Collecting Information Regarding Electronic Aging of Products

• US 20120297050A1
• Filed: 05/17/2011
• Published: 11/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Frank, Michael, Noorlag, Date Jan Willem
• Granted Patent: US 8,667,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/142 using statistical or mathematical methods
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/147 for predicting network behaviour

Abstract

Monitoring aging information for multiple devices. Aging information of the devices may be received. Statistics regarding the multiple devices may be determined based on the aging information. For at least some of the devices, update information may be determined based on the respective aging information. The update information may include modifications to operating parameters of the devices. For example, the devices may operate according to initial parameters that are above sustainable parameters and the update information may lower the operating parameters based on the aging information.

Claims

1. A method for collecting aging information for a plurality of devices, the method comprising:

receiving aging information of the plurality of devices over a wide area network, wherein, for each respective device, the aging information specifies aging of one or more electronic circuits in the respective device;

storing the aging information from the plurality of devices on a memory medium;

wherein the aging information from the plurality of devices is useable to assess operation of the plurality of devices.

2. The method of claim 1, determining statistical information of operation of the plurality of devices based on the aging information.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining average aging of the plurality of devices;

wherein the average aging of the plurality of devices is useable to assess operation of the plurality of devices.

4. The method of claim 1,

wherein the plurality of devices are a common device type and a common generation.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

determining improved operating parameters of the plurality of devices based on the aging information.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving battery condition information from the plurality of devices over the wide area network;

storing the battery condition information from the plurality of devices on the memory medium;

wherein the aging information and the battery condition information from the plurality of devices are useable to assess operation of the plurality of devices.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving usage information from the plurality of devices over the wide area network;

storing the usage information from the plurality of devices on the memory medium;

wherein the aging information and the usage information from the plurality of devices are useable to assess operation of the plurality of devices.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable memory medium comprising program instructions for collecting aging information for a plurality of devices, wherein the program instructions are executable to:

receive aging information of the plurality of devices over a wide area network, wherein, for each respective device, the aging information specifies aging of one or more electronic circuits in the respective device;

determine statistical information of operation of the plurality of devices based on the aging information;

wherein the statistical information is usable to assess operation of the plurality of devices.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable memory medium of claim 8,

wherein the aging information is determined as a function of actual use of the plurality of devices.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable memory medium of claim 9,

wherein the aging information is further determined as a function of operating conditions.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable memory medium of claim 10,

wherein the operating conditions comprise operating voltage, frequency, and/or temperature.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable memory medium of claim 8, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

receive location information of each of the plurality of devices over the wide area network;

wherein the statistical information is determined using the location information to determine location-based usage of the plurality of devices.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable memory medium of claim 8, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

receive altitude information of each of the plurality of devices over the wide area network;

wherein the statistical information is determined using the location information to determine location-based usage of the plurality of devices.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable memory medium of claim 8, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

receive operating temperature information of each of the plurality of devices over the wide area network;

wherein the statistical information is determined using the operating temperature information.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable memory medium of claim 8, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

receive ambient temperature information of each of the plurality of devices over the wide area network;

wherein the statistical information is determined using the ambient temperature information.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable memory medium of claim 8,

wherein the plurality of devices are a common device type manufactured by a common manufacturer.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable memory medium comprising program instructions for providing aging information received from at least one device, wherein the program instructions are executed by a computer system, wherein the at least one device is coupled to the computer system, wherein the program instructions are executable to:

receive aging information from the at least one device, wherein the aging information specifies aging of one or more electronic circuits in the at least one device;

provide the aging information over a wide area network.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable memory medium of claim 17,

wherein the at least one device comprises a plurality of devices;

wherein the program instructions are executable to perform said receiving and said providing for the plurality of devices.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable memory medium of claim 17,

wherein the program instructions comprise a management program for the at least one device.

20. An electronic device, comprising:

a processor;

memory coupled to the processor;

a port for coupling to a communication medium;

one or more aging circuits configured to determine aging information of the electronic device;

a register coupled to the one or more aging circuits for storing the aging information;

wherein the port is coupled to the register and is configured to provide the aging information for provision over a wide area network.

21. The electronic device of claim 20,

wherein the port is configured to provide the aging information to a local computer system for provision over a wide area network, wherein the local computer system executes a management program for managing the electronic device.

22. The electronic device of claim 20,

wherein the electronic device is a wireless communication device.

23. A non-transitory computer-readable memory medium comprising program instructions for collecting aging information for a plurality of devices, wherein the program instructions are executable to:

receive aging information of the plurality of devices over a wide area network, wherein, for each respective device, the aging information specifies aging of one or more electronic circuits in the respective device;

receive battery condition information from the plurality of devices over the wide area network;

receive operating temperature information from the plurality of devices over the wide area network;

determine statistical information of operation of the plurality of devices based on the aging information, the battery condition information, and the operating temperature information;

wherein the statistical information is useable to assess operation of the plurality of devices.