The document specifically refers to hardware that is used in both desktop and mobile computer systems, but runs into heat dissipation limitations on notebooks. Depending on user preference, the patent outlines a "thermal zone" consisting of multiple components whose temperature can be controlled and as well as devices that cannot be controlled.
Since the temperature of individual devices can be significantly affected by the temperature of nearby devices, Intel says that "the cooling of a hot controllable component may indirectly help cool a nearby non-controllable component." A thermal zone would be defined by the characteristics of the individual devices that would allow the system to create a "thermal relationship table", which provides the necessary data to achieve indirect cooling of components that cannot be directly controlled to reduce their heat dissipation.
According to Intel, the table would include information "how much change [for] one component [is necessary] in order for that change to have an effect on another component" and "how long it takes for a change in one component to affect another component."
