Patents by Inventor Eric DiStefano

Eric DiStefano has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9052901
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and system is described herein for providing multiple maximum current configuration options including corresponding turbo frequencies for a processing device. Available options for a processor are determined by initialization code. And based on platform electrical capabilities, an optimal one of the multiple current configuration options is selected. Moreover, during runtime another current configuration is dynamically selected based on current configuration considerations to provide high flexibility and best possible performance per part and computing platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ketan R. Shah, Eric Distefano, Stephen H. Gunther, Jeremy J. Shrall
  • Patent number: 9032223
    Abstract: Techniques to manage operational parameters for a processor are described. For instance, a method includes monitoring performance values representing physical characteristics for multiple components of a computing platform, and managing a performance level for a processor based on the performance values and one or more operational parameters for the processor. The operational parameters may include one or more transitory operational parameters that cause the processor to temporarily exceed operational parameters set by a thermal design power limit. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Efraim Rotem, Eric Distefano, Jim Hermerding, Ronny Korner, Yuval Yosef
  • Publication number: 20150100799
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus, system and method are described for configurable processor thermal management. An apparatus may comprise, for example, a processor arranged to operate in a plurality of thermal modes comprising a thermal limit down mode, a normal thermal limit mode and a thermal limit up mode, and thermal management logic operative to select a thermal mode based on one or more properties of the apparatus. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ketan R. Shah, Tawfik M. Rahal-Arabi, Eric Distefano, James G. Hermerding, II
  • Publication number: 20150100800
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus, system and method are described for configurable processor thermal management. An apparatus may comprise, for example, a processor arranged to operate in a plurality of thermal modes comprising a thermal limit down mode, a normal thermal limit mode and a thermal limit up mode, and thermal management logic operative to select a thermal mode based on one or more properties of the apparatus. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ketan R. Shah, Tawfik M. Rahal-Arabi, Eric Distefano, James G. Hermerding, II
  • Patent number: 8984305
    Abstract: A technique to change a thermal design power (TDP) value. In one embodiment, one or more environmental or user-driven changes may cause a processor's TDP value to be changed. Furthermore, in some embodiments a change in TDP may alter a turbo mode target frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Distefano, Guy M. Therien, Vasudevan Srinivasan, Tawfik Rahal-Arabi, Venkatesh Ramani, Ryan D. Wells, Steven H. Gunther, Jeremy Shrall, James Hermerding, II
  • Patent number: 8943336
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus, system and method are described for configurable processor thermal management. An apparatus may comprise, for example, a processor arranged to operate in a plurality of thermal modes comprising a thermal limit down mode, a normal thermal limit mode and a thermal limit up mode, and thermal management logic operative to select a thermal mode based on one or more properties of the apparatus. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ketan R. Shah, Tawfik M. Rahal-Arabi, Eric Distefano, James G. Hermerding, II
  • Publication number: 20130007440
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus, system and method are described for configurable processor thermal management. An apparatus may comprise, for example, a processor arranged to operate in a plurality of thermal modes comprising a thermal limit down mode, a normal thermal limit mode and a thermal limit up mode, and thermal management logic operative to select a thermal mode based on one or more properties of the apparatus. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Ketan R. Shah, Tawfik M. Rahal-Arabi, Eric Distefano, James G. Hermerding, II
  • Publication number: 20120216029
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and system is described herein for providing multiple maximum current configuration options including corresponding turbo frequencies for a processing device. Available options for a processor are determined by initialization code. And based on platform electrical capabilities, an optimal one of the multiple current configuration options is selected. Moreover, during runtime another current configuration is dynamically selected based on current configuration considerations to provide high flexibility and best possible performance per part and computing platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Ketan R. Shah, Eric Distefano, Stephen H. Gunther, Jeremy J. Shrall
  • Publication number: 20120166842
    Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a power management system. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Biswajit Sur, Eric Distefano, James G. Hermerding, II, Eugene P. Matter, John P. Wallace, Guy M. Therien
  • Publication number: 20120159201
    Abstract: A technique to change a thermal design power (TDP) value. In one embodiment, one or more environmental or user-driven changes may cause a processor's TDP value to be changed. Furthermore, in some embodiments a change in TDP may alter a turbo mode target frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Eric Distefano, Guy M. Therien, Vasudevan Srinivasan, Tawfik Rahal-Arabi, Venkatesh Ramani, Ryan D. Wells, Steven H. Gunther, Jeremy Shrall, James Hermerding, II
  • Patent number: 7878016
    Abstract: A system for measuring and managing thermal operations of a processor core on a semiconductor die using a sensor positioned in a hotspot of the processor core. A measured temperature reading is determined based upon a temperature sensed by the sensor. Interrupt signals and a software readable register indicating temperature information provide feedback about the thermal environment to the processor. Based upon the measured temperature reading, the interrupt signals direct the processor to modify operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Efraim Rotem, Jim G. Hermerding, Eric Distefano, Barnes Cooper
  • Publication number: 20100205464
    Abstract: For one disclosed embodiment, a plurality of processor cores may be on a semiconductor die. The processor cores may have at least one corresponding temperature sensor. Circuitry on the semiconductor die may generate thermal event indications based on sensed temperatures from multiple temperature sensors of multiple processor cores. A thermal event indication may indicate that a sensed temperature exceeds a temperature point. Central management logic on the semiconductor die may receive thermal event indications based on sensed temperatures from multiple temperature sensors of multiple processor cores. The central management logic may modify operation of one or more of the processor cores in response to a thermal event indication. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Efraim Rotem, Jim G. Hermerding, Eric Distefano, Barnes Cooper
  • Publication number: 20100064162
    Abstract: Techniques to manage operational parameters for a processor are described. For instance, a method includes monitoring performance values representing physical characteristics for multiple components of a computing platform, and managing a performance level for a processor based on the performance values and one or more operational parameters for the processor. The operational parameters may include one or more transitory operational parameters that cause the processor to temporarily exceed operational parameters set by a thermal design power limit. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Efraim Rotem, Eric Distefano, Jim Hermerding, Ronny Korner, Yuval Yosef
  • Patent number: 7596464
    Abstract: A method of creating a thermal influence table to describe thermal relationships between components in a system and use of the thermal influence table in a system is described. The thermal influence matrix may be generated dynamically for a system. The matrix may be used by a thermal management policy to enable a hot device to be cooled by power management of another device in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jim G. Hermerding, Barnes Cooper, Steve P. Frayne, Jr., Eric Distefano, Sridhar V. Machiroutu
  • Patent number: 7360945
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the temperature of a computer system, such as a notebook computer, is described. A sensor module is to mount within the computer system spaced from an interior surface of a chassis of the system, the sensor to measure an internal surface of a chassis of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jim Kardach, David Williams, Eric Distefano, Marlon Cardenas, Jim Hermerding
  • Patent number: 7281388
    Abstract: An apparatus to use a refrigerator in a mobile computing device is described. In one embodiment, the refrigerator includes a cold reservoir to absorb heat generated by a heat generating unit of the mobile device. A heat exchanger is used to dissipate heat of a hot reservoir of the refrigerator. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus includes a working fluid loop, with a fluid of the loop to be in thermal contact with the heat generating device, and the cold reservoir of the refrigerator to absorb heat from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Himanshu Pokhama, Rajiv K. Mongia, Eric DiStefano
  • Publication number: 20070217147
    Abstract: A microchannel structure has microchannels formed therein. The microchannels are to transport a coolant and to be proximate to an integrated circuit to transfer heat from the integrated circuit to the coolant. At least one of the microchannels has a length extent and has a first section at a first location along the length extent and a second section at a second location along the length extent. The first section of the microchannel has a first aspect ratio and the second section is divided into at least two sub-channels. Each sub-channel has a respective second aspect ratio that is greater than the first aspect ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Je-Young Chang, Ioan Sauciuc, Chuan Hu, Chia-Pin Chiu, Gregory Chrysler, Ravi Prasher, Rajiv Mongia, Himanshu Pokharna, Eric DiStefano
  • Patent number: 7272006
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a microchannel structure that has microchannels formed therein. The microchannels are for transporting a coolant and are intended to be proximate to an integrated circuit to transfer heat from the integrated circuit to the coolant. The apparatus further includes a cover positioned on the microchannel structure. The cover has formed therein a right-angle passage to provide fluid communication between a first port on a lower horizontal surface of the cover and a second port on a vertical surface of the cover. The cover includes a plurality of tabs. Each tab extends from a respective corner of the cover. The tabs each have an aperture formed therein. The apertures are shaped and sized to receive a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Rajiv K. Mongia, Himanshu Pokharna, Eric DiStefano, Shawn S. McEuen, Brian A. Wilk
  • Patent number: 7269005
    Abstract: A notebook computer system that utilizes both natural convection and forced convection cooling methods is described. Specifically, at low power levels, the forced convection components are disabled to conserve energy and to reduce noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Himanshu Pokharna, Eric DiStefano
  • Patent number: 7259965
    Abstract: A microchannel structure has microchannels formed therein. The microchannels are to transport a coolant and to be proximate to an integrated circuit to transfer heat from the integrated circuit to the coolant. At least one of the microchannels has a length extent and has a first section at a first location along the length extent and a second section at a second location along the length extent. The first section of the microchannel has a first aspect ratio and the second section is divided into at least two sub-channels. Each sub-channel has a respective second aspect ratio that is greater than the first aspect ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Je-Young Chang, Ioan Sauciuc, Chuan Hu, Chia-Pin Chiu, Gregory M. Chrysler, Ravi S. Prasher, Rajiv K. Mongia, Himanshu Pokharna, Eric DiStefano