JP4101776B2 - Transmission protocol test method and test apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmission protocol test method and a test apparatus, and more particularly to a test method and a test apparatus for developing a network device that receives a protocol transmission on a network and is controlled by another device.

  Along with the development of multimedia technology, technologies for network connection of audio-visual devices and information home appliances including AV devices such as video devices and television devices have been developed. For example, by performing communication according to a transmission protocol defined in a network using an IEEE1394 serial bus (hereinafter referred to as “IEEE1394 network”, this method is referred to as “IEEE1394”), information is transmitted to each other. Can communicate. For example, in a network such as an IEEE 1394 network, an AV device can be remotely operated by using, for example, a predetermined command (AV / C command transaction, hereinafter referred to as “AV / C command”).

  Devices connected to the IEEE 1394 bus line need to communicate according to the transmission protocol described above, and devices that can be connected to the IEEE 1394 bus line have a control unit for performing processing according to the communication protocol. It has been. For example, at the time of designing, manufacturing, or repairing a device connected to an IEEE 1394 bus line, the device tests (checks) whether or not the device can perform transmission processing according to the transmission protocol described above. There is a need.

In the above Patent Documents 1 and 2, a method for facilitating a transmission state test for IEEE 1394 is proposed. The technique described in the above document compares the response to the control command sent from the test equipment with the expected value according to the determined test sequence, and if the response does not match the expected value, an error will occur. Is a technique for testing by returning.
JP 2002-218007 A JP 2003-69572 A

  However, the methods disclosed in the above prior art documents have the following problems to be solved. First, there was a problem in that it is necessary for an examiner who performs a test to set a test target device in a predetermined state. For example, the expected value, which is a reference value for comparison with the response, may change depending on the configuration of the device or network, so it is difficult to cope with such a change. Connection verification was not easy. In addition, when the test target device deviates from a preset test sequence, there is a problem that the test result becomes an error and the test cannot be continued.

  The test device sends a control command to set the initial state to the test target device, receives a response that the device has executed the command, then sends a command to check the device state, and returns the response Check if the device is in the desired initial state. Each response is compared with a predetermined expected value. If the expected value is satisfied, the process proceeds to the next step. If the expected value is different from the expected value, an error indicating that the initial setting has failed is returned and the test is terminated. .

At the end of the test, send a control command to set the end status to the test target device, and after receiving a response that the device has executed the command, send a command to check the status of the device, and from the returned response Check if the device is in the desired end state. Each response is compared with a predetermined expected value, and if it differs from the expected value, an error indicating that the end setting has failed is returned and the test is terminated.
As described above, a stable test can be performed even when a plurality of tests are automatically executed continuously.

  Next, regarding the execution of the main test after the initial setting is completed, there are cases where specifications are defined so that a plurality of responses can be obtained for one control command. In this case, prepare multiple expected values, and after receiving a response that the device has executed the command, send a command to investigate the status of the device, and the device is defined in the specification from the returned response. It is possible to execute a more complex test by checking whether the response to the command execution is compatible with the expected value according to the specification.

  In addition, depending on the test, the expected value may change depending on the time zone or place of execution. In that case, the expected value is automatically reset to the correct value by inputting the expected value from an external input means or by acquiring the value that is the current expected value from the test device immediately before the test execution. Testability is improved and testability is improved.

  The expected value is prepared in the same format as the normal response, but depending on the specification, there is a case where it is not necessary to compare all data. In that case, by mounting a function of masking data that does not need to be compared, it is possible to compare only the data that is really desired to be compared, and the accuracy of the test is improved.

  Depending on the current status, the device under test may not be able to return a response that the command has been received (different from the above response). This state is called a busy state. The test will fail when it is normally busy, but if the device under test is busy, it will not be affected by other factors by providing a mechanism to wait for a certain time and then send the command again. Accurate testing is possible.

  Depending on the network, the connection may be intentionally canceled for some reason, and then the connection may be established again (bus reset in the case of IEEE1394). When reconnecting, the connection configuration (topology in the case of IEEE1394) may change from before depending on the network. At this time, by providing a function to store a unique ID on the network of the device to be tested and a function to search for the ID from the network, the test can be performed even when the network is unexpectedly or intentionally disconnected. It is possible to continue and testability is improved.

  By controlling the test support device with a command, the test apparatus can automatically perform operation verification when the test target device receives a control command from a plurality of devices simultaneously.

