Test automation via RFID technology

• US 7,770,070 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2007
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Reczek, Steven T., Rommelmann, Heiko, Rodriguez, Alberto
• Primary Examiner(s): Baderman; Scott T
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUTLER, SARAI E
• Application Number:
  US11/766,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20080320335A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 714 1- 57, 358/1.15, 715/705, 340/10.1
• US Class Current: 714/46
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/006 Identification G06F11/2289 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/22 Detection or location of defective computer hardware by testing during standby operation or during idle time, e.g. start-up testing

Abstract

A method and system receives test requirements and test settings in order to design a test. An identifier is assigned to the test that was designed and the test is stored in a database using the identifier to identify the test. In addition, the test is printed on at least one sheet or form and a wireless read/write device is programmed with the identifier assigned to the test. The wireless read/write device is attached to the sheet on which the test was printed. Thus, the sheet and the wireless read/write device can be provided to a test operator to allow the test operator to wirelessly read the identifier from the wireless read/write device. Then, the test operator can access the test from the database based on the identifier read from the wireless read/write device. The test instructions (comprising the test requirements and test settings) are provided from the database to the operator to perform the test and potentially produce a physical test output. The test instructions are provided to the operator through a graphic user interface.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

electronically storing a test in a database using an identifier;

printing said test on at least one sheet;

programming a wireless read/write device with said identifier assigned to said test;

physically attaching said wireless read/write device to said sheet;

wirelessly reading said identifier from said wireless read/write device;

accessing said test from said database based on said identifier read from said wireless read/write device;

performing said test by directly programming, via said wireless read/write device, individual test requirements into memory within customer replaceable items, and reading, via said wireless read/write device, values in said memory within customer replaceable items as said values are updated during said test to produce a physical test output; and

at least one of during and after performing said test, electronically storing test results and test operator remarks in said database, using said identifier, and in said wireless read/write device.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, during and after performing said test, verifying whether said test results match expected test results.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising recording a test operator identification, a test device identifier, a test start time, and a test finish time in said database using said identifier and in said wireless read/write device.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said test instructions are provided to said operator through a graphic user interface.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said wireless read/write device comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) device.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said wireless read/write device comprises a self-adhesive radio frequency identification (RFID) device adapted to be applied to said sheet.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said printing of said sheet and said programming of said wireless read/write device is performed at one of a testing location and a second location positioned non-adjacent to said testing location.

8. A method comprising:

assigning an identifier to a test;

electronically storing said test in a database using said identifier;

printing said test and physically attaching a wireless read/write device on at least one sheet;

programming said wireless read/write device with said identifier assigned to said test;

providing said sheet and said wireless read/write device to a test operator;

wirelessly reading said identifier from said wireless read/write device;

accessing said test from said database based on said identifier;

providing test instructions from said database to said operator;

performing said test by directly programming, via said wireless read/write device, individual test requirements into memory within customer replaceable items, and reading, via said wireless read/write device, values in said memory within customer replaceable items as said values are updated during said test to produce a physical test output; and

at least one of during and after performing said test, electronically storing test results and test operator remarks in said database using said identifier and in said wireless read/write device, and marking said test results and test operator remarks on said sheet.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising, during and after performing said test, verifying whether said test results match expected test results.

10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising recording a test operator identification, a test device identifier, a test start time, and a test finish time in said database using said identifier and in said wireless read/write device.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein said test instructions are provided to said operator through a graphic user interface.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein said wireless read/write device comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) device.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein said wireless read/write device comprises a self-adhesive radio frequency identification (RFID) device adapted to be printed on said sheet.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein said printing of said sheet and said programming of said wireless read/write device is performed at one of a testing location and a second location positioned non-adjacent to said testing location.

15. A method comprising:

receiving test requirements and test settings to design a test;

assigning an identifier to said test;

electronically storing said test in a database using said identifier;

printing said test on at least one sheet;

programming a wireless read/write device with said identifier assigned to said test;

physically attaching said wireless read/write device to said sheet;

providing said sheet and said wireless read/write device to a test operator;

wirelessly reading, by said test operator, said identifier from said wireless read/write device;

accessing, by said test operator, said test from said database based on said identifier;

providing test instructions comprising said test requirements and test settings from said database to said operator;

performing said test by directly programming, via said wireless read/write device, individual test requirements into memory within customer replaceable items, and reading, via said wireless read/write device, values in said memory within customer replaceable items as said values are updated during said test to produce a physical test output;

at least one of during and after performing said test, electronically storing test results and test operator remarks in said database using said identifier and in said wireless read/write device, and marking said test results and test operator remarks on said sheet; and

physically storing said sheet, said wireless read/write device, and said physical test output together in physical storage.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising, during and after performing said test, verifying whether said test results match expected test results.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising recording a test operator identification, a test device identifier, a test start time, and a test finish time in said database using said identifier and in said wireless read/write device.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein said test instructions are provided to said operator through a graphic user interface.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein said wireless read/write device comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) device.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein said wireless read/write device comprises a self-adhesive radio frequency identification (RFID) device adapted to be applied to said sheet.