FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to Information Handling Systems (IHSs), and more particularly, to systems and methods for managing turbo states based upon user presence.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continue to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store it. One option available to users is Information Handling Systems (IHSs). An IHS generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, IHSs may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in IHSs allow for IHSs to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, IHSs may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

In many implementations, modern IHSs include a feature called “dynamic overclocking,” also known as “turbo mode” or simply “turbo.” When turbo is invoked, an IHS automatically raises its processor's operating frequency, and thus its performance, in response to certain applications or tasks being executed. The processor's operating frequency is accelerated when an IHS's Operating System (OS) requests the highest performance state of that processor.

In some cases, when an IHS's workload calls for faster performance, a processor's clock increases its operating frequency in regular increments as required to meet demand. The increased clock rate is limited by the processor's power, current, and thermal limits, the number of cores currently in use, and the maximum frequency of the active cores. If any electrical or thermal limits are exceeded, the operating frequency is decreased in increments until the processor is again operating within its design limits.

As the inventors hereof have recognized, however, turbo puts stresses on an IHS's internal battery, whether the IHS is operating in AC and/or DC mode. Moreover, as turbo's maximum power draw has been consistently increasing over the years, it has caused even more stress on the batteries. To address these, and other problems, the inventors hereof have developed systems and methods for contextually mitigating battery stress by managing turbo states based upon user presence.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of systems and methods for managing turbo states based upon user presence are described. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a method may include detecting, by an Information Handling System (IHS), a presence state of a user; and modifying a turbo configuration of a component of the IHS in response to the presence state.

In some implementations, the presence state may be selected from the group consisting of: present and absent. Moreover, modifying the turbo configuration may include, in response to the user being present, enabling a maximum operating frequency for the component; and in response to the user being absent, disabling the maximum operating frequency for the component. In some cases, enabling the maximum operating frequency may include increasing an operating frequency. Additionally, or alternatively, enabling the maximum operating frequency may include allowing a battery of the IHS to sustain a draw spike. In other cases, disabling the maximum operating frequency may include spreading a turbo event over time. Spreading the turbo event over time may include maintaining a power draw under a capped value that prevents an internal battery of the IHS from sustaining a draw spike. Additionally, or alternatively, maintaining the power draw under the capped value may include maintaining a power consumption of the IHS under an alternating current (AC) adapter power level.

In other implementations, the presence state may be selected from the group consisting of: near-field, mid-field, and far-field. Modifying the turbo configuration of the component may include at least one of: selecting a first maximum turbo frequency in response to the user being in the near-field; selecting a second maximum turbo frequency smaller than the first maximum turbo frequency in response to the user being in the mid-field; or selecting a third maximum turbo frequency smaller than the second maximum turbo frequency in response to the user being in the far-field. Also, the component may be selected from the group consisting of: a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphical Processing Unit (GPU), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), and a storage processor.

In another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, an IHS may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the IHS to: detect a presence state of a user; and modify a turbo state of the processor in response to the presence state. The presence state may be selected from the group consisting of: present and absent. To modify the turbo state, the program instructions, upon execution may cause the IHS to: in response to the user being present, increase a maximum turbo frequency; and in response to the user being absent, reduce the maximum turbo frequency.

To increase the maximum turbo frequency, the program instructions, upon execution, may cause the IHS to allow an internal battery to sustain a draw spike. Conversely, to reduce the maximum turbo frequency, the program instructions, upon execution, may cause the IHS to spread a turbo event over time. To spread the turbo event over time, the program instructions, upon execution, may cause the IHS to maintain a power draw under a capped value that prevents an internal battery of the IHS from sustaining the draw spike by maintaining a power consumption of the IHS under an AC adapter power level.

In yet another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a memory storage device may have program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by one or more processors of an IHS, cause the IHS to: detect a presence state of a user; and modify a turbo state of the IHS in response to the presence state. The presence state may be selected from the group consisting of: near-field, mid-field, and far-field. To modify the turbo state the program instructions, upon execution, may cause the IHS to: select a first turbo frequency in response to the user being in the near-field; select a second turbo frequency smaller than the first turbo frequency in response to the user being in the mid-field; and select a third turbo frequency smaller than the second turbo frequency in response to the user being in the far field.