  That is, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmission test method for checking a data transmission system that performs data transmission between devices connected by a network using a predetermined transmission protocol, wherein the test device After transmitting a control command for setting an initial state and receiving a response that the test target device has executed the command, a command for investigating the state of the test target device is transmitted, and the test target is determined from the returned response. The initial state setting step for confirming whether or not the device is in a desired initial state, the response is compared with a predetermined expected value, and if the response is as expected, the process proceeds to the next stage, and the expected value Test processing step that returns an error indicating that the initial setting has failed and terminates the test. When the test device transmits a control command for setting the end state to the test target device and receives a response that the test target device has executed the command, the test device changes the status of the test target device. A transmission test method comprising: an end processing step of transmitting a command to be investigated and confirming whether or not the test target device is in a desired end state from a response returned from the test target device Is done. Further, each response is compared with a predetermined expected value, and if it is different from the expected value, an error indicating that the end setting has failed is returned and the test is terminated. Thus, the test process can be stably performed by performing the initial setting process and the end process before and after the test process.

  In the initial state setting step, when it is determined that the test target device is not in a desired initial state based on a response returned from the test target device, the test processing step is performed after the test processing step. It is also possible to shift to a step before the end processing step and then perform the end processing step.

  The test processing step includes a step of preparing a plurality of corresponding expected values in the case where the specification is defined so that a plurality of responses can be obtained with respect to one control command; After the test device receives a response that the control command has been executed, the test device transmits a command for investigating the state of the test target device to the test target device, and according to the command And a step of comparing a response to the execution of the control command with an expected value in accordance with a specification among the plurality of expected values based on the returned response. As a result, since it can be determined whether or not the device to be tested complies with the transmission protocol, a complicated test can be executed.

  In the case of a test in which an expected value changes depending on a time zone or place to be executed, the method includes a step of inputting the expected value from the outside or acquiring a value that becomes a current expected value from the test apparatus immediately before the test execution It is characterized by that. As a result, the expected value can be automatically reset to a correct value, and testability is improved.

  Furthermore, it has a mask step for masking the expected value. As a result, the expected value is prepared in the same format as the normal response, but depending on the specification, there is a case where it is not necessary to compare all the data. In this case, by masking data that does not need to be compared, it is possible to compare only the data that is really desired to be compared, thereby improving the accuracy of the test.

  Further, in a busy state in which a reply that the test target device has received a command cannot be returned, the test apparatus transmits the command again after a predetermined time has elapsed when the test target device is in a busy state. It is characterized by having. This causes the test to fail when it is normally busy, but when the device under test is busy, the test device waits for a certain period of time and then sends a command again to provide other factors. Accurate tests that are not affected by

  Further, the method includes a step of storing a unique ID on the network of the device to be tested, and a step of retrieving the ID from the network. As a result, the test can be continued even when an unexpected or intentional network disconnection occurs, and the testability is improved. Furthermore, when the network connection is released and then re-established (bus reset), depending on the network at the time of reconnection, the network has a function to find out if the connection configuration (topology) changes from that before reconnection. By doing so, it is possible to continue the test even when an unexpected or intentional network disconnection occurs, and the testability is improved.

  The method further includes connecting a test support device to the test device and the test target device, and sending a command to the test target device and the test support device. Accordingly, the test apparatus can automatically perform operation verification when the test target device receives a control command from a plurality of devices by controlling the test support device with a command.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a data transmission between devices connected by a network is a test apparatus of a predetermined transmission protocol, a command transmission unit that transmits a command, and a storage unit that stores an expected value in advance. A comparison unit that compares the expected value with a response value from another device, a control command that sets an initial state to the test target device, and a response that the test target device has executed the command. After receiving, the command transmission unit is instructed to transmit a command for investigating the state of the test target device, and it is confirmed whether or not the test target device is in a desired initial state from the returned response. The comparison unit compares the expected value stored in advance in the storage unit with the response, and if the result matches the expected value, the process proceeds to the next stage. If it is different from the expected value, a test to end the test is returned with an error indicating that the initial setting has failed, and a control command to set the end state is sent to the test target device at the end of the test. After instructing the command transmission unit and receiving a response indicating that the test target device has executed the command, the command transmission unit is instructed to transmit a command for investigating the state of the test target device, and the test A test apparatus is provided that includes a control unit that performs an end process for confirming whether or not the test target device is in a desired end state based on a response returned from the target device.

  By using the test method and test apparatus of the present invention, a developer or inspector of a network device can easily perform connection verification in the development of a device that operates under the control of a transmission protocol.

  The transmission protocol technology according to the present invention enables the test corresponding to the change in the device or network configuration, etc., by setting the expected value of the test according to the current device or network state. Features. A method of performing communication between networks or devices in accordance with the transmission protocol defined in this way is referred to as a predetermined transmission protocol in this specification.

  Hereinafter, a transmission protocol test technique according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The transmission system targeted by the present invention receives a reception response indicating that the command has been received when a command is transmitted, and returns a response indicating that the response has been received when receiving a corresponding response. The target is the network transmission system as a unit. By using such a series of processes as a processing unit, a mechanism is created in which other processes are not started by another transaction until a certain process (also referred to as “transaction”) is completed. Yes.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an IEEE 1394 transmission protocol test system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the IEEE 1394 transmission protocol test system A according to this embodiment includes a transmission protocol test apparatus 1 that performs a transmission protocol test and a test target device 21. The transmission protocol test apparatus 1 and the test target device 21 have IEEE 1394 communication ports 1a and 21a, respectively, and can perform communication via the IEEE 1394 cable L1 via the IEEE 1394 communication ports 1a and 21a. .

