JP2009245292A - Device to be tested, testing system, testing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device to be tested, a testing system, a testing method, and a program capable of testing a nonvolatile memory, an input part and a display part even though they are defective. <P>SOLUTION: A test program 8 is not only downloaded from a PC2 for downloading connected to the device 1 to be tested to an embedded memory 5 but also booted. This can test the device 1 to be tested incapable of writing a program 8 to the nonvolatile memory 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a test method for executing a test program on an apparatus to be tested.

Various methods for dealing with the occurrence of abnormalities in devices are currently disclosed.
For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a microcomputer gas meter that notifies an abnormality by changing the way the lamp is turned on.

Patent Document 2 discloses a method of dividing a storage area into a plurality of blocks and managing validity / invalidity for each block in order to cope with a partial failure of the memory card storage area.
Further, Patent Document 3 discloses that the flash memory is divided into a main data holding portion and a sub data holding portion in order to cope with a power failure during rewriting of the flash memory in which a startup program is written. A method is disclosed in which the latest data is written and the address of the main data holding portion and the sub data holding portion is exchanged when the writing is completed.

On the other hand, in a device equipped with a memory such as a mobile phone, a test program is written into the nonvolatile memory of the portable device from an external PC, and the test program is activated from the nonvolatile memory to perform a test. The activated test program operates an input unit such as a keypad on the device to control the operation, and a message indicating the test result is displayed on a display unit such as a main LCD on the device.
JP 2004-77265 A JP-A-11-39151 JP-A-6-119254

  In the conventional test method for such an apparatus having an internal memory, in order to execute the test, it is necessary to correctly write a nonvolatile memory into which a program is written. In addition, devices for executing a test, such as an LCD and a keypad used for error information notification and test control, need to operate normally.

  For this reason, there is a problem that the test program cannot be executed normally when the program download area on the nonvolatile memory is damaged and the program cannot be written or when there is a problem with the main LCD or the keypad.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a test target apparatus, a test system, a test method, and a program that can perform a test even when a non-volatile memory, an input unit such as a keypad, and a display unit such as a main LCD are defective.

This test target device is a test target device that executes its own test based on a test program, and includes a storage unit, a communication unit, and a processing unit in order to solve the above problems.
The storage unit records a program for downloading the test program from an external device.

The communication unit communicates with an external device.
The processing unit activates the program for downloading, stores the test program downloaded from the external device via the communication unit in the storage unit, and operates the test program to operate the information processing device Run the test.

  The present invention also includes a test system, a test method, and a program.

According to this test apparatus, even when the test program is downloaded to the non-volatile memory and does not operate normally, the failure location is specified by directly executing the test program sent from the outside.
A specific area on the SDRAM has failed.
・ A specific area on the non-volatile memory has failed.
・ The program is running, but it is not displayed due to a failure of the LCD main unit and control lines.
・ Key entry is not possible due to a failure of the key control device.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In the following description, an example of testing a mobile phone as a test target device to be tested by the test method of the present embodiment will be described, but the test target device to be tested by the test method of the present embodiment is a mobile phone. The present invention is not limited, and any other device may be used as long as the device includes a volatile memory and a nonvolatile memory.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a test system in the present embodiment.
The test system shown in FIG. 1 includes a test target device 1 and a download PC 2 that sends a test program to the test target device 1 from the outside. The device under test 1 and the download PC 2 are connected by a USB cable 3.

  The test object apparatus 1 has a terminal-side DL program 6 prepared in advance in the non-volatile memory 4. Similarly, the PC-side DL program 7 and the binary file of the test program 8 downloaded to the test object apparatus 1 are also provided on the PC side. Is remembered. Note that the terminal-side DL program 6 is a program used when a program or the like is downloaded from the outside to the test target apparatus 1, and is already written in the nonvolatile memory at the time of shipment from the factory and operates normally.

The PC-side DL program 7 reboots the test target apparatus 1 via the USB cable 3 and starts the terminal-side DL program 6.
When the activated terminal-side DL program 6 recognizes that the device under test 1 is connected to the download PC 2 via a USB line or the like, it communicates with the PC-side DL program 7 and sends it to the download PC 2 side. The stored test program 8 is expanded in the volatile built-in memory 5 in the test target apparatus 1.

  The terminal-side DL program 6 expands the test program in the built-in memory 5 and then branches to the head of the test program. Thereby, the test program 8 is automatically executed, and the test for the test target apparatus 1 is executed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a test program startup flow.
Tests are run in the following order: When an error is detected in the test target device 1, the test target device 1 immediately stops and notifies the failure location.

First, in step S1, the PC-side DL program 7 on the download PC 2 reboots the test target apparatus 1.
The restarted test target apparatus 1 starts the terminal-side DL program 6 stored in its own nonvolatile memory 4.

  When the terminal-side DL program 6 recognizes that the test target apparatus 1 is connected to the download PC 2, the terminal-side DL program 6 communicates with the PC-side DL program 7. In response to this exchange, in step S3, the PC-side DL program 7 transmits the binary data of the test program 8 to the test target apparatus 1.

  The terminal-side DL program 6 receives the binary data of the test program 8 transmitted from the download PC 2 in step S4, and expands it in the internal memory 5 of the test target apparatus 1 in step S5.

  The terminal-side DL program 6 branches the process to the head of the test program 8 developed in the built-in memory 5 in step S5 as step S6. Thereby, the test program 8 is automatically started (step S7).

  Thereafter, the test program 8 performs various tests on the test target device 1 based on the processing described in itself, and when the test target device 1 detects an error, notifies the failure location and immediately stops the processing. . Note that the notification of the test result may be displayed on the display unit of the test target apparatus 1 or may be displayed on the display unit of the download PC 2.

  As described above, in the test method according to the present embodiment, the test program 8 is expanded from the external device to the built-in memory 5 of the test target device 1, so that even if there is a problem in a specific area of the nonvolatile memory 4 of the test target device 1 Can be done.

  The test program 8 developed in the internal memory 5 of the test target apparatus 1 is developed in the built-in memory 5 and automatically executed to perform the test, so that the user does not need to give an input instruction and the test is performed. The test can be performed even if the input unit of the target device 1 is out of order.

Next, the test method in this embodiment will be described in more detail.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the test target apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.
In FIG. 3, the test target device 1 includes a USB controller 11, a first CPU 12, a first CPU side SDRAM 13, a first CPU side nonvolatile memory 14, a shared memory 15, a peripheral control interface (IF) 16, a second A CPU 17, a second CPU side SDRAM 18, a second CPU side nonvolatile memory 19 and a peripheral device 21 are provided.

  The USB controller 11 is a controller that controls USB connection. The download PC 2 is connected to the test coping apparatus 1 via the USB controller 11. The first CPU 12 manages basic functions of the test target device 1. For example, if the device under test 1 is a mobile phone, the first CPU 12 is a CPU that performs processing for realizing a function as a phone. The first CPU 12 includes an internal RAM 20. The first CPU side SDRAM 13 is a volatile memory that is read and written by the first CPU 12 as a work memory. The first CPU-side nonvolatile memory 14 is a nonvolatile memory that is read and written by the first CPU 12. The shared memory 15 is a memory shared by the first CPU 12 and the second CPU 17. The peripheral control interface (IF) 16 is an interface for connecting to the peripheral device 21. The second CPU 17 is a CPU that controls the peripheral device 21. The second CPU 17 becomes a main CPU when executing the test program 8. The second CPU side SDRAM 18 is a volatile memory that is read and written as a work memory by the second CPU 17. The second CPU side non-volatile memory 19 is a non-volatile memory that is read and written by the second CPU 17.

The peripheral device 21 is a device that controls input / output of the test target apparatus 1. For example, if the test target apparatus 1 is a mobile phone, an LCD, an LED, a keypad, and the like are applicable.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of each component in the test target apparatus 1 when testing the test target apparatus 1 configured as shown in FIG.

The process of FIG. 4 is started when the test target device 1 and the download PC 2 are connected by USB and the test target device 1 receives a test execution notification from the download PC 2.
When the processing of FIG. 4 is started, first, the CPU 1 sets the loader branch flag in the internal RAM 20 of the CPU 1 to write ON in step S11. And CPU1 reboots CPU1 itself as step S12. At this time, the contents in the internal RAM 20 are retained.

  The rebooted CPU 1 executes the boot program in the CPU 1 side non-volatile memory 14 in step S13. Then, the CPU 1 checks the loader branch flag in the internal RAM 20 as step S14 based on the boot program. As a result, when the loader branch flag is OFF (step S14, normal boot mode), normal boot processing is performed.

In step S14, when the loader branch flag is ON (step S14, normal load mode), the first CPU 12 enters the normal load mode.
Then, the first CPU 12 copies the second CPU boot program held in the first CPU-side nonvolatile memory 14 to the shared RAM 15 according to the terminal-side DL program in the first CPU-side nonvolatile memory 24. Then, the first CPU 12 releases the reset of the second CPU 17 (step S16). Thereafter, the first CPU 12 enters a state waiting for a response from the second CPU 17.

  The second CPU 17 whose reset has been released executes the second CPU boot program on the shared RAM 15 as step S21. In step S22, the first CPU 12 is notified that it has started up.

  Upon receiving the notification from the second CPU 17, the first CPU 12 exits from the response waiting state from the second CPU 17 in step S16, and reconnects to the download PC 2 via the USB in step S17.

  In step S19, the first CPU 12 communicates with the PC-side DL program 7 in the download PC 2, receives the binary data of the test program 8 from the download PC 2, and transmits the binary data to the second CPU 17 side. To do.

  The second CPU 17 develops the test program 8 received from the first CPU 12 in the second CPU side SDRAM 18 as step S23. In step S24, the second CPU 17 branches the process to the beginning of the test program. As a result, the test program 8 is automatically executed by the second CPU 17 and the test for the device under test 1 is started.

  Thereafter, the second CPU 17 sequentially performs the test items for the test target device 1 based on the test program 8, and when a failure is found, notifies the user and stops the process.

  In the test method of this embodiment by such processing, since the test program 8 is expanded in the second CPU side SDRAM 18, even if the second CPU 17 side nonvolatile memory 19 is defective, the test for the test target apparatus 1 is performed. Can be done.

  The test program 8 is developed on the second CPU 17 side SDRAM 18 and automatically executed to execute the test items, so that the user does not need to give an input instruction, and the input unit of the test target apparatus 1 Can be tested even if is broken.

  Further, since the test program 8 developed in the second CPU side SDRAM 18 can be made small, it is possible to perform a test even if a part of the second CPU side SDRAM 18 is defective.

Next, specific test items performed by the test program 8 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the test target apparatus 1 when the test target apparatus 1 is a mobile phone.

  In FIG. 5, the mobile phone 100 includes an SDRAM 31, a nonvolatile memory 32, an LCD control CPU 33, a main control CPU 34, an LCD control device 35, an LED control device 36, a key control device 37, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 38, a light emitting diode (LED). 39) and a keypad 40.

  The SDRAM 31 corresponds to the CPU2 side SDRAM 18 of FIG. 3 and is a volatile memory used as a work memory by the main control CPU. In the test method of this embodiment, the test program 8 received from the download PC 2 is expanded in the SDRAM 31. The non-volatile memory 32 corresponds to the second CPU-side non-volatile memory 19 in FIG. 3 and is a non-volatile memory that is read and written by the main control CPU 34. The LCD control CPU 33 is a CPU that controls display on the LCD 38. The LCD control CPU 33 corresponds to a part of the peripheral control IF 16 in FIG. The main control CPU 34 corresponds to the second CPU 17 in FIG. 3 and controls peripheral devices such as the LCD 38, the LED 39, and the keypad 40. The main control CPU 34 executes the test for the mobile phone 100 by executing the test program 8 read from the download PC 2. The LCD control device 35 is a control device that serves as an interface with the LCD 38. The LCD control device 35 corresponds to a part of the peripheral control interface 16 of FIG. The LED control device 36 is a control device that controls display of the LED 39. The LED control device 36 corresponds to a part of the peripheral control interface 16 of FIG. The key control device 37 is a control device that controls input from the keypad 40 and lighting of the backlight of the keypad 40. The key control device 37 corresponds to a part of the peripheral control interface 16 of FIG.

  The LCD 38 is a display unit that displays various information to the user. The LCD 38 corresponds to one of the peripheral devices 21 in FIG. The light emitting diode 39 is a display unit that informs the user of the state of the battery and the like by lighting. The light emitting diode 39 corresponds to one of the peripheral devices 21 in FIG. The keypad 40 is an input key for a user to input a telephone number or the like to the mobile phone 100. Further, the keypad 40 can notify the user of information such as the progress of the test and the test result by emitting the backlight. Since the input control of the keypad 40 and the lighting control of the backlight are different control systems, even if the input function of the keypad 40 is defective, the notification by the lighting of the backlight can be performed. The keypad 40 corresponds to one of the peripheral devices 21 in FIG.

In the mobile phone 100 configured as shown in FIG. 5, the SDRA is executed according to the flow shown in FIG.
A test program downloaded from the outside is expanded in M31. When the developed test program is executed, the main control CPU 34 first tests the SDRAM 31. In the test of the SDRAM 31, Read and Write operations are confirmed for each address of the SDRAM 31. In the test of the SDRAM 31, a test is performed on a part other than the area used by the test program. In the test of the SDRAM 31, since the test program itself is small, most of the memory area can be tested.

  Next, the main control CPU 34 performs a test on the nonvolatile memory 32. In the test for the non-volatile memory 32, the Read and Write operations are confirmed and the Erase operation is confirmed for each address of the non-volatile memory 32.

Next, the main control CPU 34 performs a test on the LCD control CPU 33. In the test for the LCD control CPU 33, a startup diagnosis for the LCD control CPU 33 is performed.
Then, the main control CPU 34 performs a test of the built-in RAM inside itself. In the built-in RAM test, Read and Write operations are confirmed for each address of the built-in RAM.

Next, the main control CPU 34 confirms an I / O state such as power-on or reset. In the confirmation of the I / O state, a dump of the output state of each I / O is taken and confirmed.
Next, the main control CPU 34 performs a test of I2C which is a serial communication interface used when the LED control device 36 is moved. In the I2C test, access confirmation is performed for control register access in the LED control device 36 which is an I2C device.

Next, the main control CPU 34 performs a test of the LED 39. In the test of the LED 39, it is checked whether the LED 39 is normally lit.
Then, the main control CPU 34 performs a test for the key control device 37. In the test of the key control device 37, the main control CPU 34 confirms access to the control register of the key control device 37.

  Next, the main control CPU 34 tests the LCD control device 35. In the test of the LCD control device 35, the main control CPU 34 confirms access to the control register of the LCD control device 35.

Finally, the main control CPU 34 performs a test on the LCD 38. In the test of the LCD 38, a display operation check is performed to determine whether the LCD 38 can display normally.
The progress of the test and the result of the test are notified to the tester by how the backlight of the keypad 40 is turned on. Note that after the diagnosis of the LED 39 or the LCD 38 is completed, the test result may be notified using the LED 39 or the LCD 38. Alternatively, the test results and the progress of the test may be sent to the download PC to which the mobile phone 100 is connected, and the test progress may be displayed from the display unit of the download PC.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, tests are performed in order from devices necessary for operating a test program such as SDRAM and nonvolatile memory, and then the test is automatically executed until LCD display, key control, and LED lighting.

  When the test by the test program of the present embodiment is completed and it is confirmed that the test method up to LCD display, key control, and LED lighting can be used, the function as a telephone, camera function, various switches, etc. A test is performed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a storage medium and its usage in the present embodiment.
In the information processing apparatus 41 connected to the test object apparatus 48 in the present embodiment by a wired line 49 such as USB or wireless such as Bluetooth, the medium reading apparatus 47 uses a magnetic tape, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD. The terminal-side DL program stored in the storage medium 48 such as the above is loaded into the nonvolatile memory of the test target device 48 via the line 49.

  In the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 6, program software may be exchanged using a storage medium 45 such as a CD-ROM. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the test target device, the test method, and the program, but is read by the information processing device 41 for causing the test target device to perform the functions of the above-described embodiments when used by the test target device. It can also be configured as a possible storage medium 46 or program.

  In this case, the “storage medium” is transmitted via a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, or a portable storage medium 46 that can be attached to or removed from a medium drive device 47 such as an MO, DVD, memory card, or removable hard disk, or via the network line 43. A storage unit 42 such as a database in an external device such as a server to be processed, or a memory 45 such as a RAM or a hard disk in the main body 44 of the information processing device 41 is included. The program stored in the portable storage medium 46 or the storage unit 42 is loaded into the test target device 48 via the line 49.

Alternatively, the “storage medium” includes the replaceable nonvolatile memory 50 of the test target device 48.
In addition to the above-described examples of storage media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM, blue colors such as Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark) and AOD (Advanced Optical Disc) are also included. The present invention may also be carried out using various types of large-capacity storage media that will be developed in the future, such as next-generation optical disk storage media using lasers, HD-DVD9 using red lasers, Blue Laser DVDs using blue-violet lasers, and holograms. Is possible.

  As described above, according to the test system in the present embodiment, a specific part of the volatile memory or the non-volatile memory has failed, an input instruction cannot be performed due to a failure of the input device, a failure of a control line of the display device, or the like. Even when the test program is downloaded to the non-volatile memory and does not operate normally, the failure location can be specified by directly executing the test program sent from the outside.

Regarding the above embodiment, the following additional notes are disclosed.
(Appendix 1)
In the test target device that executes its own test based on the test program,
A storage unit storing a program for downloading the test program from an external device;
A communication unit for communicating with an external device;
Starting the program for downloading, storing a test program downloaded from the external device via the communication unit in the storage unit, and operating the test program stored in the storage unit to execute the information And a processing unit that executes a test of the processing apparatus.
(Appendix 2)
The storage unit includes a nonvolatile first storage unit,
The test target apparatus according to attachment 1, wherein the program for downloading is stored in the first storage unit.
(Appendix 3)
The storage unit includes a volatile second storage unit,
The test target apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein the download program downloads the test program to the second storage unit.
(Appendix 4)
The processing unit determines whether or not the test target device is connected to the external device when the test target device is activated, and the download is performed when it is determined that the test target device is connected to the external device. 2. The information processing apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein a program for starting is started.
(Appendix 5)
When the processing unit receives a test execution notification from the external device, it sets an internal flag, restarts itself, and confirms that the internal flag is set after the restart, and then downloads the program for downloading. The information processing apparatus according to appendix 4, wherein the information processing apparatus is activated.
(Appendix 6)
The test target apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the test target apparatus is a mobile phone, and the result of the test by the test program is notified by turning on a backlight of a keypad of the mobile phone.
(Appendix 7)
Until the test of the display device of the mobile phone is completed, the result of the test by the test program is notified by turning on the backlight of the keypad of the mobile phone, and the result of the test after the test of the display device is completed The test target apparatus according to appendix 6, which is notified by the display.
(Appendix 8)
In a test system with a configuration in which a device under test and an external device are connected,
The device under test is
A first storage unit in which a first download program for downloading the test program from an external device is recorded;
A first communication unit for communicating with the external device;
Activating the first download program, storing a test program downloaded from the external device via the first communication unit in the first storage unit, and activating the stored test program A first processing unit for executing a test of the information processing apparatus;
With
The external device is
A second storage unit for storing a test program for testing the test target device, and a second download program for transmitting the test program to the test target device;
A second communication unit for communicating with the test target device;
In response to a download request for the test program from the test target device, the second download program is activated, and the test program is transferred from the second storage unit to the test target via the second communication unit. A second processing unit for transmitting to the device;
A test system comprising:
(Appendix 9)
In the test method for the device under test,
Start a download program for downloading a program stored in an external device connected to the test target device, download a test program from the external device,
The test program is stored in a storage unit in the device under test,
A test method for a test target apparatus, wherein the test program is started on the test target apparatus and a test of the test target apparatus is executed.
(Appendix 10)
The external device restarts the device under test,
The test target apparatus test method according to appendix 9, wherein the test target apparatus starts the download program when restarted. (Appendix 11)
A program executed in a test target device connected to an external device, wherein the test program is downloaded from the external device to a second storage unit different from the first storage unit storing the program,
A program for causing the test target apparatus to execute the downloaded test program.
(Appendix 12)
The program according to claim 11, wherein the first storage unit is a non-volatile memory, and the second storage unit is a volatile memory.

It is a figure which shows the outline about the test method in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline of the starting flow of a test program. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the test object apparatus in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of each component in a test object apparatus at the time of testing with respect to the test object apparatus in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example at the time of setting the test object apparatus in this embodiment to a mobile telephone. It is a figure which shows the example of a storage medium.

Explanation of symbols

1 Test equipment 2 Download PC
3 USB cable 4 Non-volatile memory 5 Built-in memory 6 Terminal-side DL program 7 PC-side DL program 8 Test program 11 USB controller 12 First CPU
13 First CPU side SDRAM
14 First CPU-side non-volatile memory 15 Shared RAM
16 Peripheral control interface 17 Second CPU
18 Second CPU side SDRAM
19 Second CPU side non-volatile memory 20 Internal RAM
21 Peripheral devices 31 SDRAM
32 Nonvolatile memory 33 LCD control CPU
34 Main control CPU
35 LCD control device 36 LED control device 37 Key control device 38 LCD
39 LED
40 Keypad 100 Mobile phone

Claims (5)

In the test target device that executes its own test based on the test program,
A storage unit storing a program for downloading the test program from an external device;
A communication unit for communicating with an external device;
Start the program for downloading, store the test program downloaded from the external device via the communication unit in the storage unit, and run the test program to execute the test of the information processing device And a processing unit for testing. The storage unit includes a nonvolatile first storage unit,
The test target apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program for downloading is stored in the first storage unit. In a test system with a configuration in which a device under test and an external device are connected,
The device under test is
A first storage unit in which a first download program for downloading the test program from an external device is recorded;
A first communication unit for communicating with the external device;
Activating the first download program, storing a test program downloaded from the external device via the first communication unit in the first storage unit, and activating the stored test program A first processing unit for executing a test of the information processing apparatus;
With
The external device is
A second storage unit for storing a test program for testing the test target device, and a second download program for transmitting the test program to the test target device;
A second communication unit for communicating with the test target device;
In response to a download request for the test program from the test target device, the second download program is activated, and the test program is transferred from the second storage unit to the test target via the second communication unit. A second processing unit for transmitting to the device;
A test system comprising: In the test method for the device under test,
Start a download program for downloading a program stored in an external device connected to the test target device, download a test program from the external device,
The test program is stored in a storage unit in the device under test,
A test method for a test target apparatus, wherein the test program is started on the test target apparatus and a test of the test target apparatus is executed. A program to be executed in a test target device connected to an external device, downloading the test program from the external device to a second storage unit different from the first storage unit in which the program is stored;
A program for causing the test target apparatus to execute the downloaded test program.