JP2006211405A - Equipment testing system, equipment evaluating apparatus and equipment testing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a reproducibility of an evaluation of an equipment when the equipment is evaluated through a communication. <P>SOLUTION: An equipment testing system detects a state information on a broadcasting equipment 4, and judges the state of the broadcasting equipment 4 based on the detected state information. An evaluation apparatus 3 reproduces the detection of the state information on the broadcasting equipment 4 by being controlled from a control PC1 based on the evaluation apparatus 3 to acquire an evaluation information, an HDD8 to store a communication history, the state information and the evaluation information at detecting the state information, and the communication history. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is a device test system that evaluates operation by acquiring status and time code by serial communication (RS-422A or RS-232C) of broadcasting devices such as video tape recorders, cameras, servers, switchers, etc., for example. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a device test method.

  Conventionally, when evaluating the operating state of a broadcasting device, human evaluation using human eyes and ears has been performed. However, in the evaluation by this method, there is a risk that the evaluator overlooks a defect that occurs only for a moment (one frame), and the continuous operation test over 24 hours is necessary. Due to the long time, manual confirmation was difficult. In addition, the degree of dependence on the evaluator's ability is strong, it is difficult to make an objective evaluation, there are defects that cannot be detected by visual or listening sound alone, and there are defects that occur only in specific usage situations. was there.

Therefore, as a technology for diagnosing a device, there is a technology for diagnosing a home network device from a remote test device via a communication network regardless of a network communication protocol and returning a test response (see Patent Document 1).
In addition, there is a technique for performing a test based on a predetermined interface and the longest operation cycle (for example, a frame motivation signal) of the LSI to be measured, and performing an operation diagnosis of the LSI to be measured by comparing an operation result with an expected value (patent) Reference 2).
JP 2002-271361 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-261692

However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 merely discloses that a home network device is diagnosed from a remote test apparatus by adapting a network communication protocol, and reproduces a similar test situation. There was an inconvenience that it was not possible.
Further, the technique of Patent Document 2 merely discloses that the test is performed based on the frame motive signal of the LSI to be measured, and there is a disadvantage that the same test situation cannot be reproduced.

  Therefore, the present invention is intended to provide a device test system, a device evaluation apparatus, and a device test method capable of achieving reproducibility of device evaluation when performing device evaluation via communication. is there.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object of the present invention, the device test system of the present invention detects status information for the device, judges the status of the device based on the detected status information, and provides evaluation information. An evaluation unit to be acquired, a storage unit that stores communication history at the time of detection of state information, state information, and evaluation information, and a reproduction unit that reproduces detection of state information for a device based on the communication history. is there.
Thereby, the reproduction unit can reproduce the detection of the state information for the device based on the communication history when the state information is detected by the evaluation unit stored in the storage unit.

In addition, the device evaluation apparatus of the present invention detects state information for the device, determines the state of the device based on the detected state information, and obtains evaluation information, and communication when detecting the state information And reproduction means for reproducing detection of status information for the device based on the history.
Thereby, the reproduction | regeneration means can reproduce the detection of the status information with respect to an apparatus based on the communication history at the time of the detection of the status information by an evaluation means.

In addition, the device test method of the present invention includes an evaluation step of detecting state information for the device, determining the state of the device based on the detected state information and obtaining evaluation information, and communication at the time of detecting the state information A storage step for storing history, state information, and evaluation information, and a reproduction step for reproducing detection of state information for the device based on the communication history are provided.
Thereby, the reproduction step can reproduce the detection of the state information for the device based on the communication history when the state information is detected by the evaluation step stored in the storage step.

  According to the present invention, detection of status information for a device can be reproduced based on a communication history at the time of detection of the status information, thereby achieving reproducibility of device evaluation.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
First, as a premise, status acquisition by sensing the state of a broadcast device using a sense command will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a test system for broadcasting equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a control personal computer (hereinafter referred to as control PC) 1 stores control software (hereinafter referred to as control software) 2 for controlling the control. The evaluation device 3 is connected to the control PC 1 so as to be able to communicate control commands, evaluation information, and the like by TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) communication (asynchronous communication) 5. The evaluation device 3 is connected to the broadcasting device 4 so as to be able to communicate a sense command, a status, and the like by serial communication (frame synchronous communication) 6. The evaluation device 3 is configured to supply a sense command by serial communication (frame synchronization communication) 6 to the broadcast device 4 based on a frame synchronization signal 7 from the broadcast device 4 separately.

  As described above, the broadcasting device 4 has a function of returning a status in response to a sense to a serial interface that is provided as a standard in many broadcasting devices 4. In order to perform evaluation using this function, the evaluation apparatus repeatedly acquires various statuses at high frequency (every frame).

The criterion for determining the abnormality of the return value (status) at this time will be described.
The evaluation device 3 incorporates a function for determining whether the return value (status) for each sense is normal or abnormal. This determination function makes the determination based on the following criteria. The first criterion is a case where a status different from the status at the previous sense is returned. The second criterion is a case where the status at the time of sensing that has advanced by one from the status at the previous sensing time does not return. In this case, for example, it is applied to time code sensing. The third standard is a case where a status defined as abnormal in the protocol used by the broadcasting device 4 is returned. In this case, for example, it is applied to channel conditions.

Next, status abnormality notification and history recording will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing notification of communication history in the test system for broadcasting equipment.
In the event that a status abnormality is found in FIG. 2, the evaluation device 3 sends the communication history with the device under test (broadcast equipment) 4 to the control PC 1 via the network via TCP / IP communication (asynchronous communication) 5. Notice. The control PC 1 displays an “abnormality notification” as shown in 9 and records this communication history data in the control PC 1 built-in or external hard disk drive (HDD) 8 in preparation for detailed analysis. To keep. Thereby, the evaluation device 3 performs a detailed analysis of the “abnormality notification” state based on the communication history data. In this case, the control PC 1 converts the communication history data based on the TCP / IP communication 5 to the HDD 8 by converting the serial communication 6 of the serial interface (RS-422A or RS-232C) into the TCP / IP communication 5 by the evaluation device 3. Record in etc.

Furthermore, the evaluation script download function will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating downloading of an evaluation script in a broadcasting device test system.
In FIG. 3, details such as the sense performed by the evaluation device 3, the return value check, and the operation when an abnormality is found are created as an evaluation script. These evaluation scripts are stored as files in the internal or external HDD 8 of the control PC 1 as indicated by 10. The tester can select the required evaluation script from the internal or external HDD 8 of the control PC 1 and download it to the evaluation device 3 as shown in 11, and the evaluation device 3 supports the evaluation script for the broadcasting device 4. It is also possible to instruct the execution of a command to be executed. Since the TCP / IP standard protocol is used for communication between the evaluation device 3 and the control PC 1 as shown in FIG. 5, even if the control software 2 stored in the control PC 1 is general-purpose terminal software, it can be downloaded. can do. In this case, of course, it is also possible to download using the GUI as the dedicated control software 2 for selecting the evaluation script. In this case, the execution of a command to the broadcasting device 4 can be instructed by the serial communication 6 by converting the TCP / IP communication 5 into the serial interface (RS-422A or RS-232C) serial communication 6 by the evaluation device 3. it can.

The script download automation at this time will be described.
The control software 2 operating on the control PC 1 is provided with a function of downloading evaluation scripts in order according to the progress of evaluation in the evaluation device 3. Thus, even an evaluation script that is too large to fit in the memory (not shown) of the evaluation device 3 can be executed by executing and downloading alternately.

Next, consideration for the sense interval and the frame synchronization mechanism will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating sense restriction based on the frame synchronization signal.
In FIG. 4, based on the frame synchronization signal 21 from the broadcasting device 4 at the time T1, the evaluation device 3 supplies the sense command 22 to the broadcasting device 4 at the time T2. In response to this sense command 22, the broadcasting device 4 returns a return value (status) 23 to the evaluation device 3 at time T3. Subsequently, the evaluation device 3 supplies a sense command 24 to the broadcast device 4 at time T4. In response to this sense command 24, the broadcasting device 4 returns a return value (status) 25 to the evaluation device 3 at time T5.

