WO2000079376A1

WO2000079376A1 - An electronic device adapted to be used in connection with an external device, and a method of determining the cause of an error in an electronic device

Info

Publication number: WO2000079376A1
Application number: PCT/SE2000/001219
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anders Malthe
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 1999-06-23
Filing date: 2000-06-13
Publication date: 2000-12-28
Also published as: SE9902394L; SE516587C2; AU5859800A; SE9902394D0

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic device adapted to be used in connection with an external device and to receive from a connected external device a code identifying such external device. The electronic device is adapted to store, when connected to an external device, an identification code identifying said connected external device, and maintaining said stored identification code after disconnection of said external device. The invention further relates to a method of determining the cause of an error in an electronic device of the above mentioned type. The method is characterized in storing in said electronic device, when connected to an external device, an identification code identifying said external device, maintaining said stored identification code after disconnection of said external device, and analysing said stored identification code when an error has been detected.

Description

An electronic device adapted to be used in connection with an external device, and a method of determining the cause of an error in an electronic device

The present invention relates to an electronic device adapted to be used in connection with an external device and to receive from a connected external device a code identifying such external device.

The prior art describes checking the compatibility of an accessory unit being connected to the mobile station based on a received identification code. The publication EP 851,597 describes a method of checking the compatibil- ity of a mobile terminal and a functional unit, e.g. an accessory unit. A reference code is generated both in the mobile terminal and in the functional unit using an identification code of the mobile terminal and a random number. The reference codes are compared in the mobile ter- inal in order to determine whether the functional unit is compatible or not.

The publication US 5,783,926 describes an apparatus for identifying accessories connected to radiotelephone equipment. An identification of the accessory device being connected to the electronic device is performed by use of a voltage divider circuit. The voltage-drop over a resistor located in the accessory and having a unique accessory-dependent value is used for identifying the ac- cessory.

Such devices according to the prior art have been found to be useful in relation to compatibility checks even though only a given set of predetermined accessories are accepted, i.e. compatible external devices which are not included in the set of the predetermined accessories will not pass the compatibility check. As a result, e.g. a newly developed accessory for the electronic device may not be used m connection with an electronic device.

Typically, a huge nu ber of possible external devices on the market may be connected to a given electronic device. For example, various batteries, chargers, hand-free units, external displays, external keyboards, computers, and vibrators may be connected to an electronic device, such as a mobile telephone.

On the one hand it is of interest to permit an electronic device to be connected to one or more of a large number of external devices - even unknown devices, e.g. external devices developed later than the electronic device - even though it is known that an external device connected to an electronic device may cause damage to the electronic device. On the other hand it is of interest to permit a subsequent determination of the cause of damage to an electronic device even though such determination is cumbersome when a large number of external devices are allowed to be connected to the electronic device.

US 4,025,906 describes the identification of devices (printers, etc.) coupled to a device controller. The identification codes of the currently connected devices are stored m "scratch pad memory" which is initialised prior to the device identification. This, together with the immediate refusal of requests, does not comprise long-term storage of the identification codes for later monitoring of the device controller.

EP 0 851 597 describes the on-line checking of compati^¬ bility of functional units connected to a mobile station. Compatibility is established if the results of the two calculations are the same. If compatibility is estab- lished, the functional unit is enabled; otherwise the functional unit is locked. There is nothing that indicates that the stored reference code is used for anything else than the later comparison with the reference code calculated m the functional unit. A long-term storage of this information is not comprised so that this technique cannot be used for later monitoring of the mobile station.

The object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device of the type stated m the opening paragraph, and which makes a subsequent fault detection of the electronic device less cumbersome.

This object is achieved by an electronic device as stated m the characterizing portion of Claim 1.

Hereby, information of major value m a subsequent fault detection is provided. For example, this is of major value as the electronic device is often separated from the external device - which caused the error m the first place - when a subsequent fault detection is performed. Further, the stored and maintained information can be used to determine whether the warranty of the electronic device is fulfilled.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said electronic device is adapted to store and maintain a plurality of said identification codes. Hereby, a plurality of identification information, e.g. identification information about a number of external devices which has been connected to the electronic device, can be stored successively and maintained therein. Hence, an accessory connection logger containing a number of identification codes related to connected and previously connected external devices is obtained.

This is advantageous as it has been found that damage that may be inflicted on an electronic device as a result of its connection to an external device or a peripheral unit does not always manifest itself at once. In some cases, it takes a while before the electronic device breaks as a result of this impact. This means that one or more other peripheral units may have been connected m the meantime, which makes a subsequent fault detection difficult or even impossible m some cases. The use of an accessory connection logger in an electronic device solves this problem.

Further, it has been found that damage may be inflicted on an electronic device because of its connection to a number of external devices. For example, an external device connected to the electronic device may cause a minor damage to the electronic device. Later, this minor damage may be turned into a severe damage when the same or another external device is connected to the electronic device even though this impact itself would not have caused a damage on the electronic device m the first place. The damage was only caused as a result of the actual combination of external devices connected to the electronic device. The accessory connection logger maintaining information on connected and previously connected external devices can be used to find the actual cause for a damage on an electronic device.

Finally, the determination whether the warranty of the electronic device is fulfilled or not can be based on information of previously connected external devices too. The information stored m said electronic device depends on the information transmission capability of said external device connected to said electronic device. Therefore, the situations in which external devices is con- nected to an electronic device can be divided into two categories: either an external device is able to transmit an identification code to the electronic device, or an external device is unable to transmit an identification code thereto. Claims 3 and 4 relate to the first situa- tion whereas Claim 5 relates to the second situation described above.

In a preferred embodiment, as mentioned m Claim 3, said electronic device is adapted to store, when connected to an external device being able to transmit an identification code to said electronic device, a code received from said external device being able to transmit an identification code. Hereby, e.g. a unique identification number received from the connected external device can be stored as an identification code.

Advantageously, as mentioned m Claim 4, said electronic device is further adapted to store, as an identification code, operational information received from said con- nected external device being able to transmit an identification code and reflecting the operation thereof. Hereby, status information is obtained of the external device connected to said electronic device and which may be of great importance m relation to determining the cause of a given error m an electronic device.

In a preferred embodiment, as mentioned m Claim 5, said electronic device is adapted to store, when connected to an external device not being able to transmit an ldenti- fication code to said electronic device, a code identify- ing said external device not being able to transmit an identification code as an unknown device.

In another preferred embodiment, as mentioned m Claim 6, said electronic device is adapted to store, when connected to an external device, operational information of the electronic device itself as an identification code. As this type of stored information reflects the operational status of the electronic device, when connected to an external device, it may be used m relation to determining the source of an error which has occurred m the electronic device as a result of connecting the external device to the electronic device. Hence, this type of identification codes is of great interest, e.g. m rela- tion to determining the source of an error m an electronic device. For example, this has been found extremely valuable m relation to external devices not being able to identify themselves as the status of the electronic device itself often indicates the type of external de- vices connected.

In a preferred embodiment, said electronic device is adapted to store, as an identification code, time information reflecting the time of receiving or storing said identification code.

As stated m claims 8, 9 and 10, said electronic device is adapted to store said identification code at the time when an external device is being connected to said elec- tronic device, at the time when said electronic device is being activated, and/or continuously at predefined time intervals. Hereby, an advantageous updating of the identification information is obtained.

In accordance with the embodiment stated m claim 11 said electronic device is a mobile telephone. The present invention also relates to a method of monitoring an electronic device and a method of determining the cause of an error m an electronic device adapted to be used m connection with an external device and to receive from a connected external device a code identifying such external device.

The method is characterized m storing m said electronic device, when connected to an external device, an identification code identifying said external device, maintaining said stored identification code after disconnection of said external device, and analysing said stored identification code when an error has been detected. For the same reasons as mentioned above the determination of the cause of an error m an electronic device adapted to be used m connection with an external device is made less cumbersome .

In a preferred embodiment a plurality of said identification codes are stored m said electronic device.

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the drawings, m which

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a first embodiment of an electronic device according to the invention and an external device connected thereto,

Figure 1A shows a block diagram of a second embodiment of an electronic device according to the invention and an external device connected thereto,

Figure IB shows a block diagram of a third embodiment of an electronic device according to the invention and an external device connected thereto, Figure 2 illustrates a first example of memory means of an electronic device according to the invention, and

Figure 3 illustrates a second example of memory means of an electronic device according to the invention.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a mobile telephone or mobile terminal 101 and an external device 102 being con- nected thereto via an interface 103. The mobile terminal 101 is used as an example of an electronic device. The shown external device 102 may be a battery but it should be noted that various types of external devices 102 may be connected to the mobile terminal 101, e.g. a charger, a hand-free unit, a portable hand-free unit, an external display, an external keyboard, a computer or a vibrator.

