(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0223299 A1
`Ghosh
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Nov. 11, 2004
`
`US 20040223299A1
`
`(54) DISPLAY COOLING
`(76) Inventor: Prosenjit Ghosh, Portland, OR (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`INTEL CORPORATION
`P.O. BOX 5326
`SANTACLARA, CA 95056-5326 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`(22) Filed:
`
`10/434,257
`May 7, 2003
`
`Publication Classification
`(51) Int. Cl." ....................................................... G06F 1/20
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 361/687
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Apparatus and method for cooling a display unit includes
`having a first Set of one or more openings to allow pressured
`air to enter a display unit housing and a Second Set of one or
`more openings to allow the air to exit. The pressured air is
`generated by an air movement device. The air movement
`device may be internal or external to the display unit
`housing.
`
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`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1015.001
`IPR 2023-00199
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 11, 2004 Sheet 1 of 9
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`SEC Exhibit 1015.002
`IPR 2023-00199
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 11, 2004 Sheet 2 of 9
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`IPR 2023-00199
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`SEC Exhibit 1015.005
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`SEC Exhibit 1015.006
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 11, 2004 Sheet 6 of 9
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`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1015.007
`IPR 2023-00199
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 11, 2004 Sheet 7 of 9
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`SEC Exhibit 1015.008
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`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1015.009
`IPR 2023-00199
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 11, 2004 Sheet 9 of 9
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`US 2004/0223299 A1
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`IPR 2023-00199
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`US 2004/0223299 A1
`
`Nov. 11, 2004
`
`DISPLAY COOLING
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0001. The present invention relates to the field of thermal
`management, and more particularly, to heat removal from a
`computing device.
`
`BACKGROUND
`0002 Smaller and more powerful electronic components
`allow for the design and construction of higher performance
`portable computing devices (e.g., laptop or notebook com
`puters). Unfortunately, the use of Such powerful electronic
`components often results in increased heat generation. Thus,
`heat dissipation technology is often used to maintain oper
`ating temperatures of the computing devices.
`0003) A portable computing device typically includes a
`base unit and a display unit. The base unit usually includes
`an input device (e.g., a keyboard or a touchpad) and a
`number of electronic components (e.g., processor, disk
`drive, memory modules, etc.). When in operation, each of
`these electronic components may generate a different
`amount of heat. In addition, the display unit may also
`generate a certain amount of heat when being active for a
`period of time.
`0004 Maintaining the temperatures of the electronic
`components and of the display is important to ensure per
`formance, reliability, and safety. Most integrated circuits
`have specified maximum operating temperatures. When the
`temperature exceeds a specified maximum, the electronic
`component may fail. Typically, the base unit may include a
`fan employed to dissipate heat from the electronic compo
`nents. The fan may be located in the rear wall of the base unit
`and may be constructed to induce airflow acroSS the various
`electronic components in the base unit.
`0005. When the display is intergrated into the base unit
`(e.g., a tablet-like construction), the airflow induced by the
`fan in the base unit may also help cool the display unit.
`However, when the display unit is attached to the base unit
`(e.g., a clamshell-like construction), the airflow in the base
`unit may have minimal effect on the heat generated by the
`display unit. In a portable computing device, the display unit
`is normally thin and display cooling is typically passive.
`Keeping the display unit cool may help increase its reliabil
`ity and reduce power consumption of the portable comput
`ing device.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`0006 The present invention is illustrated by way of
`example and not limitation in the figures of the accompa
`nying drawings.
`0007 FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a side view and a front
`View of a prior art portable computing device.
`0008 FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a side view and a front
`View of a portable computing device that includes an air
`movement device to cool a display unit, according to one
`embodiment.
`0009 FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of another portable
`computing device that includes an air movement device to
`cool a display unit, according to one embodiment.
`
`0010 FIG. 4 illustrates a tablet computing device,
`according to one embodiment.
`0011 FIG. 5 illustrates a tablet computing device that
`includes openings to receive pressured airflow, according to
`one embodiment.
`0012 FIG. 6 illustrates a third tablet computing device
`that includes openings to enable pressured airflow to enter,
`according to one embodiment.
`0013 FIG. 7 illustrates a tablet computing device with an
`air movement device, according to one embodiment.
`0014 FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of
`a process used to cool a display unit of a computing device,
`according to one embodiment.
