Universal Test Software for Multi-Instrument Circuit Testing

Solution Overview

Problem

Developing multiple circuit test software for different instruments is time-consuming and user interfaces vary, making it difficult for users to operate multiple instruments effectively.

Innovation Solution

Creating a general form file that supports multiple communication interfaces, protocols, and commands, allowing test software to be adaptable to various instruments, with features for interface, protocol, and function settings accessible through a unified user interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dedicated test software are developed for different instruments, then each instrument can be tested with its own specialized software, but development time increases significantly and user interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument compatibilityVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal test software platform that can operate with multiple different instruments through a standardized interface format. The system uses a general form file structure that defines communication protocols, interface settings, and command sets, allowing a single software application to adapt to various instruments without requiring separate dedicated software for each device type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the instrument-specific information into separate general form files, which contain instrument-specific parameters such as communication interface settings, protocol configurations, and command definitions. This allows the core test software to remain universal while instrument-specific details are isolated in configurable files that can be easily modified or replaced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dedicated test software are developed for different instruments, then each instrument can be tested with its own specialized software, but user interface complexity increases making it difficult for users to operate multiple instruments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument compatibilityVSAvoiduser interface consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal test software platform that can operate with multiple different instruments through a standardized interface format. The system uses a general form file structure that defines communication protocols, interface settings, and command sets, allowing a single software application to adapt to various instruments without requiring separate dedicated software for each device type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of time

If a single general form file structure is used for multiple instruments, then development time is reduced and user interface consistency is improved, but the system must support multiple communication interfaces and protocols simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevelopment timeVSAvoidsoftware architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the instrument-specific information into separate general form files, which contain instrument-specific parameters such as communication interface settings, protocol configurations, and command definitions. This allows the core test software to remain universal while instrument-specific details are isolated in configurable files that can be easily modified or replaced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces general form files as an intermediary layer between the universal test software and instrument-specific implementations. These files act as configuration templates that translate the generic software interface into instrument-specific commands and protocols, thereby simplifying the software architecture while maintaining support for multiple instrument types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240159826A1Method for performing multiple circuit tests with multiple instruments and method for creating general form file conforming to general form applicable to multiple instruments

Publication Date: 2024.05.16 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

An automated test mechanism includes: preparing test software capable of reading and processing a file in a general form, and making the test software support N kinds of communication interfaces, M kinds of communication protocols, and multiple commands of K kinds of instruments, wherein the general form includes an interface setting part, a communication protocol setting part, and a function list part; creating multiple general form files in the general form to support the K kinds of instruments, wherein the multiple general form files include a first file and a second file that are prepared for a first instrument and a second instrument of the multiple instruments respectively; and when performing a first test with the first instrument, choosing the first file for the first test, and when performing a second test with the second instrument, choosing the second file for the second test.