In this way, as shown at 26, the evaluation device 3 starts executing a necessary sense command when a frame synchronization signal is received. Here, as shown in 27, the evaluation device 3 suppresses transmission of the sense command to the broadcast device 4 until the next frame synchronization signal is received.
Based on the frame synchronization signal 31 from the broadcasting device 4 at the time T11, the evaluation device 3 supplies the sense command 32 to the broadcasting device 4 at the time T12. In response to this sense command 32, the broadcasting device 4 returns a return value (status) 33 to the evaluation device 3 at time T13. Subsequently, the evaluation device 3 supplies a sense command 34 to the broadcasting device 4 at time T14. In response to this sense command 34, the broadcasting device 4 returns a return value (status) 35 to the evaluation device 3 at time T15.

  In terms of performance, the evaluation device 3 can sense 16 times or more during one frame, but since various statuses managed by the broadcasting device 4 are updated in units of frames, Sense at finer intervals is meaningless. In addition, if frequent sensing is performed, the load itself becomes a load on the broadcasting device 4, and there is a possibility that the test may be different from the purpose. Therefore, the frame synchronization signal can be input to the evaluation device 3 to limit the sense more than necessary.

A flexible sense condition setting by script will be described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating setting of the sense condition by the script.
At time T21, the evaluation device 3 downloads the script as indicated by the control PC 1 to 41. At time T22, the control PC 1 instructs the evaluation apparatus 3 to validate the script as indicated by 42.
Based on the frame synchronization signal 43 from the broadcasting device 4 at time T23, the evaluation device 3 supplies a sense command 44 to the broadcasting device 4 at time T24. In response to this sense command 44, the broadcasting device 4 returns a return value (status) 45 to the evaluation device 3 at time T25. Subsequently, at time T26, the evaluation device 3 changes the command according to the return value (status) 45 as indicated by 46, and supplies the changed command to the broadcasting device 4. In response to the changed command 46, the broadcasting device 4 returns a return value (status) 47 to the evaluation device 3 at time T27.

  As described above, the evaluation device 3 has a function of executing a sense command based on a script. By this, when the status becomes abnormal, the command to be executed next is changed, for example, when a failure occurs. The situation can be grasped quickly.

In addition, a system controller system malfunction and a tape running system malfunction detection method in the broadcasting device 4 by time code sensing will be described.
In the broadcasting device 4, time code data such as VITC (Vertical Interval Time Code) indicating a vertical blanking period and LTC (Longitudinal Time Code) indicating longitudinal recording is recorded on a tape together with video and audio data. The following evaluation can be performed by utilizing the synchronization function between this and the frame synchronization signal.
In the first process, a recording tape including a time code is created in the broadcasting device 4 to be tested. In the second process, when recording is completed in the broadcasting device 4, playback is performed. In the third process, during reproduction in the broadcasting device 4, the evaluation apparatus 3 performs time code sensing for each frame by using a frame synchronization function that performs a sensing process synchronized with the frame synchronization signal. In the fourth process, it is confirmed that the data of the time code sensed in the evaluation device 3 is not discontinuous.

  If the time code data is discontinuous in the fourth process, serious problems (the worst is sending) regardless of the cause, such as system controller problems or tape running problems, etc. This indicates the possibility that video and audio noise) has occurred. This method can detect even data discontinuity of several frames, and is an extremely accurate evaluation method.

