WO1992012480A1 - Emulateur de systeme transactionnel - Google Patents

Emulateur de systeme transactionnel Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1992012480A1
WO1992012480A1 PCT/US1992/000144 US9200144W WO9212480A1 WO 1992012480 A1 WO1992012480 A1 WO 1992012480A1 US 9200144 W US9200144 W US 9200144W WO 9212480 A1 WO9212480 A1 WO 9212480A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
transaction system
emulator
data
output
emulated
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1992/000144
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Danny O. Kannady
William Mcpherson Horner
Srinivasan Rao
Original Assignee
Verifone, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Verifone, Inc. filed Critical Verifone, Inc.
Publication of WO1992012480A1 publication Critical patent/WO1992012480A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B19/00—Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass
    • G09B19/0053—Computers, e.g. programming
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F11/00—Error detection; Error correction; Monitoring
    • G06F11/22—Detection or location of defective computer hardware by testing during standby operation or during idle time, e.g. start-up testing
    • G06F11/26—Functional testing
    • G06F11/261—Functional testing by simulating additional hardware, e.g. fault simulation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F11/00—Error detection; Error correction; Monitoring
    • G06F11/30—Monitoring
    • G06F11/34—Recording or statistical evaluation of computer activity, e.g. of down time, of input/output operation ; Recording or statistical evaluation of user activity, e.g. usability assessment
    • G06F11/3409—Recording or statistical evaluation of computer activity, e.g. of down time, of input/output operation ; Recording or statistical evaluation of user activity, e.g. usability assessment for performance assessment
    • G06F11/3414—Workload generation, e.g. scripts, playback
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F13/00—Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
    • G06F13/10—Program control for peripheral devices
    • G06F13/105—Program control for peripheral devices where the programme performs an input/output emulation function
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F11/00—Error detection; Error correction; Monitoring
    • G06F11/30—Monitoring
    • G06F11/34—Recording or statistical evaluation of computer activity, e.g. of down time, of input/output operation ; Recording or statistical evaluation of user activity, e.g. usability assessment
    • G06F11/3466—Performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring
    • G06F11/3476—Data logging
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to error detection, to error correction, and to monitoring
    • G06F2201/87—Monitoring of transactions