  The transmission protocol test apparatus 1 is, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”). The transmission protocol test device 1 is transmitted from the control / storage unit 3 for performing overall control and information storage including the command sequence processing unit 3a for performing command sequence processing relating to AV / C commands, and data, for example, a test device. A comparison unit 5 that compares a response to an expected control command with an expected value, a display unit 11 that displays information, an input unit 15 that performs a data input operation, and controls and stores according to an input operation from the input unit 15 A command transmission unit 7 that transmits a command via the unit 3, and an interface (I / F) unit 17 that transmits an AV / C command from the command transmission unit and receives a response to the comparison unit 5. is doing. The test target device includes an AV device such as a digital video camera and a liquid crystal television having a tuner. The tester can appropriately input an expected value or the like from the input unit 15.

  Next, the flow of the transmission protocol test process according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of a transmission protocol test process according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, first, when a test is started in step S1, in step S2, the transmission protocol test apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 sets the test target device 21 in order to set preconditions for the test. On the other hand, a control command for setting the test target device 21 to the initial state is transmitted, and a response indicating that the test target device 21 has executed the control command is received from the test target device 21. Next, in step S <b> 3, a command for investigating the state of the test target device 21 is transmitted to the test target device 21, and based on the response returned from the test target device 21, the test target device 21 enters a desired initial state. Check if it is.

  In the processing shown in FIG. 2, each response is compared with a predetermined expected value. If the response is as expected, the process proceeds to the next stage, and the response is different from the expected value. In this case, an error indicating that the initial setting has failed is returned and the test is ended (for example, if the test fails in step S5, the process proceeds to test end step S8).

  As a result of the state confirmation in step S3, if it is confirmed that it is in the initial state, the process proceeds to step S4 and a test process is performed. In this case, an AV / C command for starting a test is sent from the test apparatus 1 to the test target device 21 in step S4, and a response from the test target device 21 is received. In step S5, a state confirmation process is performed by determining whether or not the response is as expected. If the response from the test target device 21 is as expected, an end process status command is determined in step S6. To finish the process. In step S7, the status regarding the termination process is checked. If the termination process is successful, the process proceeds to step S8 and the test is terminated. Even if the test fails, the process proceeds to step S8 to end the test.

  There is some cause for the termination failure. Therefore, the tester can obtain a clue to find out where the defect is by looking at the success or failure of the series of processing. In addition, whether or not the termination process is successful is particularly important when the tests are continuously performed. That is, there is a case where the cause of failure of a certain test is that the end processing of the previous test has failed. Note that, depending on the test, there may be a case where the end process is not necessarily required. In such a test, the process can be performed so as to shift to the next test without performing the state confirmation process.

  At the time of the test end processing in step S5, a control command for setting the end state is transmitted to the test target device 21, and after receiving a response that the test target device 21 has executed the command, the test target device A command for investigating the state of 21 is transmitted, and it is confirmed from the returned response whether the test target device 21 is in a desired end state. Each response is compared with a predetermined expected value. If the response is different from the expected value, an error indicating that the end setting has failed is returned and the test is terminated.

  According to the above processing, when a plurality of tests are executed in succession, the initial state setting process, which is a precondition, and the end process for returning to the initial state are performed as one set, and the test target device is brought into the end state. Since the test termination process is performed after confirming whether or not, it is possible to automatically perform a plurality of consecutive tests and to perform a test in a stable state.

  Next, a transmission protocol test technique according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of a transmission protocol test process according to this embodiment. In the transmission protocol test technique according to the present embodiment, the specification is defined so that a plurality of responses can be obtained for one control command in the test execution process which is the main process after the initial setting is completed. Regarding the case. In correspondence with the case where the specification is defined so that a plurality of responses can be obtained for one control command, in the present embodiment, a plurality of control / storage units 3 of the test apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Remember the expected value of the street. After the test apparatus 1 sends a command to the test target apparatus 21 and receives a response indicating that the test command has been executed from the test target apparatus 21, the test apparatus 1 sends a command for investigating the state of the test target apparatus 21 to the test target. The test target device 21 that is transmitted to the device 21 and returns a response based on the response returned from the test target device 21 is in a state defined in a specification defined on a transmission protocol such as IEEE1394. It is possible to execute complicated tests by checking whether the response to the command execution is compatible with the expected value according to the specification.

