EP0339286A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Test system for acquiring, calculating and displaying representations of data sequences
Assignee: Tektronix Inc
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Filing: 1989-03-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A system for testing electronic devices includes a waveform generator, a data acquisition system, and a computer. The waveform generator continuously generates a test signal having an adjustable parameters set by the computer in response to user input. The data acquisition system acquires data representing the output of the device under test in response to the input signal and stores the last N acquired data values. The computer transfers a data sequence from the acquisition system to another memory and generates in a window on a terminal screen a waveform display representing the stored data sequence. The computer also displays menu items referencing mathematical operations that may be performed on one or more data sequences. When a user selects one of the menu items, the computer prompts the user to select one or more windows containing waveform displays. Thereafter, the computer performs the selected operation on the data sequence controlling the waveform displays in the selected windows. When the result of the operation is a new data sequence, the computer stores the new data sequence in memory and then produces in a user-selected window a new waveform display based on the new data sequence.
Inventors
- 👤 Jenq Yih-Chyun
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/2832; G01R31/2836; G01R31/2839; G01R13/00; G01R13/20; G01R13/22; G01R13/34; G01R31/2834; G01R31/3167; G01R31/317; G01R31/3177; G01R31/3181; G01R31/319; G01R31/31903; G01R31/31912; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/22; G06F11/25; G06F11/30; G06F11/32; G06F11/321; G06F11/322; G06F11/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
An apparatus for testing a device that continuously produces data elements of an output first data sequence in response to an input analog test signal, the apparatus comprising: waveform generator means for generating the test signal, the test signal having a characteristic controlled by control data provided as input to the waveform generator; data acquisition means continuously receiving the first data sequence for storing a second data sequence comprising most recently produced data elements of the first data sequence; computer means for receiving as input parameter values from a user, for generating the control data provided as input to said waveform generator means in accordance with the parameter values, for acquiring the second data sequence from said data acquisition means, for performing a mathematical operation on the acquired second data sequence to provide a computed third data sequence and for generating a waveform display representing the third data sequence; and bus means interconnecting said waveform generator means, said data acquisition means and said computer means for conveying the read out second data sequence from said data acquisition means to said computer means and for conveying the control data to said waveform generator means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
193 words
An apparatus for testing a device that continuously produces data elements of an output first data sequence in response to an input analog test signal, the apparatus comprising: waveform generator means for generating the test signal, the test signal having a characteristic controlled by control data provided as input to the waveform generator; data acquisition means continuously receiving the first data sequence for storing a second data sequence comprising most recently produced data elements of the first data sequence; computer means for receiving as input parameter values from a user, for generating the control data provided as input to said waveform generator means in accordance with the parameter values, for acquiring the second data sequence from said data acquisition means, for performing a mathematical operation on the acquired second data sequence to provide a computed third data sequence and for generating a waveform display representing the third data sequence; and bus means interconnecting said waveform generator means, said data acquisition means and said computer means for conveying the read out second data sequence from said data acquisition means to said computer means and for conveying the control data to said waveform generator means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said test signal is periodic and said characteristic of the test signal controlled by the control data is a frequency of the test signal.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
236 words
An apparatus for testing a device that continuously produces data elements of an output first data sequence in response to an input analog test signal, the apparatus comprising: waveform generator means for generating the test signal, the test signal having a characteristic set in accordance with control data provided as input to the waveform generator; data acquisition means receiving the first data sequence for storing a second data sequence comprising most recently received data elements of the first data sequence; computer means storing instructions for performing a plurality of mathematical operations, each operation generating a calculated data sequence in response to an input data sequence, the computer means including means for receiving user input parameter values, for receiving user input selecting ones of the mathematical operations to be performed, for supplying the control data to said waveform generator means in accordance with the parameter values, and for reading the second data sequence out of said data acquisition means, performing a user selected one of the mathematical operations on the second data sequence read out to provide a computed third data sequence and providing a waveform display representing the third data sequence; and bus means interconnecting said waveform generator means, said data acquisition means and said computer means, the bus means conveying the read out second data sequence from said data acquisition means to said computer means and conveying the control data to said waveform generator means.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
236 words
An apparatus for testing a device that continuously produces data elements of an output first data sequence in response to an input analog test signal, the apparatus comprising: waveform generator means for generating the test signal, the test signal having a characteristic set in accordance with control data provided as input to the waveform generator; data acquisition means receiving the first data sequence for storing a second data sequence comprising most recently received data elements of the first data sequence; computer means storing instructions for performing a plurality of mathematical operations, each operation generating a calculated data sequence in response to an input data sequence, the computer means including means for receiving user input parameter values, for receiving user input selecting ones of the mathematical operations to be performed, for supplying the control data to said waveform generator means in accordance with the parameter values, and for reading the second data sequence out of said data acquisition means, performing a user selected one of the mathematical operations on the second data sequence read out to provide a computed third data sequence and providing a waveform display representing the third data sequence; and bus means interconnecting said waveform generator means, said data acquisition means and said computer means, the bus means conveying the read out second data sequence from said data acquisition means to said computer means and conveying the control data to said waveform generator means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
287 words
An apparatus for testing a device that produces an output signal in response to an input test signal, the apparatus comprising: waveform generator means for generating the test signal, the test signal having characteristics set in accordance with control data provided as input to the waveform generator; data acquisition means responsive to the output signal for storing and reading out a data sequence representing recent magnitudes of the output signal; computer means, including means for displaying waveforms in windows on a screen and for displaying menu items referencing mathematical operations, each producing and output data sequence in response to an input data sequence, and including means for receiving user input commands and parameter values and for acquiring user input indicating user selection of ones of the menu items and windows, the computer means generating and supplying the control data to said waveform generator means in response to the parameter values, obtaining in response to an input user command the sequence of data values read out by said data acquisition means, displaying a waveform representation of the stored data sequence in a user-selected one of the multiple windows, acquiring user input selecting one of the menu items, carrying out an operation referenced by the one menu item using the stored data sequence as an input data sequence thereby to produce a particular output data sequence, storing the particular output data sequence, and displaying a waveform representing the result of the operation in one of the windows; and bus means interconnecting said waveform generator means, said data acquisition means and the computer means, the bus means conveying the data sequence from said data acquisition means to the computer means and conveying the control data to said waveform generator means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
287 words
An apparatus for testing a device that produces an output signal in response to an input test signal, the apparatus comprising: waveform generator means for generating the test signal, the test signal having characteristics set in accordance with control data provided as input to the waveform generator; data acquisition means responsive to the output signal for storing and reading out a data sequence representing recent magnitudes of the output signal; computer means, including means for displaying waveforms in windows on a screen and for displaying menu items referencing mathematical operations, each producing and output data sequence in response to an input data sequence, and including means for receiving user input commands and parameter values and for acquiring user input indicating user selection of ones of the menu items and windows, the computer means generating and supplying the control data to said waveform generator means in response to the parameter values, obtaining in response to an input user command the sequence of data values read out by said data acquisition means, displaying a waveform representation of the stored data sequence in a user-selected one of the multiple windows, acquiring user input selecting one of the menu items, carrying out an operation referenced by the one menu item using the stored data sequence as an input data sequence thereby to produce a particular output data sequence, storing the particular output data sequence, and displaying a waveform representing the result of the operation in one of the windows; and bus means interconnecting said waveform generator means, said data acquisition means and the computer means, the bus means conveying the data sequence from said data acquisition means to the computer means and conveying the control data to said waveform generator means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
196 words
For a computer including means for storing data sequences and instructions, means for concurrently displaying multiple windows on a screen, for displaying waveform in the windows representing the stored data sequences and for displaying menus items on the screen, and including means for obtaining menu item and window selection input from a user, a method for calculating a data sequence and displaying a representation of the calculated data sequence, the method comprising the steps of: storing instructions for performing operations, each operation generating an output data sequence in response to an input data sequence; storing data sequences; displaying a plurality of windows on said screen; displaying in separate ones of the displayed windows waveforms representing separate ones of the stored data sequences; obtaining user input selecting a particular one of the operations; obtaining user input selecting a first window in which a waveform is displayed; obtaining user input selecting a second window in which to display another waveform; performing the particular operation on a stored data sequence represented by the waveform displayed in the first window to generate an output data sequence; and displaying a waveform representing the stored output data sequence in the second window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
196 words
For a computer including means for storing data sequences and instructions, means for concurrently displaying multiple windows on a screen, for displaying waveform in the windows representing the stored data sequences and for displaying menus items on the screen, and including means for obtaining menu item and window selection input from a user, a method for calculating a data sequence and displaying a representation of the calculated data sequence, the method comprising the steps of: storing instructions for performing operations, each operation generating an output data sequence in response to an input data sequence; storing data sequences; displaying a plurality of windows on said screen; displaying in separate ones of the displayed windows waveforms representing separate ones of the stored data sequences; obtaining user input selecting a particular one of the operations; obtaining user input selecting a first window in which a waveform is displayed; obtaining user input selecting a second window in which to display another waveform; performing the particular operation on a stored data sequence represented by the waveform displayed in the first window to generate an output data sequence; and displaying a waveform representing the stored output data sequence in the second window.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the step of obtaining user input selecting a particular one of the operations comprises the substeps of: displaying a menu on said screen including menu items referencing ones of said operations; and obtaining user input selecting one of said operations referenced by said menu items.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the step of obtaining user input selecting a first window in which a waveform is displayed comprises the substeps of: displaying a cursor on said screen at a position controlled by said user; determining the particular position on said screen of the cursor when said user operates a push button; and determining that a particular window has been selected as said first window when said particular position is included in said particular window.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
262 words
For a system that stores data sequences and generates on a screen waveform displays representing stored data sequences, a method for providing a waveform display characterizing a device under test that produces an output signal in response to an input test signal, the method comprising the steps of: storing a data sequence representing said output signal; initiating display of windows on a screen, at least one of said windows containing a waveform display representing the stored data sequence; displaying menu items referencing mathematical operations that may be performed on a stored data sequence to produce a new data sequence; obtaining input indicating user selection of a menu item, user selection of a first window displayed on said screen and containing a waveform display, and user selection of a second window displayed on said screen; performing an operation referenced by the selected menu item on a stored data sequence represented by the waveform display in the first window to produce a first calculated data sequence; storing the first calculated data sequence; producing in said second window a waveform display representing the first calculated data sequence; obtaining input indicating user selection of another menu item, user selection of said second window, and user selection of a third window displayed on said screen; performing an operation referenced by said another menu item on the first calculated data sequence represented by the waveform display in the second window to produce a second calculated data sequence; storing the second calculated data sequence; and producing in said third window a waveform display representing the second calculated data sequence.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
262 words
For a system that stores data sequences and generates on a screen waveform displays representing stored data sequences, a method for providing a waveform display characterizing a device under test that produces an output signal in response to an input test signal, the method comprising the steps of: storing a data sequence representing said output signal; initiating display of windows on a screen, at least one of said windows containing a waveform display representing the stored data sequence; displaying menu items referencing mathematical operations that may be performed on a stored data sequence to produce a new data sequence; obtaining input indicating user selection of a menu item, user selection of a first window displayed on said screen and containing a waveform display, and user selection of a second window displayed on said screen; performing an operation referenced by the selected menu item on a stored data sequence represented by the waveform display in the first window to produce a first calculated data sequence; storing the first calculated data sequence; producing in said second window a waveform display representing the first calculated data sequence; obtaining input indicating user selection of another menu item, user selection of said second window, and user selection of a third window displayed on said screen; performing an operation referenced by said another menu item on the first calculated data sequence represented by the waveform display in the second window to produce a second calculated data sequence; storing the second calculated data sequence; and producing in said third window a waveform display representing the second calculated data sequence.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for testing a device that produces an output signal in response to an input analog test signal, the apparatus comprising: waveform generator means for generating said test signal, said test signal having a characteristic controlled by control data provided as input to said waveform generator means; data acquisition means for storing a data sequence representing at least a portion of said output signal; waveform monitor means for displaying an output waveform in response to waveform display data; computer means for generating the control data provided as input to said waveform generator means, for controlling said data acquisition means, for acquiring said data sequence from said data acquisition means, and for generating waveform display data representing said data sequence for said waveform monitor means; and bus means interconnecting said waveform generator means, said data acquisition means and said computer means, for conveying said data sequence from said acquisition means to said computer means and for conveying the control data to said waveform generator means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for testing a device that produces an output signal in response to an input analog test signal, the apparatus comprising: waveform generator means for generating said test signal, said test signal having a characteristic controlled by control data provided as input to said waveform generator means; data acquisition means for storing a data sequence representing at least a portion of said output signal; waveform monitor means for displaying an output waveform in response to waveform display data; computer means for generating the control data provided as input to said waveform generator means, for controlling said data acquisition means, for acquiring said data sequence from said data acquisition means, and for generating waveform display data representing said data sequence for said waveform monitor means; and bus means interconnecting said waveform generator means, said data acquisition means and said computer means, for conveying said data sequence from said acquisition means to said computer means and for conveying the control data to said waveform generator means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for testing a device that produces an output first sequence of data elements in response to an input analog test signal, the apparatus comprising: waveform generator means for generating said test signal, the test signal having a characteristic controlled by control data provided as input to the waveform generator means; data acquisition means receiving the first sequence for storing a second sequence comprising most recently produced data elements of the first sequence; computer means for generating the control data provided as input to said waveform generator means, for acquiring the second sequence from said data acquisition means and for generating waveform display data representing the second data sequence; display means for displaying said waveform display data; and bus means interconnecting said waveform generator means, said data acquisition means and said computer means, for conveying the read out second data sequence from said data acquisition means to said computer means and for conveying the control data to said waveform generator means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for testing a device that produces an output first sequence of data elements in response to an input analog test signal, the apparatus comprising: waveform generator means for generating said test signal, the test signal having a characteristic controlled by control data provided as input to the waveform generator means; data acquisition means receiving the first sequence for storing a second sequence comprising most recently produced data elements of the first sequence; computer means for generating the control data provided as input to said waveform generator means, for acquiring the second sequence from said data acquisition means and for generating waveform display data representing the second data sequence; display means for displaying said waveform display data; and bus means interconnecting said waveform generator means, said data acquisition means and said computer means, for conveying the read out second data sequence from said data acquisition means to said computer means and for conveying the control data to said waveform generator means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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