The terms "comprises" and "comprising," and any variations thereof, in the description and claims of this invention and the above-described drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, or system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to only those steps or elements listed, but may alternatively include other steps or elements not listed, or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used to distinguish between different objects and are not used to describe a particular order.
Example one
The embodiment provides an audio device testing method which can be applied to any testing device capable of testing audio devices and is executed by a processor of the testing device.
In application, the audio device may be a power amplifier, a sound box, a multimedia console, a digital sound console, a synthesizer, a microphone, a sound card, an earphone, an audio receiver, etc. The audio equipment includes high frequency equipment such as a high frequency receiver, a CAR stereo TUNER (CAR TUNER).
In application, the test equipment can be an industrial personal computer, a test frame, a personal computer, a notebook computer, a tablet personal computer, a server, a mobile phone, a palm computer and other computing equipment with computing and control functions.
In Application, the Processor may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), other general purpose Processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other Programmable logic device, a discrete Gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, and the like. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.
As shown in fig. 1, the audio device testing method provided in this embodiment includes:
step S101, debugging the values of all registers of the audio equipment according to different test items, obtaining the optimal register value corresponding to each test item and each register, and storing the optimal register value in a memory of the audio equipment.
In application, before testing the audio device, the values of all registers of the audio device can be debugged only for the test items which need to be currently performed, so that the values of all registers of the audio device are debugged to be the optimal register values corresponding to the test items which need to be currently performed, and the accuracy of the test result is improved. Because there is usually more than one test item required for one audio device, before testing the audio device, the values of all registers of the audio device can be debugged for different test items to obtain the optimal register values corresponding to each test item and each register and store the optimal register values in the memory of the audio device, so that when testing a certain test item on the audio device, the pre-stored optimal register values can be directly called, the register debugging time before testing is saved, and the testing efficiency is improved.
In application, the types and the number of the test items required to be performed for different audio devices are different, and are specifically determined by the types of the audio devices, for example, the test items for the sound box include sound quality monitoring, frequency range, frequency response, directional frequency characteristics, maximum output sound pressure level, distortion, sensitivity, efficiency, speaker noise power test, and the like.
In application, the number of registers of different audio devices is different, for example, the number of registers of a car audio tuner is more than 40.
In application, the Memory of the audio device may be a hard disk or a Memory of the audio device, such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable read only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a plug-in hard disk, a Smart Memory Card (SMC), a Secure Digital (SD) Card, a Flash Memory Card (Flash Card) and the like provided on the audio device.
Step S102, reading the optimal register values of all the registers corresponding to the target test item from the memory, and respectively writing the optimal register values into each register.
In application, the target test item is one of different test items in step S101, and when the audio device is tested for the target test item, the optimal register values of all the registers corresponding to the target test item, which are stored in advance, are read from the memory, and then the optimal register values corresponding to each register are written into each register, respectively.
In application, the processor of the test device is in communication connection with the audio device through the I2C bus, so that communication between the test device and the audio device is realized, communication between the test device and the audio analyzer is realized, and the audio device is controlled to change the value of the register of the audio device.
And step S103, sending a test signal corresponding to the target test item to the audio equipment through a signal generator.
In application, a processor of the test device is in communication connection with a Signal Generator (SSG) through a General-Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB), so as to implement communication with the Signal Generator, send a command to the Signal Generator through the processor of the test device, set a bandwidth, a waveform and a bias voltage of a test Signal sent by the Signal Generator, and send the set bandwidth, the waveform and the bias voltage to the audio device, wherein relevant parameters of the waveform include frequency, amplitude, phase, rise time, fall time, pulse width, duty ratio and the like.
And step S104, acquiring a signal quality value of an output signal which is output by the audio equipment and corresponds to the target test item through an audio analyzer.
In application, the processor of the testing device is in communication connection with an Audio Analyzer (Audio Analyzer) through a universal interface bus, so that communication with the Audio Analyzer is realized, a command is sent to the Audio Analyzer through the processor of the testing device, and a signal quality value (S-meter) of a direct current voltage of an output signal output by the Audio device is read through the Audio Analyzer.
In one embodiment, step S104 is followed by:
and displaying a waveform diagram of an output signal corresponding to the target test item through an oscilloscope.
In application, the oscilloscope is in communication connection with the processor of the test equipment and the audio analyzer through the universal interface bus to realize communication with the processor of the test equipment and the audio analyzer, and the processor of the test equipment sends a command to the oscilloscope to control the oscilloscope to display a waveform diagram of an output signal.
And step S105, judging whether the target test item is qualified or not according to the signal quality value of the output signal corresponding to the target test item.
