
If the method is used, it is possible that the CPU suddenly becomes slow when the keyboard or the like is not operated for a long time during downloading such as personal computer communication.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the maximum frequency and the minimum frequency can be set for each factor as shown in Table 115 of FIG. Since the lowest frequency may be fixed normally, only the highest frequency may be set for each factor. In Table 115, only the FDD and RS-232C have a maximum frequency of 33 MHz, and the other factors have a maximum frequency of 50 MHz. The frequency of 33MHz in this case is the maximum CL that does not cause thermal runaway even if the CPU operates continuously.
It corresponds to the K frequency. In FIG. 24, the frequency switching signal 135 from the dynamic power save continuously becomes “H” during the period 135 during communication. Further, the frequency switching signal 131 from the automatic temperature control also becomes “H” continuously, and as a result, the frequency switching signal 122 of CLK13 becomes “H”.
It becomes H'and the frequency of CLK13 continues to operate at 33 MHz. If there is a keyboard input during communication, the CLK frequency rises to 50 MHz for 5 s in FIG.

In this system, the performance during communication is CPU
It depends on the baud rate of the modem, which is much slower than the performance of, and that the performance at the time of FDD access is much slower than the performance of the CPU, depending on the transfer rate of the DMA controller and the access time of the FDD. It is considered. That is, when the continuous access of a certain device occurs, the ratio of the contribution of the CPU performance to the performance is saturated.

Consider, for example, reading communication data from a modem through a telephone line and displaying the data on the screen.
Here, the CPU is involved in the operation performed by the software, that is, until the data from the modem is read through the RS-232C and written in the VIDEO RAM.
Compared to the case where modem communication is performed by serial transfer in units such as 2400 bps, the CPU side has 32 bits and 64 b
Parallel transfer such as it can be performed at several tens of MHz. In other words, when considering such a series of operations, the CP
No matter how much the performance of U is raised, the communication speed of the modem becomes a bottleneck in the overall performance, and it cannot contribute to the actual speed experienced by the user.
In that case, the idea is to reduce the CLK frequency of the CPU to a CLK frequency that does not affect the perceived speed for the user calculated in advance.

Dynamic in Table 111 of FIG.
Even in power save, the maximum CLK frequency and the minimum CLK frequency could be set for each factor as in this automatic temperature control method, but in this case the maximum CLK frequency is C
It can be said that the rate at which the PU performance contributes is saturated. (Only the maximum CLK frequency may be set as described above.) Similarly, in the automatic temperature control, the CLK frequency of 135 during communication in FIG.
Instead of the temperature limit, the CLK frequency at which the ratio of the CPU performance is saturated may be set. Although the present embodiment describes the RS-232C and FDD as an example, the system described here applies not only to the RS-232C and FDD but also to devices that pass through I / Fs such as CD-ROM, HDD, and Centro ( By applying it to other devices such as printers), power saving and temperature control can be performed without degrading the overall performance. This is one of the important points in the present invention.

(C). In the case of continuously operating the mouse during WINDOWS, the temperature limit of the CPU may be reached in any case other than the above two cases. It's WINDOWS
This is the case when the middle mouse continues to operate or when the CPU continues to operate at the highest speed by continuously performing keyboard input. The same applies when the user sets the operation mode to the normal mode in STEP 52 and requests the fastest operation from the CPU. As it is, as described in the section of the prior art, a temperature sensor or no temperature sensor is provided, and the current temperature is estimated by estimating the temperature rise curve from the ratio of the high frequency and the low frequency of the CLK frequency for a certain period of time. By knowing, I controlled the CLK frequency. In the present invention, STE
The CLK frequency is finely controlled based on the temperature obtained in P53. This case will be described in detail in the following parameter setting unit 9.

In FIG. 1, a signal 15 output from the keyboard control unit 22 (or a signal indicating that the CPU has accessed the keyboard control unit 22), a mouse, an FDD table 110, 114, etc.
Based on the signal (or the signal indicating that the CPU has accessed the I / O control unit 25) output from the I / O control unit 25 for controlling each factor shown in FIG. Then, the optimum control signal (frequency switching signal 13
0, 131, etc.) to the CLK control unit 11 to control the CLK 13 of the CPU 1.

(3). Parameter setting unit 9 The parameter setting unit 9 outputs a control signal to the CLK control unit 11 according to the temperature obtained by the temperature check performed in step 53, the set value of the parameter under each condition, and the factor from the factor detection unit 10. . The temperature check method is such that the sensor is not used as described in step 53 and a predetermined fixed time (for example, 5
Min), monitor the CLK frequency and average its C
Estimating the current temperature rise value from the LK frequency, C after 5 minutes
There is also a method such as determining the LK frequency (the present invention is also effective in this case).

However, here, description will be given with reference to FIG. 1, which is a method of using a sensor that can cope with environmental temperature and the like. The temperature check is judged by the output signal 12 from the A / D converter 5 in FIG. The resistance value of the thermistor 3 changes depending on the temperature. Therefore, the power supply voltage Vcc6 is divided by the resistance value of the thermistor 3 which changes with temperature and the resistance 4 and input to the A / D converter 5. The A / D converter 5 converts the voltage into a digital value (3 bits in this embodiment) and outputs it as an output signal 12 to the parameter setting unit 9 in the memory / CPU control unit 7.

The parameter setting unit 9 controls the CLK control unit 11 when the CPU is continuously operated at the maximum CLK frequency as shown in the above (2) (c), and the CPU has a temperature limit. When approaching. Conventionally, the surface temperature of the CPU is lowered by simply lowering the CLK frequency at the temperature limit of the CPU, but in the present invention, the temperature control is performed one step further.

The parameter setting section 9 of this embodiment sets the temperature in several stages and drops the maximum CLK frequency depending on the temperature. Therefore, the maximum CLK frequency set by the factor detection unit 10 is limited by the temperature.

FIG. 25 shows a table for setting the maximum CLK frequency according to the temperature. CP by CPU temperature in this table
The maximum CLK frequency of U1 is determined. In fact, ST
CPU type obtained with EP51 (TYPE1 in Fig. 1
(Corresponding to 4), the maximum CLK frequency of the CPU corresponding to each temperature setting obtained in STEP 53 (in some cases, CPU temperature or in-case temperature) is set in the BIOS. In the case where the CPU temperature is 70 ° C. in FIG. 25, the parameter detection unit 9 sets the maximum CLK frequency to 50 MHz based on the table 115 in FIG.
Forcefully drops the CLK frequency to 40 MHz.
Maximum continuous operation C that adheres to the temperature standard of the CPU 1 of this embodiment
Since the LK frequency is 33 MHz, the temperature limit of CPU1 is 8
33MHz when approaching 0 ° C (here 75 ° C)
The CLK frequency is lowered to keep the temperature standard of the CPU 1 even in continuous operation. In addition, in consideration of the fact that the user uses the environment outside the warranty, it has the function of further reducing the CLK frequency when the temperature limit is 80 ° C (25 in FIG. 25).
MHz).

The actual temperature rise curve is shown in FIG.
In FIG. 26, the CPU temperature is 65 at point 140.
Reaches ℃. Then, each frequency switching signal 130, 1 from both the factor detection unit 10 and the operation mode setting unit 8
Frequency switching signal 1 which is an AND signal of 31, 137
CLK frequency 132 is 50 MHz even when 22 is in the middle of “H”
From z to 45 MHz. When there is no keyboard input and the idle state continues, the temperature also gradually decreases as shown in FIG. 26. Therefore, in the present embodiment in which the CPU can operate at 50 MHz again, the maximum CLK depends on the temperature.
An example of controlling the frequency is shown, but in addition to the above, Table 1
There is also a method of changing the time setting depending on each factor of 14. still,
In the case of the voltage variable type dynamic temperature control described above, not only the CLK frequency but also the voltage can be lowered depending on the temperature.

When the case is provided with an air cooling fan as the forced air cooling means, the number of revolutions of the air cooling air cooling fan can be controlled in this step. Conventionally, there has been an example in which the rotation speed of the air cooling fan is changed depending on the ambient temperature, but in the present invention, more precise temperature control can be performed by adding the control of the air cooling fan to the automatic temperature control.

In one embodiment, control is performed in the following order. ． Automatic temperature control is performed until the temperature rises and approaches the temperature limit. In this case, since the maximum CLK frequency is not changed, there is no deterioration in performance in normal use. The air cooling fan is not needed, so stop it.

.. When approaching the temperature limit, automatic temperature control continues. The maximum CLK frequency is unchanged. The air-cooling fan is rotated and the rotation speed is controlled by the temperature.

.. When the temperature limit is approached further, automatic temperature control continues. Lower the maximum CLK frequency. The air-cooling fan is rotated and the rotation speed is controlled by the temperature.

In this example, as compared to the conventional case where the rotation speed of the air cooling fan is uniformly reduced by temperature, the system is constructed in detail according to the noise allowed in the office and the air cooling fan determined by the size of the case. it can. as a result,
In the case of application software that uses almost no CPU power, such as a word processor, it can be operated without being bothered by the noise of the air-cooling fan, and even with a powerless air-cooling fan that is installed in a laptop, the temperature exceeds the limit temperature. In this case, by separately providing the temperature control means, the effect of the air cooling fan can be maximized. Of course, if there is an air cooling fan, it is possible to extend the operation time in the normal mode described above.

(4). CLK Control Unit 11 Needless to say, the CLK control unit 11 is a block that controls the frequency of CLK 13 based on control signals from the operation mode setting unit 8, the parameter setting unit 9, and the factor detection unit 10.

5. Step 55 The user turns off the power switch.

The above is the temperature control method of the present invention.
CP depending on temperature, software operating conditions, and type, based on PU type and user's operating mode setting
Finely control the temperature of U.

Although the above description has been limited to the method of controlling the CLK frequency from a certain factor for the sake of clarity, it is also possible to combine other means such as a means that operates at high speed only during an interrupt. . Further, means for recognizing the loop property of the program and detecting the idle state by monitoring the address bus and the memory address can be incorporated in the present invention. In this case, if this condition is added to the factors of the main memory in the table 110 of FIG. 20, it is possible to distinguish between the calculation in progress and the simple continuous loop, and more detailed temperature control becomes possible.

Unlike the conventional method, the present invention is devised to control the temperature without degrading the performance in all respects, and is also effective when the CPU is upgraded in multiple stages. According to the present invention, a CPU requiring a forced cooling means such as a radiator plate and an air cooling fan, which has been considered impossible in the past, can be used in a notebook computer. At present, CPUs are being reduced in chip size and power supply voltage due to technological advances. The higher the processing speed of the CPU, the less time the software is actually processing by the CPU. As the CPU progresses in the future, the processing speed increases, so that the ratio of the conventional software actually using the CPU decreases. Since the present invention was invented with this in mind, it has continuity for the future.

Although the present invention has been described by taking a notebook personal computer as an example, it can be applied not only to smaller sub-notebook type, palmtop type, handgrip type information devices but also to environmental problems. It can also be applied to reduce the power consumption of desktop computers. When applied to a desktop type, more realistic control can be performed by adding rotation control of the air-cooling fan to the present invention.

In this embodiment, the example in which the power consumption of the CPU is controlled by controlling the CLK frequency has been mainly described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, CP
It is best to be able to control the operation blocks of U so that only the blocks required by the software operate. The CLK signal may be supplied to the block only when an application using the function such as a numerical operation processor unit is required.

In the future, based on the present invention, software and CPU block operations will be closely linked,
By improving the software and the CPU, the CPU with higher performance can be used in a smaller information device.

Further, as described above, the C having the PLL inside is used.
When it is necessary to wait for the stabilization time of the PLL when changing the CLK frequency of the CPU in the PU, it has a signal to stop the CLK of only the CPU core, and it is apparent by inputting that signal to the CPU for a predetermined period of time. CL on
There is also a method of lowering the K frequency. Since the present invention also has means for discriminating the CPU type, temperature control can be performed by means suitable for the CPU. By controlling the signal for stopping the CLK of only the CPU core in real time, the same effect as the means for changing the CLK frequency can be obtained in appearance. This means that in the present situation where it is difficult to further increase the external CLK frequency by design, the present invention is also effective for a CPU in which the CLK frequency is multiplied by a PLL or the like and only the internal CLK frequency is increased. This is one of the important points of the present invention.

<Second Embodiment> A more specific example based on the first embodiment will be described as a second embodiment. The information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment is a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) having the same configuration as that of the block diagram shown in FIG. This personal computer is STPCLK83 of FIG.
By periodically stopping the CLK of the CPU core 80 with a signal corresponding to, the power consumption of the CPU is reduced and heat generation is prevented. The functions are roughly classified into two. The first is the normal mode described above. The personal computer estimates the surface temperature of the CPU by the output signals H0 to H3 of each comparator 151 as shown in FIG. 28, and periodically stops the CLK of the CPU core 80 according to each value. The second is automatic temperature control. The automatic temperature control has the same function as the method described in the first embodiment. On this computer, automatic temperature control
It is possible to turn it off / on. Automatic temperature control is ON
However, the function of periodically stopping the CLK of the CPU core 80 by the output signals H0 to H3 of the comparator 151 is effective.

First, the CPU surface temperature detecting portion of the personal computer will be described. FIG. 27 is an external view of the CPU module 2 and is a view seen from the rear surface without the CPU 1. The CPU module 2 can be mounted with CPUs having different processing capacities as the CPU 1, and the user can upgrade the processing capacity of the personal computer by exchanging the CPU module 2. FIG. 28 shows a circuit diagram of the CPU temperature detector. The thermistor 3 is mounted in the central portion of the CPU module 2 as shown in FIG. 27 together with the resistor R4 (146) determined by the temperature limit of the CPU. A hole 141 is also provided in the vicinity thereof so as to more easily reflect the temperature of the CPU. The thermistor 3 may be directly connected to the inside of the hole 141, that is, the back surface of the CPU 1. Here, an example in which the thermistor 3 is mounted on the board is given because it is installed by the user so that it is not easily broken and the parts are easily installed. Since the back surface of the CPU accurately reflects the surface temperature, the thermistor 3 is mounted at the center of the back surface. The surface temperature of the CPU is transmitted to the back surface of the CPU module 2 and detected by the thermistor 3. In FIG. 28, resistors R0 (145) and C
Vcc is divided by the resistance value + R4 (146) of the temperature detection unit 147 mounted in the PU module 2, that is, the thermistor 3, and is added to the + side of the comparator 151. Since the resistance value of the thermistor 3 changes with temperature, the divided voltage inevitably also changes with temperature.