  Hereinafter, the processing of this embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, first, when a test is started in step S11, in step S12, the transmission protocol test apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 sets the test target device 21 in order to set a test precondition. On the other hand, a control command for setting the test target device 21 to the initial state is transmitted, and a response indicating that the test target device 21 has executed the control command is received from the test target device 21. Next, in step S <b> 13, a command for investigating the state of the test target device 21 is transmitted to the test target device 21, and the test target device 21 enters a desired initial state based on the response returned from the test target device 21. Check if it is. If it is in the initial state, the process proceeds to step S14, and a test command is sent from the test apparatus 1 to the test target device 21. In the transmission protocol test process according to the present embodiment, as described above, specifications are defined so that a plurality of responses can be obtained with respect to one control command sent from the test device 21.

  When a plurality of responses can be obtained with respect to one control command, for example, when there are two types of state 1 and state 2, a plurality of first and second types are stored in the control / storage unit 3 of the test apparatus 1 in advance. Prepare the expected value of. After the test device 1 receives from the test target device 21 a response that the test target device 21 has executed the control command, the response is compared with the first and second expected values, for example, according to the first expected value. If it is, the state is confirmed in step S19 as state 1, the end process is performed in step S20, the state is confirmed in step S21, and the test is terminated in step S20. For example, if the second expected value is satisfied, the state is confirmed as state 2 in step S15, the termination process is performed in step S16, the state is confirmed in step S17, and the test is terminated in step S20.

  According to the transmission protocol test method according to the present embodiment, the test device 1 transmits a command for investigating the state of the test target device 21, and the state returned to the state 1 out of the states defined in the specification from the returned response. And whether it is in state 2 or not, and in either state, it can be determined whether the response to command execution is compatible with the expected value according to the specification. Tests can also be executed.

  Next, a transmission protocol test method according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Depending on the test, the expected value may change depending on the time zone or place of execution. In that case, the expected value is input from an external input means, or the value that is the current expected value is acquired from the test device 21 immediately before the test execution. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a transmission protocol test process according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the transmission protocol test method according to the present embodiment, the test is first started in step S31, and initial setting is performed in step S32. In step S33, a state check is performed regarding whether or not the initial setting is correctly performed, and an expected value is acquired in step S34. Next, an actual test process is performed in step S35, and the state is confirmed by comparing the expected value acquired in step S34 with the response in the test in step S36. If the status check is successful, the end process of step S37 is performed, and the status check of whether or not the process is in the end state is performed in step S38. If the status check in steps S33, S36, and S38 fails, all the tests are terminated. According to the above processing, the expected value can be automatically reset to a correct value, and the flexibility in the test is improved.

  Next, a transmission protocol test system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a transmission protocol test system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the transmission protocol test system B according to the present embodiment has a test support device 35 and a test support device 41 in addition to the transmission protocol test system A shown in FIG. The test support devices 35 and 41 are, for example, PCs provided with IEEE1394 terminals. The actual configuration of the test support devices 35 and 41 is the function surrounded by the wavy line in FIG. The configuration includes a command transmission unit and an interface unit.

  The test support device 35 is provided with a port portion 35a, and the test support device 41 is provided with a port portion 41a. The port 21a and the port 35a can be connected by the cable L2, and the port 35a and the port 41a can be connected by the cable L3. It has become. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the first route R1 from the test device 1 through the test support device 35 via the port 1a-port 21a-port 31a and the command to the test target device 21, and the test device 1 from the port 1a- A second route R2 for sending a command to the test target device 21 without passing through the test support device 35 via the port 21a is formed. According to the above configuration, one command from the test device 1 is sent to the test target device 21 via the first route R1 and the second route R2, so that commands are issued from a plurality of devices. A state can be created, and it can be checked whether or not the test target device 21 can respond to commands from a plurality of devices. For example, in IEEE 1394, the same command may be issued to a single video deck from different TVs almost simultaneously, but it is possible to cope with a test related to such a situation. For example, it is possible to check whether a device accepts a command from one device but cannot accept commands from two devices at the same time, or a device that can simultaneously accept commands from both devices. By controlling the test support device with a command, the test apparatus can automatically perform operation verification when the test target device receives a control command from a plurality of devices simultaneously.

  Note that the expected value is usually prepared in the same format as the response, but depending on the specification, it may not be necessary to compare all the data. In such a case, if it is configured to be able to implement a function of masking data that does not need to be compared, it is possible to compare only the data that is really desired to be compared, and the test accuracy is improved.

  In addition, depending on the current state, the test target device may not be able to send a reply that it has received a command (different from the above “response”). This state is called a busy state. Although the above test fails when the device is normally busy, the test apparatus 1 may be provided with a mechanism for transmitting a command again after waiting for a certain time when the device under test 21 is busy. it can. In this way, there is an advantage that an accurate test can be performed regardless of other factors causing the busy state.

  Depending on the network, the connection may be intentionally canceled due to some factor, and then the connection may be established again (in the case of IEEE 1394, this is called “bus reset”). When reconnecting, the connection configuration (referred to as topology in the case of IEEE 1394) may change from before depending on the network. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 6, a function 51 for storing a unique ID on the network of the test target device 21 and a search function 53 for searching the ID from the network are provided. Thus, even when the network is disconnected unexpectedly or intentionally, the test can be continued and the testability is improved.

  Next, a transmission protocol test method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the transmission protocol test method according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing exchange of AV / C commands and responses between the test apparatus and the test target device at this time. It is. The transmission protocol test method according to the present embodiment can be positioned as a modification of the transmission protocol test method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, when any failure occurs, the test is always ended (for example, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S8 in the case of failure). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment, when the status check step S103 at the time of initial setting fails, the process proceeds to step S106 instead of step S108 and the end process is performed. As described above, when an error in the initial setting occurs, the process proceeds before the end process.

  As shown in FIG. 15, for example, in the exchange between the test apparatus 201 and the test target device 291, there are normal responses R22 and R24 for the first command R21 and the second command R23, and the third command R25. As for the fourth command R27, NG responses R26 and R28 are assumed. As described above, even when the initial setting and the processing in the test processing are not complete and some of the failures have occurred, there is a possibility that some commands have already been successfully executed (R21, R23), and the termination processing is not performed. May end in an inconvenient state for the next test. In this case, the process shown in FIG. 2 is the same regardless of whether the test process succeeds or fails. However, if the test actually fails, it is determined that the process failed and which process failed. It is preferable to clarify the above.

  In other words, if the process is partially successful or partially failed, the successful setting has already been made, so if this setting is not reset, it will not be possible to move to the next step, and automatic processing will be difficult. . Therefore, by performing the end process of step S106, it becomes possible to shift to the next step (test). It should be noted that the test can be made easier if it is possible to determine which process has failed by, for example, making the type of error to be notified different between the test failure and the setting failure. The next test also has the advantage that it can reflect the situation (results) of failure and success.

  The following is a specific test method for selecting a digital LCD TV (which is common to general digital TVs, but will be described here for an environmentally friendly, power-saving and space-saving thin LCD TV). A test regarding whether or not it is correctly performed will be described as an example, and will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 and shows a specific example in which the test apparatus is the PC 1 and the test target device is the digital liquid crystal TV 91. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a test sequence when an expected value is acquired from a test target device. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of the node ID-GUID conversion database. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an input dialog. FIG. 11 is a diagram for specifically explaining the mask pattern. FIG. 12 is a state transition diagram including an AV / C command and a response. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the role of the test support apparatus. In the present embodiment, a case where a test of whether the channel selection of the digital liquid crystal television 91 is correctly performed is performed using an IEEE 1394 AV / C command will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 12, first, in order to perform initial setting, the test apparatus 1 transmits a channel selection command R1 for designating an initial setting channel to the test target device (digital liquid crystal television) 91. The digital liquid crystal television 91 returns a response (ack) R2 indicating that the command has been received. After that, in the state in which the channel selection is possible, the channel selection process will be executed from now on, or if the execution is successful, a response (ACCEPTED) R3 indicating that the command has been accepted is sent to the test apparatus 1. return. If the command cannot be accepted because the channel is not ready for tuning, a non-executable response (REJECTED) R4 is returned to the test apparatus 1. If the received response is REJECTED, the test apparatus 1 ends the test as a test execution error because the initial setting has failed. If the received response is ACCEPTED, the information structure called DESCRIPTOR is read to confirm the current status of the digital LCD TV. The reading of DESCRIPTOR is performed through three steps of OPEN / READ / CLOSE of DESCRIPTOR. In order to realize each stage, a DESCRIPTOR control command is used. If a REJECTED response is received during execution of each command, it is determined that initialization has failed, and the test is terminated as a test execution error. Or, if an error occurs without OPEN and CLOSE in the initial settings, execute the termination process, and close the DESCRIPTOR and then terminate the test. It can be done without adverse effects. If DESCRIPTOR is successfully read, org_netowrk_id (which broadcast network is selected) and service_id (which service (channel) in the broadcast network is selected), which are part of the DESCRIPTOR information, are the initial values. A comparison is made as to whether or not the desired channel specified in the setting matches, and if both match, it can be determined that the initial setting has been successful.

In addition, in a digital television such as a digital liquid crystal television, it may take time to select a channel, and a channel selection operation may be in progress when DESCRIPTOR is read. for that reason,
After reading DESCRIPTOR, check the searching flag indicating whether or not the tuning operation is in progress.If it indicates that the channel is being selected, repeat the DESCRIPTOR reading until the searching flag reaches the tuning end state. It is possible to prevent the station from being determined to have failed.

  Here, as an example of the initial setting, the setting of the initial setting channel is given as an example, but the initial setting is to set the state defined in the test specifications such as power ON / OFF or bus reset. To do. After the initial setting is completed, the test described in the test specification is executed.

  The test apparatus transmits a channel selection command for designating a test channel to the test target device (digital liquid crystal television) according to the test specification. The digital LCD TV first returns ack indicating that the command has been received. Thereafter, when the channel selection is possible and the channel selection process will be executed or executed successfully, a response (ACCEPTED) indicating that the command has been accepted is returned to the test apparatus. If the command cannot be accepted, such as not being able to select a channel, a non-executable response (REJECTED) is returned to the test apparatus. If the received response is REJECTED, the test device has failed in the test and ends the test as a test execution error.

  If the received response is ACCEPTED, the information structure called DESCRIPTOR is read to confirm the current status of the digital LCD TV. The reading of DESCRIPTOR is performed through three steps of OPEN / READ / CLOSE of DESCRIPTOR. The DESCRIPTOR control command is used to realize each stage. If a REJECTED response is received when executing each command, the test has failed and the test is terminated as a test execution error.

  If DESCRIPTOR is successfully read, specify org_netowrk_id (which broadcast network is selected) and service_id (which service (channel) in the broadcast network is selected), which are part of the DESCRIPTOR information If it matches, it can be determined that the test was successful.

  In addition, channel selection may take time in a digital LCD TV, and channel selection may be in progress when DESCRIPTOR is read. For this reason, after searching for DESCRIPTOR, check the searching flag indicating whether tuning is in progress.If it indicates that the channel is being selected, repeat the DESCRIPTOR reading until the searching flag reaches the tuning end status. Therefore, it is possible to prevent it from being determined that the channel selection has failed.

  Depending on the channel specified in the test, there is a digital LCD TV that does not actually select the channel even if it returns ACCEPTED because the channel does not exist. In that case, the org_netowrk_id and service_id stored in the memory when DESCRIPTOR is read at the initial setting are compared with the org_netowrk_id and service_id after the test, and if there is no change, it may be determined that the test was successful.

After successful execution of the test, termination processing may be required depending on the content of the test.
The test apparatus transmits a channel selection command for designating an end processing channel to the test target device (digital liquid crystal television). The digital LCD TV first returns ack indicating that the command has been received. Thereafter, when the channel selection is possible and the channel selection process will be executed or executed successfully, a response (ACCEPTED) indicating that the command has been accepted is returned to the test apparatus. If the command cannot be accepted, such as not being able to select a channel, a non-executable response (REJECTED) is returned to the test apparatus. If the received response is REJECTED, the test apparatus has failed in the end process, so the test execution is successful, and the test ends as an end process error.

  If the received response is ACCEPTED, an information structure called DESCRIPTOR may be read to confirm the current status of the digital liquid crystal television. If DESCRIPTOR is not read, the test is terminated when a series of test sequences have been successfully executed when an ACCEPTED response to the channel selection command is obtained.

  Reading DESCRIPTOR is performed through three stages: OPEN / READ / CLOSE of DESCRIPTOR. The DESCRIPTOR control command is used to realize each stage. If a REJECTED response is received when executing each command, the termination process has failed, so the test execution has succeeded, and the test is terminated as a termination process error.

  If DESCRIPTOR is successfully read, exit org_netowrk_id (which broadcast network is selected) and service_id (which service (channel) is selected in the broadcast network), which are part of the DESCRIPTOR information. Whether the channel matches the desired channel specified in the process is determined. If they match, it is determined that the end process has been successful, and the test is terminated as a series of test sequence executions have been successful.

  In addition, channel selection may take time in a digital LCD TV, and channel selection may be in progress when DESCRIPTOR is read. Therefore, after reading the DESCRIPTOR, check the searching flag that indicates whether or not the channel selection is in operation, and if it indicates the channel selection status, repeat the DESCRIPTOR read until the searching flag reaches the channel selection end state. Therefore, it can be prevented that the channel selection is mistakenly determined. Here, as an example of termination processing, termination processing channel setting processing has been illustrated, but termination processing may be power ON / OFF or bus reset, and is defined in the test specification. The state shall be set.

  In the above-described series of test sequences, when the digital liquid crystal television continuously receives and processes many commands and cannot receive any more commands, it returns ack_busy, which is a kind of ack, and AV / In some cases, a response cannot be returned within 100 ms as defined in the C command specification. At this time, it is possible to determine that the test has failed because the response is not returned. However, it is far from the actual usage environment of the user to receive and execute a large number of commands continuously for a long time, as in the test execution of a digital liquid crystal television. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not appropriate to make the test result an error just because the command is busy due to continuous command reception. Therefore, if the digital liquid crystal television 91 is busy or no response is returned to the test apparatus 1, the digital liquid crystal television is busy by providing a function for resending the same command after a certain period of time. You can recover from the situation and improve the test results to the ones that are in reality.

  Further, when the bus reset is performed in the initial setting or the end process, there is a possibility that the command cannot be sent from the test apparatus 1 to the digital liquid crystal television 91 as it is.

  According to the IEEE 1394 specification, after a bus reset occurs, the connection relationship (topology) between devices is initialized, and the node ID assigned to each device (node) may change before the bus reset. . Since the AV / C command is transmitted by designating the node ID, if the node ID changes, the test apparatus 1 sends the command to the wrong device, and a normal test result cannot be obtained.