In application, according to a signal quality value of an output signal corresponding to a target test item output by an audio device, test item data of the target test item for the audio device can be calculated, then, by comparing the test item data with test item data of the target test item recorded in a product Specification (SPEC) of the audio device, whether a value of the test item data is within a value range specified by the product Specification of the audio device is judged, and then, according to a judgment result, whether the target test item of the audio device is qualified is determined.
In one embodiment, step S105 includes:
calculating to obtain the test item data of the target test item according to the signal quality value of the output signal corresponding to the target test item;
judging whether the numerical value of the test item data is in a numerical value range specified by the product specification of the audio equipment;
if the numerical value of the test item data is in the numerical value range specified by the product specification of the audio equipment, judging that the target test item is qualified;
and if the numerical value of the test item data is not in the numerical value range specified by the product specification of the audio equipment, determining that the target test item is unqualified.
In an application, the processor of the test device is in communication with the display device and/or the error prompt device, or the test device comprises the display device and/or the error prompt device in communication with its processor. The processor of the test equipment can send a command to the display device when judging that the target test item is unqualified, control the display device to display the unqualified target test item, and enable a user to check the unqualified test item through the display device. The processor of the test equipment can also send a command to the error prompting device when the target test item is judged to be unqualified, and the error prompting device is controlled to send an error prompt for representing that the target test item is unqualified so as to remind a user of paying attention to the unqualified test item.
In an application, the display device may be a light alarm (e.g., an LED lamp or an LED strip), a display screen, or a nixie tube, and the error prompt device may be a light alarm (e.g., an LED lamp or an LED strip), a sound alarm (e.g., a buzzer), an audible and visual alarm, or a voice broadcast device (e.g., a speaker box, a speaker, or a combination of a voice chip and a speaker).
In one embodiment, after step S105, the method comprises:
controlling a display device to display the unqualified target test items;
and/or controlling an error prompt device to send out an error prompt for representing that the target test item is unqualified.
In application, when the test equipment is a test rack, the test rack is electrically connected with the power supply equipment, before the audio equipment is debugged, a door switch of the test rack is closed to electrify the test rack, then the audio equipment is placed at a test position of the test rack, and the test rack is closed;
when audio merging is debugged, a power key of the test jig is pressed or shifted, the test jig is started, then a music Equalizer (EQ) key of the test jig is pressed or shifted, values of all registers of the audio equipment are debugged according to a debugging program written in a processor of the test jig in advance, optimal register values corresponding to each test item and each register are obtained and stored in a memory of the audio equipment, the power key of the test jig is pressed or shifted, and the test jig is closed;
when testing the audio equipment for the target test item, pressing or shifting the power key of the test rack, starting the test rack, reading the optimal register values of all registers corresponding to the target test item from the memory, and respectively writing into each register to complete debugging of the audio equipment, then sending command to the signal generator by the processor of the test equipment, the test signal sent by the signal generator is set and sent to the audio equipment, and simultaneously a command is sent to the audio analyzer, reading the signal quality value of the direct current voltage of the output signal output by the audio equipment through the audio analyzer, calculating to obtain the data of the test item, judging whether the target test item is qualified or not according to the test item data, if not, displaying the unqualified target test item, and simultaneously controlling an error prompt device to send out an error prompt for representing that the target test item is unqualified.
In application, when the audio device needs to be tested for other target test items, the steps S102 to S105 are repeatedly executed, the optimal register values of all registers corresponding to the next target test item are read from the memory and written into each register, and the steps S103 to S105 are continuously executed.
In the embodiment, the values of all registers of the audio device are debugged in advance aiming at different test items to obtain the optimal register values corresponding to each test item and each register, the optimal register values are stored in the memory of the audio device, the optimal register values of all registers corresponding to a target test item are read from the memory and are respectively written into each register, a test signal corresponding to the target test item is sent to the audio device through the signal generator, the signal quality value of an output signal corresponding to the target test item output by the audio device is obtained through the audio analyzer, whether the target test item of the voice device is qualified or not is judged according to the signal quality value of the output signal corresponding to the target test item, the target test item of the audio device can be accurately and automatically tested, and the consistency of the audio device is improved, the test efficiency is high, the validity of test data is high, the operation cost is low, and the requirement on the professional technical level of a tester is low.
Example two
As shown in fig. 2, in the present embodiment, step S101 includes:
step S201, assigning a j-th value to an i-th register of the audio device.
In application, the value of each register of the audio device needs to be debugged separately for each test item, so that the optimal register value to each register is stored in the memory. The test items to be tested on the audio device are usually more than one, the number of registers of the audio device is usually also more than one, and the numerical range of each register is also different. In step S201, the 1 st register of the audio device is first assigned a 1 st value (i.e., the 1 st register of the audio device is initially assigned a value), or all registers of the audio device may be initially assigned in batches.
Step S202, sending a test signal corresponding to the kth test item to the audio equipment through a signal generator.
In application, the processor of the test device sends a command to the signal generator, sets the test signal sent by the signal generator and sends the test signal to the audio device.
And step S203, acquiring a signal quality value of an output signal which is output by the audio equipment and corresponds to the kth test item through an audio analyzer.
In use, after the audio device receives the test signal, the processor of the test device sends a command to the audio analyzer to read, by the audio analyzer, the signal quality value of the dc voltage of the output signal output by the audio device.
Step S204, returning to assign a jth value to the ith register of the audio equipment, and adding 1 to the j value every time the j value is returned; wherein, the initial value of j is 1, j belongs to [1, m ], j is an integer, and m is the number of register values of the ith register.
In application, after reading the signal quality value of the direct current voltage of the output signal output by the audio device, steps S201 to S204 are repeatedly executed, a 2 nd value is assigned to the 1 st register of the audio device in step S201, and steps S202 to S204 are continuously executed, and the process is repeated in a loop until m signal quality values corresponding to the 1 st test item and the m register values of the 1 st register are obtained, wherein each value of the register corresponds to one signal quality value.
Step S205, obtaining a register value that maximizes the signal quality value of the output signal corresponding to the kth test item, as an optimal register value corresponding to the kth test item and the ith register, and storing the register value in the memory of the audio device.
In use, the maximum signal quality value of the m signal quality values is obtained and the register value corresponding to the maximum signal quality value is determined based on the maximum signal quality value as the best register value corresponding to the 1 st test item and the 1 st register and stored in memory. The maximum signal quality value may be determined by any method of maximizing, for example, plotting a parabola characterizing the correspondence between the m signal quality values and the m register values, and taking the peak of the parabola as the maximum signal quality value; or, the signal quality values corresponding to adjacent register values are compared in sequence, so that the smaller signal quality value is removed, the larger signal quality value is retained, and the maximum signal quality value is finally obtained.
In one embodiment, step S205 includes:
acquiring m signal quality values corresponding to the kth test item and the ith register;
obtaining a maximum signal quality value of the m signal quality values;
a register value corresponding to the maximum signal quality value is determined as an optimal register value corresponding to the kth test item and the ith register and stored in a memory of the audio device.
Step S206, returning j value assigned to the ith register of the audio equipment until the optimal register values of all registers corresponding to the kth test item are obtained, and adding 1 to the value of i every time when returning; wherein the initial value of i is 1, i belongs to [1, n ], i is an integer, and n is the number of all registers of the audio device.
In application, after acquiring and storing the optimal register values corresponding to the 1 st test item and the 1 st register in the memory, repeating steps S201 to S206, assigning the 1 st value to the 2 nd register of the audio device in step S201, and continuing to execute steps S202 to S206, and repeating the steps until obtaining the n optimal register values of the n registers corresponding to the 1 st test item.
Step S207, returning j value assigned to the ith register of the audio equipment until the optimal register value corresponding to each test item and each register is obtained, and adding 1 to the value of k every time the optimal register value is returned; wherein the initial value of k is 1 and k is an integer.
In application, after n optimal register values of n registers corresponding to the 1 st test item are obtained, steps S201 to S207 are repeatedly executed, the 1 st register of the audio device is assigned with the 1 st value in step S201, a test signal corresponding to the 2 nd test item is sent to the audio device through the signal generator in step S202, a signal quality value of an output signal corresponding to the 2 nd test item output by the audio device is obtained through the audio analyzer in step S203, and steps S204 to S207 are continuously executed, and the steps are repeated in a circulating manner until the optimal register values corresponding to each test item and each register are obtained. The maximum value of k is equal to the number of test items needing to test the audio equipment, k is larger than or equal to 1, and k is an integer.
In the embodiment, the audio equipment is debugged by the test equipment aiming at different test box items in advance, the optimal register value corresponding to each test item and each register is obtained and stored in the memory of the audio equipment, the debugging process is accurate, and the consistency of the audio equipment can be effectively improved; the testing equipment is used for setting and controlling parameters of the audio equipment, the signal generator and the audio analyzer, time periods are set, and the debugging efficiency is high; the full-automatic debugging is carried out through the testing equipment, manual operation is replaced, the operation cost is low, the requirement on the professional technical level of testers is low, and the capability of continuously producing the audio equipment is effectively enhanced.
