US5864658A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Test apparatus for verifying the conformity of a device under test with a standard application protocol
Assignee: D2B Systems Co Ltd
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Filing: 1991-10-08
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Granted: 1999-01-26
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Expires: 2011-10-08
Abstract
Abstract The test apparatus (PC,KB,DIS,PR,IF) communicates via a standard serial bus (12) with a device under test (DUT) to verify conformity with a standard application protocol defining the format, meaning and applicability of messages passed via the bus (12). The apparatus generates a test sequence of commands and requests and analyses the replies of the DUT for conformity. The test sequence and the analysis are adapted automatically in response to previous replies of the device, to provide a thorough but efficient test of the device and any subdevices identified within it. Where the standard application protocol defines extended autonomous cooperation between devices, the test apparatus emulates one or more further devices to be controlled and interrogated by the device under test.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen C. Theobald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/22; H; H04; H04L; H04L43/00; H04L43/50; H04L43/18; H04L69/00; H04L69/02; H04L9/00; H04L9/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A test apparatus for verifying the conformity of a device under test with a standard application protocol defining the format, meaning and applicability of messages to be received and transmitted by the device under test, the apparatus comprising test sequencing means for generating and supplying to the device under test a test sequence of messages, including messages requesting messages to be transmitted by the device under test in response indicating whether functions of predetermined definition are present or absent in the device under test, and for analyzing messages transmitted by the device under test in response, to determine conformity or not with the standard application protocol.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A test apparatus for verifying the conformity of a device under test with a standard application protocol defining the format, meaning and applicability of messages to be received and transmitted by the device under test, the apparatus comprising test sequencing means for generating and supplying to the device under test a test sequence of messages, including messages requesting messages to be transmitted by the device under test in response indicating whether functions of predetermined definition are present or absent in the device under test, and for analyzing messages transmitted by the device under test in response, to determine conformity or not with the standard application protocol.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the test sequence of messages is determined dynamically in response to the messages returned by the device under test.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the test sequencing means includes means for analyzing messages returned by the device under test to identify one or more subdevices separately addressable within the device, a plurality of modules for generating test sequences specific to different types of subdevice defined by the application protocol, and means for selectively activating modules appropriate to the subdevices identified in the device under test.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the test sequencing means includes a first module for generating and analyzing messages concerning static properties of the device under test.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the test sequencing means further includes modules for generating and analysing messages concerning static properties of respective types of subdevice, these modules being activated selectively in response to outputs of the first module.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the test sequencing means further includes one or more modules for generating and analysing messages concerning dynamic properties of the device and/or respective subdevice types.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the test sequencing means includes means for generating a message requiring a message to be returned by the device under test in reply, means for determining a set of one or more expected replies dependent on the standard application protocol and messages received previously from the device under test, and means for indicating non-conformity with the application protocol when the received message is not a member of the set of expected messages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the standard application protocol defines at least one standard application, whereby the device under test is required to act autonomously to transmit and receive a sequence of messages to and from at least one further device, the test sequencing means including means for emulating such a further device, by responding to the messages transmitted by the device under test in accordance with the defined standard application.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the emulating means comprises means for storing a set of variables defining a present state of the emulated device, and means for generating and transmitting messages to the device under test in accordance with the application protocol and the stored present state of the emulated device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the emulating means comprises means for emulating a plurality of further devices, each emulated device communicating with the device under test.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the messages and messages supplied to and returned by the device under test are sent via a standard serial bus having distributed control.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the test sequencing means includes a first module for generating and analyzing messages concerning static properties of the device under test.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the test sequencing means includes a first module for generating and analyzing messages concerning static properties of the device under test.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the test sequencing means further includes modules for generating and analyzing messages concerning static properties of respective types of subdevice, these modules being activated selectively in response to outputs of the first module.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the test sequencing means further includes one or more modules for generating and analyzing messages concerning dynamic properties of the device and/or respective subdevice types.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
81 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the test sequencing means includes means for generating a message requiring a message to be returned by the device under test in reply, means for determining a set of one or more expected replies dependent on the standard application protocol and messages received previously from the device under test, and means for indicating non-conformity with the application protocol when the received message is not a member of the set of expected messages.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
75 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the standard application protocol defines at least one standard application, whereby the device under test is required to act autonomously to transmit and receive a sequence of messages to and from at least one further device, the test sequencing means including means for emulating such a further device, by responding to the messages transmitted by the device under test in accordance with the defined standard application.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the emulating means comprises means for storing a set of variables defining a present state of the emulated device, and means for generating and transmitting messages to the device under test in accordance with the application protocol and the stored present state of the emulated device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the emulating means comprises means for emulating a plurality of further devices, each emulated device communicating with the device under test.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the messages and messages supplied to and returned by the device under test are sent via a standard serial bus having distributed control.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-25 | 2002-07-27 | 2003-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-25 | 2006-07-27 | 2007-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-25 | 2010-07-27 | 2011-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |