U.S. patent application number 11/809664 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-18 for method of, apparatus and graphical user interface for automatic diagnostics.
Invention is credited to Michael Chang, Hsin-jung Huang, James Lin, Jianyu Zheng.
Application Number | 20070245175 11/809664 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32994428 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070245175 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zheng; Jianyu ; et
al. |
October 18, 2007 |
Method of, apparatus and graphical user interface for automatic
diagnostics
Abstract
The present invention includes a method, apparatus and graphical
user interface (GUI) that allows a simple, precise, thorough,
automatic and interactive diagnostic system for electronic devices.
The present invention fully automates every test item, as a memory
device including the diagnostic test items is inserted into the
electronic device and is configured to automatically begin the
diagnostic method. The present invention allows for interactive
diagnostic analysis and a user is able to automatically repair many
of the defects detected by the diagnostic method.
Inventors: |
Zheng; Jianyu; (San Jose,
CA) ; Lin; James; (Fremont, CA) ; Chang;
Michael; (San Jose, CA) ; Huang; Hsin-jung;
(Milpitas, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAVERSTOCK & OWENS LLP;ATTN: Jonathan O. Owens
162 North Wolfe Road
Sunnyvale
CA
94086
US
|
Family ID: |
32994428 |
Appl. No.: |
11/809664 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10639061 |
Aug 11, 2003 |
7246273 |
|
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11809664 |
May 31, 2007 |
|
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60451234 |
Feb 28, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
714/57 ;
714/E11.172 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 11/2635
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
714/057 |
International
Class: |
H03M 13/00 20060101
H03M013/00 |
Claims
1. A method of automatically diagnosing software and hardware
defects in an electronic device, the method of diagnosing
comprising: a. executing an application automatically; b.
completing a set of test features included in the application; and
c. displaying a progress status corresponding to the set of test
features.
2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising setting a
hold button to an off position, wherein the hold button is set to
the off position before a memory is inserted into the electronic
device.
3. The method according to claim 2 further comprising performing a
hard reset on the electronic device, wherein the hard reset is
performed before the hold button is set to the off position.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the set of test features
includes a set of basic OS features including a set of OS button
tests.
5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the set of OS button
tests include one or more of: a. a power button test; b. a datebook
button test; c. an address button test; d. an up button test; e. a
down button test; f. a to do button test; and g. a memo button
test.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the set of test features
includes a set of device features including one or more of: a. a
charging test; b. a light test, wherein the light test includes a
backlight test and a brightness test; c. a soft reset test; d. an
LCD test; e. a digitizer test; f. an IR beaming test; g. a device
specific buttons test; and h. a jog dial test.
7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the device specific
buttons test includes one or more of: a. a hold button test; b. a
capture button test; c. a record button test; d. a home button
test; and e. a graffiti button test.
8. The method according to claim 6 wherein the jog dial test
includes one or more of: a. a jog up test; b. a jog down test; c. a
jog press test; and d. a back test.
9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the set of test features
includes a set of advanced device features including one or more
of: a. a memory test; b. a RAM test; c. a sound test; and d. a
hotsync test.
10. (canceled)
11. The method according to claim 1 further comprising interfacing
a user and the electronic device with a graphical user interface,
wherein the user manually confirms completion of one or more of the
set of test features.
12. A diagnostic system for automatically diagnosing software and
hardware defects in an electronic device, the diagnostic system
comprising: a. means for executing an application automatically; b.
means for completing a set of test features included in the
application; and c. means for displaying a progress status
corresponding to the set of test features.
13. The system according to claim 12 further comprising means for
setting a hold button to an off position, wherein the hold button
is set to the off position before the memory is inserted into the
electronic device.
14. The system according to claim 13 further comprising means for
performing a hard reset on the electronic device, wherein the hard
reset is performed before the hold button is set to the off
position.
15. The system according to claim 12 wherein the set of test
features includes a set of basic OS features including a set of OS
button tests.
16. The system according to claim 15 wherein the set of OS button
tests include one or more of: a. a power button test; b. a datebook
button test; c. an address button test; d. an up button test; e. a
down button test; f. a to do button test; and g. a memo button
test.
