IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,061,332
Granted Patent B2
US 10,061,332 · App. 14/330,776 · Granted Aug 28, 2018

Active acoustic control of cooling fan and method therefor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,061,332
App. No.
14/330,776
Granted
Aug 28, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

An initial operating speed of a cooling fan at an information handling system is determined. A microphone is located at the system to favor acquisition of ambient sound relative to acquisition of sound emanating from the cooling fan. An audio signal is received from the microphone. The operating speed of the cooling fan is adjusted based on a level of the audio signal.

Claims (45)

1. A method comprising:

determining, by an information handling system, an initial value of an operating speed of a first cooling fan;

receiving, by the information handling system, a first audio signal from a first microphone, the first microphone remotely installed within a chassis of the information handling system from the first cooling fan, the first audio signal representing an ambient sound external to the chassis;

receiving, by the information handling system, a second audio signal from a second microphone installed within the chassis proximate to the first cooling fan, the second audio signal representing a sound of the first cooling fan;

determining, by the information handling system, a spectral content associated with the first audio signal and with the second audio signal;

comparing, by the information handling system, the spectral content to a profile of sound pressure levels according to frequency;

determining, by the information handling system, that the spectral content is at or below a maximum sound pressure level according to the profile of the sound pressure levels; and

increasing, by the information handling system, the operating speed of the first cooling fan so that a noise level remains below the maximum sound pressure level.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining the frequency associated with the first audio signal.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising decreasing the operating speed of the first cooling fan if the noise level exceeds the maximum sound pressure level.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining an operating speed of a second cooling fan installed within the chassis of the information handling system;

receiving a third audio signal from a third microphone located within the chassis proximate to the second cooling fan; and

adjusting the operating speed of the second cooling fan based on the noise level associated with the second cooling fan.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving vibration intensity information from an electromechanical transducer incorporated at the information handling system; and

adjusting the operating speed of the first cooling fan further based on the vibration intensity information.

6. An information handling system comprising:

a first cooling fan operating within a chassis of the information handling system;

a first microphone installed within the chassis proximate to the first cooling fan, the first microphone generating an ambient audio signal representing an ambient noise external to the chassis;

a second microphone installed within the chassis remote from the first cooling fan, the second microphone generating a fan audio signal representing a fan noise associated with the first cooling fan operating within the chassis; and

a fan control system operating within the chassis to adjust an operating speed of the first cooling fan based on a comparison of a spectral content associated with the ambient audio signal and with the fan audio signal to a profile of sound pressure levels according to frequency.

7. The information handling system of claim 6 , wherein the fan control system increases the operating speed of the first cooling fan in response to the spectral content being below a maximum sound pressure level according to the profile of the sound pressure levels.

8. The information handling system of claim 6 , wherein the fan control system decreases the operating speed of the first cooling fan in response to the spectral content being above a maximum sound pressure level according to the profile of the sound pressure levels.

9. The information handling system of claim 6 , wherein the fan control system decreases the operating speed of the first cooling fan in response to a consumption of electrical power.

10. The information handling system of claim 6 , further comprising:

an electromechanical transducer incorporated at the information handling system;

wherein the fan control system is further to adjust the operating speed of the first cooling fan based on vibration intensity information indicated by the electromechanical transducer.

11. The information handling system of claim 6 , wherein the fan control system increases the operating speed of the first cooling fan.

12. The information handling system of claim 6 , wherein the fan control system transforms the ambient audio signal into the noise level.

13. A fan control device at an information handling system, the fan control device comprising:

a microcontroller;

an output for providing a speed control signal to a first cooling fan operating within a chassis of the information handling system;

a first input for receiving a fan audio signal from a first microphone located proximate to the first cooling fan;

a second input for receiving an ambient audio signal from a second microphone operating within the chassis of the information handling system remote from the first cooling fan; and

a signal processing unit coupled to the microcontroller, the signal processing unit to process the fan audio signal and the ambient audio signal to determine a spectral content,

wherein the microcontroller is to:

receive a profile specifying sound pressure levels according to frequencies;

compare the spectral content to the profile specifying the sound pressure levels according to the frequencies; and

adjust an operating speed of the first cooling fan based on a maximum sound pressure level indicated by the profile specifying the sound pressure levels according to the frequencies.

14. The fan control device of claim 13 , wherein the microcontroller increases the operating speed of the first cooling fan in response to the spectral content being less than maximum sound pressure level indicated by the profile specifying the sound pressure levels according to the frequencies.

15. The fan control device of claim 13 , wherein the microcontroller decreases the operating speed of the first cooling fan in response to the spectral content being greater than maximum sound pressure level indicated by the profile specifying the sound pressure levels according to the frequencies.

16. The fan control device of claim 13 , further comprising:

a third input for receiving vibration intensity information from an electromechanical transducer incorporated with the first cooling fan; and

wherein the microcontroller further adjusts the operating speed of the first cooling fan based on the vibration intensity information.

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: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
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: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
RELEASE OF REEL 033625 FRAME 0688 (TL) Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040027/0757 →
RELEASE OF REEL 033625 FRAME 0748 (NOTE) Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040027/0050 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: NORTH, TRAVIS C.; SCHNELL, ARNOLD T.
To: DELL PRODUCTS, LP
Reel/Frame 039721/0616 →
RELEASE OF REEL 033625 FRAME 0711 (ABL) Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040016/0903 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Aug 27, 2014
From: COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 033625/0748 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Aug 27, 2014
From: COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 033625/0688 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Aug 27, 2014
From: COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 033625/0711 →