Abstract: Thermal management within an electrically powered systems requires monitoring, from time-to-time, both electrical power consumption and temperature within the system. The power consumption and temperature data thus obtained permits developing over time a thermal model for the system. After a thermal model for the system has been thus developed, the model together with the presently sensed electrical power consumption, and the system temperature are used to predict a thermal trend for the system. The predicted thermal trend thus obtained for the system is then used in effecting a temperature control strategy within the electrically powered system.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a peripheral device to a computer is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a detection means on each peripheral input/output port for detecting a peripheral device. The detection means generates a system interrupt to the computer. The computer executes an interrupt service routine of the basic input/output system. The interrupt service routine determines the peripheral device that is newly connected and sets related flags and data for the computer operating system and basic input/output system. The optimal parameters for integrating the peripheral device to the computer is set and the peripheral device is ready for use.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying power to a peripheral device of a computer directly from the system power supply is disclosed. An expansion interface connector or a standard interface connector is used for providing power to the peripheral device. Either one or two electronic switching devices control the supply of power to the interface connector. A voltage output line, a control line and a ground line are connected to three pins of the interface connector. The peripheral device has a matched connector comprising three pins corresponding to the three pins of the interface connector. The peripheral device can be powered up and in operation when it is connected to the interface connector. A short protection mechanism is provided to avoid damaging the computer system when the peripheral device is not connected.