US5583875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic parametric self-testing and grading of a hardware system
Assignee: Enterprise Systems Technologies SARL
•
Filing: 1994-11-28
•
Granted: 1996-12-10
•
Expires: 2014-11-28
Abstract
Abstract Automatic parametric testing of a system can be achieved by varying a parameter such as speed, voltage, and/or temperature, and then monitoring system performance. Such testing can be used to determine whether a given system meets specifications and performance variations from system to system.
Inventors
- 👤 David Weiss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:09
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/22; G06F11/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
An apparatus for testing a system according to one or more performance characteristics with respect to at least one variable parameter, comprising: means for selecting a plurality of values of the parameter; means for operating the system at each value of the parameter; and means for monitoring at least one performance characteristic at each value of the parameter: wherein the means for operating and the means for monitoring are an intrinsic part of the system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
An apparatus for testing a system according to one or more performance characteristics with respect to at least one variable parameter, comprising: means for selecting a plurality of values of the parameter; means for operating the system at each value of the parameter; and means for monitoring at least one performance characteristic at each value of the parameter: wherein the means for operating and the means for monitoring are an intrinsic part of the system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, where the variable parameter is speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, where the variable parameter is temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, where the variable parameter is voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including means for recording the performance characteristics at each value of the parameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the means for recording the performance characteristics includes means for uniquely recording the performance characteristics.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for selecting a plurality of values of the parameter includes means for selecting predetermined minimum and maximum values of the parameter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for monitoring at least one performance characteristic at each value of the parameter includes means for rejecting the system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for selecting includes means for increasing the value of the parameter until the system fails and means for decreasing the value of the parameter until the system fails.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the means for increasing the values of the parameter includes means for selecting an interval for increasing the value of the parameter; and the means for decreasing the value of the parameter until the system fails includes means for selecting an interval for decreasing the value of the parameter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for selecting a plurality of values of the parameter, the means for operating the system at each value of the parameter, and the means for monitoring at least one performance characteristic at each value of the parameter are intrinsic to the system.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
75 words
An apparatus for evaluating a system according to one or more performance characteristics with respect to operating speed, comprising: means for operating the systems at a predetermined plurality of speeds; means for determining at least one performance characteristic at each value of speed; and means for performing an evaluation based on the performance characteristics;. wherein the means for operating, the means for determining and the means for performing are an intrinsic part of the system.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
75 words
An apparatus for evaluating a system according to one or more performance characteristics with respect to operating speed, comprising: means for operating the systems at a predetermined plurality of speeds; means for determining at least one performance characteristic at each value of speed; and means for performing an evaluation based on the performance characteristics;. wherein the means for operating, the means for determining and the means for performing are an intrinsic part of the system.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for determining the highest speed at which a system will function according to at least one performance characteristic, comprising the steps of: means for operating the system at a plurality of speeds, increasing the operating speed until the system fails; means for determining the performance characteristic at each of the plurality of speeds; and means for determining the highest speed at which the system will function before failing: wherein the means for operating, the means for determining the performance characteristics and the means for determining the highest speed are an intrinsic part of the system.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for determining the highest speed at which a system will function according to at least one performance characteristic, comprising the steps of: means for operating the system at a plurality of speeds, increasing the operating speed until the system fails; means for determining the performance characteristic at each of the plurality of speeds; and means for determining the highest speed at which the system will function before failing: wherein the means for operating, the means for determining the performance characteristics and the means for determining the highest speed are an intrinsic part of the system.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for testing a system according to one or more performance characteristics with respect to at least one variable parameter, comprising the steps of: selecting a plurality of values of the parameter; operating the system at each value of the parameter; and monitoring at least one performance characteristic at each value of the parameter; wherein the operating and the monitoring are done with hardware and software, the hardware and the Software being an intrinsic part of the system.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for testing a system according to one or more performance characteristics with respect to at least one variable parameter, comprising the steps of: selecting a plurality of values of the parameter; operating the system at each value of the parameter; and monitoring at least one performance characteristic at each value of the parameter; wherein the operating and the monitoring are done with hardware and software, the hardware and the Software being an intrinsic part of the system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as set forth in claim 14, where the variable parameter is speed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as set forth in claim 14, where the variable parameter is temperature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as set forth in claim 14, where the variable parameter is voltage.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 14, further including the step of recording the performance characteristics at each value of the parameter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as set forth in claim 18, wherein the step of recording the performance characteristics at each value of the parameter further includes the step of uniquely recording the performance characteristics.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the step of selecting a plurality of values of the parameter includes the step of selecting predetermined minimum and maximum values of the parameter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the step of monitoring at least one performance characteristic at each value of the parameter includes the step of rejecting the system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the step of selecting includes the step of increasing the value of the parameter until the system falls and the step of decreasing the value of the parameter until the system fails.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method as set forth in claim 22, wherein the step of increasing the value of the parameter until the system fails includes the step of selecting an interval for increasing the value of the parameter; and the step of decreasing the value of the parameter until the system fails includes means for selecting an interval for decreasing the value of the parameter.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the steps of selecting a plurality of values of the parameter, operating the system at each value of the parameter, and monitoring at least one performance characteristic at each value of the parameter are performed intrinsically to the system.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for evaluating a system according to one or more performance characteristics with respect to operating speed, comprising steps of: operating the systems at a predetermined plurality of speeds; determining at least one performance characteristic at each value of speed; and performing an evaluation based on the performance characteristics; wherein the operating, the determining, and the performing are done with hardware and software, the hardware and the software being an intrinsic part of the system.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for evaluating a system according to one or more performance characteristics with respect to operating speed, comprising steps of: operating the systems at a predetermined plurality of speeds; determining at least one performance characteristic at each value of speed; and performing an evaluation based on the performance characteristics; wherein the operating, the determining, and the performing are done with hardware and software, the hardware and the software being an intrinsic part of the system.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for determining the highest speed at which a system will function according to at least one performance characteristic, comprising the steps of: operating the system at a plurality of speeds, increasing the operating speed until the system fails; determining the performance characteristic at each of the plurality of speeds; and determining the highest speed at which the system will function before failing.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for determining the highest speed at which a system will function according to at least one performance characteristic, comprising the steps of: operating the system at a plurality of speeds, increasing the operating speed until the system fails; determining the performance characteristic at each of the plurality of speeds; and determining the highest speed at which the system will function before failing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-10 | 2000-06-10 | 2000-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-10 | 2004-06-10 | 2004-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-10 | 2008-06-10 | 2008-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |