TWI791381B - Operation method of test module - Google Patents

Abstract

An operation method of a test module is provided. The operation method includes: receiving an audio-visual signal through a bus by the test module; separating the audio-visual signal into an image signal and an audio signal by the test module; and analyzing the image signal and the audio signal based on a plurality of algorithms to generate a plurality of analysis results by the test module. Wherein the plurality of analysis results is used to indicate whether the image signal and the sound signal are abnormal.

Description

How to test the mod

The present invention relates to a method for operating a test module, and in particular relates to a method for operating a test module for testing video and audio transmission functions.

High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) integrates digital video and audio transmission, and can simultaneously transmit uncompressed video signals and audio signals through the same cable, and the maximum transmission rate can reach 5Gbps. The Displayport (DP) interface can also transmit image signals and audio signals at the same time, and is compatible with TYPE C and Thunderbolt (THUNDERBOLT) interfaces. Therefore, the HDMI interface and the DP interface are widely used in TV set boxes, stereos, personal computers, notebook computers, and DVD players.

During the assembly and testing phase of the above-mentioned products in the factory, the tester will connect the product to the screen through an HDMI transmission line or a DP transmission line, and use human eyes to judge whether the image and sound played on the screen are normal. However, due to the limited testing time and the accuracy of human judgment, some defects will not be found, resulting in the shipment of problematic products and customer complaints.

Therefore, a solution needs to be proposed to improve the accuracy of product testing and take into account the convenience of use.

The invention provides an operation method of a test module, which can improve the test accuracy of audio-visual equipment and take into account the convenience of use.

The operation method of the test module of the present invention includes: the test module receives video and audio signals through the bus; the test module separates the audio and video signals into video signals and audio signals; and the test module performs image processing based on multiple algorithms The signal and the audio signal are analyzed to generate multiple analysis results. Wherein, the aforesaid multiple analysis results are used to indicate whether the video signal and the audio signal are abnormal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned operation method further includes: analyzing the image signal by the test module based on a cyclic redundancy check algorithm and a histogram algorithm to generate a video analysis result; and by the test module The audio signal is analyzed based on the fast Fourier transform algorithm to generate an audio analysis result.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above video analysis result is used to indicate whether the frame rate and color level of the video signal are abnormal and whether the video signal has noise. The audio analysis result is used to indicate whether the frequency and signal-to-noise ratio of the audio signal are abnormal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned image signal includes a plurality of pixel information corresponding to the frame, and the above-mentioned operation method further includes: the test module operates on the plurality of pixel information based on a cyclic redundancy check algorithm to obtain A set of verification codes is generated; and the test module compares the set of verification codes with a set of standard verification codes on the screen, so as to generate a video analysis result according to the comparison results.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned standard verification code of the screen can be pre-stored in the test module, or transmitted to the test module through the DDC/CI channel of the bus.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above operation method further includes: the test module operates on each pixel information based on the histogram algorithm to obtain the color scale information of each pixel information; and the test module converts the color scale The information is compared with the standard color level information corresponding to the pixel, and a video analysis result is generated according to the comparison result.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned color-level information of each pixel and the standard color-level information corresponding to the pixel both include color-level information corresponding to three primary colors.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above operation method further includes: the test module analyzes the sound signal based on the fast Fourier transform algorithm to obtain the signal frequency and signal strength of the sound signal; and the test module judges the sound Whether the signal frequency and signal strength of the signal are consistent with the standard frequency and standard signal strength of the sound signal respectively, and an audio analysis result is generated according to the judgment result.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above operation method further includes: in response to a plurality of analysis results indicating that any one of the video signal and the audio signal is abnormal, the test module generates corresponding record information. Wherein, the recorded information includes at least one of the abnormal image signal and the abnormal sound signal, and the recorded information is stored in the test module for loading.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above operation method further includes: the test module detects the connection state of the bus bar and the test module, so as to count the times of plugging and unplugging of the bus bar. Wherein, the test module includes a display module, which is used for displaying the firmware version information of the test module and the number of plugging and unplugging of the bus.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the bus bar is an HDMI transmission line or a DP transmission line.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the bus is a DP transmission line, the aforementioned operation method further includes: the test module transmits the setting and control instructions through the DDC/CI channel of the auxiliary channel of the bus, and is executed by the test module Link training to ensure the correctness of signal transmission.

In an embodiment of the present invention, one end of the bus bar is connected to the input end of the test module, and the other end of the bus bar is connected to the output end of the audio-visual equipment. Wherein, the audio-visual signal is generated by the audio-visual equipment.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the audio-visual equipment is also used to execute a corresponding test program to generate audio-visual signals for testing and receive a plurality of analysis results.

In one embodiment of the present invention, two ends of the bus are respectively connected to the input and output of the test module, and audio and video signals are generated by the test module and transmitted to the input of the test module through the bus.

Based on the above, the test module of the present invention is suitable for audio-visual equipment supporting HDMI or DP transmission function. Through the test module, it is possible to detect whether the HDMI or DP transmission function of the audio-visual equipment is normal, and improve the test accuracy of the product while taking into account the convenience of use.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of connection between an electronic device and a test module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 1 , the electronic device 300 is an audio-visual device with an HDMI interface (or a DP interface). During the factory assembly test stage, the tester can connect the electronic device 300 and the test module 100 through the bus bar 200 . Moreover, the test module 100 is turned on and a corresponding test program is executed on the electronic device 300 . The test program is executed to generate video and audio signals for testing, so as to test the HDMI or DP transmission function of the electronic device 300 (object under test) through the test module 100 . The test module 100 generates analysis results according to the video and audio signals. The analysis result is sent back to the electronic device 300 by the test module 100 and presented through the test program.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a test module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 2 , the test module 100 includes an operation module 110 , an input terminal 111 , an output terminal 112 , a memory 113 , a memory 114 , a memory card 115 , a memory card 116 , a display module 117 and a memory 118 . The computing module 110 is used for processing the received video and audio signals. Specifically, after the computing module 110 separates the audio-visual signal into an image signal and an audio signal, it processes the image signal and the audio signal based on different algorithms to generate an analysis result. The memory 113 , the memory 114 , the memory card 115 , the memory card 116 and the memory 118 are used to store various information required or generated during the detection process. The display module 117 is used to display relevant information of the detection process.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the steps of the operation method of the test module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIGS. 1-3 at the same time. In the factory assembly test stage, the tester can connect the two ends of the bus bar 200 (such as HDMI transmission line or DP transmission line) to the output end of the electronic device 300 and the input end 111 of the test module 100 respectively. connect. At this time, the computing module 110 can receive the video and audio signal from the electronic device 300 through the input terminal 111 (step S310 ). Next, the test module 100 separates the audio-video signal into an image signal and an audio signal (step S320 ). The test module 100 analyzes the image signal and the audio signal based on a plurality of algorithms to generate a plurality of analysis results. Wherein, a plurality of analysis results are used to indicate whether the video signal and the audio signal are abnormal (step S330 ). Moreover, a plurality of analysis results are sent back to the electronic device 300 to display the test results on the electronic device 300 .

In this embodiment, the test module 100 analyzes the image signal based on a cyclic redundancy check (Cyclic Redundancy Check) algorithm and a histogram (Histogram) algorithm to generate a video analysis result. The test module 100 analyzes the audio signal based on a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm to generate an audio analysis result. The video analysis result is used to indicate whether the frame rate and color level of the video signal are abnormal, and whether the video signal has noise. The audio analysis result is used to indicate whether the frequency and signal-to-noise ratio of the audio signal are abnormal.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of steps for generating video analysis results according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 at the same time. The image signal includes a plurality of pixel information corresponding to the image under test. The test module 100 can operate on the plurality of pixel information based on the cyclic redundancy check algorithm to generate a set of verification codes (step S410). The test module 100 compares the set of verification codes with a set of standard verification codes of the tested frame (step S420 ), and generates a video analysis result according to the comparison result (step S450 ). In one embodiment, the standard verification code of the tested frame can be pre-stored in the memory of the testing module 100 . In another embodiment, the bus bar 200 may further include a DDC/CI channel. The standard verification code of the tested image can be transmitted to the test module 100 through the DDC/CI channel of the bus 200 .

The test module 100 can also perform operations on each pixel information based on the histogram algorithm to obtain the color level information of each pixel information (step S430 ). The test module 100 can compare the aforementioned color scale information with the standard color scale information corresponding to the pixel (step S440 ), and generate a video analysis result according to the comparison result (step S450 ). Wherein, both the color scale information of each pixel and the standard color scale information corresponding to the pixel include the color scale information corresponding to the three primary colors. For example, the RGB value of a pixel in a red frame would be expected to be (255,0,0), the RGB value of a pixel in a green frame would be expected to be (0,255,0), and the RGB value of a pixel in a blue frame would be is expected to be (0,0,255). Wherein, (255,0,0), (0,255,0) and (0,0,255) are standard color scale information of corresponding pixels. On the other hand, assuming that the RGB value of the pixel of the red image is (230,0,0), the testing module 100 will record the position of the corresponding pixel and related information as the recording information.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of steps for generating an audio analysis result according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 at the same time. The test module 100 analyzes the sound signal based on the Fast Fourier Transform algorithm to obtain the signal frequency and signal strength of the sound signal (step S510 ). The test module 100 judges whether the signal frequency and signal strength of the sound signal are consistent with the standard frequency and standard signal strength of the sound signal, and generates an audio analysis result according to the judgment result (step S520 ).

It should be noted that when the audio-visual signal under test is transmitted through the DP interface, the DDC/CI channel transmission setting and control of the auxiliary (Auxiliary, AUX) channel of the bus 200 (DP transmission line) by the test module 100 instruction. The AUX channel is a two-way half-duplex channel used to transmit management and control signals of DP high-speed signals, such as VESA EDID, MCCS and DPMS standards. Test the module 100 and perform link training (Link Training) to confirm link parameters, such as the number of lanes, link rate, voltage swing, pre-emphasis, equalization, and clock recovery information. In this way, the correctness of signal transmission can be ensured.

Please refer to FIG. 2 again. In one embodiment, the input terminal 111 is an HDMI interface for connecting to an HDMI transmission line. In one embodiment, the input terminal 111 is a DP interface for connecting to a DP transmission line. In yet another embodiment, there may be two input terminals 111 for respectively connecting the HDMI transmission line and the DP transmission line. That is to say, regardless of whether the audio-visual signal of the electronic device 300 is transmitted through the HDMI or DP interface, the test module 100 can be used to test the related audio-visual function.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of steps for detecting the HDMI transmission function of an audio-visual device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the test module has passed the HDMI 2.0/1.4a certification specification and is backward compatible to HDMI 1.2, and the resolution can test up to 10K/60A fps. In addition, the test module can also support the HDMI 2.1 certification specification, but some steps will slightly increase the corresponding operations. When the audio-visual equipment outputs the test picture, its video signal will be sent to the HDMI small board, and the highest resolution is 10240*4320/7680*4320. The test items include horizontal scanning frequency analysis, vertical scanning frequency analysis, frame rate analysis and pixel color level inspection of video images. In addition, 2 CH sound detection is also supported.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 at the same time. Firstly, connect the two ends of the HDMI transmission cable to the device under test (such as the electronic device 300 ) and the test module 100 respectively (steps S601 - S602 ). Next, the test module 100 automatically detects whether the HDMI transmission cable has been inserted into the input end of the test module 100 (step S603 ). If not, re-execute step S602.

If the test module 100 of the present embodiment supports the HDMI 2.1 certification standard, in the case of yes in step S603, the test module 100 will carry out and complete the link training to confirm the parameters of the link after step S603 is executed. And the process enters step S604 after the aforementioned link training is completed. On the other hand, if the test module 100 of this embodiment does not support the HDMI 2.1 certification standard, the aforementioned link training may not be performed.

In step S604, the test module 100 starts to analyze the HDMI protocol (step S604), and executes the test software of the device under test (ie, the aforementioned test program) to output test video signals and audio signals (step S605). If the test module 100 of the present embodiment supports the HDMI 2.1 certification standard, it will be determined in step S604 whether the device under test uses the HDMI FRL protocol or the HDMI 2.1 TMDS protocol. way to parse other types of HDMI protocols.

In step S606, the test module 100 starts to analyze to confirm whether the frequency of the audio signal and the image information are correct. If yes, the test module 100 returns the result of the successful test to the machine under test, and presents it through the test software (steps S607 - S608 ) and ends the test procedure (step S609 ). If not, the test module 100 stores the corresponding record information (step S610 ) and proceeds to step S611 . In steps S611˜S612, the test module 100 returns the result of the test failure to the machine under test, presents it through the test software and ends the test procedure (step S609).

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of steps for detecting the DP transmission function of an audio-visual device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the test module can support automatic DP1.4 HBR3 standard image analysis, which can analyze up to 8K@30Hz resolution, and can be backward compatible with other DP standards. The test items include DP link training communication, horizontal scanning frequency analysis, vertical scanning frequency analysis, frame rate analysis and pixel color level inspection of video images. In addition, 2 CH sound detection is also supported.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 7 at the same time, and respectively connect the two ends of the DP transmission line to the device under test (such as the electronic device 300 ) and the test module 100 (steps S701 - S702 ). Next, the test module 100 automatically detects whether the DP transmission line has been inserted into the input end of the test module 100 (step S703 ). If not, re-execute step S702. If yes, the test module 100 performs and completes the link training of the AUX signal (steps S704 - S705 ). And, the AUX information is synchronously recorded and stored by the test module 100 (step S706 ). Subsequent steps are the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 . After the link training is completed, the test software of the device under test is executed to output test video signals and audio signals (step S707 ). Next, the test module 100 analyzes the video signal and the audio signal (step S708 ), and records and stores the recorded information synchronously (step S709 ). In steps S710-S711, the test module 100 returns the analysis result (success or failure) to the machine under test, and displays it through the test software. Further, both step S706 and step S709 can be continued to step S712. In step S712, the test module 100 uploads the AUX information and record information to, for example, a cloud database.

Please refer to FIG. 2 again, the memory 113 is used to cooperate with the computing module 110 to perform frame buffering, as a memory element for temporarily storing or storing video and audio signals. The memory 113 of this embodiment may be a Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (DDR SDRAM), used to cooperate with the computing module 110 to execute multiple algorithm programs. The memory 114 can be an electronically erasable rewritable read-only memory (Electrically-Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory, EEPROM), used to store multiple sets of extended display identification data (Extended display identification data, EDID) information and high image quality High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) key information for the computing module 110 to read.

The memory card 115 and the memory card 116 may be Secure Digital Memory Cards (Secure Digital Memory Card, SD). When an error is found during the test, the computing module 110 can store the log file (logfile) of the test process to the memory card 115 and the memory card 116 . The aforementioned record files include but are not limited to abnormal image signals (such as bitmap format), abnormal sound signals (such as wav files) and all transmission information in Display Data Channel (DDC). The test module 100 can be further simulated as an SD card reader, so as to export the stored record files through, for example, a USB interface.

Memory 118 may be EEPROM. The computing module 110 can also detect the number of times the bus bar 200 is inserted into the input terminal 111 and store it in the memory 118 . The insertion times of the bus bar 200 can be displayed through the display module 117 so that the tester can know the service life of the bus bar 200 . Wherein, the display module 117 may be a liquid crystal module. In addition, the display module 117 can also display firmware and hardware version information of the test module 100 .

In one embodiment, the computing module 110 can display the currently tested image through another screen during the test. In one embodiment, the computing module 110 can be used as a graphics and sound generator to generate specific graphics and sound signals and output them to the screen under test (with HDMI input) for display and playback. If the screen under test can display and play correctly, it means that the receiving function of the HDMI signal is normal.

In an extended embodiment, the object under test may also be the bus bar 200 itself. In this embodiment, the two ends of the bus bar 200 can be respectively connected to the input end 111 and the output end 112 of the test module 100 . The computing module 110 of the test module 100 is used as a graphics and sound generator to output video and audio signals for testing through the output terminal 112 and receive the audio and video signals through the input terminal 111 . The computing module 110 judges whether the transmission function of the bus 200 is normal by comparing the output and input signals.

In terms of hardware, the computing module 110 may be a logic circuit implemented on an integrated circuit. Related functions of the computing module 110 can be implemented as hardware by using hardware description languages (eg, Verilog HDL or VHDL) or other suitable programming languages. For example, the relevant functions of the computing module 110 can be implemented in one or more controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (Application-specific integrated circuits, ASICs), digital signal processors ( digital signal processor, DSP), Field Programmable Gate Array (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA) and/or various logic blocks, modules and circuits in other processing units.

To sum up, the test module of the present invention is generally applicable to audio-visual equipment supporting HDMI or DP transmission function. Through the test module, it is possible to detect whether the HDMI or DP transmission function of the audio-visual equipment is normal, and improve the accuracy of product testing while taking into account the convenience of use.

100: Test module 110: Operation module 111: input terminal 112: output terminal 113, 114, 118: memory 115, 116: memory card 117: Display module 200: busbar 300: electronic device S310~S330, S410~S450, S510, S520, S601~S612, S701~S712: steps

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of connection between an electronic device and a test module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a test module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the steps of the operation method of the test module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flow chart of steps for generating video analysis results according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flow chart of steps for generating an audio analysis result according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow chart of steps for detecting the HDMI transmission function of an audio-visual device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flow chart of steps for detecting the DP transmission function of an audio-visual device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

100: Test module

110: Operation module

111: input terminal

112: output terminal

113, 114, 118: memory

115, 116: memory card

117: Display module

Claims (14)

An operation method of a test module, comprising: a test module receives an audio-visual signal through a bus; the test module separates the audio-visual signal into an image signal and an audio signal; and the test module Analyze the image signal and the audio signal based on a plurality of algorithms to generate a plurality of analysis results, wherein the analysis results indicate whether the image signal and the audio signal are abnormal, wherein the operation method further includes: using the test module Based on a Cyclic Redundancy Check (Cyclic Redundancy Check) algorithm and a histogram (Histogram) algorithm to analyze the image signal to generate a video analysis result; Fourier Transform algorithm is used to analyze the sound signal to generate an audio analysis result. The operation method of the test module as described in claim 1, wherein the video analysis result indicates whether the frame rate and color scale of the video signal are abnormal and whether the video signal has noise, and the audio analysis result indicates the frequency of the audio signal Whether the signal-to-noise ratio is abnormal. The operating method of the test module as described in claim 1, wherein the image signal includes a plurality of pixel information corresponding to a frame, and the operating method further includes: The test module operates on the pixel information based on the cyclic redundancy check algorithm to generate a set of verification codes; and the test module compares the set of verification codes with a set of standard verification codes of the frame Yes, to generate the video analysis result according to the comparison result. The operation method of the test module as described in claim 3, wherein the group of standard verification codes of the screen is pre-stored in the test module, or transmitted to the test module through a DDC/CI channel of the bus. The operation method of the test module as described in claim 1, wherein the image signal includes a plurality of pixel information of an image frame, and the operation method further includes: using the test module to analyze each pixel information based on the histogram algorithm Perform calculation to obtain a color scale information of each pixel information; and compare the color scale information with a standard color scale information corresponding to the pixel by the test module, and generate the video analysis result according to the comparison result. The operating method of the test module as described in claim 5, wherein the color scale information of each pixel and the standard color scale information corresponding to the pixel both include color scale information corresponding to three primary colors. The operation method of the test module as described in claim 1 further includes: analyzing the sound signal based on the fast Fourier transform algorithm by the test module to obtain the signal frequency and signal strength of the sound signal; and The test module judges whether the signal frequency and signal strength of the sound signal are consistent with a standard frequency and a standard signal strength of the sound signal, and generates the audio analysis result according to the judgment result. The operating method of the test module as described in claim 1, further comprising: in response to the analysis results indicating that any one of the video signal and the audio signal is abnormal, the test module generates a corresponding record information, wherein The record information includes at least one of an abnormal image signal and an abnormal sound signal, and the record information is stored in the test module for loading. The operation method of the test module as described in claim item 1, further includes: detecting the connection state of the bus bar and the test module by the test module, so as to count a number of plugging and unplugging of the bus bar, wherein the test The module includes a display module for displaying a firmware version information and the plugging times of the test module. The operating method of the test module as described in Claim 1, wherein the bus bar is an HDMI transmission line or a DP transmission line. The operation method of the test module as described in claim 10, wherein when the bus is the DP transmission line, the operation method further includes: the test module passes through the DDC/DDC of an auxiliary (AUX) channel of the bus The CI channel transmits a setting and control command, and the test module executes a link training (Link Training) to ensure the correctness of signal transmission. The operation method of the test module as described in claim 1, wherein one end of the bus is connected to the input of the test module, and the other end of the bus is connected to the output of an audio-visual device, wherein the audio-visual signal is provided by the Audio-visual equipment produced. The operating method of the test module as described in Claim 12, wherein the audio-visual device is also used to execute a corresponding test program to generate the audio-visual signal for testing and receive the analysis results. The operation method of the test module as described in claim 1, wherein the two ends of the bus are respectively connected to the input and output of the test module, and the audio-visual signal is generated by the test module and passes through the bus transmitted to the input of the test module.

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