The reason why R4 (146) is necessary will be described. Since there are several types of CPU 1 mounted on the CPU module 2, it is possible that the respective temperature limit values are different. CP whose characteristics are known in advance
In the case of U, it is possible to know the type of CPU by the method of the first embodiment and change the parameters for temperature control, but in the case of an unknown CPU, it cannot be handled. Then R4 (1
46) is changed according to the temperature limit of the CPU to finely adjust the voltage and control with the same parameters. Also, C
In order to satisfy the AC characteristics of PU, the limiting temperature range may be defined as a limiting condition, and in this case as well, if R4 (146) is provided, it is possible to deal flexibly. Providing R4 (146) is one of the points of the present invention.

The voltage value in which the temperature thus divided is reflected is compared with the voltage value corresponding to each set temperature, and "H" or "L" is output depending on the magnitude. For example, in H3, the voltage division ratio of the resistor R1 (148) and the resistor R2 (149) is H.
Comparator 1 as the reference voltage that represents the set temperature of 3
Join on the minus side of 51. When the voltage applied to the + side exceeds the reference voltage, 'H' is output to H3. The same applies to other temperature set values, and in the case of H2, R1 and R3 (1
The voltage division ratio of 50) becomes the reference voltage. With the above method, it is possible to know which of the temperatures H0 to H3 the surface temperature of the CPU 1 has reached. Note that H0 is used only in the third embodiment described later and is not used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 30 shows a temperature rise curve in the normal mode. This personal computer operates at 100% until it reaches the set temperature H1 (160), and operates at 90% until it reaches H2 (161). Further, when H3 (162) is reached, the temperature is always limited to 50%, which is the temperature at which the personal computer is in any operating environment. Actually, the speed set at each stage is determined by the CPU 1 so as not to impair the performance as much as possible.

In the second embodiment, the operation speed is limited in three stages of H1 to H3, but depending on the CPU 1, H3 (1
It is also possible to limit the speed only with 62).
FIG. 31 shows a temperature rise curve during an actual application operation as an example in which the limitation is made only by H3 (162).
As shown in FIG. 31, in actual operation, the CPU1 does not always operate at full capacity, and the operating rate decreases when the HOLD enters the CPU1 during FDD access, memory, IO access, etc., and therefore the temperature also decreases. . Actual temperature limit 9
4 is reached only in very limited cases, such as during continuous calculation using the CPU 1 and when continuously operating in the internal cache. Experience shows that the temperature tends to rise when the application program is not operating, such as in the DOS prompt state (for example, it is considered that the CPU repeats the key input detection routine).
Depending on the CPU 1, even if the limit is set to H3 (162), it does not affect the actual operation. In Figure 31, CP
U1 operates at 100% until it reaches H3 (162), and when it reaches H3 (162), the speed is limited to 50% (this value depends on CPU1) and the temperature drops. When the temperature decreases and reaches H2 (161), it operates at 100% again.

In the second embodiment, when H3 (162) is reached, the LED is turned off to inform the user that the operation speed has decreased. This is H3 (16
The same applies when the restriction is applied only by 2). By knowing that the speed limit has been applied, the user can switch to automatic temperature control, incorporate the idle detection program of the application program, and adjust the operating environment temperature. This is one of the points of the present invention. An example of a circuit for turning off the LED is shown in FIG. LE
D155 is a type of LED that emits two colors of RED and GREEN separately. LEDOFF1 in normal operation
58 is'H ', and LEDR 156 makes it R
ED and GREEN are controlled by LEDG157. When both RED and GREEN light up, ORANGE
become. This personal computer has a function to change the speed of CPU1, and at the maximum speed, only LEDG157
It becomes H'and the LED 155 is turned on to GREEN, and at the lowest speed, only the LEDR 156 becomes'H 'and the RED is turned on. At intermediate speeds, LEDG156, LEDR
Both 157 become'H 'and the ORANGE lights up.

LEDOFF 158 is connected to two AND gates 159. In Figure 30, the temperature rises and H3 (16
At the point 163 reaching 2), the LEDOFF 158 becomes “L” and the outputs of the two AND gates 159 become “L”, so that the LED 155 is turned off. The temperature drops and H2 (16
At the point 164 where 1) is reached, the LED OFF 158 turns on again.
It becomes H'and lights up in a color that represents the speed originally selected. When H3 (162) and H2 (161) are placed at intervals of several degrees Celsius, the temperature actually drops for several ms to several S.
Since it descends at, the LED seems to blink as it alternates between H1 and H2 as shown in FIG.

