IP Library Granted Patent US 11,422,534
Granted Patent B2
US 11,422,534 · App. 17/121,107 · Granted Aug 23, 2022

Systems and methods for heating computing elements in vehicles

Inventors: Joshua S. Smith (Livonia, MI); Brian T. Margosian (Lathrup Village, MI); Kevin J. Nealis (Yardley, PA); Ryan J. Skaff (Farmington Hills, MI); Kenneth John Jackson (Dearborn, MI)
Assignee: ARGO AI, LLC
G05B19/4155G06F1/206G05B2219/49216
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,422,534
App. No.
17/121,107
Granted
Aug 23, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for a systems and methods for improved LIDAR return light capture efficiency. One example method may include comparing, by a controller including a processor and at a first time, a first temperature of a first computing element to a first threshold temperature and a second temperature of a second computing element to a second threshold temperature. The example method may also include sending, based on a determination that the first temperature is below the first threshold temperature and the second temperature is above the second threshold temperature, a first signal to a switch to activate a data output corresponding to the second computing element. The example method may also include sending, to the second computing element, a second signal to cause a third computing element to increase heat dissipation from the third computing element to the first computing element. The example method may also include receiving, from the first computing element, a third temperature of the first computing element at a second time. The example method may also include comparing the third temperature of the first computing element to the first threshold temperature. The example method may also include determining that the third temperature of the first computing element is at or above the first threshold temperature at the second time. The example method may also include sending, based on a determination that that the third temperature is at or above the first threshold temperature, a third signal to the switch to activate a data output corresponding to the first computing element.

Claims (76)

1. A system comprising:

a first computing element with a first operating temperature range above a first threshold temperature;

a second computing element with a second operating temperature range above a second threshold temperature, wherein the second operating temperature range is less than the first operating temperature range;

a switch; and

a controller including a processor configured to:

compare, at a first time, a first temperature of the first computing element to the first threshold temperature and a second temperature of the second computing element to the second threshold temperature;

send, based on a determination that the first temperature is below the first threshold temperature and the second temperature is above the second threshold temperature, a first signal to the switch to activate a data output corresponding to the second computing element;

send, to the second computing element, a second signal to cause a third computing element to increase heat dissipation from the third computing element to the first computing element;

receive, from the first computing element, a third temperature of the first computing element at a second time;

compare the third temperature of the first computing element to the first threshold temperature;

determine that the third temperature of the first computing element is at or above the first threshold temperature at the second time; and

send, based on a determination that that the third temperature is at or above the first threshold temperature, a third signal to the switch to activate a data output corresponding to the first computing element.

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

receive, from the first computing element, a second temperature of the first computing element at a first time;

compare the second temperature of the first computing element to the first threshold temperature;

determine that the second temperature of the first computing element is below the first threshold temperature at the first time;

receive, from the second computing element, a second temperature of the second computing element;

compare the second temperature of the second computing element to the second threshold temperature; and

determine that the second temperature of the second computing element is above the second threshold temperature.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first computing element is a host central processing unit (CPU), the second computing element is a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the third computing element is a graphics processing unit (GPU).

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first time corresponds to an activation sequence of a vehicle, wherein the activation sequence includes a request for at least one of: the first computing element, the second computing element, or the third computing element to turn on.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first computing element provides instructions to at least one of: the second computing element or third computing element through the switch subsequent to the second time.

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

send, based on a determination that the first temperature is below the first threshold temperature and the second temperature is above the second threshold temperature, a signal to the switch to deactivate a data output corresponding to the first computing element.

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

send, based on the determination that the third temperature of the first computing element at the second time is at or above the first threshold temperature, a signal to the switch to deactivate a data output corresponding to the second computing element.

8. A method comprising:

comparing, by a controller including a processor and at a first time, a first temperature of a first computing element to a first threshold temperature and a second temperature of a second computing element to a second threshold temperature;

sending, based on a determination that the first temperature is below the first threshold temperature and the second temperature is above the second threshold temperature, a first signal to a switch to activate a data output corresponding to the second computing element,

wherein the first computing element has a first operating temperature range above the first threshold temperature, and

wherein the second computing element has a second operating temperature range above a second threshold temperature, and

wherein the second operating temperature range is less than the first operating temperature range;

sending, to the second computing element, a second signal to cause a third computing element to increase heat dissipation from the third computing element to the first computing element;

receiving, from the first computing element, a third temperature of the first computing element at a second time;

comparing the third temperature of the first computing element to the first threshold temperature;

determining that the third temperature of the first computing element is at or above the first threshold temperature at the second time; and

sending, based on a determination that that the third temperature is at or above the first threshold temperature, a third signal to the switch to activate a data output corresponding to the first computing element.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

receiving, from the first computing element, a second temperature of the first computing element at a first time;

comparing the second temperature of the first computing element to the first threshold temperature;

determining that the second temperature of the first computing element is below the first threshold temperature at the first time;

receiving, from the second computing element, a second temperature of the second computing element;

comparing the second temperature of the second computing element to the second threshold temperature; and

determining that the second temperature of the second computing element is above the second threshold temperature.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first computing element is a host central processing unit (CPU), the second computing element is a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the third computing element is a graphics processing unit (GPU).

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first time corresponds to an activation sequence of a vehicle, wherein the activation sequence includes a request for at least one of: the first computing element, the second computing element, or the third computing element to turn on.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first computing element provides instructions to at least one of: the second computing element or third computing element through the switch subsequent to the second time.

13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

sending, based on a determination that the first temperature is below the first threshold temperature and the second temperature is above the second threshold temperature, a signal to the switch to deactivate a data output corresponding to the first computing element.

14. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

sending, based on the determination that the third temperature of the first computing element at the second time is at or above the first threshold temperature, an instruction to the switch to deactivate a data output corresponding to the second computing element.

15. A vehicle comprising:

a first computing element with an operating temperature range above a first threshold temperature;

a second computing element with an operating temperature range above a second threshold temperature, wherein the second operating temperature range is less than the first operating temperature range;

a switch; and

a controller including a processor configured to:

compare, at a first time, a first temperature of the first computing element to the first threshold temperature and a second temperature of the second computing element to the second threshold temperature;

send, based on a determination that the first temperature is below the first threshold temperature and the second temperature is above the second threshold temperature, a first signal to the switch to activate a data output corresponding to the second computing element;

send, to the second computing element, a second signal to cause a third computing element to increase heat dissipation from the third computing element to the first computing element;

receive, from the first computing element, a third temperature of the first computing element at a second time;

compare the third temperature of the first computing element to the first threshold temperature;

determine that the third temperature of the first computing element is at or above the first threshold temperature at the second time; and

send, based on a determination that that the third temperature is at or above the first threshold temperature, a third signal to the switch to activate a data output corresponding to the first computing element.

16. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

receive, from the first computing element, a second temperature of the first computing element at a first time;

compare the second temperature of the first computing element to the first threshold temperature;

determine that the second temperature of the first computing element is below the first threshold temperature at the first time;

receive, from the second computing element, a second temperature of the second computing element;

compare the second temperature of the second computing element to the second threshold temperature; and

determine that the second temperature of the second computing element is above the second threshold temperature.

17. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the first computing element is a host central processing unit (CPU), the second computing element is a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the third computing element is a graphics processing unit (GPU).

18. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the first time corresponds to an activation sequence of a vehicle, wherein the activation sequence includes a request for at least one of: the first computing element, the second computing element, or the third computing element to turn on.

19. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the first computing element provides instructions to at least one of: the second computing element or third computing element through the switch subsequent to the second time.

20. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

send, based on a determination that the first temperature is below the first threshold temperature and the second temperature is above the second threshold temperature, a signal to the switch to deactivate a data output corresponding to the first computing element; and

send, based on the determination that the third temperature of the first computing element at the second time is at or above the first threshold temperature, an instruction to the switch to deactivate a data output corresponding to the second computing element.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 7, 2024
From: ARGO AI, LLC
To: VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA INVESTMENTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 069113/0265 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2020
From: SMITH, JOSHUA S.; MARGOSIAN, BRIAN T.; NEALIS, KEVIN J.; SKAFF, RYAN J.; JACKSON, KENNETH JOHN
To: ARGO AI, LLC
Reel/Frame 054689/0266 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220187795A1 · Jun 16, 2022