17. The system according to claim 12 wherein the set of test
features includes a set of device features including one or more
of: a. a charging test; b. a light test, wherein the light test
includes a backlight test and a brightness test; c. a soft reset
test; d. an LCD test; e. a digitizer test; f. an IR beaming test;
g. a device specific buttons test; and h. a jog dial test.
18. The system according to claim 17 wherein the device specific
buttons test includes one or more of: a. a hold button test; b. a
capture button test; c. a record button test; d. a home button
test; and e. a graffiti button test.
19. The system according to claim 17 wherein the jog dial test
includes one or more of: a. a jog up test; b. a jog down test; c. a
jog press test; and d. a back test.
20. The system according to claim 12 wherein the set of test
features includes a set of advanced device features including one
or more of: a. a memory test; b. a RAM test; c. a sound test; and
d. a hotsync test.
21. (canceled)
22. The system according to claim 12 further comprising interfacing
a user and the electronic device with a graphical user interface,
wherein the user manually confirms completion of one or more of the
set of test features.
23-41. (canceled)
42. The method according to claim 1 wherein the application is
contained on a memory.
43. The method according to claim 42 wherein the memory is
removable.
44. The method according to claim 1 wherein the progress status is
a set of results.
45. The method according to claim 1 wherein completion of the set
of test features is confirmed automatically by the application.
46. The method according to claim 44 wherein the set of results
includes a main test listing, a sub-test listing and a test result
listing for each of the set of test features.
47. The method according to claim 44 wherein the set of results are
generated in a log file.
48. The system according to claim 12 wherein the application is
contained on a memory.
49. The system according to claim 48 wherein the memory is
removable.
50. The system according to claim 12 wherein the progress status is
a set of results.
51. The system according to claim 12 wherein completion of the set
of test features is confirmed automatically by the application.
52. The system according to claim 50 wherein the set of results
includes a main test listing, a sub-test listing and a test result
listing for each of the set of test features.
53. The system according to claim 50 wherein the set of results are
generated in a log file.
54. A diagnostic system for automatically diagnosing software and
hardware defects, the diagnostic system comprising: a. a storage
device including an application; b. an electronic device for
storing the storage device, wherein the application is
automatically executed and a set of test features is automatically
completed, and further wherein the set of test features are
included in the application; and c. a graphical user interface,
wherein the graphical user interface is configured to display a
progress status corresponding to the set of test features.
55. The system according to claim 54 wherein the set of test
features includes a set of basic operating system features
including a set of operating system button tests.
56. The system according to claim 55 wherein the set of operating
system button tests include one or more of: a. a power button test;
b. a datebook button test; c. an address button test; d. an up
button test; e. a down button test; f. a to do button test; and g.
a memo button test.
57. The system according to claim 54 wherein the set of test
features includes a set of device features including one or more
of: a. a charging test; b. a light test, wherein the light test
includes a backlight test and a brightness test; c. a soft reset
test, d. an LCD test; e. a digitizer test; f. an IR beaming test;
and g. a device specific buttons test; and h. a jog dial test.
58. The system according to claim 57 wherein the device specific
buttons test includes one or more of: a. a hold button test; b. a
capture button test; c. a record button test; d. a home button
test; and e. a graffiti button test.
59. The system according to claim 57 wherein the jog dial test
includes one or more of: a. a jog up test; b. a jog down test; c. a
jog press test; and d. a back test.
60. The system according to claim 54 wherein the set of test
features includes a set of advanced device features including one
or more of: a. a storage device test; b. a RAM test; c. a sound
test, wherein the sound test includes a system sound test, a FM
speaker test and a headphone test; and d. a hotsync test.
61. The system according to claim 54 wherein the progress status
includes a set of results.
62. The system according to claim 61 wherein the set of results
includes a main test listing, a sub-test listing and a test result
listing for each of the set of test features.
63. The system according to claim 61 wherein the set of results are
generated in a log file.
64. The system according to claim 54 wherein the user manually
confirms completion of one or more of the set of test features.
65. The system according to claim 54 wherein the storage device is
a memory.
66. The system according to claim 65 wherein the memory is
removable.
67. A diagnostic system for automatically diagnosing software and
hardware defects, the diagnostic system comprising: a. an
application; b. an electronic device for storing the application,
wherein the application is automatically executed and a set of test
features is automatically completed, and further wherein the set of
test features are included in the application; and c. a graphical
user interface, wherein the graphical user interface is configured
to display a progress status.
68. The system according to claim 67 wherein the set of test
features includes a set of basic operating system features
including a set of operating system button tests.
69. The system according to claim 67 wherein the set of operating
system button tests include one or more of: a. a power button test;
b. a datebook button test; c. an address button test; d. an up
button test; e. a down button test; f. a to do button test; and g.
a memo button test.
70. The system according to claim 67 wherein the set of test
features includes a set of device features including one or more
of: a. a charging test; b. a light test, wherein the light test
includes a backlight test and a brightness test; c. a soft reset
test; d. an LCD test; e. a digitizer test; f. an IR beaming test;
and g. a device specific buttons test; and h. a jog dial test.
71. The system according to claim 67 wherein the device specific
buttons test includes one or more of: a. a hold button test; b. a
capture button test; c. a record button test; d. a home button
test; and e. a graffiti button test.
72. The system according to claim 67 wherein the jog dial test
includes one or more of: a. a jog up test; b. a jog down test; c. a
jog press test; and d. a back test.
73. The system according to claim 67 wherein the set of test
features includes a set of advanced device features including one
or more of: a. a memory test; b. a RAM test; c. a sound test,
wherein the sound test includes a system sound test, a FM speaker
test and a headphone test; and d. a hotsync test.
74. The system according to claim 67 wherein the progress status
includes a set of results.
75. The system according to claim 74 wherein the set of results
includes a main test listing, a sub-test listing and a test result
listing for each of the set of test features.
76. The system according to claim 74 wherein the set of results are
generated in a log file.
77. The system according to claim 67 wherein the user manually
confirms completion of one or more of the set of test features.
78. The system according to claim 67 wherein the graphical user
interface is further configured to display the set of test
features.
79. A diagnostic system for automatically diagnosing software and
hardware defects, the diagnostic system comprising: a. an
application; b. an electronic device for storing the application,
wherein the application includes a set of test features, further
wherein the set of test features includes: i. a storage device
test; ii. a backlight test; iii. a button test; and iv. an audio
test; and c. a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user
interface is configured to display a progress status.
80. The system according to claim 79 wherein the set of test
features further includes a lighting test.
81. The system according to claim 79 wherein the application is
stored on a storage device.
82. The system according to claim 81 wherein the storage device is
a memory.
83. The system according to claim 82 wherein the memory is
removable.
84. The system according to claim 79 wherein the storage device
test is a memory test.
85. The system according to claim 79 wherein the application is
automatically executed and the set of test features is
automatically completed.
86. The system according to claim 79 wherein the progress status
includes a set of results.
87. The system according to claim 86 wherein the set of results
includes a main test listing, a sub-test listing and a test result
listing for each of the set of test features.
88. The system according to claim 86 wherein the set of results are
generated in a log file.
89. The system according to claim 79 wherein the user manually
confirms completion of one or more of the set of test features.
90. The system according to claim 79 wherein the graphical user
interface is further configured to display the set of test
features.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119(e) of the co-pending U.S. provisional application Ser.
No. 60/451,234 filed on Feb. 28, 2003 and entitled "CLIE DOCTOR."
The provisional application Ser. No. 60/451,234 filed on Feb. 28,
2003 and entitled "CLIE DOCTOR," is also hereby incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of electronics
diagnostics. More particularly, the present invention relates to
the field of hardware and software diagnostics of electronic
devices such as personal digital assistants.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The proliferation of electronic devices, specifically
handheld electronic devices, places a new importance on thorough,
precise and accurate diagnostic systems to detect hardware and
software problems. Oftentimes, electronic devices that are believed
to have defects are returned by retailers to manufacturer service
centers at the manufacturer's expense without having any real
problem at all. High volumes of such returns can obviously cost a
manufacturer a significant amount of money.