Next, the speed control using the STPCLK 83 will be specifically described. The speed control can be performed by the common method in the first and third embodiments. The waveform is shown in FIG. A signal corresponding to STPSLK83 of the first embodiment is shown as STPCLKN165. STPCLKN
The memory / CPU control section 7 of FIG. 1 periodically outputs a pulse waveform 165 to the CPU 1 as shown in FIG. FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of the one cycle.
When the STPCLKN 165 is recognized by the CPU 1, the CPU
1 performs the necessary processing when stopping the internal CLK 169, and then sets the address bus and status signal 167 to STPCL.
The K status is output and the ADSN 166, which is the address strobe, is set to “L”. And memory
CPU control unit 7 uses CP by ADSN 166
Judging that U1 is ready to stop the internal CLK169, the RDYN signal 168 is set to "L". CPU1 is RDY
N168 is sampled at the rising edge of CLK68 and the internal CLK169 is stopped from there. STPCLKN for a certain period
Set 165 to'L 'and then set STPCLKN165 to'L' again.
When it is set to H ′, the CPU 1 again supplies CLK to the internal CLK 1 and performs necessary processing, and then returns to normal operation. Using the above method, the STPCLKN165 '
CPU1 by making the period of H'and the period of'L 'variable
It is possible to freely change the speed of.

Normally, as shown in FIG. 34, CLK68 is S
The frequency is not changed even when TPCLKN 165 is'L '. This is because changing the CLK 68 impairs the performance of the PLL 82 for the stable period as described in the first embodiment. However, the stable period of PLL82 is about 1ms, so if there is no problem even if the performance is impaired to some extent, set CLK68 to STPCLKN165 to'L '.
If the frequency is reduced at the same time as the above, the power consumption can be further reduced as compared with the case where the frequency of the CLK 68 is not changed. Examples thereof are shown in FIGS. FIG. 36 shows an example in which the STPCLKN 165 is periodically dropped to'L 'and the frequency of the CLK 68 during the'L' period is also dropped. FIG. 35 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 36. When changing the frequency of CLK68, STPC
When LK165 is started up, PLL stable period Tp1
Note that you will raise after 70. The stable period Tp170 of the PLL can be set by the CPU 1.

In this example, the method of lowering the power consumption by lowering the frequency of CLK68 has been described, but in order to further reduce the power consumption, the signal for setting the output buffer of the CPU1 to high impedance is set to "L" by the STPCLKN165. Enter the period. That way, the power that the output buffer drives to the external device can also be saved. As the timing, in FIG. 32, RDYN168 is set to CLK68.
From the point you tap at the rising edge of STPCLKN165 '
Input to the CPU 1 until it becomes H ′, that is, while the internal CLK 169 is stopped. A signal that sets the output buffer of the CPU1 to high impedance is often originally provided in the CPU for the purpose of upgrading the CPU1 (when a high-performance CPU is added, the output of the original CPU is set to high impedance, To kill the original CPU). Of course, a circuit for pulling up the output may be provided outside the CPU.

The above is the description of the second embodiment. Even if the temperature is switched to the automatic temperature control, the above temperature detection operation is the same, so the maximum frequency when a factor occurs is limited by the temperature. The unified control makes it possible to simplify the control circuit.

<Third Embodiment> In the first and second embodiments, an example is shown in which the user switches between the normal mode and the automatic temperature control mode by a pop-up menu or the like. The user needs some programming knowledge to switch between the two modes depending on the application. Therefore, general users may not know which mode to use. Therefore, an example in which both modes are automatically switched will be described in the third embodiment.

FIG. 37 shows a temperature rise curve. In this embodiment, H1 (160) is not used and H0 (170), H2
(161) and H3 (162) are used. First, when the power is turned on, it starts up in normal mode. Next, H3 (16
At the point 171 where the temperature reaches 2), the temperature drops to H2 (161) as shown in Example 2. And H3
Ascending and descending are repeated, such as rising up to (162). At this point 172 when this period (the period in which the temperature is between H3 and H2) exceeds t1 (175), the operation mode is switched to the automatic temperature control mode. Since no factor is generated during the calculation in the CPU 1 for a long time, the operation speed is fixed to the lowest speed, the temperature sharply decreases, exceeds H0 (170) and rides on the curve 177 at the lowest speed.
Here, at time 174 when the period t2 (176) in which the temperature is maintained below 170, which is the H0 setting line, elapses, the operation mode is switched to the normal mode again. In this way, by switching between the normal mode and the automatic temperature control mode, it is possible to execute the calculation for a long time without slowing down much.