It should be understood that, the sequence numbers of the steps in the foregoing embodiments do not imply an execution sequence, and the execution sequence of each process should be determined by its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.
EXAMPLE III
As shown in fig. 3, the present embodiment provides a test rack 3, which includes a memory 31, a processor 32, and a computer program 33, such as an audio device test program, stored in the memory 31 and executable on the processor 32. The processor 32, when executing the computer program, implements the steps in the various audio device testing method embodiments described above, such as steps S101 to S105 shown in fig. 1. Alternatively, the processor 32 implements the functions of the respective modules/units in the computer program 33 when executing the computer program 33. When the audio device is tested by the testing jig 3, the audio device is disposed on the testing jig 3, and the processor 32 is used for being in communication connection with the audio device, the signal generator and the audio analyzer.
Illustratively, the computer program 33 may be partitioned into one or more modules/units that are stored in the memory 33 and executed by the processor 32 to implement the present invention. The one or more modules/units may be a series of computer program instruction segments capable of performing specific functions, which are used to describe the execution of the computer program 33 in the test rack 3. For example, the computer program 33 may be divided into a debugging module, a reading and writing module, a first control module, a second control module, and a determining module, and the specific functions of the modules are as follows:
the debugging module is used for debugging the numerical values of all registers of the audio equipment according to different test items, obtaining the optimal register numerical value corresponding to each test item and each register and storing the optimal register numerical value in a memory of the audio equipment;
the read-write module is used for reading the optimal register values of all the registers corresponding to the target test items from the memory and respectively writing the optimal register values into each register;
the first control module is used for sending a test signal corresponding to the target test item to the audio equipment through a signal generator;
the second control module is used for acquiring a signal quality value of an output signal which is output by the audio equipment and corresponds to the target test item through an audio analyzer;
and the judging module is used for judging whether the target test item is qualified or not according to the signal quality value of the output signal corresponding to the target test item.
In one embodiment, the debugging module comprises:
the assigning unit is used for assigning a j value to an ith register of the audio equipment;
the first control unit is used for sending a test signal corresponding to the kth test item to the audio equipment through the signal generator;
the second control unit is used for acquiring the signal quality value of an output signal which is output by the audio equipment and corresponds to the kth test item through an audio analyzer;
the first return unit is used for returning j value assigned to the ith register of the audio equipment, and adding 1 to the j value every time j is returned; wherein the initial value of j is 1, j belongs to [1, m ], j is an integer, and m is the number of register values of the ith register;
an acquisition unit configured to acquire a register value that maximizes a signal quality value of an output signal corresponding to the kth test item as an optimal register value corresponding to the kth test item and the ith register, and store the register value in a memory of the audio device;
a second returning unit, configured to return to assign a jth value to an ith register of the audio device until obtaining an optimal register value of all registers corresponding to the kth test item, where 1 is added to a value of i every time the optimal register value is returned; wherein the initial value of i is 1, i belongs to [1, n ], i is an integer, and n is the number of all registers of the audio equipment;
a third returning unit, configured to return to assign a jth value to an ith register of the audio device until an optimal register value corresponding to each test item and each register is obtained, and add 1 to a value of k every time the optimal register value is returned; wherein the initial value of k is 1 and k is an integer.
In one embodiment, the determining module comprises:
the computing unit is used for computing the test item data of the target test item according to the signal quality value of the output signal corresponding to the target test item;
a judging unit configured to judge whether or not a numerical value of the test item data is within a numerical value range specified by a product specification of the audio apparatus; if the numerical value of the test item data is in the numerical value range specified by the product specification of the audio equipment, judging that the target test item is qualified; and if the numerical value of the test item data is not in the numerical value range specified by the product specification of the audio equipment, determining that the target test item is unqualified.
In one embodiment, the computer program 33 further comprises:
the third control module is used for controlling the display device to display the unqualified target test items;
and the fourth control module is used for controlling the error prompt device to send out an error prompt for representing that the target test item is unqualified.
In an application, the test rack 3 may include, but is not limited to, a memory 31, a processor 32. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that figure 3 is merely an example of a test rack 3 and does not constitute a limitation of the test rack 3 and may include more or fewer components than shown, or some components in combination, or different components, for example the test rack may also include input output devices, network access devices, buses, etc.
In applications, the processor may be a central processing unit, but may also be other general purpose processors, digital signal processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, and the like. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.
In an application, the memory may be an internal storage unit of the test rack, such as a hard disk or a memory of the test rack. The memory can also be an external memory device of the test rack, such as a plug-in hard disk, a smart memory card, a secure digital card, a flash memory card, etc. provided on the test rack. The memory may also include both internal storage units of the test rack and external storage devices. The memory is used to store computer programs and other programs and data required by the test rack. The memory may also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or is to be output.
In one embodiment, the test rack further comprises an error prompt device in communication with the processor;
and/or a display device communicatively coupled to the processor.
As shown in FIG. 4, the exemplary test rack 3 also includes an error prompt device 34 and a display device 35 communicatively coupled to the processor 32.
In application, the display device may be a light alarm (e.g., an LED lamp or an LED strip), a display screen (e.g., a touch display screen), or a nixie tube, and the error prompt device may be a light alarm (e.g., an LED lamp or an LED strip), an audible alarm (e.g., a buzzer), an audible and visual alarm, or a voice broadcast device (e.g., a sound box, a speaker, or a combination of a voice chip and a speaker).
In the embodiment, the values of all registers of the audio device are debugged in advance by the test rack according to different test items, the optimal register values corresponding to each test item and each register are obtained and stored in the memory of the audio device, then the optimal register values of all registers corresponding to a target test item are read from the memory and respectively written into each register, a test signal corresponding to the target test item is sent to the audio device by the signal generator, the signal quality value of an output signal corresponding to the target test item output by the audio device is obtained by the audio analyzer, and whether the target test item of the voice device is qualified or not is judged according to the signal quality value of the output signal corresponding to the target test item, so that the target test item of the audio device can be accurately and automatically tested, and the consistency of the audio device is improved, the test efficiency is high, the validity of test data is high, the operation cost is low, and the requirement on the professional technical level of a tester is low.
Example four
As shown in fig. 5, the present embodiment provides an audio device testing system 5, which includes a signal generator 51, an audio analyzer 52 and the testing jig 3 of the third embodiment.
In one embodiment, the audio device testing system further comprises a power supply device electrically connected with the test rack;
and/or the oscilloscope is in communication connection with the audio analyzer and the test jig, and is used for displaying the waveform diagram of the output signal.
As shown in FIG. 6, the exemplary audio device testing system 5 is also shown to include a power supply device 53 electrically connected to the test rack 3 and an oscilloscope 54 communicatively connected to the audio analyzer 52 and the test rack 3.
In this embodiment, the processor 32 of the test rack 3 is communicatively connected to the signal generator 51 and the audio analyzer 52 via a universal interface bus, to the audio device under test 6 via an I2C bus, and the test rack 3 is electrically connected to the power supply device 53 via a cable.
In use, the power supply apparatus is used to provide test operating power, such as 12V dc power, to the test rack.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, only the above-mentioned division of the functional units and modules is illustrated, and in practical applications, the above-mentioned function distribution may be performed by different functional units and modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the apparatus is divided into different functional units or modules to perform all or part of the above-mentioned functions. Each functional unit and module in the embodiments may be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated in one unit, and the integrated unit may be implemented in a form of hardware, or in a form of software functional unit. In addition, specific names of the functional units and modules are only for convenience of distinguishing from each other, and are not used for limiting the protection scope of the present application. The specific working processes of the units and modules in the system may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not described herein again.
In the above embodiments, the descriptions of the respective embodiments have respective emphasis, and reference may be made to the related descriptions of other embodiments for parts that are not described or illustrated in a certain embodiment.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the implementation. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.
In the embodiments provided in the present invention, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus/terminal device and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described embodiments of the apparatus/terminal device are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the modules or units is only one logical division, and there may be other divisions when actually implemented, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.
The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.
In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, and can also be realized in a form of a software functional unit.
The integrated modules/units, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as separate products, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, all or part of the flow of the method according to the embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by a computer program, which may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method embodiments may be implemented. Wherein the computer program comprises computer program code, which may be in the form of source code, object code, an executable file or some intermediate form, etc. The computer-readable medium may include: any entity or device capable of carrying the computer program code, recording medium, usb disk, removable hard disk, magnetic disk, optical disk, computer Memory, Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), electrical carrier wave signals, telecommunications signals, software distribution medium, and the like. It should be noted that the computer readable medium may contain content that is subject to appropriate increase or decrease as required by legislation and patent practice in jurisdictions, for example, in some jurisdictions, computer readable media does not include electrical carrier signals and telecommunications signals as is required by legislation and patent practice.
The above-mentioned embodiments are only used for illustrating the technical solutions of the present invention, and not for limiting the same; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that: the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or some technical features may be equivalently replaced; such modifications and substitutions do not substantially depart from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present invention, and are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.