JPH10207733A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic equipment having a function which automatically detects the deterioration of an integrated circuit used inside. SOLUTION: An electronic equipment 10 is operated when a power supply voltage v11 is supplied from a power source 11 in a normal using state. Afterwards, the electronic equipment 10 is turned into the self-diagnostic mode of a voltage margin before a power source is turned into an off state. At that time, a self-diagnostic instruction for decreasing the power supply voltage v11 is outputted from a controlling part 12, and the power supply voltage supplied to the controlling part 12 is made lower than the output voltage v11. Afterwards, the self-diagnosis of an IC in the controlling part 12 is operated, and when it is confirmed that it is normal, the processing is ended as it is, and the power source is automatically turned into the off state. On the other hand, when a self-diagnostic error is generated at the time of the decrease of the power supply voltage supplied to the controlling part 12, the generation of the self-diagnostic error is displayed by a failure generation recording part 14. Then, an operator makes a maintenance exchanging request for preventing the fault of the controlling part 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention incorporates a control unit comprising a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an IC (Integrated Circuit) and has a function of automatically detecting deterioration of the CPU and the IC. The present invention relates to an electronic device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, most electronic devices, such as terminal devices, have CPUs, LSIs, and ICs.
A control unit using such as is built-in. These electronic devices are shipped to a user after performing a function, an operation, and, in some cases, various margin tests in a shipping inspection at a manufacturing factory, so that the electronic device hardly does not operate after arriving at the user. However, if some of the ICs and the like used in the control unit gradually deteriorate as time passes, a suddenly long time, for example, one or two years, elapses. An operation failure such as a decrease in the voltage of an output signal of an IC or the like in the control unit may occur. This is known as the occurrence of migration (crystal growth) inside the IC. In rare cases, the contact resistance may gradually increase due to the bonding failure at the bonding portion, and eventually the operation may fail. In a general shipping inspection process, since the electronic device is normal, these operation failures could not be found beforehand. Therefore, this problem has been avoided by strictly selecting ICs to be used. That is, for example, a function test is performed on all ICs after aging. Alternatively, in a sampling inspection of an IC, the IC is disassembled after performing a long-term acceleration test, a cycle test of temperature and humidity, and an aging test, and an electron microscope is used to check whether there is any sign of migration inside. Was required. Performing such a check on a general electronic device consumes a great deal of time, and is often not performed. In some cases, measures have been taken to prevent the above-mentioned malfunctions by proactively improving the management of the manufacturing process in IC manufacturers.

[0003]

However, in any of the inspections described above, the following problems (1) to (1) are to be solved.
There was (3). (1) Even if ICs are strictly selected, there is a certain probability that malfunction occurs due to aging, and the malfunction cannot be completely eliminated. Therefore, in the field of IC, a defect occurrence probability such as AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) is defined. (2) There is also a method of performing an accelerated test in the IC shipping inspection for selection, but this increases the test time,
There was a risk that even normal parts would be degraded. (3) There is a method in which a serviceman periodically changes the output voltage of a power supply unit for an operating electronic device to check the operation of the electronic device, and checks the operation margin of the power supply voltage of the IC. However, as typified by recent low-priced personal computers, many power supply units cannot change the output voltage, and this method may not be adopted.

[0004] As described above, none of the methods has realized an electronic device capable of detecting and responding to sudden deterioration due to aging of the IC beforehand. Although a large-scale method such as duplication of an electronic device was sometimes adopted, it was expensive in terms of price and was not satisfactory. For this reason, there is no method capable of coping with the deterioration of the IC of the electronic device at a low price beforehand, and a sudden malfunction of the IC may seriously damage the electronic device.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a power supply unit for outputting a first power supply voltage having a predetermined value and a self-diagnosis instruction indicating inactivity in an electronic device. A voltage variable unit that outputs the first power supply voltage to the first power supply voltage, and when the self-diagnosis command indicates activation, reduces the first power supply voltage by a desired amount and outputs a second power supply voltage; And a function of receiving the first power supply voltage from the voltage variable unit by indicating inactivity to the self-diagnosis command in the normal use state, and the self-diagnosis command in the check state. The central processing unit and the integrated circuit operate in response to the second power supply voltage from the voltage variable unit by indicating the activation of the diagnostic instruction based on the program of the central processing unit in the inspection state. Check if you have done Yourself and a control unit having a function of performing diagnosis, the failure record means for holding and displays the results of the self-diagnosis includes.

According to the present invention, since the electronic apparatus is configured as described above, in the normal track use state, the control section indicates the inactivity of the self-diagnosis command to change the voltage from the voltage variable section to the first power supply of the power supply section. It operates with the supply of voltage. Then, the electronic device enters the inspection state after the normal use condition such as at the end of work, for example, and enters a voltage margin self-diagnosis mode before the power is turned off. In the self-diagnosis mode, the control unit is supplied with the second power supply voltage from the voltage variable unit by indicating the activation of the self-diagnosis command, and performs self-diagnosis for confirming the normal operation of the central processing unit and the integrated circuit. . As a result of the self-diagnosis, if it is confirmed that the operation is normal, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the integrated circuit or the like has deteriorated due to migration or the like, it is confirmed as a result of the self-diagnosis that it is abnormal. In this case, the self-diagnosis result is displayed and held by the fault occurrence recording means. The maintenance technician replaces the deteriorated parts based on the result, and prevents the failure of the electronic device. Therefore, the above problem can be solved.

[0007]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic device showing an embodiment of the present invention. This electronic device 10
It includes a power supply section 11, a control section 12, a voltage variable section 13, and a failure occurrence recording section 14 as failure occurrence recording means. The voltage variable unit 13 is built in the control unit 12.
The input side of the power supply unit 11 is connected to the commercial power supply A.
The power supply unit 11 does not have a voltage variable function, but has a function of outputting a first power supply voltage v11 having a predetermined value. The output side of the power supply unit 11 is connected to the input side of the voltage variable unit 13. The voltage variable unit 13 supplies the power supply voltage v11 of the power supply unit 11 to the control unit 12 in the normal track use state, and supplies the power supply voltage v1 according to a command of the control unit 12 in the check state.
1 is reduced by a desired amount and the control unit 1
2 is provided. The control unit 12 includes a CPU
In the case of the normal use state, the power supply voltage v11 is supplied from the voltage variable unit 13 by deactivating the self-diagnosis command in the normal use state. The control unit 12 activates the self-diagnosis command in the inspection state, so that the CPU and the IC based on the program of the CPU in a state where the second power supply voltage is supplied from the voltage variable unit 13.
Has a function of performing a self-diagnosis for confirming a normal operation of. The control unit 12 is connected to the failure occurrence recording unit 14. The failure occurrence recording unit 14 has a function of displaying, recording, and holding the result of the self-diagnosis of the control unit 12.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the control unit 12 in FIG. The control unit 12 includes a CPU 12
a, ROM (Read Only Memory) 12b, RAM (Rand
am Access Memory) 12c, an I / O port 12d, and an IC (not shown). The I / O port 12d receives an arbitrary input / output signal S12d in accordance with a command from the CPU 12a.
Has a function of controlling an external circuit by inputting or outputting the same. Further, the control unit 12 includes a voltage variable unit 13. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of the voltage variable unit 13 in FIG. The voltage variable unit 13 is connected to the input terminal 1
3a, relays 13b, 13c, 13d, and output terminal 1
3e, relay drivers 13f, 13g, 13h, and resistors 13i, 13j.

An input terminal 13a for inputting a power supply voltage supplied from the power supply section 11 is connected to an output terminal 13e via a contact point of a relay 13b. The coil of the relay 13b is connected to the relay driver 13f. The output signal S12d of the I / O port 12d in FIG. 2 is input to the relay driver 13f. The relay driver 13f is configured by a transistor or the like, and has a function of driving the coil of the relay 13b based on the output signal S12d. The input terminal 13a is connected to the relay 1
3c is connected to one terminal of the contact, and the other terminal of the contact of the relay 13c is connected to an output terminal 13e via a resistor 13i.
It is connected to the. The coil of the relay 13c is connected to the relay driver 13g. Relay driver 13g
Is supplied with an output signal S12d of the I / O port 12d. Further, the input terminal 13a is connected to one terminal of the contact of the relay 13d,
Is connected to the output terminal 13 via the resistor 13j.
e. The coil of the relay 13d is connected to the relay driver 13h. Relay driver 13
The output signal S12d of the I / O port 12d is input to h. In addition, the relay driver 13g,
13h has the same configuration as the relay driver 13f.

In the voltage variable section 13, the I / O port 1
The relay driver 13 based on the 2d output signal S12d
Any one of f, 13g, and 13h operates, and the connected relay is driven. When the contact of the relay 13b is on, the power supply voltage v11 of the power supply unit 11 is supplied to the control unit 12 as it is. Then, the control unit 12 operates at the normal voltage. on the other hand,
When the contact of the relay 13c is turned on, the power supply voltage v1
1 drops by the resistance 13i and is supplied to the control unit 12. Therefore, the control unit 12 operates at a voltage lower than the normal voltage. Further, when the contact of the relay 13d is turned on, the power supply voltage v11 drops by the resistor 13j and is supplied to the control unit 12. If the resistance 13j is set to a value larger than the resistance 13i, the controller 12
Will operate at a lower voltage than when the contact is turned on. When the power supply voltage v11 is dropped by a resistor, the output voltage of the voltage variable unit 13 fluctuates slightly depending on the flowing current. In practice, however, a large-capacity electric field capacitor or the like is connected to the power supply voltage input terminal of the control unit 12. Is connected to alleviate the fluctuation of
There is no particular problem in confirming the operation margin of the IC or the like in 2. In a normal use state, when the power supply of the electronic device 10 is turned on, only the relay 13b is unconditionally turned on.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the failure occurrence recording section 14 in FIG. This failure occurrence recording unit 14
Are relays 14a and 14b and a relay driver 14c
, A resistor 14d, and a light emitting diode 14e. The coil of the relay 14a is connected to the relay driver 14c. The output signal S12d of the I / O port 12d in FIG. 2 is input to the relay driver 14c. One terminal of the contact of the relay 14a is connected to the power supply voltage Vcc, and the other terminal of the contact of the relay 14a is connected to 0V via the coil of the relay 14b. One terminal of a first contact of the relay 14b is connected to the power supply voltage Vcc, and the other terminal of the first contact of the relay 14b is connected to the other terminal of the contact of the relay 14a. One terminal of a second contact of the relay 14b is connected to the power supply voltage Vcc, and the other terminal of the second contact of the relay 14b is connected to the light emitting diode 14 via a resistor 14d.
e, and to the I / O port 12d in FIG. The cathode of the light emitting diode 14e is connected to 0V.

In the fault occurrence recording unit 14, the relay driver 14c operates based on the output signal S12d of the I / O port 12d, and the relay 14a is driven. When the contact of the relay 14a is turned on, the relay 14b is turned on, and the first and second contacts of the relay 14b are turned on. Therefore, the ON state of the relay 14b is maintained, and the light emitting diode 14e emits light. At the same time, an output signal S12d indicating that the light emitting diode 14e has emitted light is sent to the I / O port 12d. Next, the operation of FIG. 1 will be described. In the normal use state, the electronic device 10 transmits the power supply voltage v of the power supply unit 11 from the voltage variable unit 13.
11 is supplied to operate. Then, after a normal use state such as at the end of daily work is completed, the electronic device 10 enters a voltage margin self-diagnosis mode before the power is turned off. In this mode, the I / O port 12
From d, a self-diagnosis command for lowering the power supply voltage v11 is output. In this case, for example, the relay 13c is turned on, and the power supply voltage supplied to the control unit 12 is the output voltage v1.
It will be lower than 1. After that, based on the program of the CPU 12a, self-diagnosis such as a hash total check of the ROM 12b in the control unit 12 and a read / write compare test of the RAM 12c is performed. Is turned off.

On the other hand, if a self-diagnosis error occurs when the power supply voltage supplied to the control
The command of 2a turns on the relay 14a. Then, the relay 14b is held in the ON state, the light emitting diode 14e emits light, and it is displayed that a self-diagnosis error has occurred due to a decrease in the power supply voltage. Then relay 1
By turning on the 3b and turning off the relay 13c, the power supply voltage supplied to the control unit 12 returns to the normal voltage (that is, the output voltage v11 of the power supply unit 11). At this time, the CPU 12a can know the information emitted by the light emitting diode 14e by reading the information from the I / O port 12d. As a result, the CPU 12a
Alarm sounds and messages to the operator
It is possible to notify that the operation margin of the IC or the like in the control unit 12 is lowered. Thereafter, the operator will request a maintenance replacement in order to prevent a failure of the control unit 12 in the near future. In addition, when performing a test in the self-diagnosis mode in the shipment inspection of the electronic device 10, the evaluation at the time of shipment can be performed by a simple operation. At this time, a defective IC or the like is easily detected. Therefore, the shipping inspection time is greatly reduced, and the quality of the shipping-tested electronic device is also improved.

As described above, in the present embodiment, after the normal use state such as the end of the work is completed, the power supply voltage supplied to the control unit 12 can be reduced and checked.
Before the system suddenly goes down, it is possible to detect the deterioration of the IC or the like in the control unit 12 due to migration or the like. Therefore, it is possible to take a measure against a system down beforehand, and the operation rate and reliability of the electronic device are improved. Further, since the power supply unit 11 can adopt a general low-priced power supply having a fixed output voltage v11, a special power supply capable of changing the output voltage is not required. In addition, since the test is performed at the end of the operation, there is almost no effect on the operation.
In addition, since no margin test is required at the time of maintenance, the number of maintenance steps can be reduced. In addition, even in an unstable state where the power supply is operating normally at the rated voltage, an error can be detected by changing the voltage. I can stop it.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
Various modifications are possible. For example, there are the following modifications. (A) The configuration of the voltage variable unit 13 may be another configuration as long as the output voltage v11 of the power supply unit 11 can be varied. (B) The configuration of the failure occurrence recording unit 14 may be another configuration as long as it has the same function.

[0016]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the control unit of the electronic device, the output voltage of the power supply unit is changed by the control unit when the normal use state such as the end of work is completed. Since the voltage margin test of the internal IC and the like is automatically executed based on the self-diagnosis program and the result is stored in the failure occurrence recording unit, the aging of the IC and the like constituting the control unit is changed. Degradation can be detected beforehand, and the reliability of the electronic device can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a control unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a voltage variable unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a failure occurrence recording unit in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 electronic device 11 power supply unit 12 control unit 13 voltage variable unit 14 failure occurrence recording unit (failure occurrence recording means)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A power supply unit for outputting a first power supply voltage having a predetermined value, and outputting the first power supply voltage when a self-diagnosis instruction indicates inactivity, and when the self-diagnosis instruction indicates activation. The first
A voltage variable unit for lowering the power supply voltage by a desired amount to output a second power supply voltage, a central processing unit and an integrated circuit, and by deactivating the self-diagnosis command in a normal use state, A function that operates by receiving the first power supply voltage from the voltage variable unit, and operates by receiving the second power supply voltage from the voltage variable unit by indicating activation in the self-diagnosis command in the case of an inspection state. A control unit having a function of performing a self-diagnosis in the inspection state based on a program of the central processing unit based on a program of the central processing unit and whether or not the integrated circuit operates normally; An electronic device, comprising: a failure occurrence recording unit that displays and holds a result.