FIG. 37 has described the example of the long time calculation, but in other cases it is as follows. The first case is when a soft idle detection program is installed. In this case, although the mode is the normal mode at the time of start-up, the temperature curve transitions at a temperature lower than the actual temperature waveform shown in FIG. 31, so it is rare that the line 162 actually reaches H3. If t1 is set to be relatively long, the mode is hardly switched to the automatic temperature control mode. Next is the case where a soft idle detection program is not installed or it is not very effective,
This is the case when long-time calculations are rarely performed. The normal operation that a user performs with an application program is
This is almost the case. In this case, in the normal mode, once the line 162 of H3 is reached, the CPU
If you need the full power of, you will not be able to operate at 100% speed. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, since the temperature is switched to the automatic temperature control at the point 172, the normal operation is mostly performed between 172 and 173.
Also, when the actual program is running, line 17
Since the time t2 below 0 is short (that is, accompanied by a slight temperature rise), the mode is hardly switched to the normal mode.

By automatically switching between the two modes as described above, it is possible to operate in any case without significantly impairing the performance. If t1 is set to be larger than t2, the performance degradation during long-time calculation will disappear, but a short-term speed-down will exist during the period of t1. Therefore, t1 and t2 may be freely set and may be switched by a program.

With the above functions, a user-friendly system can be provided.

[0171]

As described above, in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, a CPU having a processing capacity that causes thermal runaway due to heat generation when continuous operation is performed is generated by the heat generation without deteriorating the processing capacity. It can be used by controlling the temperature so that thermal runaway does not occur. As a result, the CPU, which originally has a large heat sink, can be attached to a portable notebook computer by removing the heat sink.

Further, particularly in a portable notebook personal computer or the like, it is possible to perform optimum heat generation control according to the upgraded CPU.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a method for attaching a sensor to the surface of a CPU.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an information processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a mounting configuration diagram of a CPU module.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a board of a notebook computer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a PGA-shaped CPU.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of upgrading the CPU.

FIG. 9 is a simplified circuit diagram of a CPU module.

FIG. 10 is an internal block diagram of each CLK type of a CPU.

FIG. 11 is an internal block diagram of each CLK type of the CPU.

FIG. 12 is an internal block diagram of each CLK type of a CPU.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a surface temperature rise curve of a CPU.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a surface temperature rise curve of a CPU.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a surface temperature rise curve of a CPU according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a temperature rise curve due to a difference in environmental temperature.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a temperature rise curve due to a difference in environmental temperature.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a temperature rise curve due to a difference in CPU.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a temperature rise curve due to a difference in CPU.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing I / O ports.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing I / O ports for automatic temperature control.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing operation waveforms of dynamic power save.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing operation waveforms of a variable voltage dynamic power save.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a frequency switching waveform during automatic temperature control.

FIG. 25 is a diagram for setting the maximum CLK frequency according to temperature.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an actual temperature rise curve.

FIG. 27 is a mounting configuration diagram of a CPU module.

FIG. 28 is a circuit diagram of a temperature measuring unit.

FIG. 29 is a circuit diagram of LED control.

FIG. 30 is a temperature rise curve of Example 2.

FIG. 31 is an actual temperature rise curve.

FIG. 32 is a timing waveform of STPCLKN.

FIG. 33 is a waveform of STPCLKN.

FIG. 34 is a waveform of STPCLKN.

FIG. 35 is a waveform of STPCLKN.

FIG. 36 is a waveform of STPCLKN.

FIG. 37 is a temperature rise curve of Example 3.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... CPU 2 ... CPU module 3 ... Thermistor 4 ... Resistor 5 ... A / D converter 6 ... Power supply voltage Vcc 7 ... Memory / CPU control unit 8 ... Operation Mode setting section 9 ... Parameter setting section 10 ... Factor detection section

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location G06F 1/08

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A first CPU, and a second C having a processing capacity higher than that of the first CPU.
Means for making the PU replaceable with the first CPU; means for notifying the information processing apparatus main body of the maximum CLK frequency of the first CPU and the second CPU; the first CPU and the second CPU A CPU module having means for notifying the information processing device body of the CPU type, and means for changing the CLK frequency of the CPU to at least two types of frequencies (first frequency and second frequency) in real time, The means for changing the frequency to 1 is performed by at least a specific factor (hereinafter, referred to as a CLK frequency changing factor) including an operation signal from the input unit or an instruction for accessing data from the input unit, and the CLK frequency is the first CL
In the information processing apparatus having a function of returning to the second frequency before being changed, when the specific factor is not detected after a predetermined time (hereinafter, referred to as CLK frequency holding time) after being changed to the K frequency, the two types Of the CPU based on the maximum CLK frequency of each CPU, the CPU type, and the ratio of the frequency-dependent operation time in a predetermined time. An information processing device, characterized in that the CLK frequency of 1 is changed. 2. A first CPU, and a second C having a processing capability higher than that of the first CPU.
Means for making the PU replaceable with the first CPU; means for notifying the information processing apparatus body of the maximum CLK frequency of the first CPU and the second CPU; the first CPU and the first CPU And a CPU module having means for notifying the information processing apparatus main body of the CPU type of No. 2, and the CPU has a C
A means for stopping LK by an external signal (hereinafter referred to as a CLK stop signal) is provided, and the CLK stop signal is supplied at a constant cycle for a predetermined period of time to
Mode to input to PU (hereinafter referred to as CLK stop mode)
And the CLK stop mode is released when a CLK frequency changing factor including an operation signal from the input unit or an instruction for accessing data from the input unit is detected (hereinafter referred to as C
LK operation mode) and an information processing device having a function of returning to the CLK stop mode when the specific factor is not detected after the CLK frequency holding time, the CLK operation mode and the operation time for each of the CLK stop modes. (Operation time by frequency) is detected, and the CLK stop signal is controlled based on the maximum CLK frequency of each CPU, the CPU type, and the ratio of the operation time by frequency in a predetermined time. Information processing device. 3. The temperature inside the case of the information processing device, the internal temperature of the CPU, the surface temperature of the CPU, or the CP.
A temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature on a board on which U is mounted, and controlling the CLK frequency or the CLK stop signal by a signal indicating the operating time for each frequency and the temperature from the temperature measuring means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. A means for changing the CLK frequency of the CPU to at least two kinds of frequencies (first frequency and second frequency) in real time, and means for changing to the first frequency at least an operation signal from an input section. Alternatively, after the CLK frequency is changed to the first CLK frequency by the CLK frequency changing factor including the instruction for accessing the data from the input unit, C
When the CLK frequency change factor is not detected after the LK frequency holding time has elapsed, in an information processing device having a function of returning to the second frequency before the change, the temperature inside the case of the information processing device or the CPU
Has a temperature measuring means for measuring the surface temperature of the substrate or the temperature on the substrate on which the CPU is mounted, and the first signal is output by a signal indicating the temperature from the temperature measuring means.
An information processing apparatus characterized by changing the CLK frequency of the. 5. A CLK for the internal CPU core
A CPU having means for stopping by a stop signal, and the CPU for stopping the CLK stop signal for a predetermined period of time,
CLK stop mode for inputting to the CLK, and a CLK operation mode for canceling the CLK stop mode when a CLK frequency change factor including an operation signal from the input section or an instruction for accessing data from the input section is detected. In the information processing apparatus having a function of returning to the CLK stop mode when the specific factor is not detected after the CLK frequency holding time, the temperature inside the case of the information processing apparatus or the CPU
Has a temperature measuring means for measuring the surface temperature of the substrate or the temperature on the substrate on which the CPU is mounted, and the CL is generated by a signal indicating the temperature from the temperature measuring means.
An information processing device characterized by controlling a K stop signal. 6. The information processing apparatus further has a mode in which the CLK frequency is always fixed to the maximum CLK frequency of the CPU (hereinafter referred to as a normal mode), and a key combination of a keyboard, a key combination, a dedicated key or a pointing device. 3. A mode for switching between a mode having a means for controlling the CLK frequency or the CLK stop signal and a normal mode by a pop-up menu appearing according to the instruction of 1.
4. The information processing device described in 4 or 5. 7. A means for changing the power supply voltage of the CPU in addition to the means for controlling the CLK frequency or the CLK stop signal.
4. The information processing device described in 4 or 5. 8. A means for changing to the first frequency having a second CLK frequency changing factor selected from the CLK frequency changing factor (hereinafter, referred to as a first CLK frequency changing factor in the present invention). Is performed by the second CLK frequency changing factor, and the CLK frequency is the first CL
If the second CLK frequency changing factor is not detected after the second CLK frequency holding time different from the CLK frequency holding time after the K frequency is changed,
Means for changing to the frequency of
This is called K frequency changing means. The CLK frequency changing means based on the above-mentioned first CLK frequency changing factor is used as the first CL.
This is called K frequency changing means. ), And further comprising means for switching the final CLK frequency of the CPU by an AND signal of the frequency switching signal by the first CLK frequency changing means and the frequency switching signal by the second CLK frequency changing means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, which is characterized in that. 9. A second CLK frequency changing factor selected from the first CLK frequency changing factor, wherein the means for changing to the CLK stop mode is performed by the second CLK frequency changing factor, and After the second CLK frequency holding time different from the CLK frequency holding time after the stop mode is changed, the second C
When the LK frequency changing factor is not detected, it has a second CLK frequency changing means for changing to the CLK operation mode, and the final CLK stop signal is the frequency switching signal by the first CLK frequency changing means and the second CLK frequency changing means. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for switching by the AND signal of the frequency switching signal by the CLK frequency changing means of. 10. The information processing apparatus further comprises means for arbitrarily setting a CLK frequency or a cycle and a pulse width of the CLK stop signal, and when the CLK frequency is set to a predetermined CLK frequency or lower, or the CLK stop signal. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information processing apparatus has a function of invalidating the second CLK frequency changing means when the cycle and the pulse width are set to predetermined values. 11. A means for changing the CLK frequency of the CPU to at least two kinds of frequencies (first frequency and second frequency) in real time, and means for changing to the first frequency at least an operation signal from an input section. Alternatively, after the CLK frequency is changed to the first CLK frequency by the CLK frequency changing factor including the instruction for accessing the data from the input unit, C
When the CLK frequency change factor is not detected after the LK frequency holding time has elapsed, in an information processing device having a function of returning to the second frequency before the change, the frequency after the factor detection is set for each of the CLK frequency change factors. An information processing apparatus having a setting function. 12. The CLK for the internal CPU core is CL
A CPU having means for stopping by a K stop signal, and the CPU for stopping the CLK stop signal at a constant cycle for a predetermined time.
CLK stop mode for inputting to the CLK, and a CLK operation mode for canceling the CLK stop mode when a CLK frequency change factor including an operation signal from the input section or an instruction for accessing data from the input section is detected. In the information processing device having a function of returning to the CLK stop mode when the specific factor is not detected after the CLK frequency holding time, the CLK after the factor detection is performed for each of the CLK frequency changing factors.
An information processing apparatus having a function of setting a cycle and a pulse width of a stop signal. 13. The C is caused by the CLK frequency changing factor.
7. A means for changing not only the LK frequency or the cycle and pulse width of the CLK stop signal but also the power supply voltage of the CPU, and means for setting the voltage after the detection of each CLK frequency changing factor. 11,
12. The information processing device according to item 12. 14. The type of the CPU uses the CLK signal as C
In the case of a type in which the PLL is used by multiplying it inside the PU, the first input to the inside of the CPU via the PLL is performed.
CLK signal and a second CLK signal not passing through the PLL, and a selector for selecting the first CLK signal and the second CLK signal inside the CPU. The information processing device according to claim 1. 15. The type of the CPU and the maximum CL of the CPU
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for changing the CLK frequency holding time according to a K frequency. 16. A temperature inside a case of the information processing device,
Or CPU internal temperature, or CPU surface temperature, or C
Depending on the temperature of the board on which the PU is mounted,
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for controlling the rotation speed of the air cooling fan. 17. An information processing apparatus main body and a removable CP
An information processing apparatus having means for detecting the temperature of a CPU mounted in a U module, characterized in that the temperature detecting means comprises a temperature detecting element and a resistor connected in series with the temperature detecting element. apparatus. 18. A means for detecting the temperature of a CPU, and the CLK frequency or the CL according to the temperature detecting means.
An information processing apparatus having means for reducing the processing speed of the CPU by controlling a K stop signal, the information processing apparatus comprising display means for indicating that the processing speed of the CPU has decreased. 19. The CLK for the internal CPU core is CL
A CPU having means for stopping by a K stop signal, and the CPU for stopping the CLK stop signal at a constant cycle for a predetermined time.
In an information processing device having a CLK stop mode for inputting to the
An information processing device, characterized in that the frequency of CLK output to is also changed. 20. A means for changing the CLK frequency of the CPU to at least two kinds of frequencies (first frequency and second frequency) in real time, and means for changing to the first frequency at least an operation signal from an input section. Alternatively, after the CLK frequency is changed to the first CLK frequency by the CLK frequency changing factor including the instruction for accessing the data from the input unit, C
When the CLK frequency changing factor is not detected after the LK frequency holding time has elapsed, there are provided a first mode in which the CLK frequency is returned to the pre-changed second frequency and a second mode in which the CLK frequency is always fixed to the first frequency. In an information processing device that has, a temperature inside a case of the information processing device or a CPU
A temperature measuring means for measuring the surface temperature of the substrate or the temperature on the board on which the CPU is mounted; and means for changing the CLK frequency according to a signal indicating the temperature from the temperature measuring means. An information processing apparatus comprising means for switching between the first mode and the second mode according to temperature data from. 21. The CLK for the internal CPU core is CL
A CPU having means for stopping by a K stop signal, and the CPU for stopping the CLK stop signal at a constant cycle for a predetermined time.
CLK stop mode for inputting to the CLK, and a CLK operation mode for canceling the CLK stop mode when a CLK frequency change factor including an operation signal from the input section or an instruction for accessing data from the input section is detected. Information including a first mode for returning to the CLK stop mode when the specific factor is not detected after the CLK frequency holding time, and a second mode for controlling the CLK stop signal without being influenced by the CLK frequency changing factor. In the processing device, the temperature inside the case of the information processing device or the CPU
Temperature measuring means for measuring the surface temperature of the substrate or the temperature on the board on which the CPU is mounted, a means for controlling the CLK stop signal by a signal indicating the temperature from the temperature measuring means, and a temperature from the temperature measuring means. An information processing apparatus comprising: means for switching between the first mode and the second mode according to data.