Definitions

  • This invention pertains to transaction systems, such as point of sale terminals, inventory control systems, and the like. More specifically, this
  • invention pertains to an emulator for use with a
  • Transaction systems are well known and include familiar supermarket checkout systems which include a cash register and various peripherals such as printers, change machines, UPC scanners, and scales.
  • a transaction system emulator serves to emulate various transaction system peripherals, replacing each such emulated hardware peripheral by a corresponding software counterpart and a test circuit for interconnecting the computer performing the emulation to the transaction system hardware.
  • one or more input devices such as UPC scanner, keyboard, display printer, etc.
  • logs of input data such that the system being emulated can be tested without requiring a
  • test data is captured either
  • resulting from the input test data is created and, if desired, compared against a log of known, valid data corresponding to the input test data.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram depicting an emulator constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention utilized with a transaction system
  • Figure 2 is a block diagram depicting the
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram depicting one
  • Emulator 104 includes means for the emulation of input devices 106 which is interfaced with transaction terminal 101 to provide emulated input data to transaction terminal 101.
  • Emulator 104 also includes means for the emulation of output devices 107 which is interfaced to transaction terminal 101 in order to receive output data from transaction terminal 101.
  • Transaction terminal 101 is also capable of receiving input data from actual input devices 102 and provide output data to actual output devices 103.
  • Emulator 104 serves to emulate one or more input devices and one or more output devices such that
  • terminal 101 operates as if those devices were
  • Emulation of input devices 106 receives input directly, for example from a mouse or a keyboard, or from input log 105.
  • the emulation of output devices 107 provides output data to a display such as a CRT screen, and/or stores data to one or more output logs 108.
  • Output logs 108 are capable of being analyzed in order to determine whether the system is properly functioning in response to input data.
  • a standard output log 109 is used such that known valid data stored in standard output log 109 is compared with the actual received data stored in output log 108 by log analyzer 110, and in response to this analysis a display is provided by analysis display 111.
  • one or more such sets of test data are captured either utilizing the emulator system with actual peripheral input devices, or obtained from an actual transaction system including such input devices.
  • one or more of such input test data logs are created by other means, such as by a program, a text editor, or the like.
  • Such input test data logs 105 are useful in order to test peripherals and application software. For example, when either a new peripheral or application software program, or modifications to peripheral or application software, are desired, simulation can be performed utilizing a large amount of input test data in order to verify accurate results.
  • One or more output data logs 108 can, if desired, be maintained so that test results can be verified and, if necessary, the exact location of an error determined. Alternatively, output data is verified on the fly.
  • a combined input data/output data log is provided such that input test data is utilized and known valid output data is provided for comparison purposes. If desired, an error log is maintained, or errors are presented to the user, for example via a CRT or printer.
  • hardware peripherals may be replaced in different patterns giving a wide variety of testing and
  • a major use is for testing application software.
  • Another important use for the emulator of this invention is for testing additional peripherals and interface circuitry. For example, a new version of a peripheral is tested by connecting the new peripheral to the emulator system with other peripherals being emulated. In this manner, a complete transaction system including the new peripheral is emulated in order to determine whether the new peripheral, its interface circuitry, and software will operate properly in actual transaction system.
  • An emulator of this invention provides great flexibility by allowing various types of replacement. Examples of basic functions which are capable of being performed in accordance with the teachings of this invention include: • Replacing an input device with a
  • a device may be emulated to handle
  • Microsoft Windows is used as an environment for the emulator of this invention.
  • Microsoft Windows provides multi-tasking features and a graphical, object oriented interface.
  • This embodiment includes, for each peripheral capable of being emulated, a window which provides the I/O facilities specific to that peripheral.
  • the keyboard window displays the keypad, and a key value is input via the PC keyboard or via a mouse.
  • the emulator has been
  • the emulator runs on a MS DOS machine, such as an IBM AT personal computer, or a clone thereof.
  • the transaction system application software is run on a Motorola 68302 microprocessor system.
  • the teachings of this invention apply equally regardless of what platform the emulator runs on, and what platform the application software runs on.
  • the choice of an MS DOS machine to run the emulator was made due to the wide availability and popularity of such machines and the choice of the Motorola 68302 microprocessor to run application
  • FIG. 2 shows a setup with only emulated peripherals.
  • the maximum number of peripherals emulated is less than or equal to the number of serial ports ("com ports") on the machine running the emulator, as each peripheral interfaces to application software platform 101 via the RS-232 serial interface of the MS DOS machine.
  • emulator 104 shows a setup with only emulated peripherals.
  • the maximum number of peripherals emulated is less than or equal to the number of serial ports ("com ports") on the machine running the emulator, as each peripheral interfaces to application software platform 101 via the RS-232 serial interface of the MS DOS machine.
  • emulator 104 shows a setup with only emulated peripherals.
  • the maximum number of peripherals emulated is less than or equal to the number of serial ports ("com ports") on the machine running the emulator, as each peripheral interfaces to application software platform 101 via the RS-232 serial interface of the MS DOS machine.
  • emulator 104 shows a setup with only emulated peripherals.
  • the maximum number of peripherals emulated is less than or equal to the number of serial ports
  • emulator 104 emulates keyboard 104-1, display 104-2, printer 104-3, magnetic stripe reader 104-4, and bar code reader 104-N.
  • Emulations 104-1 through 104-4 are connected through com ports on the computer running emulator 104.
  • Test tiles 201-1 through 201-4 serve to interface the various com ports of the computer running emulator 104 and the internal bus of transaction terminal 101.
  • bar code reader 104-N is connected via a com port on the computer running emulator 104 to a com port available on transaction terminal 101.
  • emulator 104 is capable of emulating peripherals
  • terminal 101 interconnected with the internal bus of terminal 101, or to a com port of terminal 101.
  • Testing applications In this type of testing the focus is on verifying that the application software is working properly. This is particularly useful when developing new application software and when modifying existing application software. This is beneficial whether or not this application software is being developed or modified in response to a new or modified peripheral. Testing peripherals: Comparing the operation of a physical device with its software emulation serves as a test for both. Creation of Test Cases: This involves recording input keystrokes and recording outputs. These may involve large volumes of input data and output data.
  • a script format is used for providing an input data log in which lines are delineated by a CR; keys are delineated by a comma or a space; key names are alphanumeric ASCII strings as defined in a KEYNAME.H file; and each line is identified with a four character ASCII string to correlate the input script with the output log.
  • script files are identified by the suffix .GSC to a user supplied or default filename.
  • script files may contain elements not present in "real" input data, such as PAUSE and REMARK commands.
  • Display window output may be captured for later analysis and automatic comparison with other captured output, our output generated in any convenient manner, e.g. via suitable computer program.
  • the display format is chosen by the user, for example, from a menu, in order to allow the use of a wide choice of easily analyzed data output formats.
  • the display function utilizes pseudo windows. These are not windows as defined within MS Windows, but their appearance on the screen is the same as on the actual peripheral device being emulated. If desired, long lines will truncate rather than wrap around.
  • the emulated display function receives display lines from the application software just as the actual peripheral display device would receive display
  • Display window output may be captured for later analysis and automatic comparison with other captured output, or known valid output data.
  • the analysis function accepts as input two log files created during two different sessions. Normally, one log file 109 is a trusted version of known valid data that serves as a standard. A second output log file 108 stores the actual output data of the
  • An inequality can be bypassed and the comparison continued by stepping one or both of the log files beyond the records which caused the break.
  • the compare function is sensitive to the record formats, and in one embodiment does not cause an inequality break for date or time discrepancies.
  • Appendix II is a software listing of C code
  • VeriFone TM VeriFone TM , GemStone TM , Transaction SuperSystems TM , and
  • GemulatorTM are trademarks of VeriFone, Inc.
  • IBM® and IBM PC® are registered trademarks of
  • MS-DOS TM is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Table of Contents
  • the ability to test applications and peripherals without the actual use of physical hardware is performed by the Gemulator TM .
  • the Gemulator TM imitates any GemStoneTM hardware peripheral using a software counterpart.
  • Peripherals may be replaced in different configurations, allowing a wide variety of testing and development situations.
  • the Gemulator TM process provides great
  • a device may be emulated when it is not physically available or physical properties of the device impose limitations.
  • a device may be emulated to handle high volumes of data or provide high accuracy for standard tests.
  • Logged output data may be carefully analyzed in conjunction with the logged input data and compared with previously validated output.
  • the Gemulator TM environment consists of both software and hardware.
  • Software Equipment The software environment for the Gemulator TM process is Microsoft TM Windows, which
  • a window for each peripheral provides the input/output facilities specific to that peripheral.
  • the keyboard window displays the keyboard and a key value is input via the "mouse" device.
  • a script may be created by capturing mouse input to a window or by using a text editor.
  • Each line is identified with a 4-character ASCII string to correlate the input script with the output log.
  • Script files may contain elements not present in "real" input, such as PAUSE and
  • Scanner input is emulated by reading a text file.
  • the test files include
  • Display windows output may be captured for later analysis and automatic comparison.
  • the Display format is chose by the user from a menu.
  • GemStoneTM applications These will not be windows as defined within MicrosoftTM Windows, however, their appearance on the screen will be the same as on the physical device. Long lines are truncated rather than wrapped around. GemStoneTM Transaction SuperSystemsTM Programmer's Manual
  • the display function receives display lines from the applications.
  • the printer window output may be captured for later analysis and automatic
  • the printer function emulates the printer chose by the user from a menu.
  • the printer function receives print lines from the applications.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Educational Administration (AREA)
  • Educational Technology (AREA)
  • Debugging And Monitoring (AREA)

