JP3216196B2 - Product testing system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for testing a plurality of test items of a product, comprising a plurality of automatic test machines and a plurality of manual test machines.

In recent years, the range of use of computers has been expanding, and design using computers called CAD / CAM and manufacturing using computers have been widely performed. As one field of the CAM using such a computer, automation and efficiency of a test department are required.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 is a block diagram (1) for explaining a conventional example. The figure shows an example in which a test line is composed of only an automatic tester.
01 to 203 are personal computers combined with the automatic testing machines 101 to 103, 401 to 403, respectively.
Is a supply / discharge device, 500 is a self-propelled vehicle, 510 is a self-propelled vehicle control device, 700 is a host computer, and 800 is a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LAN).

[0004] For example, if the test items of the product are three of T1 to T3,
There are items, and the test item T1 is tested by the automatic tester 101, the test item T2 is tested by the automatic tester 102, and the test item T3 is tested by the automatic tester 103.

[0005] First, the host computer 700 instructs the self-propelled vehicle 500 to convey the product from the product storage (not shown) to the automatic testing machine 101 through the self-propelled vehicle control device 510. The self-propelled vehicle 500 feeds and discharges the product 40
1 and the supply / discharge device 401 automatically switches the product and the automatic testing machine 101 according to the instruction of the personal computer 201.
Make a connection with

On the other hand, the host computer 700 has a LAN
800 and the personal computer 201, the automatic test machine 101 is notified of the product type, and at the same time, a test program (hereinafter referred to as TP) for performing the test is sent out. The test of item T1 is performed.

When the test is completed, the result is notified from the personal computer 201 to the host computer 700 via the LAN 800, and the host computer 70
0 indicates from the test result to the self-propelled vehicle 500 that the product is transported from the supply / discharge device 401 to the automatic testing machine 102 when the test of the next test item T2 is to be performed. The automatic tester 102 performs the test of the test item T2 in the same procedure as the automatic tester 101.

Similarly, the test of the test item T3 is performed by the automatic testing machine 103, and when the tests of all the test items are completed, the host computer 700 instructs the self-propelled vehicle 500 to transfer the product to the product storage. To instruct.

If a failure occurs during the test, the host computer 700 instructs to transfer the product to a repair storage (not shown). In the above-described conventional example, the automatic test machines 101, 102, and 103 perform the test for each item. However, one automatic test machine can perform the test for a plurality of items. There is no problem if there is an automatic tester that does not perform the test.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining a conventional example (2).
Is shown. The figure shows an example in which a test line is composed of only a manual testing machine.
403 is a supply / discharge device, 500 is a self-propelled vehicle, 510 is a self-propelled vehicle control device, and 600 is a remote control device.

For example, if the test items of the product are t3 to t3,
The test item t1 is tested by the manual tester 301, the test item t2 is tested by the manual tester 302, and the test item t3 is tested by the manual tester 303.

First, the remote control device 600 instructs the self-propelled vehicle 500 to convey the product from the product storage to the manual testing machine 301 through the self-propelled vehicle control device 510.
The self-propelled vehicle 500 conveys the product to the supply / discharge device 401, and the operator performs a test of the test item t1 after connecting the product and the manual testing machine 301.

When the test is completed, the remote control device 600 instructs the transfer of the completed product of the test item t1 to the supply / discharge device 402 in the determined route, here, the operator operates the manual test machine 302. The test of the test item t2 is performed.

Similarly, the test of the test item t3 is performed by the manual test machine 303, and when the tests of all the test items are completed, the remote control device 600 instructs the self-propelled vehicle 500 to transfer the product to the product storage. To instruct.

If a failure occurs during the test, the remote controller 600 instructs to transfer the product to the repair storage. In the conventional example described above, the manual testing machine 30
1, 302 and 303 perform the test for each item. However, it is also possible that one manual tester performs the test for a plurality of items, and there is a manual tester that does not perform the test. This is the same as in the above-described conventional example (1).

[0016]

Generally, in order to automate testing and improve efficiency, testing of all items of a product is to be performed by an automatic testing machine, but some items cannot be automatically tested (for example, However, if the signal frequency increases, the characteristics of the connection cable may be affected, etc.), and such test items must be tested manually. To test all items, an automatic tester and manual It is necessary to perform the test in combination with a test machine.

In such a case, even if a manual tester is incorporated in the system of the conventional example (1) in FIG. 7, the manual tester cannot communicate with the host computer. Can not be under the control of.

In the system of the conventional example (2) shown in FIG. 8, only the transportation by the self-propelled vehicle is controlled by a predetermined program, and information is transferred between the manual testing machine and the host computer. Cannot be transmitted and received, and cannot specify a product model, cannot transmit and receive a TP, etc., so that it is generally a dedicated line for testing only one model.

According to the present invention, an automatic tester and a manual tester for testing all items of a product are configured as one line,
An object of the present invention is to realize a test system capable of handling a variety of models by integrally managing an automatic testing machine, a manual testing machine, a supply / discharge device, and a self-propelled vehicle by a host computer.

[0020]

FIG . 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. Example is a multiple automatic test
Machine 100, personal computer 200, manual testing machine
300, supply / discharge device 400, self-propelled vehicle 500, self-propelled vehicle control device
Device 510, remote control device 600, host computer 7
00, LAN 800 and parallel interface 90
0. In this, the basics necessary for the present invention
The configuration is automatic tester 100, personal computer 2
00, manual testing machine 300, host computer 700,
LAN 800, parallel interface 900
In the following, in order to solve the problems of the present invention,
The means will be described. 100 in the figure is a plurality of automatic testing machines that automatically perform a product test, 200 is a personal computer that controls the plurality of automatic testing machines 100,
Reference numeral 300 denotes a plurality of manual testing machines for manually testing a product .

Reference numeral 700 denotes a host computer for controlling the plurality of automatic test machines 100 through the plurality of personal computers 200 , and reference numeral 800 denotes a LAN connecting the host computer 700 and the personal computer 200.

Reference numeral 900 denotes a host computer 700 provided with test results of a plurality of manual testers 300 provided according to the present invention.
Is a parallel interface for inputting data to a plurality of automatic test machines 100
When performing with a plurality of manual testing machines 300, the host computer
Computer 700 is connected to the automatic testing machine 100 and the LAN.
The test information is transmitted and received through the parallel interface 900 and the parallel interface 900
By receiving the test information through a plurality of devices, a plurality of the automatic testing machines 100 and a plurality of the manual testing machines 300 necessary for testing a product are centrally managed, configured as one test line, and tested. .

[0023]

When testing a plurality of test items of a product, the automatic tester 100 and the manual tester 300 test all items.

FIG . 1 is a block diagram for explaining the embodiment.
Therefore, the following description is made only by the means necessary for the present invention.
Will be explained. Here, the automatic testing machine 100 is connected to the host computer.
The PC 700 is connected to the computer 700 via the LAN 800 to transmit and receive test information.

On the other hand, the manual testing machine 300 is
Cannot exchange test information with the data 700 .
Therefore, a parallel interface 900 is provided, and the test results of the manual testing machine 300 are transmitted to the parallel interface 900.
Is input to the host computer 700.

With this configuration, the host computer 7
00 allows transmission and reception of test information with the automatic tester 100 and transmission and reception of test results of the manual tester 300. Based on the test information (including test results), the automatic tester 100,
The manual testing machine 300 is
It is possible to manage the system automatically, and a plurality of automatic testing machines 1
00 and the plurality of manual test machines 300 are configured as one test line, and can cope with various types of tests.

[0027]

FIG . 1 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.
Is shown. The configuration of the block diagram is the same as described above.
is there. 400 in the figure indicates a plurality of automatic testing machines 100 and a plurality of
A plurality of manual test machines 300 that supply and discharge products
500 is a supply / discharge device between the plurality of supply / discharge devices 400.
600 is a self-propelled vehicle that transports products, and 600 is a self-propelled vehicle.
0 through the self-propelled vehicle control device 510
It is a remote control device for controlling. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an automatic test cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) shows the configuration of the automatic test cell. In this embodiment, the automatic testing machine 10
0, personal computer 200 and supply / discharge device 40
0 test station 100A
, And a test station including the manual test machine 300 and the supply / discharge device 400 is referred to as a manual test cell 300A.

In the figure, a self-propelled vehicle 500 is supplied from a supply / discharge device 400 for product storage or another test cell (an automatic test cell and a manual test cell are collectively referred to as a test cell).
0 is automatically loaded and the specified test cell supply / discharge device 40
The product 10 is transported to 0. The supply / discharge device 400 that has received the product 10 automatically connects the connector 420 for testing and the product 10.

The automatic tester 100 is connected to the host computer 7
Under the control of the personal computer 200 connected to 00, a test of a specified item of the product 10 is automatically executed.

FIG. 3B is a view for explaining the operation unit 410 of the supply / discharge device 400.
A button for setting whether to use offline or a button for setting the type of tester when using online (here, A is used when used in combination with an automatic tester)
TE, MTE when used in combination with a manual testing machine
), And a good / bad button for inputting a test result is provided.

When the test of the specified item of the product 10 is completed in the automatic test cell 100A, the personal computer 2
00 automatically converts the test result by the automatic testing machine 100 to LA.
The host computer 700 is notified via N800.

When the supply / discharge device 400 shown in the figure is used in a manual test cell, the operation unit 410 is set to the MTE side. In this state, when the operator finishes the test of the specified item of the product 10 with the manual testing machine 300, the test result is transmitted from the good / bad button to the host computer 700 through the parallel interface 900 (not shown). I do.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining communication between the test cell and the host computer according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A) is an example of the automatic test cell 100A, and the host computer 7
00 sends an instruction of the figure number of the product 10, a TP or the like to the automatic test cell 100A to give a test instruction, and the automatic test cell 100A sends a host computer 7
For 00, an online / offline notification, a test result notification, a tester abnormality notification, and the like are performed.

At this time, the cable connection between the product 10 and the connector 420 of the supply / discharge device 400 is automatically performed.
(B) is an example of a manual test cell 300A. From the manual test cell 300A, a parallel interface (P /
Via an IOif 900 and the remote control device 600, the host computer 700 is notified of a test result, an error of a tester, and the like.

The interface between the manual test cell 300A and the parallel interface 900 is, for example, TTL
The signal is a signal of several bits of level, and between the parallel interface 900 and the host computer 700, for example, R
Connection is made with a general-purpose interface such as S-232C.

When there are a plurality of manual test cells 300A, polling is performed from the parallel interface 900, and only the designated manual test cell 300A transmits information.

At this time, the cable connection between the product 10 and the connector 420 of the supply / discharge device 400 is manually performed by an operator.
FIG. 4 is a system flowchart (1) of the embodiment of the present invention.
Is shown. The operation of the automatic testing machine 100 (shown as ATE in the figure), the supply / discharge device 400, the self-propelled vehicle 500, and the host computer 700 will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the figure, the left column in the host computer shows the processing of the host computer 700, and the right column shows the file names related to the processing. When the automatic testing machine 100 requests the host computer 700 to input the product 10, the automatic testing machine 100
The data 700 refers to the progress file and the cell management file,
The product 10 to be tested by the automatic testing machine 100 that issued the request
To determine.

The host computer 700 refers to the input / output file and instructs the self-propelled vehicle 500 to transport the product 10 to the automatic testing machine 100. (HP means the home position of the self-propelled vehicle 500.) The self-propelled vehicle 500 is a designated automatic testing machine 100 (fr in the diagram).
om) to a designated automatic testing machine 100 (shown as to in the figure).

'The host computer 700 receives the transfer completion notification. The supply / discharge device 400 that has received the transport of the product 10 from the self-propelled vehicle 500 automatically performs connection with the connector 410,
The automatic test cell 100A receives the contact completion signal and starts the test.

If the product 10 is composed of a plurality of systems, after the test of the first system is completed, the connection of the system for performing the test of the next system is automatically changed.

When the tests of all the systems are completed, the automatic test cell 100 A notifies the host computer 700 of the test result. 'Host computer 700 receiving the notification of the test result
Performs the following cell control based on the progress file, cell management file, and test results.

If the next automatic test cell 100 A for transporting the product 10 is empty, the self-propelled vehicle 500 is instructed to discharge the product 10, and the next automatic test cell 100 A is used for the other automatic test cell 100 A.
If the test is 0, the process waits until the next automatic test cell 100A becomes empty.

Here, the transfer control from one test cell to the next test cell is referred to as crossover processing. FIG. 5 shows a system flowchart (2) of the embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the manual testing machine 300 (shown as MTE in the figure), the supply / discharge device 400, the self-propelled vehicle 500, the remote control device (shown as RCP in the figure) 600, the host computer 700, and the parallel interface 800 will be described with reference to the drawing.

When performing a manual test, the supply / discharge device 4
The operation unit 410 is set to online, and the type of the test machine is set to the MTE side. The host computer 700 receives the online setting notification via the parallel interface 800 and the remote control device 600 and writes it in the cell management file.

'The host computer 700 refers to the cell management file and the input / output file to determine which product 10 is to be tested for each manual test cell 300A.

The host computer 700 refers to the input / output file and checks each manual test cell 300 A
Then, the vehicle 500 is instructed to transport the product 10. The self-propelled vehicle 500 transports the product 10 from the designated manual test cell 300A to the designated manual test cell 300A.

'The host computer 700 receives the transport completion notification. The worker who has received the transport of the product 10 from the self-propelled vehicle 500 manually connects the product 10 to the manual testing machine 300 and starts a manual test.

When the test has been completed, the operator operates the operation unit 410 of the supply / discharge device 400 of the manual test cell 300A.
The test result is notified to the host computer 700 through the parallel interface 800 and the remote control device 600.

'The host computer 700, having received the notification of the test result, performs the next cell control and good / bad processing based on the progress file, the cell management file, and the test result. When the next test cell for transporting the product 10 is empty, the self-propelled vehicle 500 is instructed to discharge the product 10, and when the next test cell is testing another product 10, the next test cell is output. Wait until is empty.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the cell control according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the cell control of the host computer 700 in the system flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. that's all,
The configuration and operation of the present invention will be described with reference to the configuration of FIG.
However, FIG. 1 is merely an example of the present invention,
The configuration is not limited to that shown in the figure.
Device 400, parallel interface 900, remote control
The manual testing machine 300 and the host computer
Connection of the computer 700, the supply / discharge device 400, the remote control device
The manual tester 300 and the host
Computer 700 via the parallel interface 900
It is also possible to connect directly to the
0 and when the self-propelled vehicle control device 510 is not used,
The operation and effect of the present invention are not changed.

[0052]

According to the present invention, by transmitting and receiving test information from a manual tester to a host computer through a parallel interface, a manual test can be performed even if the manual tester does not have a personal computer. Machine and automatic testing machine can be centrally managed by the host computer, and can be configured as one test line.

Since a manual testing machine and an automatic testing machine can be freely installed, it is possible to easily cope with the introduction of a new product.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an automatic test cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining communication between a test cell and a host computer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a system flowchart (1) of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a system flowchart (2) of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of cell control according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional example (1).

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional example (2).

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01D 21/00 G01M 19/00

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] The method according to claim 1 Testing of multiple items of products, and automatically performing a plurality of automatic test equipment, and the personal computer for controlling a plurality of the automatic tester, a test of a plurality of items of the product, the operator manually in the test system consisting of a local area network that connects a plurality of manual testing machine, and a host computer for controlling the plurality of the automatic test machine through a plurality of said personal computer, said host computer said personal computer to perform at, The test information of the plurality of manual testing machines is stored in the host computer.
It provided a parallel interface for inputting the over data, a test of a plurality of test items of the product, and the automatic tester, when performing a plurality of manual testing machine, the host computer
Data, the said automatic tester performs transmission and reception of test information over a local area network, the test information through the plurality of the manual testing machine parallel interface
And a plurality of the automatic testing machines and a plurality of the manual testing
A product testing system that performs tests by centrally managing testing machines .