JP3627144B2 - COMMUNICATION TEST SUPPORT DEVICE, PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM CONTAINING THE PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tool that supports execution of a communication test of a device that transmits and receives messages.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, many systems are composed of a plurality of devices and a network connecting them. When testing such a system, it is common to check the operation of individual devices before checking the operation of the entire system. However, operations related to message transmission / reception with other devices cannot be confirmed by the device itself. For this reason, as a tool for supporting such a test, a program for a personal computer that transmits / receives a test message to / from a test target apparatus is provided. The tester installs such a program on a personal computer, connects the personal computer and the device under test, and sends and receives test messages to confirm the operations related to the message transmission and reception of that device. it can. Hereinafter, such a communication test support program or a communication test support apparatus in which such a program is incorporated is collectively referred to as a communication tester.
[0003]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an outline of functions of a conventional communication tester. As shown in the figure, the communication tester defines a message to be transmitted / received between an input / output control unit 1 that controls data input / output between an input device such as a keyboard or an output device such as a display, and a test target. The communication control unit 3 that transmits / receives the message defined in the message definition unit between the message definition unit 2 and the test target based on the instruction of the tester, and the contents of the transmission / reception are recorded in the communication log file 4 A communication log creation unit 5, a clock generation unit 6 that provides date and time information to the communication log creation unit 5, and a predetermined communication log that is retrieved from the communication log file 4 and displayed in response to a tester's request. And a communication log display unit 7.
[0004]
The message definition unit 2 displays a definition edit screen on the display via the input / output control unit 1 so that the tester can edit the defined test message. The message definition unit 2 displays a list of defined messages. When the tester selects a specific message from the message list using a keyboard or the like and further instructs the transmission of the message, the input / output control unit 1 sends the selected message identification code to the communication control unit 3. A transmission request is transmitted. The communication control unit 3 receives the message data corresponding to the identification code from the message definition unit 2, arranges the format according to the communication protocol, and then transmits the message to the test target.
[0005]
At this time, the communication control unit 3 notifies the communication log creation unit 5 of the transmission message. The communication log creation unit 5 creates a communication log in which the date and time at that time acquired from the clock generation unit 6 and the transmission message are recorded, and stores the communication log in the communication log file 4. The communication log is displayed on the display via the input / output control unit 1 by the communication log display unit 7. Thereby, the tester can confirm the content of the transmitted message in the communication log, and can visually confirm the operation of the test target when the message is received. On the other hand, there is also a test in which the test target is operated first, a message transmitted from the test target is received by the communication tester, and the content is confirmed. Also in this case, since the content of the received message is recorded and displayed in the communication log, the tester can check the content of the message transmitted by the test subject.
[0006]
Usually, the tester instructs transmission / reception of one or a plurality of messages for each test item, and determines whether the test item is acceptable or not as a result of the above-described confirmation. The pass / fail judgment is managed by checking a predetermined column of the check sheet or pressing a pass mark.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional communication tester only transmits / receives the selected message and creates / displays the communication log, and does not store which test item corresponds to each communication log. For this reason, it has been difficult to find a communication log that supports the determination in the case where doubt about the pass / fail determination of a test item occurs later.
[0008]
This problem can be solved by the tester recording the correspondence between the test item and the communication log in a document. However, the tester is usually required to perform the test in a short time in order to shorten the occupation time of the device to be tested. For this reason, requiring the recording of the correspondence between the test item and the log places an excessive burden on the tester or increases the number of persons in charge of the test. In either case, the test efficiency deteriorates.
[0009]
In view of such problems, the present invention has an object to provide a communication tester that can efficiently manage the association between test items and communication logs without increasing the burden on the tester. To do.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a communication test support apparatus that supports the execution of a communication test to be tested. The apparatus includes a message definition unit that defines a message to be transmitted to a test target and a message that is received from the test target, a communication control unit that transmits and receives a message defined by the message definition unit with the test target, Communication log management means for creating, storing and displaying a communication log that records the messages sent and received by the communication control means and the date and time when the messages were sent and received; The pass / fail of a predetermined test item determined by the operator based on the content of the communication log displayed by the communication log management means is accepted as a pass / fail judgment input, and the date and time when the pass / fail judgment input is accepted for the test item and the pass / fail judgment is determined. Test item management means for storing the date and time in association with each other is provided.
[0011]
The present invention also provides a test support program for supporting execution of a communication test to be tested in order to solve the above problem. This program includes a message definition means for defining a message to be transmitted to a test object and a message received from the test object, and a communication control means for transmitting / receiving a message defined by the message definition means to / from the test object. , A communication log management means for creating, storing and displaying a communication log in which a message transmitted / received by the communication control means and a date / time when the message was sent / received, an operation to be tested at the time of message transmission / reception with the communication control means, The pass / fail of a predetermined test item determined by the operator based on the content of the communication log displayed by the communication log management means is accepted as a pass / fail judgment input, and the date and time when the pass / fail judgment input is accepted for the test item and the pass / fail judgment is determined. It functions as a test item management means that stores the date and time in association with each other. .
[0012]
In both the communication test support apparatus and the communication test support program of the present invention, the test item management unit notifies the communication log management unit of the determination date and time, and the communication log management unit stores the communication log stored in the communication log management unit. It is preferable to search and display a communication log in which the date and time recorded in the communication log is within a predetermined time difference from the determination date and time notified from the test item management unit.
[0013]
Further, the communication log management means accepts a selection input of the communication log being displayed when displaying the communication log, and notifies the test item management means of the date and time recorded in the selected communication log, thereby managing the test item. More preferably, the means replaces the determination date and time with the date and time notified from the communication log management means.
[0014]
Further, the test item management unit may receive a plurality of pass / fail judgment inputs for one test item, and store each pass / fail judgment in association with a judgment date and time.
[0015]
The recording medium of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the communication test support program of the present invention is recorded.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of functions of a communication tester according to the present embodiment. Similar to the conventional communication tester shown in FIG. 7, this communication tester includes an input / output control unit 8 that controls data input / output between an input device such as a keyboard or an output device such as a display, and a test target. A message definition unit 2 for defining a message to be transmitted / received between them, a communication control unit 3 for transmitting / receiving a message defined in the message definition unit to / from a test object based on an instruction of a tester, and contents of the transmission / reception In the communication log file 4, a clock generation unit 9 that provides date and time information to the communication log generation unit 5, and a predetermined number from the communication log file 4 according to a tester's request. And a communication log display section 7 for searching and displaying the communication log. Furthermore, this communication tester stores a test item management file 10 that stores a test item to be confirmed by a communication test, a pass / fail determination determined for each test item based on the result of the check, and a date / time of the pass / fail determination in association with each other. And a test item management unit 11 for creating and updating a test item management file.
[0017]
In the present embodiment, the message definition unit 2, the communication log creation unit 5, the communication log display unit 7, the test item management unit 11, the input / output control unit 8, and the communication control unit 3 perform functions described below by a personal computer. This is a program to be realized. The clock generation unit 9 uses a clock function provided in the personal computer. The input / output control unit 8 controls the input / output interface of the personal computer, and the communication control unit 3 exchanges information with the input / output device and the device to be tested by controlling the network interface of the personal computer. The communication log file 4, the test item management file 10, and the message definition are stored as data files on the hard disk or memory of the personal computer. The message definition and the test item management file 10 do not necessarily have to be created on a personal computer functioning as a communication tester, and may be imported from other media. Conversely, the communication log file 4 can be backed up to another medium.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the test item management file 10 in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, each record constituting the test item management file includes three fields: a test item, pass / fail judgment, and judgment date / time. FIG. 2A shows a state where only the test items before the test are set. As a test item, an operation confirmation when the test object receives the message A, a confirmation that the response object C is returned when the test object receives the message B, and a message D that is transmitted when the test object is activated. Confirmation is set. Specific contents of the messages A to D are defined in the message definition unit 2. FIG. 2B shows a state after the test is performed.
[0019]
Tests performed using a communication tester can be roughly classified into the following four patterns. First, there is a pattern in which a message is transmitted from a communication tester to a device to be tested, and the mechanical operation or the like of the test subject is visually confirmed. Second, there is a pattern in which a message is transmitted from a communication tester to a test target device, a response message from the test target is received by the communication tester, and the content of the response message is confirmed. When performing these tests, the tester needs to input a definition of a message to be transmitted to the test target in advance in the communication tester.
[0020]
The third pattern is a test in which the test target is operated first, the message transmitted by the test target is received by the communication tester, and the content is confirmed. The fourth pattern is a pattern in which after receiving a message from the test object and confirming its contents, a specific message is returned to the test object and the operation of the test object is visually confirmed. Among these patterns, in the case of the fourth pattern in which the communication tester returns a response to the test target, the tester performs a message between a message that should be received from the test target and a specific message that is transmitted in response to the message. The combination needs to be input to the communication tester in advance. In the present embodiment, this message combination is managed by the message definition unit 2 together with the message definition. That is, the message definition unit 2 holds both the definition of the message itself and the definition of the combination of the received message and the transmitted message as shown in FIG.
[0021]
First, the test performer edits a message to be transmitted to the test target and a message to be transmitted by the test target on the definition editing screen displayed and output on the display by the message definition unit 2 via the input / output control unit 8. Further, in the case of the fourth pattern, the above-mentioned combination of transmission / reception messages is also edited. Messages defined as a result of editing are stored in the hard disk or memory of the personal computer.
[0022]
Next, the tester sets test items in the test item management file 10 as shown in FIG. The setting of the test item is performed on the setting screen that the test item management unit 11 displays and outputs on the display via the input / output control unit 8. On this setting screen, the tester creates a new test item management file 10 as necessary, and sets, changes, deletes, etc. the test items. However, it is not always necessary to set the test items in the communication tester. For example, after creating a test item management file (in the state of FIG. 2A) in which test items are set on another personal computer, communication is performed. The file may be stored in a tester.
[0023]
When performing the test of the first or second pattern, the communication tester supports the execution of the test as follows. The message definition unit 2 displays a list of messages defined on the display via the input / output control unit 8. When the tester selects a specific message from the message list using a keyboard or the like, and further instructs to send the message, the input / output control unit 1 sends the selected message identification code ( For example, “A” of “Message A” in FIG. 2 and a transmission request are transmitted. The communication control unit 3 receives the message data corresponding to the identification code from the message definition unit 2, arranges the format according to the communication protocol, and then transmits the message to the test target. At this time, the communication control unit 3 notifies the communication log creation unit 5 of the transmission message. The communication log creation unit 5 creates a communication log in which the current date and time acquired from the clock generation unit 9 and the transmission message are recorded, and stores the communication log in the communication log file 4. The communication log is displayed on the display via the input / output control unit 1 by the communication log display unit 7. Thereby, the tester can confirm the content of the transmitted message in the communication log, and can visually confirm the operation of the test target when the message is received.
[0024]
Further, in the case of a test for confirming a response message from the test target as in the second pattern, the communication control unit 3 receives the response message from the test target and notifies the communication log creation unit 5 of the message. . The communication log creation unit 5 creates a communication log that records the communication message and the date and time acquired from the clock generation unit 9 and stores the communication log in the communication log file 4.
[0025]
On the other hand, in the case of the third or fourth test pattern, the tester first operates the test object to transmit a communication message to the communication tester. The communication control unit 3 receives a communication message from the test target and notifies the communication log creation unit 5 of the communication message. The communication log creation unit 5 creates a communication log that records the communication message and the date and time obtained from the clock generation unit 9 and stores the communication log in the communication log file 4.
[0026]
Further, in the case of the fourth pattern in which a response message is returned from the communication tester to the test target, the communication control unit 3 passes the message data portion excluding the header and the like from the received communication message to the message definition unit 2. Queries the outgoing message that is paired with the message. The message definition unit 2 returns the identification code of the corresponding transmission message to the communication control unit 3.
[0027]
The communication control unit 3 acquires message data corresponding to the identification code from the message definition unit 2, creates a communication message based on the message data, and transmits the communication message to the test target. In addition, the communication control unit 3 notifies the communication log creation unit 5 of a communication message. The communication log creation unit 5 creates a communication log recording the date and time obtained from the clock generation unit 9 and the communication message, and stores the communication log in the communication log file 4.
[0028]
Next, the test item pass / fail determination by the tester will be described. The pass / fail determination is performed by the tester directly checking the test target operation or by checking the communication log displayed on the display by the communication log display unit 7 via the input / output control unit 8.
[0029]
The test performer calls the test item management file 10 and the communication log file 4 in FIG. 2 on the screen, confirms the communication log, and visually confirms the operation of the test target as necessary. Judge pass / fail and input the result. When the pass / fail judgment is input by the tester, the test item management unit 11 acquires the date and time at that time from the clock generation unit 9. The test item management unit 11 records the input pass / fail judgment in the pass / fail judgment field of the corresponding test item record of the test item management file 10 and records the date / time acquired from the clock generation unit 9 in the judgment date / time field. , Update the file. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of the test item management file 10 after being updated.
[0030]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing outline of the communication tester described above. First, an edit input of a message definition is accepted on the definition edit screen displayed by the message definition unit 2 (step S101). Next, a test item setting input is received on the test item setting screen displayed by the test item management unit 11 (step S102). When the test is performed, test items are displayed by the test item management unit 11 (step S103). Further, according to the tester's instruction, the message specified by the test item is transmitted / received (step S104). Next, the acceptance / rejection determination input input by the tester is accepted (step S105), and when the acceptance / rejection determination is input, the date and time at that time is acquired from the clock generation unit 9 (step S106). Next, pass / fail judgment is recorded in the pass / fail judgment field of the corresponding record, and the date and time at that time is recorded in the date / time field (step S107), and the test item management file 10 is updated (step S108).
