Technique for collecting information about computing devices

• US 7,610,176 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Issued: 10/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Shi, Jason Jianxiong, Chan, Bennett, Kim, James, Tu, Jerome
• Primary Examiner(s): Cosimano; Edward R
• Application Number:
  US11/422,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20070282999A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,239 Days
• Field of Search: 702/1, 702/33, 702/34, 702/35, 702/127, 702/182, 702/183, 702/186, 702/187, 702/188, 709/213, 709/214
• US Class Current: 702/187
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/26 Functional testing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3476 Data logging G06F11/14, G06F11/2205 take precedence

Abstract

A computing device is provided on which device analysis information is generated. The device analysis information may be generated from the use of diagnostic and monitoring applications and code. The device analysis information is handled by an application/central processor and then stored on a removeable storage device.

Claims

1. A method for collecting information for use in performing analysis about one or more operations of a computing device in a pre-commercialized state, the method comprising:

generating device analysis information about one or more processes performed to identify performance characteristics and process errors of the computing device in the pre-commercialized state, wherein the device analysis information is generated at least in part, by a processor on the computing device;

responsive to generating the device analysis information, storing data that is based on or corresponds to the device analysis information, on a removeable storage device that is under a control of the processor of the computing device;

enabling data communicated on the removeable storage device to be communicated to a manufacturer for evaluation in commercializing the computing device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the device analysis information includes generating diagnostic information about how the one or more processes were performed, and wherein storing data that is based on or corresponds to the device analysis information is performed in real-time from when the device analysis information was generated.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein storing data that is based on or corresponds to the device analysis information includes capturing the device analysis data on a storage device that is held internal to the computing device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein storing data that is based on or corresponds to the device analysis information includes capturing the data on a memory-only device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein storing data that is based on or corresponds to the device analysis information includes capturing the data on a secure digital card device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein storing data that is based on or corresponds to the device analysis information includes formatting the device analysis information into a file within the computing device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein storing data that is based on or corresponds to the device analysis information includes formatting the device analysis information into a File Application Transfer file format within the computing device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein generating device analysis information about one or more processes performed on the computing device includes generating device analysis information from a radio processor that performs processes for enabling radio-frequency communications.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein generating device analysis information about one or more processes performed on the computing device includes generating device analysis information from an application processor.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein generating device analysis information about one or more processes performed on the computing device includes generating device analysis information from both a radio processor and an application processor.

11. A mobile computing device comprising:

an interface for receiving a removeable storage device; and

a processor that is configured to;

receive or generate device analysis information about, or relevant to, performance of one or more processes or components of the mobile computing device in a pre-commercialized state, while concurrently performing at least part of the one or more processes, wherein the device analysis information identifies performance characteristics and process errors of the processor or the mobile computing device;

store the device analysis information on a removeable storage device mated with the interface; and

format the device analysis information for use in evaluating the device in the pre-commercialized state.

12. The mobile computing device of claim 11, wherein the interface includes a slot that enables the removeable storage device to be received within a housing of the mobile computing device, and wherein the removeable storage device is a memory-only device.

13. The mobile computing device of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to format the device analysis information when storing the device analysis information with the removeable storage device.

14. The mobile computing device of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to perform one or more operations to (i) present the device analysis information, or (ii) evaluate the device analysis information that is stored on the removeable storage device.

15. The mobile computing device of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to control the removeable storage device when the removeable storage device is mated with the interface.

16. The mobile computing device of claim 15, wherein the interface is configured to receive a Secure Digital memory card as the removeable storage device.

17. A mobile computing device comprising:

an interface for receiving a removeable storage device; and

a radio processor for enabling wireless, radio-frequency communications from the mobile computing device, wherein the radio processor is configured to execute instructions to generate radio analysis information about at least one of (i) processes performed by the radio processor, and (ii) components used or monitored by the radio processor; and

a central processor that is configured to;

receive the radio analysis information from the radio processor;

execute instructions to generate analysis information about the mobile computing device in the pre-commercialized state, the analysis information including information about at least one of (i) processes performed by the central processor, and (ii) components used or monitored by the central processor, wherein the device analysis information further identifies one or more performance characteristics or process errors of the mobile computing device in the pre-commercialized state; and

communicate (i) the radio analysis information received from the radio processor, and (ii) the analysis information generated on the central processor, to a removeable storage device mated with the interface.

18. The mobile computing device of claim 17, wherein the interface includes a slot that enables the removeable storage device to be received within a housing of the mobile computing device, and wherein the removeable storage device is a memory-only device.

19. The mobile computing device of claim 17, wherein the central processor is configured to format the radio analysis information and the analysis information generated on the central processor on the removeable storage device.

20. The mobile computing device of claim 17, wherein the central processor is configured to perform one or more operations to (i) present the radio analysis information or the analysis information, or (ii) evaluate the radio analysis information or the analysis information that is stored on the removeable storage device.

21. The mobile computing device of claim 17, further comprising:

a connector; and

wherein the radio processor is operable to send at least some of the radio analysis information to either (i) another device connected to the mobile computing device through the connector, or (ii) to the removeable storage device through the central processor.

22. The mobile computing device of claim 21, further comprising:

a switching element coupled to the connector and the central processor;

wherein when the radio processor sends the radio analysis information to the other device through the connector, either the central processor or the radio processor causes the a state of the switching element to switch so as to disable the central processor from using the connector.

23. The mobile computing device of claim 17, wherein the central processor is configured to control the removeable storage device when the removeable storage device is mated with the interface.

24. The mobile computing device of claim 23, wherein the interface is configured to receive a Secure Digital memory card as the removeable storage device.

25. A mobile computing device comprising:

an interface for receiving a removeable storage device; and

a radio subsystem comprising one or more components for enabling wireless, radio-frequency communications from the mobile computing device;

a central processor that is configured to;

receive radio analysis information from the radio subsystem;

execute instructions to generate analysis information about the mobile computing device in the pre-commercialized state, the analysis information including information about at least one of (i) processes performed by the central processor, and (ii) components used or monitored by the central processor, wherein the device analysis information further identifies one or more performance characteristics or process errors of the mobile computing device in the pre-commercialized state; and

communicate information comprising the radio analysis information received from the radio subsystem and the analysis information generated on the central processor, to a removeable storage device mated with the interface; and

format the information stored on the removeable storage device.

26. The mobile computing device of claim 25, wherein the central processor is configured to format the information by combining the radio analysis information and the analysis information generated on the central processor on a single document or view.

27. The mobile computing device of claim 26, wherein the central processor is configured to format the information by presenting at least some of the radio analysis information and at least some of the analysis information in a chronological order.