Further, an advantage of adopting a network for communication between the control PC 1 and the evaluation device 3 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a connection between a control PC and a plurality of evaluation apparatuses using a network.
For communication between the control PC 1 and the evaluation device 3, network communication 5 and 5-1 based on TCP / IP is adopted. Since TCP / IP network communications 5 and 5-1 are used, a single general-purpose control PC 1 can be connected to a plurality of evaluation devices 3 and 3-1, thereby saving labor of equipment. Further, since the physical distance between the control PC 1 and the evaluation device 3 does not become a problem, it is possible to perform a test on the broadcasting device 4 at a remote place. This is useful for a test in an environment where a human cannot stay for a long time, such as a test in a high and low temperature environment. In addition, even when investigating a defect that has occurred after delivery of the evaluation devices 3 and 3-1, the evaluation devices 3 and 3-1 from the in-house control PC 1 are not brought back from the delivery destination. It is possible to perform a reproduction test by For example, by using the Internet, it is possible to execute communication for evaluation from the control PC 1 wherever the evaluation devices 3 and 3-1 and the broadcasting devices 4 and 4-1 are located on the earth.

A specific operation example using the evaluation apparatus 3 having the basic functions as described above will be described below. As an example, a method for performing a reproduction test based on logged data will be described.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a reproduction test based on logged data.
In step 1 of FIG. 7, in a state where the broadcasting device 4 is connected to the editing machine 51 and serial communication 52 is performed, for example, as shown in 54, during the operation of the evaluation device 3 at a customer, etc. When a status abnormality is found from the monitor signal of the serial communication 52, the evaluation device 3 sends the communication history with the device under test (broadcast equipment) 4 to the control PC 1 via the network by TCP / IP communication (asynchronous communication) 5. Notice. The control PC 1 displays an “abnormality notification” and the like, and records the communication history data in a built-in or external hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 8 in preparation for detailed analysis. This recording of the communication history data on the HDD 8 is referred to as logging data 55 here.
Therefore, as shown at 56, the logging data 55 acquired during the operation of the evaluation apparatus 3 at the customer in Step 1 is stored in a removable disk-shaped storage medium by the operator and brought home.

In step 2, as shown at 62, logging data 55 brought back to the company by network transfer or storage on a removable disk storage medium is recorded in its own HDD 8, and as shown in 63, the customer of step 1 is recorded. The evaluation device 3 and the broadcasting device 4 of the same type as the evaluation device 3 and the broadcasting device 4 are prepared in-house, and a reproduction test is performed using the evaluation device 3 and the broadcasting device 4 of the same type. Specifically, as shown at 64, the evaluation device 3 executes the same command as that of the editing machine 51 at the customer in Step 1 on the broadcasting device 4 based on the logging data 55.
As a result, the evaluation device 3 performs a detailed analysis of the status abnormality detected by the reproduction test.

  The serial interface (RS-422A / RS-232C) port that obtains the status from the broadcasting device 4 exists to accept commands from the editing machine 51 and the host system in the first place. . At this time, a malfunction may occur only when a specific device such as the editing machine 51 and the broadcasting device 4 are connected. The evaluation device 3 has a function of monitoring a serial communication 52 via a serial interface between the editing machine 51 and the broadcasting device 4 with a monitor signal 53. Therefore, by logging the monitoring result to the HDD 8 as the logging data 55, the logging data 55 is used to reproduce the situation where the trouble occurs in the evaluation device 3 and the broadcasting device 4 of the same type machine prepared in-house. The device 3 can investigate the cause of the failure.

Next, notification when an abnormality occurs due to the connection between the control PC and the evaluation device using a network will be described.
When the evaluation apparatus 3 connected to the control PC 1 using the network is used in this way, many tests can be unmanned. Specifically, if the evaluation apparatus 3 starts a test on the broadcasting device 4 under the control of the control PC 1, the evaluation person does not need to operate the control PC 1. In that case, notification from the control PC 1 via the evaluation device 3 when an abnormality occurs becomes important. When an abnormality is notified from the evaluation device 3 to the control PC 1, not only an abnormality display on a GUI (Graphical User Interface) operated by the control PC 1 but also a mobile phone of an evaluation person connected via the network Notify the evaluator that an abnormality has occurred by e-mail or instant messenger function.

