IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,604,933
Granted Patent B2
US 8,604,933 · App. 13/734,276 · Granted Dec 10, 2013

System and method for safe handling of information handling resources by monitoring thermal properties of resources

Inventors: Stuart Allen Berke (Austin, TX); Dominick A. Lovicott (Round Rock, TX); Hasnain Shabbir (Round Rock, TX); William K. Coxe, III (Round Rock, TX)
Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,604,933
App. No.
13/734,276
Filed
Jan 4, 2013
Granted
Dec 10, 2013
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2683
USPC
340/584
Abstract

Systems and methods for safe handling of information handling resources are provided. In some embodiments, a method is provided. The method may include detecting occurrence of a power down sequence and in response to detecting of the power down sequence, controlling operation of a cooling fan coupled to information handling resources based at least on a first criteria of a predetermined policy. The method may include receiving a signal from a sensor, the signal indicating a thermal property of a particular information handling resource coupled to the sensor. The method may include determining if the thermal property satisfies a second criteria of the predetermined policy, the second criteria comprising a safe temperature range for handling the particular information handling resource. If the thermal property meets the second criteria, the method may provide an alert via an indicator to a user indicating the particular information handling resource is safe for handling.

Claims (43)

1. A system for safe handling of information handling resources, comprising:

a cooling fan;

a plurality of information handling resources associated with the cooling fan;

a sensor communicatively coupled to at least one of the information handling resources; and

a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, the controller configured to:

detect an occurrence of a power down sequence;

control operation of the cooling fan based on a predetermined policy in response to detecting the occurrence of the power down sequence;

receive a signal from the sensor indicating a thermal property of a particular information handling resource communicatively coupled to the sensor;

determine if the thermal property of the particular information handling resource satisfies a criteria of the predetermined policy; and

provide an alert to a user indicating that the particular information handling resource is safe for handling if the thermal property satisfies the criteria.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

determine, based on the signal received from the sensor, a thermal property of an additional information handling resource of the plurality of information handling resources; and

provide an alert to a user indicating that the additional information handling resource is safe for handling if the thermal property of the additional information handling resource satisfies the criteria.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the criteria comprises a safe temperature range for handling the particular information handling resource.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein controlling operation of the cooling fan based on the predetermined policy comprises controlling at least one of a fan speed, a noise level, and a power consumption of the cooling fan.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined policy comprises a user-provided policy or a system configuration policy.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein providing an alert to a user comprises providing at least one of an audible alert and a visual alert.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to report a configuration parameter of the system during and after detecting the occurrence of the power down sequence.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to lock an electro-mechanical cover covering at least a portion of the information handling system until the thermal property of the particular information handling resource satisfies the criteria of the predetermined policy.

9. An information handling system, comprising:

an information handling resource; and

a controller communicatively coupled to the information handling resource, the controller configured to:

detect an occurrence of a power down sequence of the information handling system;

control operation of a cooling fan based on a predetermined policy in response to detecting the occurrence of the power down sequence;

receive a signal from a sensor communicatively coupled to the information handling resource, the signal indicating a thermal property of the information handling resource;

determine whether the thermal property of the information handling resource satisfies a criteria of the predetermined policy; and

provide an alert to a user indicating that the information handling resource is safe for handling if the thermal property satisfies the criteria.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the criteria comprises a safe temperature range for handling the particular information handling resource.

11. The information handling system of claim 9 , wherein the controller comprises a baseboard management controller.

12. The information handling system of claim 9 , wherein controlling operation of a cooling fan based on the predetermined policy comprises controlling at least one of a fan speed, a noise level, and a power consumption of the cooling fan.

13. The information handling system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to lock an electro-mechanical cover covering at least a portion of the information handling system until the thermal property of the particular information handling resource satisfies the criteria of the predetermined policy.

14. The information handling system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to report a configuration of the system during and after detecting the occurrence of the power down sequence.

15. The system of claim 9 , wherein providing an alert to the user comprises providing the alert via an indicator communicatively coupled to the controller.

16. A method for safe handling of information handling resources, the method comprising:

detecting an occurrence of a power down sequence of an information handling system;

controlling operation of a cooling fan based a predetermined policy in response to detecting the occurrence of the power down sequence;

receiving a signal from a sensor communicatively coupled to an information handling resource of the information handling system, the signal indicating a thermal property of the information handling resource;

determining if the thermal property of the information handling resource satisfies a criteria of the predetermined policy; and

providing an alert to a user indicating the particular information handling resource is safe for handling if the thermal property satisfies the criteria.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the criteria comprises a safe temperature range for handling the information handling resource.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein controlling operation of a cooling fan based on the predetermined policy comprises controlling at least one of a fan speed, a noise level, and a power consumption of the cooling fan.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the predetermined policy comprises a user-provided policy or a system configuration policy.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein providing an alert to the user-comprises providing at least one of an audible alert and a visual alert.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 4, 2013
From: BERKE, STUART ALLEN; LOVICOTT, DOMINICK; SHABBIR, HASNAIN; COXE, WILLIAM
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 029569/0228 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 12581636 · Oct 19, 2009
Related Publication 20130120149A1 · May 16, 2013