The mobile terminal 101 comprises memory means, such as a PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory) 105 and a RAM (Ran- dom-Access Memory) 106. The mobile terminal 101 also comprises a microprocessor 108, communication means 109, signal processing means 110, radio communication means 112, an antenna 113, a microphone 114, a loudspeaker 115, a keyboard 117 and a display 118.

As illustrated m the figure, the microprocessor 108 is connected to the PROM 105 and to the RAM 106. The microprocessor 108 is adapted to control the operation of the mobile terminal 101, and the PROM 105 holds the program used during operation whereas the RAM 106 is used to store various temporary data.

As known from the prior art, the shown mobile terminal 101 also includes input/output means by which a user can input and be presented to various operational information. The input/output means includes a keyboard 117 and a display 118 which are connected to the microprocessor 108. The microprocessor 108 is also connected to the signal processing means 110 adapted to perform signal processing in connection with transmitting and receiving sig- nals. The signal processing means 110 is connected to a microphone 114 and to a loudspeaker 115 adapted to detect a signal to be transmitted, e.g. a voice signal, and to output a received signal, respectively. The processing means is also connected to the radio communication means 112 adapted to receive and transmit signal via an antenna 113 connected thereto.

Further, the microprocessor 108 is connected to communication means 109 adapted to permit communication between the mobile terminal 101 and an external device 102 connected thereto. In the shown embodiment the communication means 109 is a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver- Transmitter) . Hereby, the mobile terminal 101 is adapted to be used m connection with an external device 102 and to receive from a connected external device 102 a code identifying such external device 102 via the communication means 109.

The shown external device 102 includes a microprocessor 126, and communication means 125 and memory means - such as RAM 128 and ROM 129 - connected thereto. The ROM 129 stores static information such as a unique identification code whereas the RAM 128 stores various temporary data. The external device 102 is adapted to transmit an ldenti- fication code to an electronic device to which the external device 102 is connected. In the shown embodiment the communication means 125 is a UART which is adapted to transmit and receive information to/from an electronic device. The external device 102 is connected to the mo- bile terminal 101, and hereby the communication means 109 and 125 are connected via an interface 103. The interface 103 can be implemented m a number of ways, e.g. as an electrical conductive lead or an IR interface.

According to the invention the mobile terminal 101 is further adapted to store, when connected to an external device 102, an identification code identifying said connected external device 102, and maintaining said stored identification code after disconnection of said external device 102. In the shown embodiment the mobile terminal includes an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) 104 adapted to store and maintain an identification code. Hence, a code identifying a given external device 102 being connected to the mobile terminal 101 is stored in the EEPROM 114. The EEPROM 104, which will be described more detailed below, is also connected to the microprocessor 108.

The mobile terminal 101 and the external device 102 may be adapted to perform a mono-directional or a bi- directional communication via the interface 103. In case of a bi-directional communication the mobile terminal 101 and the external unit 102 may be configured as a master and a slave, respectively. In this case an identification code from the external device 102 is transmitted, re- ceived and stored m the following way. The microprocessor 108 of the mobile terminal (the master) transmits an instruction to the external device 102 (the slave) via the communication means 109, 125 and the interface 103. Hereby, the master instructs the slave to transmit lden- tification information back to the master. The instruction is transmitted to the microprocessor 126 of the external device 102. After receiving the instruction the microprocessor 126 receives the identification code stored m the ROM 129 and transmits this code to the mo- bile terminal via the communication means 109, 125 and the interface 103. When the identification code has been received, the microprocessor 108 stores the received information or a given part of it in the EEPROM 104. Hereby, the stored identification code can be maintained even after disconnection of said external device 102 and after switching off of the mobile terminal 101.

In a preferred embodiment, the electronic device 101 is adapted to store and maintain a plurality of said identification codes. Hereby, a history log of connected exter- nal devices and previously connected external devices is implemented.

As will become clear from the following, the shown embodiment of a mobile terminal 101 in accordance with the invention is adapted to store and maintain as an identification code external operational information received from connected external device 102. The external operational information reflects the operation of the external device 102. For example, the mobile terminal 102 may in- struct the external device 102 to transmit operational information such as the current operation performed by the external device 102, but also information such as the current status, the current temperature and/or the humidity, and various other information of importance to the operation of the mobile terminal and/or the external device. Likewise, the mobile terminal 101 may be adapted to store as an identification code various internal operational information, such as status information related to given parts of the mobile terminal itself as this infor- mation can often be used to derive information about the external devices connected to the mobile terminal and about the current status of such external devices.

The cause of an error in an electronic device according to the invention can be determined by analysing the above—mentioned stored identification codes. Hereby, useful analysis of the stored identification codes can be performed when an error or a fault has been detected. As described previously, the communication means 109 and the interface 103 are adapted to be used during communication to an external device. By adapting the electronic device to communicate with an external fault detection device, a fault detection can be performed. Hereby, the electronic device can be adapted to transmit stored identification codes to the external fault detection device when m- structed to. For example, when requested to - by the external fault detection device - the electronic device transmits given identification codes to the external fault detection device. Hereby, the identification codes, which are maintained m the electronic device, can be transmitted to the external fault detection device, and be used to determine the cause of an error or a fault in the electronic device. For example, the identification codes are presented on a display means of the external fault detection device, and a person skilled in the art can perform the fault determination by using the presented information. In an other embodiment, the electronic device can be adapted to display identification codes on the display 118 when an error has occurred. Hereby, a subsequent fault detection, e.g. of minor faults, can be performed without connecting the electronic device to an external fault detection device.

As described m the following, various events may be used to cause the receiving and storing of the identification codes to be maintained. For example, the mobile terminal may be adapted to store an identification code at the point in time when said electronic device 101 is being activated, i.e. when switched on.

Fig. 1A shows an embodiment of a electronic device according to the invention. The electronic device is a mo- bile terminal 101A which differs from the mobile terminal m fig. 1 by including means adapted to detect whether a external device is connected to the mobile terminal 101A or not. Hereby the mobile terminal 101A is adapted to store identif cation information from an external device 102 when an external device 102 is connected to the mobile terminal, e.g. at the point m time when the external device is connected. Likewise, the EEPROM can be updated when the external device 102 has been dis-connected from the mobile terminal 101. In the shown embodiment the means adapted to detect whether an external device is connected to the mobile terminal 101A is a mechanical switch 140. The mechanical switch 140 is adapted to be activated, i.e. switched on, when an external device 102 is connected to the mobile terminal 101 and to be deactivated, i.e. switched off, when an external device 102 is dis-connected from the mobile terminal 101.

Fig. IB shows a further embodiment of an electronic de- vice according to the invention. The electronic device is a mobile terminal 101B which differs from the mobile terminal m fig. 1 by including timer means 150. Hereby, the mobile terminal 101B is adapted to receive and store one or more identification codes at given points m time, e.g. continuously at predefined time intervals.

Fig. 2 shows an example of the structure of an identification code stored m a memory means 200 included m an electronic device according to the invention, e.g. the mobile terminal 101. The shown identification code 201 includes an identification field 201A holding identification information - such as a unique identification number - received from the external device 102 connected to the mobile terminal 101. The identification 201 also includes a time field 201B with time information, e.g. relating to the point in time and/or the date of receiving or storing the information. Further, the identification code 201 includes external operational data 201C and internal operational data 201D. The external operational data 201C reflects the operational status of the external device, at a given point m time. Likewise, the internal operational data 201D reflects operational status of the mobile terminal itself, at a given point m time.

As illustrated m Figure 2, one embodiment of the mobile terminal is adapted to store and maintain a single identification code. Therefore, the stored identification code is overwritten when a new identification code is stored, e.g. as a result of an external device being connected to the mobile terminal. As the memory means is adapted to maintain the stored identification code, information of great value in a subsequent fault detection is provided. Further, this information can be used to determine whether the warranty of the electronic device is fulfilled.

Fig. 3 illustrates memory means 300 m an electronic device according to the invention, e.g. m a mobile terminal 101. The mobile terminal 101 is adapted to store and maintain a plurality of identification codes m the mem- ory 300. In practice a large number of identification codes may be stored m the memory means 300 of the mobile terminal 101 but m order to simplify the figure a memory means 300 holding only three identification codes is shown. The first identification code 301 reflects mfor- ation of an external device connected to the mobile terminal at a first point m time 301B and includes an information number 301A of a connected external device. Further, the identification code 301 includes external operational data 301C received from the connected exter- nal device and internal operational data 301D. Likewise, the second and third identification codes 302, 303 in- elude information about an external device being connected to the mobile terminal at a second point m time 302B and a third point m time 303B, respectively. These identification codes may also include external opera- tional information 302C, 303C when present.

It should be noted that m case of connecting to the mobile terminal an external device which is not able to identify itself, e.g. as it is not adapted to perform such an identification, identification information reflecting that the connected external device is of an unknown type may be stored as an identification code. Likewise, if other information is not present m relation to a given external device a code indicating "unknown" is stored and maintained. In these cases other stored information may be of major interest, e.g. if the identification information is not known the internal operational status of the mobile terminal may indicate the type of the given external device.

In order to economize the use of the storage space in the memory means, the mobile terminal 101 may be adapted to compare an identification code to be stored with the identification codes already stored m the memory. Hereby, storage of redundant information, i.e. storage of information not giving any additional knowledge of the connected external device, can be avoided.

In a preferred embodiment, the identification information can be stored m a plurality of tables structures m memory means. As an example, the information being static for a given external device (e.g. the unique identification number of an external device) can be stored in a first table in memory, while dynamic data (e.g. time and date information, external operational information, and internal operational information) may be stored m a sec- ond table referring to the first table. Hereby, additional memory space can be saved as the amount of redundant data is reduced.

It is noted that the structure of the identification codes, e.g. the number of fields, and the type of information stored m the fields may vary from one implementation to another. For example, m one embodiment only the unique identification numbers are saved while additional information may be saved m another embodiment.

As described above, the mobile terminal 101 may be adapted to store and maintain a plurality of identification codes. Hereby, the memory means 300 may be used as an accessory connection logger containing a number of identification codes related to external which is or has been connected to the mobile terminal 101, e.g. though system or battery connectors. As a result the information maintained m the accessory connection logger can provide useful information e.g. during inspection or fault detection of a broken mobile terminal which e.g. may be caused by an excessive voltage.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described and shown, the invention is not restricted thereby. It may also be embodied in other ways within the subject-matter defined m the following claims. For example, the electronic device and the external devices connected thereto can be implemented in a number of ways, e.g. the external device may include readable means only. Further, the electronic device and the external device may communicate m a number of different ways and the data transmitted there between may also depend on the implementation, e.g. the data may be encrypted. As an other example the memory means can also be implemented in a number of ways in order to store and maintain the identification codes, i.e. the use of an EEPROM only serves as an example.

Claims

P a t e n t C l a i m s

1. An electronic device adapted to be used in connection with an external device and to receive from a connected external device a code identifying such external device, said electronic device is further adapted to store, when connected to an external device, an identification code identifying said connected external device, c h a r - a c t e r i s e d in that the device has a storage for maintaining said identification code after disconnection of said external device, said storage being active even if the device is switched off.

2. An electronic device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that said electronic device is adapted to store and maintain a plurality of said identification codes.

3. An electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that said electronic device is adapted to store, when connected to an external device being able to transmit an identification code to said electronic device, a code received from said external de- vice being able to transmit an identification code.

4. An electronic device according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that said electronic device is further adapted to store, as an identification code, opera- tional information received from said connected external device being able to transmit an identification code and reflecting the operation thereof.

5. An electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that said electronic device is adapted to store, when connected to an external device not being able to transmit an identification code to said electronic device, a code identifying said external device not being able to transmit an identification code as an unknown device.

6. An electronic device according to one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that said electronic device is adapted to store, when connected to an external device, operational information of the elec- tronic device itself as an identification code.

7. An electronic device according to one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that said electronic device is adapted to store, as an ldentifica- tion code, time information reflecting the time of receiving or storing said identification code.

8. An electronic device according to one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that said electronic device is adapted to store said identification code at the time when an external device is being connected to said electronic device.

9. An electronic device according to one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that said electronic device is adapted to store said identification code at the time when said electronic device is being activated.

10. An electronic device according to one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that said electronic device is adapted to store said identification code continuously at predefined time intervals.

11. An electronic device according to one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that said electronic device is a mobile telephone.

12. A method for monitoring an electronic device adapted to be used m connection with different external devices, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m storing in said electronic device, when connected to an external device, an identification code identifying said external device, maintain- ing said stored identification code after disconnection of said external device, and after switching off of the electronic device analysing said stored identification codes stored m said electronic device.

13. A method of determining the cause of an error in an electronic device adapted to be used m connection with an external device and to receive from a connected external device a code identifying such external device, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m storing m said electronic device, when connected to an external device, an identification code identifying said external device, maintaining said stored identification code after disconnection of said external device, and analysing said stored identification code when an error has been detected.

14. A method according to claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that a plurality of said identification codes are stored in said electronic device.

15. A method according to claims 12-14, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that said electronic device is a mobile telephone .