[0004] Current diagnostic systems utilized by the retailer's
personnel usually include a technician using a paper based flow
chart to manually diagnose problems with returned electronic
devices. Oftentimes, these flow charts are difficult to follow,
imprecise and not thorough in the terms of the number of test items
available. Compounding the problem is the high turnover rate of
technicians employed by the retailers of electronic devices.
Furthermore, current diagnostic systems are not automatic nor
interactive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention includes a method, apparatus and
graphical user interface (GUI) that allows a simple, precise,
thorough, automatic and interactive diagnostic system for
electronic devices. The present invention fully automates every
test item, as a memory device including the diagnostic test items
is inserted into the electronic device and is configured to
automatically begin the diagnostic method. The present invention
allows for interactive diagnostic analysis and a user is able to
automatically repair many of the defects detected by the diagnostic
method.
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a method of
automatically diagnosing software and hardware defects in an
electronic device comprises inserting a removable memory into the
electronic device, the removable memory including an application,
executing the application automatically upon insertion of the
removable memory into the electronic device, completing a set of
test features included in the application and generating a log file
including a set of results corresponding to the set of test
features, wherein completion of the set of test features is
confirmed automatically by the application. The method further
comprises setting a hold button to an off position, wherein the
hold button is set to the off position before the removable memory
is inserted into the electronic device. The method further
comprises performing a hard reset on the electronic device, wherein
the hard reset is performed before the hold button is set to the
off position. The set of test features includes a set of basic OS
features including a set of OS button tests. The set of OS button
tests include one or more of a power button test, a datebook button
test, an address button test, an up button test, a down button
test, a to do button test and a memo button test. The set of test
features includes a set of device features including one or more of
a charging test, a light test, wherein the light test includes a
backlight test and a brightness test, a soft reset test, an LCD
test, a digitizer test, an IR beaming test, a device specific
buttons test and a jog dial test. The device specific buttons test
includes one or more of a hold button test, a capture button test,
a record button test, a home button test and a graffiti button
test. The jog dial test includes one or more of a jog up test, ajog
down test, ajog press test and a back test. The set of test
features includes a set of advanced device features including one
or more of a memory stick test, wherein the memory stick test
includes a memory stick detect test, a memory stick write test and
a memory stick read test, a RAM test, a sound test, wherein the
sound test includes a system sound test, a FM speaker test and a
headphone test and a hotsync test. The set of results includes a
main test listing, a sub-test listing and a test result listing for
each of the set of test features. The method further comprises
interfacing a user and the electronic device with a graphical user
interface, wherein the user manually confirms completion of one or
more of the set of test features.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, a diagnostic
system for automatically diagnosing software and hardware defects
in an electronic device comprises means for inserting a removable
memory into the electronic device, the removable memory including
an application, means for executing the application automatically
upon insertion of the removable memory into the electronic device,
means for completing a set of test features included in the
application and means for generating a log file including a set of
results corresponding to the set of test features, wherein
completion of the set of test features is confirmed automatically
by the application. The system further comprises means for setting
a hold button to an off position, wherein the hold button is set to
the off position before the removable memory is inserted into the
electronic device. The system further comprises means for
performing a hard reset on the electronic device, wherein the hard
reset is performed before the hold button is set to the off
position. The set of test features includes a set of basic OS
features including a set of OS button tests. The set of OS button
tests include one or more of a power button test, a datebook button
test, an address button test, an up button test, a down button
test, a to do button test and a memo button test. The set of test
features includes a set of device features including one or more of
a charging test, a light test, wherein the light test includes a
backlight test and a brightness test, a soft reset test, an LCD
test, a digitizer test, an IR beaming test, a device specific
buttons test and a jog dial test. The device specific buttons test
includes one or more of a hold button test, a capture button test,
a record button test, a home button test and a graffiti button
test. The jog dial test includes one or more of a jog up test, a
jog down test, a jog press test and a back test. The set of test
features includes a set of advanced device features including one
or more of a memory stick test, wherein the memory stick test
includes a memory stick detect test, a memory stick write test and
a memory stick read test, a RAM test, a sound test, wherein the
sound test includes a system sound test, a FM speaker test and a
headphone test and a hotsync test. The set of results includes a
main test listing, a sub-test listing and a test result listing for
each of the set of test features. The system further comprises
interfacing a user and the electronic device with a graphical user
interface, wherein the user manually confirms completion of one or
more of the set of test features.
[0008] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a diagnostic
system for automatically diagnosing software and hardware defects
comprises a removable memory including an application, an
electronic device configured to receive the removable memory,
wherein the application is automatically executed and a set of test
features is automatically completed upon insertion of the removable
memory into the electronic device, and further wherein the set of
test features are included in the application and a graphical user
interface, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to
display the set of test features and a set of test results, wherein
completion of the set of test features is confirmed automatically
by the application. The system further comprises a hold button,
wherein the hold button is set to an off position before the
removable memory is inserted into the electronic device. The system
further comprises a hard reset button, wherein the hard reset
button is activated before the hold button is set to the off
position. The set of test features includes a set of basic OS
features including a set of OS button tests. The set of OS button
tests include one or more of a power button test, a datebook button
test, an address button test, an up button test, a down button
test, a to do button test and a memo button test. The set of test
features includes a set of device features including one or more of
a charging test, a light test, wherein the light test includes a
backlight test and a brightness test, a soft reset test, an LCD
test, a digitizer test, an IR beaming test, a device specific
buttons test and a jog dial test. The device specific buttons test
includes one or more of a hold button test, a capture button test,
a record button test, a home button test and a graffiti button
test. The jog dial test includes one or more of a jog up test, a
jog down test, a jog press test and a back test. The set of test
features includes a set of advanced device features including one
or more of a memory stick test, wherein the memory stick test
includes a memory stick detect test, a memory stick write test and
a memory stick read test, a RAM test, a sound test, wherein the
sound test includes a system sound test, a FM speaker test and a
headphone test and a hotsync test. The set of results includes a
main test listing, a sub-test listing and a test result listing for
each of the set of test features. The user manually confirms
completion of one or more of the set of test features.
[0009] In still another aspect of the present invention, a personal
digital assistant for self diagnosing software and hardware defects
comprises a memory slot configured to receive a removable memory,
wherein the removable memory includes an application, further
wherein the application is automatically executed and a set of test
features is automatically completed upon insertion of the removable
memory into the memory slot of the personal digital assistant, and
further wherein the set of test features are included in the
application and a graphical user interface configured to display
the set of test features and a set of test results, wherein
completion of the set of test features is confirmed automatically
by the application. The graphical user interface displays the set
of test features, and further wherein the set of test features
include a set of main test features and a set of sub-test features.
The set of main test features are displayed on a main test display
of the graphical user interface, and further wherein the main test
feature that is currently active is highlighted. The graphical user
interface further includes a toggle button configured to hide the
main test display. The set of sub-test features are displayed on a
sub-test display of the graphical user interface, and further
wherein the sub-test feature that is currently active is
highlighted. The graphical user interface displays the set of
results in a summary display, wherein the set of test results
include a main test listing, a sub-test listing and a test result
listing for each of the set of test features. The system further
comprises an instruction display and a confirmation prompt, the
confirmation prompt configured to enable a user to confirm the
completion of any of the set of test features. The system further
comprises at least one test button configured to enable the user to
control the set of test features.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a graphical representation of the
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of two modules according
to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a method of diagnostic
testing according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary summary table according to
the present invention.
[0014] FIGS. 5a-5c illustrate a graphical user interface according
to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Embodiments of the present invention include a method of,
apparatus and graphical user interface for performing automatic and
interactive diagnostics and repair on an electronic device.
Referring to FIG. 1, the diagnostic apparatus 100 of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The diagnostic
apparatus 100 of the preferred embodiment includes an electronic
device 110 and removable memory 120. A personal digital assistant
(PDA) is depicted in FIG. 1 as the electronic device 110. While a
PDA is depicted here in the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, alternative embodiments may utilize any electronic
device 110 capable of housing removable memory 120 and supporting a
graphical user interface (GUI) on a viewing screen 140.
Additionally, the preferred embodiment contemplates the removable
memory 120 as a Memory Stick.RTM. device such as those developed by
Sony Corporation. The use of such removable memory 120 in the
preferred embodiment of course depends on the compatibility of such
removable memory 120 with the electronic device 110. As will be
apparent to those skilled in the art, alternatively, any removable
memory which is compatible to the PDA being tested can be
utilized.
[0016] Still referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device 110 of the
diagnostic apparatus 100 receives the removable memory 120 in a
memory slot 130. The diagnostic method is stored electronically on
the removable memory 120, and when the removable memory is inserted
into the memory slot 130, the diagnostic method is automatically
started and displayed on a GUI on the viewing screen 140. The
details of the method and the GUI will be discussed in greater
detail later in this document. The user of this method and
diagnostic apparatus 100 can interact with the diagnostic method
using control buttons 150 and by touching the viewing screen 140 if
the electronic device 110 is equipped with a touch sensitive
viewing screen 140, as is contemplated in the preferred embodiment
of the present invention. The user of this diagnostic apparatus 100
will follow the automatic prompts provided by the diagnostic method
as it completes diagnosing and repairing various problems that may
occur with the electronic device 110.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment of the
present invention includes a design architecture 200 that is
divided into a GUI module 210 and a features module 220. The GUI
module 210 includes the GUI 215 that graphically interfaces the
features 225 that are included in the diagnostic method with a
user. The GUI module 210 does this by building a list of actions to
be performed according to the features module 220, iterates the
list and performs the tests. Again, the specific operation of the
GUI 215 as it relates to the user interface will be described later
in this document.
[0018] Referring back to FIG. 2, the features module 220 preferably
implements three types of features 225 into the diagnostic method.
These features include basic operating system (OS) features 230,
device specific features 240 and device specific advanced features
250. The basic OS features 230 preferably include test items that
test the functionality of the general operating systems of the
electronic device 110. In the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, where the electronic device 110 is a PDA, these basic OS
features include such things as functionality of the power,
Datebook, Address To Do and Memo buttons. Of course, this list is
exemplary as any and all basic OS features 230 may be included in
this group of test items.
[0019] The device specific features 240 preferably include test
items that test the functionality of items that are specific to
that particular electronic device 110. Such device specific
features 240 of a PDA include, but are not limited to, battery
charging, backlight function, light brightness, soft reset,
digitizer, LCD, beaming, such PDA buttons as hold, capture, record,
home and graffiti, as well as the jog dial functions: up, down,
press and back.
[0020] The device specific advanced features 250 preferably include
test items that test the functionality of advanced functions that
are specific to that particular electronic device 110. In the
preferred embodiment, such device specific advance features 250 of
a PDA may include, but are not limited to, memory stick operations
such as detect, write and read, RAM functionality, sound and hot
sync. Again, features 225 in any of the three above-mentioned
categories, i.e. basic operating system features 230, device
specific features 240 and device specific advanced features 250,
may be custom-tailored to correspond to the particular electronic
device 110. However, it should be noted that the preferred
embodiment of the present invention includes the features 225
listed above, as related to the operation of a PDA.
[0021] A method of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention is depicted in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3
simultaneously, in the preferred embodiment of the present
invention where the electronic device 110 is a PDA, the automated
diagnostic method 300 begins by the user engaging a hard reset at
the step 302, on the PDA. At the step 304, the user sets the hold
button to the "off" position, and at the step 306, inserts the
removable memory 120 into the memory slot 130 of the electronic
device 110. The removable memory 120 includes code that
automatically launches the diagnostic test according to the
remainder of the automated diagnostic memory 300.
[0022] Still referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, at the step 308 the OS
buttons are tested. Each OS button will be tested at the step 308
by a user pressing each control button 150 manually, and then the
status of each button, e.g. pass or fail, is displayed on the GUI
140. The step 310 is an exemplary list of the various OS button
tests that can be performed. Alternative embodiments may include
more, less or other OS button tests other than those listed at the
step 310. At the step 312, the user will be prompted to connect an
AC adapter.
[0023] Still referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the viewing screen 140
light will be tested at the step 314. The two operations that are
tested in the preferred embodiment are shown at the step 316.
First, the user will be prompted to press the power button 160 for
a period of time in order to toggle the backlight of the viewing
screen 160. The user will verify the completion of this test using
the graphical user interface on the viewing screen 140. Next, the
user will be prompted to adjust the brightness at the step 316.
When the brightness is adjusted, the user will again verify that
the adjustment has been made and that the test is completed using
the graphical user interface on the viewing screen 140. At the step
316, the user will be asked to perform a soft reset of the
electronic device 110 by pressing the reset button of the
electronic device 110. The method verifies that the user has
performed this operation before moving on to the step 318. At the
step 318, patterns are displayed on the viewing screen 140 after
the soft reset at the step 316. The user is prompted to confirm
that the patterns are displayed. At the step 320, the user is asked
to touch certain points on the viewing screen 140 in order to test
that the touch sensitive feature of the viewing screen 140 is
operating properly. The method will verify that step 320 is
completed, before moving on to the step 322.
[0024] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
electronic device 110 in FIG. 1 is a PDA device having information
beaming capabilities. Still referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, at the
step 322, the user is asked to place another electronic device 110,
preferably a PDA having information beaming capabilities within
8-20 inches from the electronic device 110. The method attempts to
beam data to the other device and verify that the beaming was
successful, at the step 322. At the step 324, the user is prompted
to press each device specific control button 150 to verify that
they are functional. An exemplary list of the device specific
buttons is included at the step 326. Of course, additional device
specific control buttons 150 may be added or deleted from the step
326 as electronic devices 110 may have more or less control buttons
150. At the step 328, each jog dial operation is tested by the user
pressing it manually. The method verifies that the jog dial
operation is functioning before the method moves on to the step
332. Referring back to the step 328, an exemplary representation of
the jog dial functions that can be tested are shown at the step
330. These jog dial functions include, but are not limited to: jog
up; jog down; jog press; and back.
[0025] At the step 332, the user is asked to insert a removable
memory 120 into the memory slot 130 of the electronic device 110.
The method then checks to determine whether the memory stick is
locked and will then try to read and write data to and from the
electronic device 110. A memory stick is locked by sliding a switch
on the memory stick to a lock position so that the data on the
memory still is write protected. Results of this test will be
verified by the method. At the step 336, the method automatically
tests and verifies that the random access memory (RAM) of the
electronic device 110 is operating correctly, and at the step 338,
the sound capability of the electronic device is tested by the
method playing a sample sound. The user verifies that each sound
was heard. This step can be repeated for any sound capabilities of
the electronic device 110. A set of exemplary sound capabilities is
depicted at the step 340, where the method will test a system
sound, an FM speaker and a headphone plug. Of course, the set in
the step 340 is exemplary only, and may be modified according to
the sound capabilities of the electronic device 110. At the step
342, the user is instructed to perform a hotsync operation by
activating the hotsync button on the cradle of the PDA. The method
verifies that a hotsync was executed.
[0026] Still referring to FIG. 3, the method generates a log at the
step 350 before the method ends at the step 360. At the step 350,
the log is preferably displayed on the viewing screen 140 and saved
to the removable memory 120 in the electronic device 110 everytime
the method ends or is interrupted. It should be noted that method
steps can be added or deleted according to the preference of the
user and according to the features of the particular electronic
device 110.
[0027] An exemplary log 400 of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention is depicted in FIG. 4. The log 400 includes the
creation time 410 of the log 400 in day, date and time. The
creation time 410 indicates the precise moment that the log 400 was
created, which is either at the completion of the diagnostic method
300 or when the diagnostic method is interrupted. The log 400 also
includes the operating system 420 that is running on the electronic
device 110 (FIG. 1) as well as the serial number 430 of the
electronic device 110. The format of the log reflects the results
of the diagnostic method 300 and is stored on the removable memory
120. The format includes a main test category 440, a sub-test
category 450 and a test result category 460. The main test category
440 includes the main test steps that were tested in the diagnostic
method 300 (FIG. 3). The sub-test category 450 includes the device
specific steps that were tested in the diagnostic method 300. In
FIG. 3, the sub-test category 450 is depicted as steps 310, 316,
326, 330, 334 and 340. The test result category 460 indicates the
status of each test step in the diagnostic method 300. This test
result category 460 indicates the result of each test in the
diagnostic method 300 in terms of whether a test passed, failed or
was skipped.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 5a, a graphical user interface (GUI)
500 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is
depicted. The GUI 500 preferably includes a main test display 502
that includes all of the main test categories that can be performed
by the diagnostic test as well as the status of each main test
category. The active main test 504 that is currently being
performed is highlighted in the main test display 502. In this
view, the scroll bar 518 is used to scroll through the main test
display in order to view every main test item and its corresponding
status. The sub-test display 506 includes all of the sub-test
categories for the active main test 504 in the main test display
502. The active sub-test 508 that is currently being performed is
highlighted in the sub-test display 506. The instruction display
510 instructs the user through the active sub-test 508 by
instructing the user when manual operations or confirmations need
to be performed.
[0029] The user may confirm manual or automatic test operations by
responding to the confirmation prompt 514. As depicted, the
preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a "Yes/No"
confirmation prompt 514, that asks the user whether a particular
test was completed in a proper fashion. Referring to FIG. 5c, the
preferred embodiment may also include an "OK" confirmation prompt
514 that the user selects before the next instruction appears in
the instruction display 510. In FIG. 5c, selecting the confirmation
prompt 514 will end the test as the GUI 500 is displaying the
summary display 520, the details for which will be discussed below.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
confirmation prompt appears on the GUI 500 when the active sub-test
508 is not automatic and needs user input to complete. Referring
back to FIG. 5a, test buttons 516 allow the user to stop, start or
skip a test as the user chooses.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b simultaneously, the
expand/collapse button 512 allows the user to expand (FIG. 5b) or
collapse (FIG. 5a) the sub-test display 506 and the instruction
display 510. The expand/collapse button 512 includes the name of
the active main test 504 and the scroll bar 518 in the expand view
(FIG. 5b) scrolls the sub-test display 506. In the preferred
embodiment, the size or location of the test buttons 516 are not
affected by the expand/collapse button 512.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 5c, the preferred embodiment of the
present invention includes the summary display 520. The summary
display 520 provides the user with test results 530 for every main
test category 526 and every sub-test category 528. In this summary
display 520, the scroll bar 518 is used by the user to scroll
through the main test categories 526, the sub-test categories 528
and the corresponding test results. Of course, the summary display
520 depicted in FIG. 5c is exemplary only as more or less main test
categories 526 as well as sub-test categories may appear in the
summary display 520 according to the particular test being
performed. Still referring to FIG. 5c, the summary display 520 also
displays the operating system 522 of the device being tested, as
well as the serial number 524 of the device being tested. By
pressing the confirmation prompt 514 in the summary display 520,
the user ends the test.
[0032] Utilizing the diagnostic method of the present invention, a
user preferably inserts a memory device into a PDA or other
electronic device. The memory device preferably includes the
diagnostic application of the present invention. When the memory
device is inserted into the PDA, the diagnostic application
preferably begins and automatically tests the operability and
functionality of the PDA. As part of this diagnostic method, for
operations or functions that require user input, the diagnostic
application provides prompts to the user on the display of the PDA.
The user is then provided with a log of the tests performed and the
results of such tests, in order for the user to determine if
anything is not operating or functioning properly on the PDA.
[0033] The present invention has been described in terms of
specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the
understanding of the principles of construction and operation of
the invention. Such references, herein, to specific embodiments and
details thereof are not intended to limit the scope of the claims
appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that modifications can be made in the embodiments chosen for
illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Specifically, it will be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art that while the preferred embodiment of the present
invention is used with PDAs, the present invention can also be
implemented on any other appropriate electronic device.
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