TEST SYSTEM AND TEST METHOD FOR TESTING THE OPERABILITY OF TEST SAMPLES

• US 20020004709A1
• Filed: 08/02/1999
• Published: 01/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OMICRON electronics GmbH
• Original Assignee: OMICRON electronics GmbH
• Inventors: PETER, WINFRIED, HENSLER, THOMAS
• Granted Patent: US 6,418,389 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/108
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/00 Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere measuring superconductive properties G01R33/1238; testing or measuring semiconductors or solid state devices during manufacture H01L22/00; testing line transmission systems H04B3/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3272 Apparatus, systems or circuits therefor G01R31/3275 takes precedence

Abstract

Test system and test method for testing the operability of test samples (7). A selection can be made in a user-specific manner from a plurality of test modules (2a-2c) which are made available, which can be assembled together to a desired test specification. A control module (1) carries out the overall test corresponding to the user-specific test specification, and controls individual selected test modules (2a-2c) in the desired sequence in correspondence to this test specification. Advantageously, there is produced automatically a test report on the test results of the individual selected test modules (2a-2c), which reports in particular embedded in the user-specific test specification.

Claims

1. Test system for testing the operability of test samples,

having at least two different test modules (2a-2c), which each test a test sample (7) with regard to a particular functional aspect, and

having a control module (1) which controls and thus activates the test modules (2a-2c) in accordance with a user-specific test specification (13).

2. Test system according to claim 1,

characterised in that,

the user-specific test specification (13) can be produced by means of user-specific selection and combination of the test modules (2a-2c).

3. Test system according to claim 2,

characterised in that,

the production of the user-specific test specification (13) is effected computer-aided via a graphical user interface.

4. Test system according to any preceding claim,

characterised in that,

the control module (1) automatically detects and displays all available test modules (2a-2c).

5. Test system according to any preceding claim,

characterised in that,

standard objects (14, 15, 16, 18) of particular data formats can be embedded into the user-specific test specification (13).

6. Test system according to claim 5,

characterised in that,

the embeddable standard objects are texts (14, 16, 18), graphics (15) and/or data files.

7. Test system according to any preceding claim,

characterised by,

programming means (11) for user-specifically automating particular procedures of the control module (1) or of a test module (2a-2c).

8. Test system according to any preceding claim,

characterised by,

central test sample parameter memory means (3) for storing and administering data relating to test samples, which data describes the properties of the test samples (7) to be tested, whereby the control module (1) and/or the test modules (2a-2c) accesses the test sample related data stored in the central test sample parameter memory means (3).

10. Test system according to any preceding claim,

characterised by,

central test apparatus parameter memory means (4) for the storage and administration of data related to test apparatuses, which data describes properties of test apparatuses (6) controlled by means of the test modules (2a-2c), which test apparatuses are provided for the testing of the test sample or test samples (7), whereby the control module (1) and/or the test modules (2a-2c) access the test apparatus related data stored in the central test apparatus parameter memory means (4).

11. Test system according to claim 10,

characterised in that,

the test apparatus related data is automatically generated upon bringing into operation of the test system by means of checking the test apparatuses (6) connected to the test system, and/or the data can be entered by a user.

12. Test system according to claim 11,

characterised in that,

before the carrying out of the user-specific test specification (13) the test system determines on the basis of the test apparatus related data stored in the central test apparatus memory means (4) whether the test apparatuses (6) available are suitable for the carrying out of the test specification (13).

13. Test system according to any preceding claim,

characterised in that,

the test modules (2a-2c) test different functional aspects of one and the same test sample (7) or of different test samples connected to the test system.

14. Test system according to any preceding claim,

characterised in that,

upon carrying out the user-specific test specification (13) and activation of the test modules (2a-2c) the test system automatically produces a test report on the test results of the individual tests of the test modules (2a-2c) controlled in accordance with the test specification (13).

15. Test system according to claim 14,

characterised in that,

the control module (1) automatically inserts the test report into the user-specific test specification (13).

16. Test system according to claim 15,

characterised by,

deletion means (8), for deleting individual or all test results within a test specification (13).

17. Test system according to any preceding claim,

characterised by,

input means (9, 31) for inputting, for the individual test modules (2a-2c), test parameters for the individual test of the corresponding test module (2a-2c).

18. Test system according to claim 17 and claim 2 or 3,

characterised in that,

the control module (1) automatically activates the input means (9, 31) after selection of a test module (2a-2c).

19. Test system according to any preceding claim,

characterised in that,

after production of the user-specific test specification (13), the control module (1) displays information (15) concerning the cabling of the test system with the test sample (7) to be tested.

20. Test system according to any preceding claim,

characterised by,

memory means (10) for the storage of the user-specific test specification (13).

21. Test system according to claim 20 and claims 8, 10 and 17,

characterised in that,

the memory means (10) store the user-specific test specification (13) together with all parameter data necessary for the carrying out of the test.

22. Test system according to any preceding claim,

characterised in that,

the control module (1) contains condition information of the test modules (2a-2c), which information describes the condition of the test modules (2a-2c) and reproduces the condition information by means of appropriate reproducing means (12).

23. Test system according to any preceding claim,

characterised in that,

the test modules (2a-2c) can be accessed individually.

24. Test system according to any preceding claim,

characterised in that,

particular functions of the control module (1) and/or of the test modules (2a-2c) are protected by a user-specific access code.

25. Use of a test system according to any preceding claim for the testing of the operability of electrical components of energy supply devices.

9. Test system according to claim 9,

characterised in that,

the test sample related data can be entered and/or exchanged.

26. Method for testing the operability of test samples, including the steps

a) making available a plurality of different test modules (2a-2c) which respectively test an electrical test sample (7) with regard to a particular functional aspect,

b) selection of particular test modules (17, 19) from the available test modules (2a-2c),

c) production of a sequential test specification (13) for a user-specific test by means of combination of the particular test modules (17, 19) selected in step b), and

d) testing a test sample (7) in accordance with the sequential test specification (13) produced in step c).

27. Method according to claim 26,

characterised in that,

in step b) a selected test module (17, 19) is automatically inserted into an existing test specification (13).

28. Method according to claim 26 or 27,

characterised in that,

after selection of a particular test module (17, 19) for the test specification (13), the test parameters for the selected test module are set.

29. Method according to any of claims 26 to 28,

characterised in that,

after step d), a test report of the test results of the user-specific test is automatically produced.

30. Method according to claim 29,

characterised in that,

the test specification (13) is stored together with the test report and all necessary parameters for the carrying out of the test modules (17, 19) selected by the test specification (13), and

in that after deletion of the test results, the test specification (13) is employed again for a new test process.