Abstract:
A system for testing and recording temperatures of a central processing unit (CPU) includes a temperature detecting unit ( 11 ) for detecting a current temperature of the CPU at a test time; a temperature data storing unit ( 12 ) for storing test results at different test times; a temperature data processing unit ( 13 ) for generating test results and comparison results; a temperature monitoring unit ( 14 ) for receiving the comparison results and transmitting corresponding control signals; and a test result outputting unit ( 15 ) for displaying an indicator light denoting a grading of the CPU and outputting the test results. The temperature data processing unit includes: a temperature data storing module ( 21 ), a temperature data obtaining module ( 22 ), a temperature setting module ( 23 ), a temperature comparing module ( 24 ), a test time setting module ( 25 ), a testing period comparing module ( 26 ), and a test result outputting module ( 27 ). A related method is also disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to industrial and commercial testing and recording systems and methods, and particularly to a system and method for testing and recording temperatures of a central processing unit (CPU). 
   2. Related Art of the Invention 
   Integrated circuit devices comprise many circuit elements arranged compactly in a single physical structure (i.e., a “chip”). When processing electrical signals in operation, these chips tend to generate heat. The amount of heat generated by an integrated circuit depends on several factors, including the density of circuit elements on the chip, the signal switching speed, and the signal power. Chips used in apparatuses such as computers are likely to generate large amounts of heat. This is because the integrated circuits generally comprise a very large number of circuit elements (i.e., transistors) arranged on the chip, and the circuit elements are generally operated at high signal switching speeds. The CPU of a personal computer is a quintessential example of this kind of chip. 
   The CPU can include thousands, or hundreds of thousands, or even millions of transistors in a single package. Each transistor generally acts as a switch, and operates in one of two states: conducting and non-conducting. Most of the electrical current that flows through a transistor does so while the transistor changes from the conducting to non-conducting state, or vice versa. 
   The transistors in the CPU change states synchronously with a clock signal. Thus the transistors in a typical 400 MHz CPU (i.e., a CPU operating from a 400 MHz clock signal) change states 800 million times per second. Of course, not every transistor in the CPU changes state on every edge of every cycle of the clock signal; some or even many transistors may remain in a given state throughout multiple clock signals. Nevertheless, in the typical CPU, much current flows through the numerous transistors at an extremely high rate each second. Overheating of a CPU not only risks shortening the useful lifetime of the CPU, but also can lead to failure of the computer system. Overheating of CPUs has been a significant problem for many years already. Further, it is generally accepted that the operating speed capabilities of CPUs will continue to increase in future, and that the problem of overheating of CPUs is likely to loom even larger. 
   For each particular kind of CPU marketed, a CPU manufacturer specifies a predetermined temperature range within which the CPU can operate properly and safely. If the actual operating temperature falls outside the predetermined range, the CPU may not function correctly, and the performance of the computer system may be impaired. For quality control, it is desirable that a CPU manufacturer employs a fast and efficient system and/or method for testing and recording temperatures of a newly manufactured CPU. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A main objective of the present invention is to provide a system and method which can efficiently test and record temperatures of a CPU at different points in time. 
   To accomplish the above objective, a system for testing and recording temperatures of a CPU in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises: a temperature detecting unit for detecting a current temperature of the CPU; a temperature data storing unit for storing test results; a temperature data processing unit for generating test results and comparison results; a temperature monitoring unit for receiving the comparison results and transmitting corresponding control signals; and a test result outputting unit for displaying an indicator light and outputting the test results. The temperature data processing unit comprises a temperature data storing module, a temperature data obtaining module, a temperature setting module, a test time setting module, a temperature comparing module, a testing period comparing module, and a test result outputting module. 
   The temperature data storing module is for storing the test results in the temperature data storing unit. The temperature data obtaining module is for obtaining the test results from the temperature data storing unit. The temperature setting module is for setting a safe maximum threshold temperature for the CPU. The test time setting module is for setting a standard testing period and a test mode. The temperature comparing module is for comparing the current temperature of the CPU with the maximum threshold temperature and transmitting corresponding comparison results. The testing period comparing module is for comparing an elapsed testing period with the standard testing period and transmitting corresponding comparison results, if the current temperature is not higher than the maximum threshold temperature and the elapsed testing period is not equal to the standard testing period. The test result outputting module is for outputting the test results and the comparison results. 
