US5991897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Diagnostic module dispatcher
Assignee: HTC Corp
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Filing: 1998-12-30
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Granted: 1999-11-23
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Expires: 2018-12-30
Abstract
Abstract In a diagnostic application, a plurality of independent test modules are executed in a multi-tasking fashion. The diagnostic application is modular with a front end module issuing commands to lower level modules. A lower level test dispatcher module receives information from the plurality of test modules pertaining to test parameters, including whether the test module is multitaskable. A test dispatcher controls the launching of the test modules according to the test parameters. A test definition tool is provided to graphically develop test scripts by moving icons from one list to another. The output of the test definition tool is a scripting language readable by the diagnostic application.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Perugini
- 👤 John Scott Harsany
- 👤 Robert E. Supak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/22; G06F11/2289; G06F11/2205; G06F11/2236; G06F11/2242; G06F11/26; G06F11/273; G06F11/30; G06F11/32; G06F11/321; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/317; G01R31/3181; G01R31/319; G01R31/31903; G01R31/31912; G06F11/07; G06F11/0703; G06F11/0751; G06F11/0754; G06F11/076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of testing a peripheral device in a computer system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a number of independent test modules as independent library modules along with associated peripheral devices, tests and parameters; (b) loading and initializing the test modules, each test module identifying to a test front end program the peripheral devices for which it is responsible and a number of tests available to perform, each test having a number of parameters; (c) the test front end program permitting selection of some subset of the test modules for execution; (d) providing a list of the subset of the test modules and the associated peripheral devices, tests and parameters to a test dispatcher by each test module; and (e) dispatching the test modules for execution in accordance with the list of peripheral devices, tests and parameters.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of testing a peripheral device in a computer system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a number of independent test modules as independent library modules along with associated peripheral devices, tests and parameters; (b) loading and initializing the test modules, each test module identifying to a test front end program the peripheral devices for which it is responsible and a number of tests available to perform, each test having a number of parameters; (c) the test front end program permitting selection of some subset of the test modules for execution; (d) providing a list of the subset of the test modules and the associated peripheral devices, tests and parameters to a test dispatcher by each test module; and (e) dispatching the test modules for execution in accordance with the list of peripheral devices, tests and parameters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is a network interface controller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is a multifunction I/O peripheral.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the multifunction I/O peripheral includes multiple serial ports, a parallel port and a floppy disk controller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is a video controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is a storage device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the storage device is a hard disk drive and wherein the tests that can be performed on the hard disk drive include a sequential seek test, a random seek test, and a converging seek test.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
168 words
A computer system, comprising: a processor; a video display system coupled to said processor; and a plurality of peripheral devices coupled to said processor, wherein the processor is capable of performing the following steps: (a) providing a number of independent test modules for the peripheral devices as independent library modules along with associated tests and parameters; (b) loading and initializing the test modules, each test module identifying to a test front end program the peripheral device for which it is responsible and a number of tests available to perform, each test having a number of parameters; (c) the test front end program permitting selection of some subset of the test modules for execution; (d) providing a list of the subset of the test modules and the associated peripheral devices, tests and parameters to a test dispatcher by each test module; and (e) dispatching the test modules for execution in accordance with the list of peripheral devices, tests and parameters, the executed test modules testing their associated peripheral devices.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
168 words
A computer system, comprising: a processor; a video display system coupled to said processor; and a plurality of peripheral devices coupled to said processor, wherein the processor is capable of performing the following steps: (a) providing a number of independent test modules for the peripheral devices as independent library modules along with associated tests and parameters; (b) loading and initializing the test modules, each test module identifying to a test front end program the peripheral device for which it is responsible and a number of tests available to perform, each test having a number of parameters; (c) the test front end program permitting selection of some subset of the test modules for execution; (d) providing a list of the subset of the test modules and the associated peripheral devices, tests and parameters to a test dispatcher by each test module; and (e) dispatching the test modules for execution in accordance with the list of peripheral devices, tests and parameters, the executed test modules testing their associated peripheral devices.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 8, wherein one of the peripheral devices is a network interface controller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 8, wherein one of the peripheral devices is a multifunction I/O peripheral.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 10, wherein the multifunction I/O peripheral includes multiple serial ports, a parallel port and a floppy disk controller.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 8, wherein one of the peripheral devices is a keyboard controller.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 8, wherein one of the peripheral devices is a storage device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer system of claim 13, wherein the storage device is a hard disk drive and wherein the tests that can be performed on the hard disk drive include a sequential seek test, a random seek test, and a converging seek test.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
177 words
A computer system, comprising: a processor; a video display system coupled to said processor; a hard disk drive system coupled to said processor; and a plurality of peripheral devices coupled to said processor, wherein the processor is capable of performing the following steps: (a) providing a number of independent test modules for the peripheral devices as independent library modules along with associated tests and parameters; (b) loading and initializing the test modules, each test module identifying to a test front end program the peripheral device for which it is responsible and a number of tests available to perform, each test having a number of parameters; (c) the test front end program permitting selection of some subset of the test modules for execution; (d) providing a list of the subset of the test modules and the associated peripheral devices, tests and parameters to a test dispatcher by each test module; and (e) dispatching the test modules for execution in accordance with the list of peripheral devices, tests and parameters, the executed test modules testing their associated peripheral devices.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
177 words
A computer system, comprising: a processor; a video display system coupled to said processor; a hard disk drive system coupled to said processor; and a plurality of peripheral devices coupled to said processor, wherein the processor is capable of performing the following steps: (a) providing a number of independent test modules for the peripheral devices as independent library modules along with associated tests and parameters; (b) loading and initializing the test modules, each test module identifying to a test front end program the peripheral device for which it is responsible and a number of tests available to perform, each test having a number of parameters; (c) the test front end program permitting selection of some subset of the test modules for execution; (d) providing a list of the subset of the test modules and the associated peripheral devices, tests and parameters to a test dispatcher by each test module; and (e) dispatching the test modules for execution in accordance with the list of peripheral devices, tests and parameters, the executed test modules testing their associated peripheral devices.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 15, wherein one of the peripheral device is a network interface controller.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 15, wherein one of the peripheral devices is a multifunction I/O peripheral.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 17, wherein the multifunction I/O peripheral includes multiple serial ports, a parallel port and a floppy disk controller.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 15, wherein one of the peripheral devices is a keyboard controller.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer system of claim 15, wherein the test modules are stored on said hard disk drive system.
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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) | 2002-11-22 | 2003-05-24 | 2003-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-22 | 2007-05-24 | 2007-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-22 | 2011-05-24 | 2011-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |