Abstract: A technology for supplying a power supply voltage to a microprocessor. Before normal arithmetic processing of the microprocessor, duty cycle correction process for adjusting the duty cycle of a clock signal inside the microprocessor is performed. In the duty cycle correction process for adjusting the duty cycle, the duty cycle of the clock signal is adjusted so as to minimize the power voltage at which the microprocessor is still operable.

Abstract: An instruction decoder identifies, for each instruction, an operational block involved in the execution of the instruction and an associated heat release coefficient. The instruction decoder stores identified information in a heat release coefficient profile. An instruction scheduler schedules the instructions in accordance with the dependence of the instructions on data. A heat release frequency adder cumulatively adds the heat release coefficient to the heat release frequency of the operational block held in the operational block heat release frequency register as the execution of the scheduled instructions proceeds. A heat release frequency subtractor subtracts from the heat release frequency of the operational blocks in the operational block heat release frequency register in accordance with heat discharge that occurs with time.

Abstract: A heat generation amount estimation unit acquires the number of sub processors currently in operation, acquires the current operating frequency, and estimates the amount of heat generation after a period ?t. A temperature control unit estimates the temperature after the period ?t based on the current temperature input from a temperature sensor and the amount of heat generation estimated, and compares it with a predetermined threshold temperature. If the predetermined threshold temperature is reached, the temperature control unit acquires the number of sub processors available in parallel after the period ?t from a task management unit, and consults a performance table to determine which operation point to shift to. A sub processor control unit and a frequency control unit switch to the number of sub processors in operation and the operating frequency accordingly. The performance table lists possible operation points in order of performance.

Abstract: This task management method includes dividing a unit time of processing into a reserved band for guaranteeing real-timeness and a non-reserved band not for guaranteeing real-timeness, and skipping a task to be executed in the non-reserved band as appropriate when processor throughput falls. That is, when the operating frequency of the processor is lowered in order to suppress heat generation, the real-timeness of tasks to be executed in the reserved band is guaranteed at the expense of processing the task to be executed in the non-reserved band in a best-efforts fashion.

Abstract: A temperature predicting unit predicts the temperature of an electronic device after a predetermined period, and the speed of temperature variation from the operating state of the load. Based on the results of prediction by the temperature predicting unit, a selection unit instructs either one or both of a nozzle control unit and an electric fan control unit to exercise control. According to a control signal from the selection unit, the nozzle control unit transmits a control signal to a nozzle unit to drive a jet cooling apparatus. According to a control signal from the selection unit, the electric fan control unit transmits a control signal to an electric fan unit to drive an electric fan. The selection unit selects the electric fan when the predicted speed of temperature variation exceeds a predetermined threshold, and selects the jet cooling apparatus when the predetermined thresholds is not exceeded.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning thermal sensors within an integrated circuit in a manner that provides useful thermal measurements corresponding to different parts of the integrated circuit. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes multiple, duplicate functional blocks. A separate thermal sensor is coupled to each of the duplicate functional blocks, preferably in the same relative location on each of the duplicate functional blocks, and preferably at a hotspot. One embodiment also includes thermal sensors on one or more functional blocks of other types in the integrated circuit. One embodiment includes a thermal sensor positioned at a cool spot, such as at the edge of the integrated circuit chip. Each of the thermal sensors may have ports to enable power and ground connections or data connections between the sensors and external components or devices.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die is disclosed including a temperature detection circuit and a memory configured to store calibration data. The temperature detection circuit is operatively coupled to the memory, and receives an input signal. The temperature detection circuit is configured to produce an output signal dependent upon the input signal and indicative of whether a temperature of the integrated circuit die is greater than a selected temperature. During a normal operating mode of the integrated circuit die the input signal comprises the calibration data. A system and methods for calibrating the temperature detection circuit are also described.

Abstract: An electromotive cooling head includes a substrate, an N-pole magnet, and an S-pole magnet, and kept in intimate contact with the backside of the semiconductor integrated circuit so as to cover it. The substrate has a fluid channel having a micro-channel structure, through which a conductive fluid flows. An anode and a cathode are disposed to sandwich the fluid channel. The conductive fluid interacts with a magnetic field to thereby induce an electromotive force between the anode and the cathode. A circuit includes, on its backside, a power supply voltage terminal and a ground terminal, and is driven by the electromotive force induced in the electromotive cooling head.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die is disclosed including a temperature detection circuit and a memory configured to store calibration data. The temperature detection circuit is operatively coupled to the memory, and receives an input signal. The temperature detection circuit is configured to produce an output signal dependent upon the input signal and indicative of whether a temperature of the integrated circuit die is greater than a selected temperature. During a normal operating mode of the integrated circuit die the input signal comprises the calibration data. A system and methods for calibrating the temperature detection circuit are also described.

Abstract: A temperature predicting unit predicts the temperature of an electronic device after a predetermined period, and the speed of temperature variation from the operating state of the load. Based on the results of prediction by the temperature predicting unit, a selection unit instructs either one or both of a nozzle control unit and an electric fan control unit to exercise control. According to a control signal from the selection unit, the nozzle control unit transmits a control signal to a nozzle unit to drive a jet cooling apparatus. According to a control signal from the selection unit, the electric fan control unit transmits a control signal to an electric fan unit to drive an electric fan. The selection unit selects the electric fan when the predicted speed of temperature variation exceeds a predetermined threshold, and selects the jet cooling apparatus when the predetermined thresholds is not exceeded.

Abstract: A headphone containing right/left-channel acoustic units capable of converting an analog audio signal into acoustic sounds. An input jack to which is supplied a digital audio signal derived from a digital audio appliance is provided within the headphone. A D/A converter for D/A-converting the digital audio signal supplied to the input jack into an analog audio signal, and an amplifier for amplifying the analog audio signal derived from the D/A converter to supply the amplified analog audio signal to the right/left-channel acoustic units, are provided in this headphone.

Abstract: A remote controller that has preset therein control signals of various formats/code systems in correspondence with different kinds of electronic equipment and of different manufacturers detects the control signal from another remote controller typically used with the electronic equipment, compares it with the preset data, selects a predetermined signal from the preset data and stores it in a memory for use in controlling the electronic equipment. Identifier codes may also be stored in the memory to save memory capacity. With only one input operation, all control signals in the same category, such as channel codes for a television, may be learned and stored in the memory in correspondence with the respective keys. Provision is made to determine whether the input control signal is in the form of a toggle code, thereby executing the learn function for control signals that include the toggle code.

Abstract: A method of presetting is provided, wherein a plurality of command signals associated with a plurality of apparatuses, a plurality of manufacturers, a plurality of format systems and a plurality of control operations are stored in a memory in advance. A detecting circuit is provided for sequentially transmitting predetermined command signals (e.g., a power on command) to an apparatus to be controlled in accordance with the operation in the preset mode to detect the operational mode of the apparatus to be controlled. As a result, the operation of the apparatus to be controlled can be automatically detected, and the type, the manufacturer and the format of the of the apparatus can be identified from the command signal transmitted.

Abstract: A remote controller that has preset therein control signals of various formats/code systems in correspondence with different kinds of electronic equipment and of different manufacturers detects the control signal from another remote controller typically used with the electronic equipment, compares it with the preset data, selects a predetermined signal from the preset data and stores it in a memory for use in controlling the electronic equipment. Identifier codes may also be stored in the memory to save memory capacity. With only one input operation, all control signals in the same category, such as channel codes for a television, may be learned and stored in the memory in correspondence with the respective keys. Provision is made to determine whether the input control signal is in the form of a toggle code, thereby executing the learn function for control signals that include the toggle code.

Abstract: Remote control signals for a plurality of manufacturers and a plurality of electronic equipment are stored in a memory, the remote control signals are divided into groups, each of the groups is allotted to each of operating keys on a body of a remote controller and various remote control signals which may exist within the group are allocated to a number of times which the operating keys are pressed. The groups and any remote control signals existing within the group are stored in order of priority.