  Each device has a unique ID (Global Unique ID (GUID)) consisting of 64 bits in an address space for storing device information called Configuration ROM, in addition to the node ID assigned when connected to the bus. The test apparatus 1 includes a database that associates the GUID with the node ID in the apparatus, and even if a bus reset occurs and the node ID changes, the test apparatus 1 investigates a new node ID using the GUID as a clue, and updates the database. Do. By transmitting a command specifying the new node ID obtained in this way, a normal test can be performed before and after the bus reset.

  In a test in the case of a digital liquid crystal television having a reception function for digital terrestrial broadcasting, there are cases where channels that can be selected / cannot be changed depending on a region where the test is performed. In addition, even in the same channel, the broadcast content varies depending on the time zone, and therefore, for example, the number of audios that can be selected as sub audio may differ. As described above, it is difficult to prepare an expected value of a test that depends on regional characteristics and time characteristics as a fixed value in advance and incorporate it in a test apparatus. Therefore, by providing an input means so that a test performer can input channels that can be selected / disabled, it is possible to perform a test that matches the actual situation of the place where the test is performed. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the input means. As shown in FIG. 10, the input means 101 has channel selection possible channels 1 to 3 and channel selection impossible channel 103-3 ′, and input buttons 103-1 to 103- are associated with each other. 3 (hereinafter abbreviated) and 103-3 '. By displaying the input dialog shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to request the test performer to input a channel suitable for the test, and take the input value into the expected value. Furthermore, if the content of the expected value depends on the time, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the above-described DESCRIPTOR is pre-read for the expected value immediately before the test execution (for example, after the initial setting is performed). By extracting the correct value and creating the expected value for the test (step S84), the test can be performed regardless of time. FIG. 8 is a flow obtained by adding the expected value acquisition step S84 and the fact that the expected value is used in the state confirmation of step S86 to the flow shown in FIG.

  Depending on the content of the test, it may not be necessary to compare all the bits of the response value returned from the digital liquid crystal television 91 with the expected value. At this time, create a mask pattern that masks the bits that do not need to be compared, and if the response differs from the expected value, check whether the bits are not masked by the mask pattern. If it is masked, it is possible to obtain a test result with a finer accuracy by regarding the test as being successful even if it does not match the expected value. An example is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, when the response Rp is compared with the expected value Ep, according to the mask pattern M1, it is considered that all bits match (all 0) as in the comparison result C1, and the test is successful. However, according to the mask pattern M2, the test fails because the bits do not match at two locations of the comparison value C2 (X).

  When performing a test for verifying the operation when commands are received from two or more devices at the same time, normally, a plurality of test devices are prepared and the commands are separately transmitted to the test target devices. In this case, there is a problem that it is difficult to synchronize the command transmission timings of a plurality of test apparatuses. As soon as the test support device receives the packetized command from the test device, the test support device extracts the packetized command and transmits the command to the test target device. With reference to FIG. 13, the case where there is one test support device 101 will be described as an example.

  The test apparatus 1 transmits a packet A obtained by packetizing the command in which the node ID addressed to the test target device 91 is set to the node ID addressed to the test support device (R11). The test support device 101 expands the received packet and transmits it to the test target device as a command A ′ (R12). The test target device 91 returns a response B ′ to the test support device 101 (R13), and the test support device 101 packetizes the received response B ′ and transmits it as a packet B to the node ID addressed to the test apparatus 1 (R14). ). By the above procedure, the test apparatus 1 can grasp the result of command transmission / reception from the test support device 101. After receiving the packet B, the test apparatus 1 transmits a command A ′ to the test target device 91 if the content of the packet B is an expected response (R15). As a result, the same effect can be obtained as when the same command is transmitted from the two test apparatuses to the test target device. In addition, since the test device can grasp all commands and response contents, it automates tests to easily verify the operation when commands are received from two or more devices at the same time. It becomes possible to do.

  The transmission protocol test technique according to each embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the technique according to each of the above embodiments. For example, it goes without saying that the same method can be applied to transmission techniques other than the IEEE 1394 standard.

  The present invention can be applied not only to a test related to a transmission protocol in accordance with the IEEE 1394 standard, but also to a test of an equipment network in accordance with another transmission protocol that performs similar transaction processing.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an IEEE 1394 transmission protocol test system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the transmission protocol test process by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the transmission protocol test process by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the transmission protocol test process by this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the transmission protocol test system by the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure which has a search function which can search unique ID on the network which a test object apparatus has, and ID which can be searched from a network. FIG. 2 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a specific configuration in which a test apparatus is a PC and a test target device is a digital liquid crystal TV. It is a figure which shows the test sequence in the case of acquiring an expected value from a test object apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a node ID-GUID conversion database. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an input dialog. It is a figure which shows the example of a mask pattern. It is a figure which shows the exchange of the AV / C command and response between a test apparatus and a test object apparatus. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a test support apparatus, a test apparatus, and a test object apparatus. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of a process in the transmission protocol test method by the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows exchange of the AV / C command and a response between the test apparatus and the test object apparatus in the transmission protocol test method by the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

A ... IEEE 1394 transmission protocol test test system, 1 ... transmission protocol test device, 1a ... IEEE 1394 communication port, 3 ... control / storage unit, 3a ... command sequence processing unit, 5 ... comparison unit, 7 ... command transmission unit, 11 ... Display unit, 15 ... input unit, 17 ... interface (I / F) unit, 21 ... test target device, 21a ... IEEE1394 communication port, L ... cable for IEEE1394.

Claims (11)

A transmission test method for checking a data transmission system for performing data transmission between devices connected by a network using a predetermined transmission protocol, wherein the test target is a digital television apparatus having a digital broadcast receiving function In
The test device transmits a control command for setting an initial state to the test target device, and after receiving a response that the test target device has executed the command, transmits a command for investigating the state of the test target device. Then, an initial state setting step for confirming whether or not the device under test is in a desired initial state from the returned response, and comparing the response with a predetermined expected value, and if the response is as expected Proceeding to the next step, if it is different from the expected value, a test processing step for returning an error and ending the test, and a control command for setting the end state for the test target device by the test device when the test ends After receiving a response that the test target device has executed the command, the status of the test target device is displayed. When the command to be checked is sent and the end processing step for confirming whether or not the test target device is in a desired end state from the response returned from the test target device, and the content of the expected value depends on time Includes a step of extracting a necessary value for an expected value and creating an expected value for the test immediately before the test execution, and enabling a test execution independent of time. Method. In the initial state setting step, when it is determined that the test target device is not in a desired initial state based on a response returned from the test target device, the end processing is performed after the test processing step. transmission test method of claim 1 which proceeds to the previous step of the step, and wherein subsequently to perform the termination processing step. 3. The transmission according to claim 1, further comprising a step of comparing each response with a predetermined expected value and returning an error and terminating the test if the response is different from the expected value. Test method. The test processing step,
A step of preparing a plurality of corresponding expected values in a case where the specification is defined so that a plurality of responses can be obtained for one control command;
After the test device receives a response that the test target device has executed the control command, the test device transmits a command for investigating the state of the test target device to the test target device. And comparing a response to the execution of the control command with an expected value in accordance with the specification among the plurality of expected values based on a response returned in response to the command. The transmission test method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . In the case of a test whose expected value changes depending on the time zone and place to be executed,
Enter the expected value from the outside, or, in any one of claims 1, characterized in that it comprises a step of obtaining a value that is a current expected value from the test device immediately before the test run to 4 The described transmission test method. A data transmission system test device that performs data transmission between devices connected by a network using a predetermined transmission protocol, and a test target is a digital television device having a digital broadcast receiving function,
A command transmitter for transmitting commands;
A storage unit for storing the expected value in advance;
A comparison unit that compares the expected value with a response value from another device;
After sending a control command for setting an initial state to the test target device and receiving a response that the test target device has executed the command, sending the command to check the status of the test target device The test unit checks whether the device under test is in a desired initial state from the response returned, and compares the response with the expected value stored in advance in the storage unit and the response by the comparison unit. As a result, if the expected value is satisfied, the process proceeds to the next stage. If the expected value is not satisfied, an error is returned and the test is terminated. After instructing the command transmission unit to transmit a control command and receiving a response that the test target device has executed the command, The command transmission unit is instructed to transmit a command for investigating the state of the test target device, and whether or not the test target device is in a desired end state based on a response returned from the test target device. If the content of the expected value depends on the time, it extracts the necessary value for the expected value and creates the expected value for the test immediately before the test execution. A test apparatus that can perform a test independent of time by having means. The control unit, based on the result of comparing the response and the expected value stored in the storage unit by the comparison unit, if the expected value is different from the expected value, the end setting has failed The test apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein control is performed so that an error is returned and the test is terminated. The test apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising an interface unit that acquires the expected value input from outside or automatically updates the expected value by prefetching data. In the case where the storage unit is defined by the specification so as to obtain a plurality of responses to one control command, the storage unit stores a plurality of corresponding expected values,
After the test device receives a response indicating that the test target device has executed the control command, the test device sends a command for examining the state of the test target device from the command transmission unit to the test target device. Send to
Based on a response returned in response to the command, the control unit performs control to compare the response to the execution of the control command and the expected value in accordance with the specification among the plurality of expected values. The test apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8 . When the expected value changes depending on the time zone or place of execution, the expected value is acquired from the outside, or a value that is the current expected value is input from the test device immediately before the test execution The test apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9 . The program for making a computer perform the step in any one of Claim 1-5 .

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