Abstract

Un émulateur de système transactionnel sert à émuler divers périphériques de système transactionnel, remplaçant chaque périphérique matériel émulé par une contre-partie de logiciel correspondante et une interconnexion entre l'ordinateur exécutant l'émulation et le matériel du système transactionnel. Ainsi, un ou plusieurs dispositifs d'entrée (102) sont remplacés par des registres de données d'entrée (105) de sorte que le système étant émulé peut être testé sans que l'on soit obligés d'avoir recours à une quantité importante de données de test d'entrée à introduire manuellement. On peut saisir des ensembles de données de test soit en utilisant le système émulateur avec des dispositifs d'entrée de périphériques réels (102), ou bien on peut les obtenir à partir d'un système transactionnel réel comprenant de tels dispositifs d'entrée. Dans un autre mode de réalisation, des registres de données de test d'entrée (105) sont créés à l'aide d'autres moyens tels qu'un programme, un éditeur de texte ou un moyen similaire. Un registre de sortie de données résultant de données de test d'entrée est créé et, si désiré, comparé à un registre de données valables connues correspondant aux données de test d'entrée.
PCT/US1992/000144 1991-01-09 1992-01-09 Emulateur de systeme transactionnel WO1992012480A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US63983891A 1991-01-09 1991-01-09
US639,838 1991-01-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1992012480A1 true WO1992012480A1 (fr) 1992-07-23

Family

ID=24565759

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1992/000144 WO1992012480A1 (fr) 1991-01-09 1992-01-09 Emulateur de systeme transactionnel

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1196192A (fr)
WO (1) WO1992012480A1 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0539313A2 (fr) * 1991-10-23 1993-04-28 International Business Machines Corporation Procédé et appareil pour simuler des dispositifs entrée-sortie
EP0669583A1 (fr) * 1994-02-18 1995-08-30 AT&T Corp. Technique de partage de temps d'un microprocesseur entre un ordinateur et un modem
WO1996039663A1 (fr) * 1995-06-06 1996-12-12 Telia Ab Dispositif, son utilisation et procede pour mesurer les temps de reponse et la facilite d'acces dans un systeme d'ordinateurs interconnectes
US5679945A (en) * 1995-03-31 1997-10-21 Cybermark, L.L.C. Intelligent card reader having emulation features
GB2319100A (en) * 1997-11-15 1998-05-13 Ibm Hardware simulator for a transaction processing system
US6934945B1 (en) 1997-03-14 2005-08-23 Cardsoft, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling communications
US7904914B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2011-03-08 Microsoft Corporation On-the-fly replacement of physical hardware with emulation

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3932843A (en) * 1972-11-30 1976-01-13 International Standard Electric Corporation Real-time control arrangement for a simulation device
US4207687A (en) * 1977-05-09 1980-06-17 The Singer Company Simulator complex data transmission method and system
US4484266A (en) * 1981-12-11 1984-11-20 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Externally specified index peripheral simulation system
US4509122A (en) * 1982-11-18 1985-04-02 International Business Machines Corporation Method for controlling the file transfer capability of an interactive text processing system that is emulating a host processing system terminal
US4727480A (en) * 1984-07-09 1988-02-23 Wang Laboratories, Inc. Emulation of a data processing system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3932843A (en) * 1972-11-30 1976-01-13 International Standard Electric Corporation Real-time control arrangement for a simulation device
US4207687A (en) * 1977-05-09 1980-06-17 The Singer Company Simulator complex data transmission method and system
US4484266A (en) * 1981-12-11 1984-11-20 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Externally specified index peripheral simulation system
US4509122A (en) * 1982-11-18 1985-04-02 International Business Machines Corporation Method for controlling the file transfer capability of an interactive text processing system that is emulating a host processing system terminal
US4727480A (en) * 1984-07-09 1988-02-23 Wang Laboratories, Inc. Emulation of a data processing system