`0015 FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating another pro
`ceSS used to cool a display of a computing device, according
`to one embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`0016 For one embodiment, a method for cooling a dis
`play unit is disclosed. The display unit may include a
`housing and a display Screen. The housing may include one
`or more openings. Airflow is blown through the one or more
`openings into the housing of the display unit using an active
`cooling device external to the display unit.
`0017. In the following description, numerous specific
`details, Such as component types, heat dissipation device
`sizes, and heat dissipation component mounting structures,
`and locations are set forth in order to provide a more
`thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be
`appreciated, however, by one skilled in the art that the
`invention may be practiced without Such specific details.
`0018 FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a side view and a front
`View of a prior art portable computing device. Portable
`computing device 100 may be a laptop computer, a notebook
`computer, or any other portable computing device. The
`portable computing device 100 may include a base unit 105
`and a display unit 110. The display unit 110 may be attached
`to the base unit 105 using one or more attachment mecha
`nisms (not shown) Such as, for example, hinges. The por
`table computing device 100 may include many electronic
`components. These electronic components may include a
`memory system, a disk and/or CD ROM drive, audio and
`Video hardware, connectivity (i.e., network and modem)
`hardware, a power Supply, etc. Most of these electronic
`components may be in the base unit 105 instead of being in
`the display unit 110. Typically, the base unit 105 may
`include one or more cooling devices to reduce temperature.
`For example, the cooling devices may include heap pipes,
`heat eXchangers, etc. The display unit 110 may include a
`display Screen 112 which may be, for example, liquid
`crystals display (LCD).
`0019 FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a side view and a front
`View of a portable computing device that includes an air
`movement device in a base unit, according to one embodi
`ment. Portable computing device 101 may include a base
`unit 115 and a display unit 120. For one embodiment, the
`base unit 115 may include an air movement device 125. The
`air movement device 125 may be, for example, a fan, a
`blower, etc. The base unit 115 may also include one or more
`openings (not shown) to allow airflow 127 generated by the
`
`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1015.011
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`

`

`US 2004/0223299 A1
`
`Nov. 11, 2004
`
`air movement device 125 to flow out of the base unit 115. In
`this example, the location of the air movement device 125 is
`for illustration only and may vary depending on the imple
`mentations.
`0020 For one embodiment, the display unit 120 may be
`an enclosure having a display Screen 122 and electronic
`components associated with the display unit 120. Depending
`on the implementations of the portable computing device
`101, the display unit 120 may also include other electronic
`components Such as, for example, circuits, memory chips,
`batteries, processor, etc. The electronic components may be
`located behind the display screen 122. The display unit 120
`may include one or more openings or vents 123 (may be
`referred to as entry openings) located at or near its bottom
`edge. The display unit 120 may also include one or more
`openings 121 located at or near its top edge (may be referred
`to as exit openings).
`0021
`For one embodiment, when the entry openings 123
`at or near the bottom edge of the display unit 120 is placed
`in a location having pressured airflow, the entry openings
`123 may allow the pressured airflow to flow into the display
`unit 120 behind the display screen 122 to cool the electronic
`components in the display unit 120. In this example, the
`entry openings 123 is placed near the one or more openings
`(not shown) of the base unit 115 to receive the airflow 127
`flowing out of the base unit 115.
`0022. For one embodiment, the airflow 127 generated by
`the air movement device 125 may have a pressure higher
`than the air released by the display unit 120. This may allow
`the airflow 127 to flow (in the direction illustrated by the
`arrows) into the display unit 120 at the entry openings 123
`and out of the display unit 120 at the exit openings 121. For
`one embodiment, the air movement device 125 is positioned
`Such that that the preSSured air that flows into the display
`unit 120 is of a lower temperature than the ambient air
`within the display unit 120. As the air flows toward the exit
`openings 121, the air temperature may rise.
`0023 FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of another portable
`computing device that includes an air movement device,
`according to one embodiment. Portable computing device
`102 may include a base unit 117 and a display unit 120. For
`one embodiment, the display unit 120 of the portable com
`puting device 102 may be detachable from the base unit 117.
`In this example, the display unit 120 of the portable com
`puting device 102 may be attached to the base unit 117 using
`attachment 124. The attachment 124 may also enable the
`display unit 120 to Stay upright with respect to the base unit
`117, as illustrated. Note that in this example, the air move
`ment device 125 of the portable computing device 102 may
`be positioned at a different location comparing to the loca
`tion illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. This may allow the
`airflow 127 to enter the display unit 120 when the display
`unit 120 is positioned as shown in FIG. 3.
`0024.
`It may be noted that, in this example, because the
`display unit 120 may be detached from the base unit 117, the
`display unit 120 may include hardware logic to enable it to
`perform as a tablet computing device. The hardware logic
`may include, for example, memory Subsystem, I/O Sub
`System, processor, etc. In this example, the base unit 117
`may not include the same hardware logic as the base unit
`105 of the portable computing device 100 illustrated in FIG.
`1. For example, the base unit 117 may include a keyboard,
`one or more hard drives, etc.
`
`0025 For one embodiment, when the display unit 120 is
`detached, cooling of the electronic components in the dis
`play unit 120 may be achieved by placing the display unit
`120 on a surface that provides pressured air. FIG. 4 illus
`trates a tablet computing device, according to one embodi
`ment. For one embodiment, the display unit 120 may include
`electronic components to enable it to perform as a tablet
`computing device. Surface 130 may have one or more
`openings (not shown) and an air movement device 125
`underneath. The air movement device 125 may generate
`preSSured air which may flow through the one or more
`openings of the surface 130. The display unit 120 may be
`positioned Such that the pressured air 127 may enter the
`display unit 120 at the entry openings 123 near the bottom
`of the display unit 120.
`0026. The entry openings 123 and the exit openings 121
`on the display unit 120 may be positioned based on con
`centration of heat inside the display unit 120. For example,
`depending on how the electronic components are arranged in
`the display unit 120, certain areas (e.g., hot spots) may be
`warmer than others. Thus, it may be desirable to allow the
`airflow to flow past these areas when the air is still cool. This
`may help increase the Overall cooling effectiveness of the
`airflow. FIG. 5 illustrates a tablet computing system that
`includes exit openings, according to one embodiment. Note
`that display unit 140 (which may perform as a tablet
`computing device) may include exit openings 126 on upper
`part of the back of the display unit 140, as compared to the
`exit openings 121 located at the top edge of the display unit
`140. FIG. 6 illustrates a tablet computing device that
`includes entry openings, according to one embodiment. Note
`that display unit 142 (which may perform as a tablet
`computing device) may include entry openings 128 on lower
`part of the back of the display unit 142, as compared to the
`entry openings 123 being at the bottom edge of the display
`unit 142.
`0027 FIG. 7 illustrates a tablet computing device with an
`air movement device, according to one embodiment. For one
`embodiment, display unit 155 (which may perform as a
`tablet computing device) may include a display Screen 120
`and an air movement device 150 in an enclosure that makes
`up the display unit 155. The air movement device 150 may
`be positioned behind the display screen 120 and toward the
`bottom of the display unit 155. The display unit 155 may
`also include one or more openings 160 to enable the air
`movement device 150 to pull cool air from outside of the
`display unit 155. Air flow 127 generated by the air move
`ment device 150 may cause an increase in pressure in the
`bottom region of the display unit 155 enabling the air to flow
`toward the exit openings 165 located toward the top of the
`display unit 155. This may help with heat dissipation of the
`electronic components in the display unit 155.
`0028 FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating one process
`used to cool a display of a computing device, according to
`one embodiment. In this example, the display unit does not
`have its own air movement device and may rely on an
`external air movement device to help with its heat dissipa
`tion. At block 805, the display unit is positioned near an air
`movement device. To increase the amount of pressured air
`received from the air movement device, it may be desirable
`to position the entry openings of the display unit near the air
`movement device. At block 810, the electronic components
`in the display unit are cooled by the pressured air that enters
`
`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1015.012
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`

`

`US 2004/0223299 A1
`
`Nov. 11, 2004
`
`the display unit at the entry openings and flows behind the
`display Screen toward the exit openings of the display unit.
`0029. For one embodiment, when the display unit has its
`own air movement device or when it is attached to a base
`unit that has an air movement device, the display unit may
`include a temperature Sensor that measures the temperature
`of the ambient air inside the display unit. The temperature
`Sensor may be coupled to a temperature manager which
`manages the operation of the air movement device. One or
`more predetermined temperature thresholds may be used by
`the temperature manager to control the operation of the air
`movement device to provide more efficient thermal man
`agement.
`0030 FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating another pro
`ceSS used to cool a display of a computing device, according
`to one embodiment. In this example, the display unit may
`have its own air movement device or it may be attached to
`a base unit that has an air movement device. At block 905,
`a test is made to determine if the temperature of the ambient
`air exceeds a threshold temperature. When the threshold is
`exceeded, the air movement device is turned on, as shown in
`block 915. It may be possible that the air movement device
`is already on but the temperature of the ambient air may still
`exceed the temperature threshold. From block 915, the
`process continues at block 905.
`0031. From block 905, when the temperature threshold is
`not exceeded, the process flow to block 910 where a test is
`made to determine if the air movement device is on. When
`the air movement device is on, the process flows from block
`910 to block 920 where the air movement device is turned
`off to save power. From block 920, the process than con
`tinues to block 905. From block 910, when the air movement
`device is not on, the process flows from block 910 to block
`905.
`0.032 The operations of these various methods may be
`implemented by a processor in a computing device, which
`executes Sequences of computer program instructions which
`are Stored in a memory which may be considered to be a
`machine-readable Storage media. For example, the comput
`ing device may be the portable computing device 102
`illustrated in FIG. 3. The memory may be random access
`memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a persistent
`Storage memory, Such as mass Storage device or any com
`bination of these devices. Execution of the Sequences of
`instruction may cause the processor to perform operations
`according to one embodiment the present invention Such as,
`for example, the operations described in FIGS. 8-9.
`0033. This invention has been described with reference to
`Specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however,
`be evident to persons having the benefit of this disclosure
`that various modifications and changes may be made to
`these embodiments without departing from the broader Spirit
`and Scope of the invention. The Specification and drawings
`are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than
`a restrictive Sense.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A System, comprising:
`a base unit having a cooling device; and
`a display unit attached to the base unit and adapted to
`receive airflow generated by the cooling device.
`
`2. The System of claim 1, wherein the display unit
`includes a first housing, the first housing including a first Set
`of one or more openings to receive the airflow generated by
`the cooling device.
`3. The system of claim 2, wherein the display unit further
`includes a display Screen, the airflow generated by the
`cooling device flowing behind the display Screen.
`4. The System of claim 1, wherein the cooling device is a
`fan.
`5. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit includes
`a Second housing, the cooling device located inside the
`Second housing.
`6. The System of claim 5, wherein the Second housing
`includes a Second Set of one or more openings, the airflow
`generated by the cooling device flowing through the Second
`Set of one or more openings and the first Set of one or more
`openings.
`7. The system of claim 6, wherein the second set of one
`or more openings is positioned near the first Set of one or
`more openings.
`8. The system of claim 6, wherein the second set of one
`or more openings is positioned relative to the first Set of one
`or more openings to increase the airflow received by the
`display unit.
`9. The system of claim 6, wherein the cooling device is
`positioned relative to the Second Set of one or more openings
`to increase pressure of the airflow received by the display
`unit.
`10. The system of claim 6, wherein the first housing
`includes a third set of one or more openings, wherein the
`airflow received by the display unit exits the display unit at
`the third Set of one or more openings.
`11. The system of claim 11, wherein the third set of one
`or more openings is positioned relative to the first Set of one
`or more openings to increase heat dissipation of the display
`unit.
`12. An apparatus, comprising:
`a first enclosure, the first enclosure including an air
`movement device; and
`a Second enclosure coupled to the first enclosure, the
`Second enclosure including heat-generating electronic
`components associated with a display Screen, the Sec
`ond enclosure further including a first opening to
`receive airflow generated by the air movement device,
`the airflow is to cool the heat-generating electronic
`components in the Second enclosure.
`13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the Second enclo
`Sure further includes a Second opening to release the air
`received at the first opening.
`14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the Second open
`ing is positioned away from the first opening to enable the
`airflow to cool more heat-generating electronic components.
`15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the airflow flows
`from the first opening to the Second opening behind the
`display Screen.
`16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the display Screen
`is a liquid crystal display (LCD).
`17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the airflow gen
`erated by the air movement device further cools heat
`generating electronic components in the first enclosure.
`18. An apparatus, comprising:
`a housing, the housing including an air movement device,
`a first opening, a Second opening, and electronic com
`
`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1015.013
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`

`

`US 2004/0223299 A1
`
`Nov. 11, 2004
`
`ponents associated with a display Screen, the air move
`ment device is to cause airflow to enter the housing
`through the first opening and to flow behind the display
`Screen toward the Second opening.
`19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the housing
`further includes a processor and electronic components
`asSociated with the processor, the processor coupled to the
`display Screen, wherein the airflow is to cool the electronic
`components associated with the display Screen and the
`electronic components associated with the processor.
`20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the air movement
`device is a fan, and the display Screen is a liquid crystal
`display (LCD).
`21. A display unit in a mobile computing device, com
`prising:
`a display Screen; and
`a first Set of one or more openings to receive pressured air
`caused by a cooling device, the air is to flow behind the
`display Screen to a Second Set of one or more openings.
`22. The display unit of claim 21, further comprising
`electronic components associated with the display Screen,
`and wherein the pressured air is to cool the electronic
`components.
`23. The display unit of claim 22, wherein the first set of
`one or more openings is positioned at a location where there
`is a high concentration of heat generated by the electronic
`components associated with the display Screen.
`24. The display unit of claim 22, wherein the second set
`of one or more openings is positioned relative to the first Set
`of one or more openings to enable more cooling of the
`electronic components associated with the display Screen.
`25. A computer System, comprising:
`a base unit, the base unit including an air movement unit
`to generate airflow; and
`a display unit coupled to the base unit, the display unit
`including a display Screen and a first opening, wherein
`the first opening is positioned close to the air movement
`unit to receive the airflow generated by the air move
`ment unit.
`26. The system of claim 25, wherein heat generated by
`electronic components associated with the display Screen is
`cooled by the airflow received at the first opening.
`27. The system of claim 25, wherein the display unit
`further includes a Second opening to allow croSS ventilation
`of the airflow received at the first opening.
`28. The system of claim 25, wherein the base unit further
`includes a processor and electronic components associated
`with the processor, and wherein heat generated by the
`electronic components associated with the processor is
`cooled by the airflow generated by the air movement unit.
`29. A method, comprising:
`forcing air through a first Set of one or more openings of
`a display unit housing into the display unit housing, the
`air generated by an air movement device external to the
`display unit housing and is to dissipate heat generated
`by one or more electronic components included in the
`display unit housing.
`30. The method of claim 29, wherein the air exits the
`display unit housing through a Second Set of one or more
`openings.
`
`31. The method of claim 29, wherein the display unit
`housing includes a display Screen and electronic components
`asSociated with the display Screen.
`32. The method of claim 31, wherein the display unit
`housing further includes a processing unit.
`33. The method of claim 29, wherein the air movement
`device is included in a base unit housing coupled to the
`display unit housing.
`34. A method, comprising:
`determining if temperature of ambient air inside a display
`unit housing exceeds a predetermined temperature
`threshold; and
`when the temperature of the ambient air exceeds the
`predetermined temperature threshold and an air move
`ment device associated with the display unit housing is
`not turned on, turning on the air movement device,
`wherein air generated by the air movement device is to
`enter the display unit housing through a first Set of one
`or more openings, to flow behind a display Screen of the
`display unit housing, and is to exit the display unit
`housing through a Second Set of one or more openings.
`35. The method of claim 34, further comprising:
`when the temperature of the ambient air does not exceed
`the predetermined temperature threshold and the air
`movement device is not turned off, turning off the air
`movement device.
`36. The method of claim 34, wherein the air movement
`device is external to the display unit housing.
`37. The method of claim 34, wherein the air movement
`device is internal to the display unit housing.
`38. A computer readable medium containing executable
`instructions which, when executed in a processing System,
`causes the processing System to perform a method compris
`Ing:
`determining if temperature of ambient air inside a display
`unit housing exceeds a predetermined temperature
`threshold; and
`when the temperature of the ambient air exceeds the
`predetermined temperature threshold and an air move
`ment device associated with the display unit housing is
`not turned on, turning on the air movement device,
`wherein are generated by the air movement device is to
`enter the display unit housing through a first Set of one
`or more openings, to flow behind a display Screen of the
`display unit housing, and is to exist the display unit
`housing through a Second Set of one or more openings.
`39. The computer readable medium of claim 38, further
`comprising:
`when the temperature of the ambient air does not exceed
`the predetermined temperature threshold and the air
`movement device is not turned off, turning off the air
`movement device.
`40. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein
`the air movement device is external to the display unit
`housing.
`41. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein
`the air movement device is internal to the display unit
`housing.
`
`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1015.014
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`