In addition to this, notification when an abnormality occurs using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) as an abnormality display unit will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, when one control PC 1 controls many evaluation devices 3, 3-1,..., Even if one of them reports an abnormality, It may be difficult to know whether the broadcasting equipment 4, 4-1,... For example, this is the case when there are broadcasting devices 4, 4-1,. In such a case, each evaluation device 3, 3-1,... Is equipped with an LED (not shown) as an abnormality display unit. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in the broadcasting equipment 4, 4-1,..., It is possible to turn on the LEDs provided in the corresponding evaluation devices 3, 3-1,. Then, the evaluator can set the LED by arranging the evaluation devices 3, 3-1,... Corresponding to the broadcasting devices 4, 4-1,. It is possible to know the broadcasting devices 4, 4-1,...

As another example, an unmanned evaluation system using serially controllable equipment will be described.
As already described in Fig. 3, the evaluation device 3 has a function to send a serial signal to the device to be evaluated by executing the evaluation script sent from the control PC1. If this function is used, the evaluation device 3 can control not only the broadcasting device 4 but also devices such as a power source device, a signal generator (SG), and a measuring instrument that can be serially controlled. Therefore, an unattended automatic evaluation system can be realized by using a plurality of evaluation apparatuses 3, 3-1,... And building a system that integrates them on the control PC 1 using the control software 2. . An example will be described below.

First, a test using a power supply device will be described.
In this case, two evaluation apparatuses 3 and 3-1 are used, one evaluation apparatus 3 controls the power supply voltage of the stabilized power supply apparatus, and the other evaluation apparatus 3-1 is a broadcast which is a device under test. The status of the device 4 is sensed. Thereby, the stabilized power supply is controlled via the evaluation device 3, the supply of the power supply voltage from the stabilized power supply device to the broadcasting device 4 which is the test device is changed, and the evaluation device 3-1 is used to change the broadcasting device which is the test device. Investigate the status change of 4.

Next, an appearance video recording system at the time of abnormality will be described.
Depending on the situation, there is a case where the state immediately after (or immediately before) occurrence of an abnormality in the broadcasting device 4 as a test machine is desired as an image. In this case, two evaluation devices 3 and 3-1 are used, one evaluation device 3 controls the camera-integrated image recording device, and the other evaluation device 3-1 is a broadcasting device which is a device under test. 4 is controlled. As a result, the evaluation apparatus 3 is used to perform endless shooting in which overwriting recording for a certain period of time is repeatedly performed by the camera-integrated image recording apparatus. Various controls and senses are performed. When an abnormality occurs in the broadcasting device 4 that is a device under test, the evaluation device 3 stops the camera-integrated image recording device after a predetermined time, and stores the video before and after the occurrence of the malfunction.

Furthermore, a log acquisition system when an abnormality occurs will be described.
Depending on the broadcasting device 4 which is a device under test, there is a device that needs to extract serial communication logging data from a unique serial port mounted on the board when an abnormality occurs. In this case, two evaluation devices 3 and 3-1 are prepared, one evaluation device 3 is used for controlling the broadcasting device 4 as a device under test, and another evaluation device 3-1 is used to acquire logging data. By using it exclusively, logging data remaining in the memory on the board can be acquired when an abnormality occurs.

A simultaneous test system for a plurality of devices under test will be described.
In a system that simultaneously tests a plurality of devices under test 4, 4-1... By each evaluation device 3, 3-1. Variations and the like can be verified by performing tests under the same conditions and confirming that there is no difference in evaluation criteria between the evaluation devices 3, 3-1,.

  With the evaluation apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment as described above, it is also possible to detect a momentary abnormality of the broadcasting device 4 that is a device under test. In addition, since the test can be automated, unmanned, and remote, it is possible to facilitate the test under conditions that are difficult for humans to perform, such as a high and low temperature environment and a long time. In addition, by converting serial interface (RS-422A or RS-232C) serial communication to TCP / IP communication using the evaluation device 3, connection with the general-purpose control PC 1 is facilitated, and tests combining various commands are automatically performed. Can be implemented.

  In addition, since communication between the control PC 1 and the evaluation device 3 is made TCP / IP communication, a single control PC can simultaneously test a plurality of devices. By being able to test a plurality of devices at the same time, it becomes easy to reproduce a defective symptom with a low occurrence frequency. Since a plurality of devices can be tested at the same time, a test on a large number of devices can be efficiently performed.

  It goes without saying that the configuration can be appropriately changed within the scope of the claims of the present invention described above. For example, although the example in which the broadcasting device 4 is evaluated as the device under test has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the same can be applied to the case where other electronic devices are evaluated as the device under test.

It is a figure which shows the test system of the broadcasting equipment by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the notification of the communication history in the test system of a broadcast device. It is a figure which shows downloading of the evaluation script in the test system of broadcasting equipment. It is a figure which shows the sense restriction | limiting based on a frame synchronizing signal. It is a figure which shows the setting of the sense condition by a script. It is a figure which shows the connection of control PC and several evaluation apparatus using a network. It is a figure which shows the reproduction test based on the logged data.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control PC, 2 ... Control software, 3 ... Evaluation apparatus, 4 ... Broadcast equipment, 5 ... TCP / IP communication (asynchronous communication), 6 ... Serial communication (frame synchronous communication), 7 ... Frame synchronous signal, 8 ... HDD 9 ... Notification of abnormality, 10 ... Storage of evaluation script, 11 ... Download and execution, 53 ... Monitor signal, 54 ... Acquired during operation at customer site, 55 ... Logging data, 56 ... Bring data home, 61 ... Broadcast equipment 62 ... Data take-back reproduction test, 63 ... Prepare the same model and perform the reproduction test, 64 ... Execute the same command as the editing machine based on the logging data

Claims (9)

In an equipment test system that performs an evaluation test of equipment connected via a communication line based on control from a control means,
Evaluation means for detecting state information for the device, judging the state of the device based on the detected state information, and obtaining evaluation information;
Storage means for storing the communication history at the time of detection of the state information, the state information and the evaluation information;
Reproduction means for reproducing detection of status information for the device based on the communication history. The equipment test system according to claim 1,
The evaluation means obtains a command from the host system for the device when detecting the state information,
The reproduction unit executes the command to the device based on a communication history stored in the storage unit. The equipment test system according to claim 2,
The reproduction means executes the command to another device corresponding to the device on another device test system corresponding to the device test system that acquired the command. In a device evaluation apparatus that performs an evaluation test of a device connected via a communication line based on control from the control device,
Evaluation means for detecting state information for the device, judging the state of the device based on the detected state information, and obtaining evaluation information;
A device evaluation apparatus comprising: a reproduction unit configured to reproduce detection of the state information for the device based on a communication history at the time of detection of the state information. In the apparatus evaluation apparatus of Claim 4,
The evaluation means obtains a command from the host system for the device when detecting the state information,
The device evaluation apparatus, wherein the reproduction unit executes the command to the device based on a communication history acquired when the state information is detected. In the apparatus evaluation apparatus of Claim 5,
The reproduction means executes the command to another device corresponding to the device on another device evaluation device corresponding to the device evaluation device that acquired the command. In a device test method for performing an evaluation test of a device connected via a communication line based on control from a control means,
An evaluation step of detecting state information for the device, determining the state of the device based on the detected state information, and obtaining evaluation information;
A storage step of storing the communication history at the time of detection of the state information, the state information and the evaluation information;
A device testing method comprising: a reproduction step for reproducing detection of status information for the device based on the communication history. The instrument test method according to claim 7, wherein
The evaluation step obtains a command from the host system for the device upon detection of the state information,
In the reproduction step, the command is executed on the device based on the communication history stored in the storage step. The instrument test method according to claim 8, wherein
The reproduction step executes the command for another device corresponding to the device in another evaluation step corresponding to the evaluation step that acquired the command.

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