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0539313A3 (en) * 1991-10-23 1993-11-24 Ibm Method and apparatus for simulating i/o devices
US5440697A (en) * 1991-10-23 1995-08-08 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for simulating I/O devices
EP0539313A2 (fr) * 1991-10-23 1993-04-28 International Business Machines Corporation Procédé et appareil pour simuler des dispositifs entrée-sortie
EP0669583A1 (fr) * 1994-02-18 1995-08-30 AT&T Corp. Technique de partage de temps d'un microprocesseur entre un ordinateur et un modem
US5678059A (en) * 1994-02-18 1997-10-14 Lucent Technologies Inc. Technique for time-sharing a microprocessor between a computer and a modem
US6223984B1 (en) 1995-03-31 2001-05-01 Cybermark, Inc. Distinct smart card reader having wiegand, magnetic strip and bar code types emulation output
US5679945A (en) * 1995-03-31 1997-10-21 Cybermark, L.L.C. Intelligent card reader having emulation features
WO1996039663A1 (fr) * 1995-06-06 1996-12-12 Telia Ab Dispositif, son utilisation et procede pour mesurer les temps de reponse et la facilite d'acces dans un systeme d'ordinateurs interconnectes
US7302683B2 (en) 1997-03-14 2007-11-27 Cardsoft International Pty Limited Method and apparatus for controlling communications
US6934945B1 (en) 1997-03-14 2005-08-23 Cardsoft, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling communications
GB2319100B (en) * 1997-11-15 1998-09-16 Ibm Hardware simulator for a transaction processing system
US6275785B1 (en) 1997-11-15 2001-08-14 International Business Machines Corporation Hardware simulator for a transaction processing system
GB2319100A (en) * 1997-11-15 1998-05-13 Ibm Hardware simulator for a transaction processing system
US7904914B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2011-03-08 Microsoft Corporation On-the-fly replacement of physical hardware with emulation
US8225334B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2012-07-17 Microsoft Corporation On-the-fly replacement of physical hardware with emulation
US8789069B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2014-07-22 Microsoft Corporation On-the-fly replacement of physical hardware with emulation

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1196192A (en) 1992-08-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5715387A (en) Method and system for loading and confirming correct operation of an application program in a target system
US7302683B2 (en) Method and apparatus for controlling communications
US6453435B1 (en) Method and apparatus for automated testing of circuit boards
US5485370A (en) Home services delivery system with intelligent terminal emulator
US20020178400A1 (en) POS terminal test system and method
Ivie The programmer's workbench—a machine for software development
WO2005096153A2 (fr) Systeme de test automatise servant a tester une application executee dans un environnement windows et procedes associes
JP2009009584A (ja) コンピュータ・ネットワーク上におけるコンピュータ・プログラムの記憶と転送を制御する方法とシステム
CN102884503B (zh) 用于打印机仿真的系统和方法
US6279123B1 (en) System for viewing and monitoring embedded processor operation
EP3074863A1 (fr) Système et procédé de test de représentation de données pour différents dispositifs mobiles
WO1992012480A1 (fr) Emulateur de systeme transactionnel
US6129271A (en) Electronic funds transfer network test system
CN114338850B (zh) 报文核对方法、装置、终端设备及计算机可读存储介质
JPH08314760A (ja) プログラム開発支援装置
AU753163B2 (en) Method and apparatus for controlling communications
EP0284111A1 (fr) Méthode, système et ordinateur de conduite de test pour tester un ordinateur et/ou le logiciel associé
US20020162095A1 (en) Method and system for using emulation objec6ts for developing point ofsale application
US11989291B2 (en) System, method, and apparatus for software verification
Guttenbrunner et al. Design Decisions in Emulator Construction: A Case Study on Home Computer Software Preservation.
US20050033543A1 (en) System and method for testing of transaction initiation devices in electronic funds transfer systems
JPH06222945A (ja) 試験システム及びその操作方法
CN116150008A (zh) 基于ima系统资源的通路配置测试方法
Liu et al. TestTalk, a test description language: write once, test by anyone, anytime, anywhere, with anything
Avdic Advanced virtual instrumentation for the year 2000

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU BB BG BR CA FI HU JP KP KR LK MG MW NO PL RO RU SD

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BF BJ CF CG CH CI CM DE DK ES FR GA GB GN GR IT LU MC ML MR NL SE SN TD TG

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA