KR101554024B1 - Information relay system - Google Patents

Abstract

A data relaying system for fast acquisition of information according to the present invention comprises at least one test unit; A main computer for designating at least one of the test units to output a start command and receiving test result information from each of the test units; And a Tx control unit for transmitting a start command to a designated test unit upon receiving a start command from the main computer. When the test result information transmitted from the designated test unit is received, the received test result information is stored in the memory, And a Rx control unit for collectively transmitting all the test result information stored in the memory to the control computer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data relay system for high-

More particularly, the present invention relates to a data relaying system for fast acquisition of information, and more particularly, to a data relaying system for high-speed information acquisition, in which a plurality of test units, each of which tests a plurality of objects, The present invention relates to a data relay system that can receive and process test result information at high speed.

Generally, a plurality of test units for testing the operation states of a plurality of LCD panels and the like are connected to one main computer. In this one main computer, each test unit is instructed to start inspection, and each test unit And receives and processes the test result information to be transmitted.

However, the main computer and each test unit are often connected by a single RS232 interface. When connected via the RS232 interface, the main computer can communicate with one test unit at a time, so that the test units that have been tested will send test results one by one.

However, since each test unit does not have a constant time to complete the test, the procedure for receiving the result information from all the test units as a whole when using a plurality of test units is as follows: (1) (2) execute the test in the designated test units, (3) the time for the test in each test unit has elapsed, (4) the test unit that has been tested firstly starts communication with the main computer (5) check whether the current RS232 interface is available or available in the next test unit, and if the interface becomes available after transmitting all the result information from the previous test unit, (6) test the interface, and then send the information to the test unit Done in a manner to perform the song.

This method requires checking the status of the RS232 interface and waiting for communication of the other test unit in order to transmit the test result information of one test unit in one test unit. Therefore, when a plurality of test units are applied, The time is also consumed in a large amount, resulting in an increase in the test completion time as a whole.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [8] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problem of time consumption, and aims to solve such a communication delay by using a relay module for relaying communication between one main computer and a plurality of test units.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data relay system for fast acquisition of information, comprising: a test program for testing one or more test objects in a preprogrammed manner according to an input start command; At least one test unit for generating and outputting result information; A main computer for designating at least one of the test units to output the start command and receiving the test result information from each of the designated test units; And a relay module for relaying the start command and the test result information between the main computer and the test unit, the relay module comprising: a Tx controller for transmitting the start command to the designated test unit upon receiving the start command from the main computer; Storing the received test result information in a memory when receiving the test result information transmitted from the designated test unit, confirming that all of the designated test units have completed the test, And an Rx control unit for collectively transmitting the control information to the control computer.

Each of the test units may include a test control unit for controlling the operation of each unit of the test unit so as to execute the test in a preprogrammed manner when the start command is designated by itself; A reception input terminal for receiving the start command from the Tx control unit of the relay module and transmitting the start command to the test control unit; A reception output terminal for outputting the start command inputted to the reception input terminal to the outside; A transmission input terminal for receiving predetermined external information transmitted from another test unit; And a transmission output terminal for transmitting the information input to the transmission input terminal or the test result information generated by the test control section to the Rx control section of the relay module.

A first state, which is disposed between the transmission input terminal and the test control section, for turning on the connection with the transmission output terminal to transmit the test result information to the Tx control section; State buffer operable in a two-state state.

The connection between the relay module and the test unit may be such that the output from the Tx control unit is connected to the receiving input of the first test unit and the receiving output of the first test unit is connected to the receiving unit of the second test unit Wherein the receiving output of the second test unit is connected to the receiving input of the third test unit and the transmitting output of the third testing unit is connected to the transmitting input of the second testing unit, Wherein the transmission output of the second test unit is connected to the transmission input of the first test unit and the transmission output of the first test unit is connected to the input of the Rx control, Unit, the second test unit, and the third test unit are connected in series with respect to the control module.

The AND circuit combines each test completion signal output when the test is completed for each of the at least one test unit, and outputs the test completion signal to the Rx control unit when all of the test units have completed the test AND logic.

In addition, the main computer outputs the test start command in a state in which at least one of the test units to be tested is not designated, the test start command is commonly transmitted to all the test units through the relay module, Each unit independently executes a test by the test start command transmitted in common, and then outputs the test result information to the AND logic independently.

According to the present invention configured as described above, by adding a relay module for relaying transmission of a test start command and transmission of test result information between a main computer and a plurality of test modules, test result information transmitted from a plurality of test modules Can be collectively received from the main computer, so that time delay due to data transmission can be eliminated.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data relay system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram showing a communication connection configuration between a relay module of a data relay system and a plurality of test units.
3 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a method of operating a data relay system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a schematic configuration of a data relay system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the present description, an example has been described in which a relay module is provided that is configured to relay a test object and a test unit to execute a test and receive information therefrom. The information transmitted / received here is described as a test start command, test result information, and test completion signal.

However, not only the configuration for commanding the test but also a configuration in which a plurality of devices for transmitting and receiving arbitrary data are connected and data is relayed from each device can be applied without difficulty.

Referring to FIG. 1, a data relay system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of test units (TE), a main computer 10, and a relay module 20.

First, one or a plurality of test objects OB1, OB2, OB3... May be connected to the test unit TE. The test unit TE tests each test object OB in a set manner in accordance with a test program that has been programmed and input in advance. Alternatively, the test object (OB) itself may be another subtest test unit, and each test object in each lower test unit may be tested to generate a test result.

Here, the test object may be, for example, an LCD panel test device, an LED test device, or a luminance meter device as an example, and the test unit acquires data from the test object. The programmed test is for measuring the characteristics of light emitted from these various test objects and may be a series of controls on the RGB color development operating state.

Based on the received test start command (or start command), the test unit (TE) executes a test for each connected test object, examines the operation state of each test object for the test, and generates test result information . Further, the test unit (TE) may output a signal indicating completion of the test when the test for each connected test object is completed.

The main computer 10 designates at least one of a plurality of test units connected through a communication interface and outputs a test start command. It also receives test result information from each of the specified test units (or may receive test result information from unspecified test units). The received test result information can be displayed, printed or stored in a predetermined storage means so that it can be confirmed by the operator of the data relay system.

The relay module 20 is configured to relay the start command and the test result information between the main computer 10 and a plurality of test units (TEs). That is, when the relay module 20 receives the start command from the main computer 10, the relay module 20 transmits the start command to one or a plurality of test units (TE) specified in the start command. When the relay module 20 receives each test result information transmitted from the designated test units through the start command, the relay module 20 stores the received test result information in its own built-in memory 23, (Test completion signals) indicating completion of the test and receives test completion signals from all designated test units, the test result information from all designated test units stored in the memory 23 is sent to the main computer 10 ).

That is, in the data relay system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the start command transmitted from the main computer 10 by the relay module 20 is commonly transmitted to all test units, and each test unit (TE) The relay module 20 transmits the test result information including its own identifier (e.g., ID) after performing the scheduled (programmed) test, and the relay module 20 transmits the test result information including the identifier ) To receive test result information from test units individually designated to be tested by the test units and to transmit the stored test result information when notified from all test units (designated test units) that the test is completed.

On the other hand, a plurality of test units (TE) are connected in series from the relay module 20. That is, each test unit TE includes a receiving unit (TER) for receiving data (i.e., a test start command) from the Tx control unit 21 of the relaying module 20, To the Rx control unit 22 of the relaying module, and communicates with the relaying module 1: 1 (see FIG. 2).

In addition, the receiving unit (TER) and the transmitting unit (TET) of one of the test units are connected to the receiving unit and the transmitting unit, respectively, provided in another test unit. In this configuration, one test unit is connected from the relay module 20, and the test unit connected to the relay module 20 is connected in series with the other plurality of test units.

The main computer 10 and the relay module 20 may be connected using an interface such as RS232 and the relay module 20 and each test unit TE may be connected through interfaces such as SPI and I2C desirable. Thus, according to the present invention, an existing main computer that performs testing using the RS232 interface can be applied as it is, and the relay module 20 receives information from a plurality of test units (TE) using a high-speed interface Speed test can be performed as a whole.

The AND logic AL transfers the output to the Rx control unit 22 by ANDing the test completion signal output from each test unit TE. Thus, even if each test unit outputs the test completion signal individually, the test completion signal can be transmitted to the Rx control unit 22 only when the completion signal is outputted from the final test unit. Thereby, the Rx control unit 22 notifies the main computer 10 of the test result information so far stored in the memory 23, after the test of all the test units is completed.

2 is a diagram showing a communication connection configuration between a relay module and a plurality of test units and a communication connection configuration between a plurality of test units in the data relay system as shown in FIG.

First, each test unit has a test control unit (TC) that stores a program for setting and executing a specific test method, and executes the program to test a plurality of connected test objects.

In addition, the test units (TE) include a receiving unit (TER) for receiving data from a host apparatus as a communication means and a transmitting unit (TET) for transmitting internally generated data to a host apparatus. The receiver TER has a reception input terminal RI and a reception output terminal RO and the transmission unit TET has a transmission input terminal TI and a transmission output terminal TO.

In any one of the test units, the receiving input RI is connected to a host device (i.e., a relay module or another test unit) to receive data (e.g., a test start command) To the test control unit (TC).

On the other hand, data input to the receiving input RI is transmitted to the slave unit (i.e., another adjacent test unit) via the receiving output RO. That is, the data input to the reception input terminal RI is simultaneously transmitted to the test control unit TC and the reception output terminal RO.

By serially connecting a plurality of test units continuously from the control module 20, a test start command output from the Tx control unit 21 can be continuously transmitted to the succeeding test unit.

Next, in any one of the test units, the transmission input TI is connected to the transmission output T0 of the slave unit (i.e., another adjacent test unit), and the data transmitted from the slave unit Information). The transmission output unit TO outputs the data received from the transmission input unit TI to the host apparatus.

On the other hand, data (test result information) received in the transmission input unit TI can be selectively inputted to the test control unit TC. That is, since the slave unit includes a plurality of test units, if a plurality of test units attempt to transmit data at the same time, data collision may occur. Therefore, it is preferable that the communication line is controlled so that only one test unit can perform communication at a time. To this end, the transmission input unit TI and the test control unit TC may be connected through a tri-state buffer B.

The operation state of the tri-state buffer B includes a first state for using the transmission output unit TO to transmit the data generated by the test unit itself (i.e., its own test result information) to the host apparatus, A second state in which the test control unit TC is disconnected from the connection with the transmission input unit TI and the transmission output unit TO so that the data received at the input unit TI can be output to the host apparatus via the transmission output unit TO, . The operating state of the tri-state buffer can be controlled by the test control unit (TC) of each test unit.

By configuring the serial connection from the transmission unit (TET) of the lower apparatus to the transmission unit of the upper apparatus, the data transmitted from the lower apparatus can be transmitted to the relay module (20) through the adjacent apparatuses connected in series.

In addition, the transmission section (TET) of each test unit (TE) is provided with the tri-state buffer (B), and the communication line can be used by only one of the slave units, Can be realized.

On the other hand, the test completion signal output from each test unit (TE) is configured to be transmitted to the Rx control unit (22) through the AND logic (AL). Thus, the test completion signal can finally be transmitted to the Rx control unit 22 only when all the test units transmit the test completion signal. Since the test completion signal and the test result information are transmitted along the individual communication lines, it can be determined that the test result information is also transmitted to the Rx control unit 22 when the test completion signal is outputted (or the test completion signal is transmitted to the corresponding test unit The test completion information may be generated and output after the test completion information is completely transferred to the host apparatus.

The AND logic AL may be configured to detect whether a test unit outputs a test completion signal by using a separate control means and to monitor whether a test completion signal is output from a designated test unit Do.

Meanwhile, the Tx control unit 21 and the Rx control unit 22 can share necessary information with each other. That is, the Tx control unit 21 shares the start command with the Rx control unit 22 so that the Rx control unit 22 can recognize which test unit is designated to perform the test. Also, the Rx control unit 22 can share the test error signal transmitted from the slave unit, the test completion signal, the transmission start notification to the main computer, the test unit ID of the stored test result information, and the like with the Tx control unit 21 have.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, an operation method of a data relay system for fast acquisition of information according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, in the main computer, a plurality of test units are designated according to an operator's operation or all test units are specified, and a test start command is generated and outputted to the relay module. After receiving the test start command from the Tx control unit, the relay module transmits this command to the Rx control unit concurrently with the test unit connected to the Tx control unit. The Rx control unit waits for the input of the test completion signal and the test result information from the designated test unit through the test start signal.

The test unit tests one or more test objects connected in accordance with the inputted test start command and generates test result information. When the test is completed, the test unit transmits test result information to the host device when the transmitter is available, and outputs a test completion signal.

The test result information finally reaches the Rx control unit, and the Rx control unit stores the received test result information together with the ID of the test unit in the memory. Further, the Rx control unit checks the test completion signal, and when the test completion signal is input (or when it is confirmed that the test completion signal has been transmitted in all of the designated test units), communication with the main computer is started and stored in the memory All test result information is transferred in batch.

Claims (6)

At least one test unit that tests one or a plurality of test objects in a preprogrammed manner according to an input start command and generates and outputs test result information when the test is completed;
A main computer for designating at least one of the test units to output the start command and receiving the test result information from each of the designated test units; And
A relay module for relaying the start command and the test result information between the main computer and the test unit, the relay module comprising: a Tx controller for transmitting the start command to the designated test unit upon receiving the start command from the main computer; Storing the received test result information in a memory upon receipt of the test result information transmitted from the designated test unit and confirming that all of the designated test units have completed the test, A data relaying system for fast acquisition of information including a relay module including an Rx controller for collectively transmitting data to a computer,
Each said test unit comprising:
A test control unit for controlling an operation of each part of the test unit to execute a test in a preprogrammed manner when the start command is designated by itself;
A reception input terminal for receiving the start command from the Tx control unit of the relay module and transmitting the start command to the test control unit;
A reception output terminal for outputting the start command inputted to the reception input terminal to the outside;
A transmission input terminal for receiving predetermined external information transmitted from another test unit;
A transmission output terminal for transmitting the information input to the transmission input terminal or the test result information generated by the test control section to the Rx control section of the relay module;
A first state, which is disposed between a signal path of the transmission input terminal and the transmission output terminal and the test control section, for turning on the connection between the test control section and the transmission output terminal to transmit the test result information to the Tx control section; Further comprising a tri-state buffer operable in a second state for turning off the connection between the test control unit and the transmission output so that the external information from another test unit is transmitted to the Rx control unit. Data Relay System for. delete delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the connection between the relay module and the test unit comprises:
An output from the Tx control unit is connected to the receiving input of the first test unit,
The receiving output of the first test unit is connected to the receiving input of the second test unit,
The receiving output of the second test unit is connected to the receiving input of the third test unit,
The transmission output of the third test unit is connected to the transmission input of the second test unit,
The transmission output of the second test unit is connected to the transmission input of the first test unit,
The transmission output of the first test unit being connected to the input to the Rx control,
Characterized in that the first test unit, the second test unit and the third test unit are connected in series with respect to the control module. The method according to claim 1,
An AND logic that ANDs each test completion signal output when the test is completed for each of the at least one test unit and outputs the test completion signal to the Rx control unit when all of the test units have completed the test The data relaying system further comprising: 6. The method of claim 5,
The main computer outputs the test start command without designating at least one test unit to be tested,
The test start command is commonly transmitted to all the test units through the relay module,
Wherein each of the test units independently executes a test by the test start command transmitted in common and then outputs the test result information to the AND logic independently.

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