[0031]
In the present embodiment, the test item, its pass / fail determination, and determination date / time are stored in association with each other by the test item management unit of the communication tester. For this reason, the tester can manage the test items in the communication tester together with the communication log. The determination date and time is automatically given by the test item management unit when the tester inputs pass / fail. For this reason, it becomes possible to easily find the communication log that supports the pass / fail determination by comparing the pass / fail determination date and the communication log date / time. Since the date and time input by the tester is not required, the burden on the tester is not increased. Therefore, the test results can be managed efficiently and the test man-hours can be reduced.
[0032]
Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of functions of a communication tester according to another embodiment of the present invention. The elements constituting the communication tester are the same as those in the first embodiment, but the functions of the test item management unit 12 and the communication log display unit 13 are different from those in the first embodiment. The present embodiment is characterized in that the test item management unit 12 and the communication log display unit 13 perform processing in cooperation with each other, as indicated by arrows in the figure.
[0033]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the test item management unit 12 and the communication log display unit 13. As in the first embodiment, the test item management unit accepts a pass / fail determination input (step S201), and when the pass / fail determination is input, acquires the date and time at that time from the clock generation unit 9 (step S202). In the present embodiment, the date and time information acquired in step S202 is transmitted to the communication log display unit 13 (step S203). In parallel with this, as in the first embodiment, the acquired information is recorded in the pass / fail judgment field and the judgment date / time field of the corresponding record (step S204).
[0034]
When the communication log display unit 13 receives this date / time information (step S301), the communication log display unit 13 searches the communication log stored in the communication log file 4 for the one with the closest date and time. As shown in step S302 of FIG. 5, the search is executed by setting an appropriate condition in advance, for example, “the date is the same and the time difference is within 30 minutes”. This condition may be appropriately determined according to the test environment such as the frequency of the test.
[0035]
Next, the communication log display unit 13 displays the searched communication log (step S303). There may be a plurality of communication logs displayed as a result of the search. The tester selects the communication log that is the basis for the pass / fail judgment entered in step S201 from the displayed communication logs, places the cursor on the corresponding communication log on the screen, and presses the Enter key. Select a specific communication log. When one test item corresponds to one communication log, the communication log may be selected. When one test item corresponds to a plurality of communication logs, for example, by the last communication Since the test is completed, it may be possible to select the communication log with the slowest time. When receiving the log selection input in step S304, the communication log display unit 13 transmits the log corresponding to the cursor position, that is, the date / time information included in the selected log to the test item management unit 12 (step S305). Upon receiving this date / time information (step S205), the test item management unit 12 replaces the determination date / time of the corresponding record with the date / time received from the communication log display unit 13 (step S206). Through the exchange between the test item management unit 12 and the communication log display unit 13 as described above, the pass / fail judgment date and time managed by the test item management file can be matched with the date and time when the message is actually transmitted and received.
[0036]
According to this embodiment, since the communication log acquired near the determination date and time of the test item management file is automatically displayed, the tester does not need to search the communication log while checking the date and time. When it is desired to check the communication log that is the basis of the determination, it can be checked very easily.
[0037]
Furthermore, by replacing the date and time of the communication log selected by the tester with the determination date and time of the test item management file, the determination date and time can be matched with the date and time of the communication log. If a person other than the tester has to associate the test item with the communication log, just because the date and time are close does not necessarily mean that an accurate association can be made. If the date and time of determination and the date and time of the communication log are matched using the function of the communication tester, accurate confirmation can be performed even if confirmation by another person is required at a later date.
[0038]
Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the following embodiment, the elements constituting the communication tester are the same as those in the first embodiment, but the format of the test item management file managed by the test item management unit is different from that in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the format of the test item management file in the present embodiment. Unlike Embodiment 1, it is characterized in that a plurality of pass / fail determinations and determination dates / times are associated with each test item.
[0039]
The format of the test item management file as in the first embodiment is that if a certain test item fails and the retest passes, the pass / fail judgment is overwritten, so that the final test result can be managed. Cannot manage test history. Alternatively, if the test history is to be managed, it is necessary to reset the retest as another test item. On the other hand, when the test item management file has the format shown in FIG. 6, it can be managed in detail until the test progresses. As a result, for example, it is possible to check the communication log for differences between the communication message when it is unsuccessful and when it is acceptable, and it is possible to efficiently manage the test history.
[0040]
As mentioned above, although three embodiment was shown about this invention, this invention is not limited to these embodiment. For example, each of the above embodiments is a form in which a communication test support program is incorporated into a personal computer. However, the apparatus of the present invention is a deferment composed of, for example, a liquid crystal screen, input keys, and a control board equipped with a CPU and memory. It may be realized as a dedicated type or portable communication test support dedicated device. Also, the format of the test item management file and the communication log file can be changed according to the convenience of the administrator.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
The communication test support apparatus of the present invention, the program, and the recording medium on which the program is recorded, store the determination date and time in association with the test item and the pass / fail determination when the pass / fail determination for each test item is input. Based on the pass / fail determination date / time and the transmission / reception date / time of the communication log, the pass / fail determination can be easily associated with the communication log as the basis thereof.
[0042]
In particular, if the date and time information is exchanged between the test item management unit and the communication log management unit so that only communication log files near the date of pass / fail judgment are displayed, the operator checks the date and time on the screen. Even without this, it is possible to easily associate the test item with the communication log.
[0043]
Furthermore, if the date and time of the pass / fail judgment is replaced with the transmission and reception date and time recorded in the communication log, more accurate association can be made, and even a person other than the tester can efficiently manage the test results. Become.
[0044]
Further, if a plurality of pass / fail judgments and judgment dates / times are associated with each test item and recorded in the test item management file, even the history of the communication test can be easily managed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of functions of a communication tester according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a format of a test item management file in the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing outline of the communication tester according to the first embodiment.
4 is a block diagram showing an outline of functions of a communication tester according to Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of a test item management unit and a communication log display unit.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a format of a test item management file in the third embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an outline of functions of a conventional communication tester.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Test Item Management File, 11 Test Item Management Department

Claims (9)

A communication test support device for supporting the execution of a communication test to be tested,
A message definition means for defining a message to be transmitted to the test object and / or a message to be received from the test object;
Communication control means for transmitting and receiving messages defined by the message definition means with the test object;
A communication log management means for creating, storing and displaying a communication log in which a message transmitted and received by the communication control means and a date and time when the message is transmitted and received are recorded;
The pass / fail judgment input is the pass / fail of a predetermined test item determined by the operator based on the operation of the test target at the time of message transmission / reception with the communication control means and / or the content of the communication log displayed by the communication log management means. A communication test support apparatus, comprising: a test item management unit that stores the test item and the pass / fail judgment in association with the date / time at which the pass / fail judgment input is accepted as a determination date / time. The test item management means notifies the determination date and time to the communication log management means,
The communication log management means includes a communication log in which the date and time recorded in the communication log is within a predetermined time difference from the determination date and time notified from the test item management means from among the communication logs stored in the communication log management means. The communication test support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication test support apparatus is searched and displayed. The communication log management means receives a selection input of the communication log being displayed when displaying the communication log, and notifies the test item management means of the date and time recorded in the selected communication log,
The communication test support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the test item management unit replaces the determination date and time with a date and time notified from the communication log management unit. 4. The test item management unit according to claim 1, wherein the test item management unit receives a plurality of pass / fail judgment inputs for one test item, and stores each pass / fail judgment in association with a judgment date and time. 5. Communication test support device. To assist in conducting the communication test under test,
A message definition means for defining a message to be transmitted to the test object and / or a message to be received from the test object;
Communication control means for transmitting and receiving messages defined by the message definition means to and from the test object;
A communication log management means for creating, storing and displaying a communication log in which a message transmitted and received by the communication control means and a date and time when the message is transmitted and received are recorded;
The pass / fail judgment input is the pass / fail of a predetermined test item determined by the operator based on the operation of the test target at the time of message transmission / reception with the communication control means and / or the content of the communication log displayed by the communication log management means. A communication test support program for functioning as a test item management unit that accepts and stores the date and time of acceptance of the pass / fail judgment input as the judgment date and time in the test item and the pass / fail judgment. The test item management means notifies the determination date and time to the communication log management means,
The communication log management means includes a communication log in which the date and time recorded in the communication log is within a predetermined time difference from the determination date and time notified from the test item management means from among the communication logs stored in the communication log management means. 6. The communication test support program according to claim 5, wherein the program is searched and displayed. The communication log management means receives a selection input of the communication log being displayed when displaying the communication log, and notifies the test item management means of the date and time recorded in the selected communication log,
7. The communication test support program according to claim 5, wherein the test item management unit replaces the determination date and time with a date and time notified from the communication log management unit. 8. The test item management unit according to claim 5, wherein the test item management unit receives a plurality of pass / fail determination inputs for one test item, and stores each pass / fail determination in association with a determination date and time. Communication test support program. A computer-readable recording medium on which the communication test support program according to claim 5 is recorded.

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