   Further, the present invention provides a method for testing and recording temperatures of a CPU, the method comprising the steps of: (a) setting a safe maximum threshold temperature for the CPU; (b) setting a standard testing period and a test mode; (c) detecting a current temperature of the CPU and transmitting a test result to a temperature data processing unit; (d) storing the test result to a temperature data storing unit; (e) comparing the current temperature of the CPU with the maximum threshold temperature; (f) transmitting a control signal to cease operation of the CPU, and displaying a red indicator light to denote the CPU is unsatisfactory and outputting the test result, if the current temperature is higher than the maximum threshold temperature; (g) comparing an elapsed testing period with the standard testing period, if the current temperature is not higher than the maximum threshold temperature; (h) continuing to compare a next temperature with the maximum threshold temperature, if the elapsed testing period is not equal to the standard testing period; and (i) transmitting a control signal to cease operation of the CPU, and displaying a green indicator light to denote the CPU is satisfactory and outputting the test result, if the elapsed testing period is equal to the standard testing period. 
   Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of hardware infrastructure of a system for testing and recording temperatures of a CPU in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of main function modules of a data processing unit of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary data record list, in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a preferred method for implementing the system of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  is a block diagram of hardware infrastructure of a system for testing and recording temperatures of a central processing unit (CPU) (hereinafter, “the system”) in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system comprises a CPU  10  to be tested, a temperature detecting unit  11 , a temperature data storing unit  12 , a temperature data processing unit  13 , a temperature monitoring unit  14 , and a test result outputting unit  15 . The temperature data processing unit  13  is connected to the CPU  10 , the temperature detecting unit  11 , the temperature data storing unit  12 , the temperature monitoring unit  14  and the test result outputting unit  15  through a data signal bus (represented by thin lines). Further, the temperature monitoring unit  14  is connected to the CPU  10  and the test result outputting unit  15  through a control signal bus (represented by thick lines). 
   The temperature detecting unit  11  utilizes a thermistor (not shown) to detect a current temperature of the CPU  10  at a test time, and transmits the current temperature to the temperature data processing unit  13 . The test time is a point in time when the CPU  10  is tested. The thermistor is closely coupled with the CPU  10 , and detects a temperature change of the CPU  10  through a corresponding change in electrical resistance. 
   The temperature data processing unit  13  receives the current temperature of the CPU  10 , and generates a corresponding test result including the test time, the current temperature and an elapsed testing period up to the current time. The temperature data processing unit  13  also compares the current temperature with a safe maximum threshold temperature of the CPU  10 , compares the elapsed testing period with a standard testing period, and transmits a corresponding comparison result to the temperature monitoring unit  14 . 
   The temperature data storing unit  12  is a memory for storing test results at different test times in a data record list (described below in relation to  FIG. 3 ). The data record list may have a structured query language data format, an Oracle data format, or any other suitable data format. 
   The temperature monitoring unit  14  generates and transmits a corresponding control signal to control operation of the CPU  10  and the test result outputting unit  15 , according to the comparison result received from the temperature data processing unit  13 . 
   The test result outputting unit  15  displays an indicator light denoting a grading of the CPU  10  according to the control signal, and outputs the test result. For example, when the test result outputting unit  15  displays a red indicator light, the CPU  10  is regarded as unsatisfactory. In contrast, when the test result outputting unit  15  displays a green indicator light, the CPU  10  is regarded as satisfactory. 
     FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of main function modules of the temperature data processing unit  13 . The temperature data processing unit  13  comprises a temperature data storing module  21 , a temperature data obtaining module  22 , a temperature setting module  23 , a temperature comparing module  24 , a test time setting module  25 , a testing period comparing module  26 , and a test result outputting module  27 . 
   The temperature data storing module  21  stores test results of the CPU  10  at different test times in a data record list (described below in relation to  FIG. 3 ) in the temperature data storing unit  12 . The temperature data obtaining module  22  obtains the test results from the temperature data storing unit  12 , and transmits the test results to the test result outputting module  27 . 
   The temperature setting module  23  sets a safe maximum threshold temperature for the CPU  10 . The temperature comparing module  24  compares a current temperature of the CPU  10  obtained from the temperature detecting unit  11  with the maximum threshold temperature, generates a first comparison result, and transmits the first comparison result to the temperature monitoring unit  14 . If the first comparison result indicates that the current temperature is higher than the maximum threshold temperature, the temperature monitoring unit  14  transmits a halt control signal to cease operation of the CPU  10 . Further, the test result outputting unit  15  displays a red indicator light according to the control signal denoting that the CPU  10  is unsatisfactory, and outputs the test result. Alternatively, if the first comparison result indicates that the current temperature is not higher than the maximum threshold temperature, the temperature comparing module  24  continues to compare the maximum threshold temperature with a next temperature obtained at a next test time by the temperature detecting unit  11 . 
   The test time setting module  25  sets a standard testing period and a test mode for the CPU  10 , and times an elapsed testing period. For example, the standard resting period can be set as 30 minutes, and the test mode can be tat the CPU  10  is tested every 5 minutes throughout the standard testing period. The testing period comparing module  26  compares an elapsed testing period obtained from the test time setting module  25  with the standard testing period and generates a second comparison result, if the current temperature is not higher than the maximum threshold temperature and the elapsed testing period is not equal to the standard testing period. If the second comparison result indicates that the elapsed testing period is equal to the standard resting period, the temperature monitoring unit  14  transmits a halt control signal to cease operation of the CPU  10 , and the test process is finished, Further, the test result outputting unit  15  displays a green indicator light denoting that the CPU  10  is satisfactory, and outputs the test result. Alternatively, if the second comparison result indicates that the elapsed testing period is not equal to the standard testing period, the temperature comparing module  24  continues to compare the maximum threshold temperature with a next temperature obtained at a next test rime by the temperature detecting unit  11 . 
   The test result outputting module  27  outputs the comparison results to the temperature monitoring unit  14 , and outputs the test results to the test result outputting unit  15 . 
     FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary data record list that stores test results obtained at different test times. The data record list comprises three columns: test time  301 , current temperature  303 , and elapsed testing period  305 . Each entry under test time  301  records a point in time when the CPU  10  is tested. Each entry under current temperature  303  records a temperature of the CPU  10  at a corresponding test time  301 . Each entry under elapsed testing period  305  records an elapsed testing period as at the corresponding test time  301 . 
   FIG  4  is a flowchart of a preferred method for implementing the system. In step S 41 , the temperature setting module  23  sets a safe maximum threshold temperature for the CPU  10 . In step S 42 , the test time setting module  25  sets a standard testing period and a test mode, and starts timing an elapsed testing period. In step S 43 , the temperature detecting unit  11  detects a current temperature of the CPU  10  at a test time according to the test mode, and generates and transmits a corresponding test result to the temperature data processing unit  13 . In step S 44 , the temperature data storing module  21  stores the test result in a data record list in the temperature data storing unit  12 . In step S 45 , the temperature comparing module  24  compares the current temperature with the maximum threshold temperature, and transmits a first comparison result to the temperature monitoring unit  14 . 
   If the first comparison result indicates that the current temperature is higher than the maximum threshold temperature, in step S 46 , the temperature monitoring unit  14  transmits a halt control signal to cease operation of the CPU  10 . Further, the test result outputting unit  15  displays a red indicator light according to the control signal denoting that the CPU  10  is unsatisfactory and outputs the test result, whereupon the procedure is finished. Alternatively, if the first comparison result indicates that the current temperature is not higher than the maximum threshold temperature, in step S 47 , the testing period comparing module  26  compares an elapsed testing period with the standard testing period, and generates and transmits a second comparison result to the temperature monitoring unit  14 . 
   If the second comparison result indicates that the elapsed testing period is not equal to the standard testing period, the procedure returns to step S 43  described above. In contrast, if the second comparison result indicates that the elapsed testing period is equal to the standard testing period, in step S 48 , the temperature monitoring unit  14  transmits a halt control signal to cease operation of the temperature detecting unit  11 . Also, the test result outputting unit  15  displays a green indicator light denoting that the CPU  10  is satisfactory, and outputs the test result, whereupon the procedure is finished. 
   Although the present invention has been specifically described on the basis of a preferred embodiment and preferred method, the invention is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Various changes or modifications may be made to the embodiment and method without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.