Method and apparatus for simultaneously testing multiple set-top boxes

• US 8,418,219 B1
• Filed: 08/19/2009
• Issued: 04/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Communications Test Design Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Communications Test Design Incorporated
• Inventors: Goldman, John, Lo, Gordon Gar-Tung, Thomas, Jobin N., Parsons, Gerald J., Khor, Peik-Chein, McGrath, John J., Parsons, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar, Pankaj
• Assistant Examiner(s): NEWLIN, TIMOTHY R
• Application Number:
  US12/583,344
• Time in Patent Office: 1,329 Days
• Field of Search: 439/347
• US Class Current: 725/151
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/004 for digital television systems

Abstract

A method and apparatus for simultaneously testing multiple set-top boxes uses a test equipment structure or frame for receiving a known good set-top box and a plurality of set-top boxes to be tested against a known good set-top box. A movable shelf structure is provided for electrically connecting at least each set-top box to be tested by a single sliding motion. Connectors on a backplane are made moveable to adjust for slight variations in the position of the connectors on the set-top boxes. An infrared control system generates an infrared signal to transmit to each set-top box and other related equipment in the testing operation such as televisions and receivers such that the function of each set-top box and related equipment is the same at each instant. Analyzing equipment is provided to analyze at least the audio output of each set-top box being tested at a selected channel and compared to the audio output of the known good set-top box. The equipment may also include equipment for analyzing and comparing the video outputs. The test results are displayed for each set-top box being tested.

Claims

1. Apparatus for simultaneously testing multiple set-top boxes, comprising:

means for slideably making all electrical connections to at least the plurality of set-top boxes to be tested against a known goods set-top box in a single sliding action for each set-top box where the electrical connections are slidably made;

a computer program for controlling testing of said set-to boxes;

a television set for each of said set-top boxes connectable to selected outputs of each set-top box in response to said computer program;

a video analyzer for receiving a video output signal directly or indirectly from each of said plurality of set-top boxes being tested and comparing said video output signal with a corresponding video output signal of said known good set-top box under control of said computer program;

audio data acquisition means for receiving directly or indirectly an audio output signal from each of said plurality of set-top boxes being tested and comparing said audio output signal to a corresponding audio output signal of said known good set-top box under control of said computer program;

an infrared signal wherein said audio data acquisition means is an analog audio analyzer which captures an envelope of an audio segment of an audio output of said known good set-top box and of said set-top boxes under test and compares an envelope of an audio signal for the same period of each set-top box under test to determine whether the envelope of audio of each set-top box under test is within a selected predetermined upper limit and a selected predetermined lower limit of the audio envelope of the known good set-top box;

processor for sending test control signals for application to an infrared transmitter mounted juxtaposed each set-top box and television set for controlling the test so that each set-top box and television is set to the same function in each step of a testing procedure; and

wherein said means for slideably making all electrical connections includes a moveable shelf for each set-top box, said shelf being adapted to receive a set-top box thereon and including means for right and left alignment and means for restraining forward and backward movement of said set-top box on said shelf, said shelf with a set-top box thereon may be moved backwardly to make electrical connections and forwardly to break electrical connections between connections on a back of the set-top box and connections on a backplane.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including a receiver for each connected set-top box to convert any digital audio output of a set-top box to an analog signal to be fed directly or indirectly to said audio data acquisition means.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said computer program causes at least all set-top boxes under test to undergo a first diagnostic test.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said computer program causes all set-top boxes under test to undergo a second diagnostic test after completion of said first diagnostic test.

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said computer program tests a first selected video output and a first selected audio output of each set-top box under test at a first selected channel, said first selected video output, said first selected audio output and said first selected channel being implemented by transmission of infrared signals via said infrared processor under control of said computer program and said infrared transmitter.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said computer program selects as a second test for all connected set-top boxes a second predetermined video output, audio output and channel for all connected set-top boxes such that each set-top box is controlled via the infrared signal such that each has the same video output, audio output and channel selected.

7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said shelf is moved backwardly to make electrical connections and forwardly to break electrical connections by means of a lever mounted between said shelf and a frame supporting said shelf.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of said electrical connectors on said backplane are fitted with a resilient bushing between an electrical connector and its mounting to said backplane.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said computer program is operative in a computer wherein means are provided for selecting the model type of set-top box to be tested.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plurality of set-top boxes being tested against a known good said set-top box is eleven.

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including a scalar for connecting composite and s-video outputs of a set-top box to component video before being fed to said video analyzer.

12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 11 including a demodulator for each set-top box for converting an RF coaxial output of each set-top box to composite video for inputting to said scalar.

13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said infrared signal processor for sending test control signals includes means for generating multiple copies of each test control signal.

14. An apparatus for simultaneously testing multiple set-top boxes, comprising:

test equipment structure for receiving a known good set-top box and a plurality of set-top boxes to be tested, each set-top box having an input with an RF coaxial connector and audio and video outputs with RCA type connectors, each set-top box having a plurality of channels and being capable of interactive communication enabling purchasing, said set-top boxes providing multiple video outputs for each video input;

means for electrically connecting to said input RF coaxial connector and said video output RCA type connectors of at least each set-top box to be tested by a single movement;

infrared control means including an infrared signal generator and a transmitter for each set-top box for controlling the function of each set-top box such that the function of each set-top box is the same at each instant, once all set-top boxes are on the same function, said infrared control means steps a comparison of the output of each set-top box to be tested to the output of the known good set-top box, said infrared control means stepping through channels of video, audio and diagnostic functions;

means for sequentially analyzing at least the audio output of each set-top box being tested at a selected channel controlled by said infrared signal and comparing said audio outputs to the audio output of said known good set-top box, said analyzing means including means for capturing a segment of the audio output of said known good set-top box, creating for said segment an upper limit of performance envelope, creating a lower limit of performance envelope and said comparing of said audio outputs of the set-top boxes to be tested to the audio output of said known good set-top box being determined by whether the audio output of each set-top box under test for the same period of time falls between said upper performance envelope and said lower performance envelope of said known good set-top box; and

displaying the audio test results for each set-top box being tested.

15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 including means for analyzing the video output of each set-top box being tested at a selected channel controlled by said infrared signal and comparing said video outputs to the video output of said known good set-top box.

16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 including means for performing at least one diagnostic test simultaneously on each set-top box.

17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said means for electrically connecting at least each set-top box to be tested by a single movement includes mounting structure for mounting each set-top box on a movable shelf, movable in one direction to make a connection and movable in an opposite direction to break the electrical connection.

18. An apparatus in accordance with claim 17 wherein said means for electrically connecting includes electrical connectors moveably mounted on a backplane wherein said electrical connectors may adjust their position to mate with connectors on the back of a set-top box.

19. An apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said electrical connectors mounted on said backplane are provided with a resilient member mounted between the connector and said backplane.

20. An apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said connectors mounted on said backplane are connectors mounted to float between a back plate mounted to the back side of said backplane and a front guide plate mounted to the front side of said backplane.

21. Apparatus for testing multiple set top boxes, comprising:

a testing structure with a plurality of shelves for receiving a known good set-top box and a plurality of set-top boxes to be tested;

at least each shelf for receiving a set-top box to be tested having means for positioning a set-top box on each shelf;

each set-top box having at least a plurality of RCA type connectors and an F type coaxial connector on the back of each set-top box;

said testing structure having a backplane with at least a plurality of RCA type connectors and at least one F type coaxial connector;

said means for positioning a set-top box on each shelf aligning each set-top box so that the RCA type connectors on the set-top box line up with the RCA type connectors on the backplane and the F type connector on the back of the set-top box lines up with the F type connector on the backplane;

said shelf being movable in a first direction so that plurality of RCA type connectors on each set-top box electrically connect to said RCA type connectors on said backplane and said F type connector on said set-top box connects with said F type connector on said backplane;

each of said RCA type connectors on said backplane being mounted in a resilient material such that each is moveable relative to the other;

said F type connector on said backplane being mounted between and spaced from a back plate and a tapered guide to produce a free floating connector;

an infrared signal processor for sending infrared signals in response to the operation of a computer program wherein each set-top box is controlled for testing a plurality of functions of the set-top box in a sequence;

means for testing in sequence diagnostic tests on each set-top box under test;

means for performing video test on each set-top box under test comparing a video output of a set-top box under test to a corresponding video output of said known good set-top box;

means for performing audio test on each set top box under test;

said means for performing said audio test includes means for capturing a segment of the audio output of said known good set top box, creating from said segment an upper limit of performance envelope, creating a lower limit of performance envelope and testing whether the audio output of each set-top box under test for the same period of time falls between said upper performance envelope and said lower performance envelope; and

means for displaying test results.

22. An apparatus for testing in accordance with claim 21 wherein said electrical connections on said backplane are provided with resilient mounting means such that the connections may move for ease of alignment with electrical connections on the back of a set-top box.

23. Apparatus in accordance with claim 21 including means for moving said shelf includes a lever for backward and forward movement of said shelf with said set-top box thereon.

24. Apparatus for testing in accordance with claim 21 including a television set connected directly or indirectly to an output of each set-top box.

25. Apparatus in accordance with claim 24 wherein said infrared signal processor sends an infrared signal in response to the operation of said computer program to control said television set for each set-top box.

26. Apparatus for testing in accordance with claim 21 including a receiver for receiving at least selected audio outputs of each set-top box for conversion to an analog signal to be fed to an analog audio analyzer, said set-top box, said television set and said receiver being simultaneously controlled by said infrared signals sent by said infrared signal processor.

27. Apparatus for testing in accordance with claim 21 wherein said positioning means of each shelf for positioning each set top box on such shelf is adjustable.

28. An apparatus for testing in accordance with claim 21 wherein said infrared signals are transmitted from an infrared transmitter mounted in juxtaposition each set-top box.

29. An apparatus for testing in accordance with claim 24 wherein said infrared signals are transmitted to each set-top box by a transmitter mounted in juxtaposition each set-top box and transmitted to each television set by an infrared transmitter mounted juxtaposed each television set.

30. An apparatus for testing in accordance with claim 21 wherein said electrical connections on said backplane are mounted to float for self adjustment to connect to a connection on the back of said set-top box, said connection being mounted between a back plate mounted to the back of said backplane and a front guide plate mounted to front of said backplane.

31. A method of testing set-top boxes, comprising the steps of:

providing a testing structure for receiving a known good set-top box and a plurality of set-top boxes to be tested, each set-top box having at least one F type coaxial connector and a plurality of RCA type connectors;

positioning said set-top boxes to be tested on a movable shelf mounted in said testing structure, electrically connecting said at least one F type coaxial connector and said plurality of RCA type connectors to corresponding connectors on a backplane of said testing structure by moving said shelf in a first direction and breaking said electrical connections by moving said shelf in an opposite direction;

controlling the function of each set-top box by an infrared signal wherein the function of each set-top box to be tested is the same as the function of the good set-top box at each instant of test;

performing a plurality of diagnostic tests on each set-top box to be tested and comparing the results with the results of the known good set-top box;

generating an audio output of known good set-top box, testing each of the set-top boxes under test for audio performance by creating an upper performance envelope and a lower performance envelope from the output of the known good set-top box and comparing the audio output envelope of the set-top box under test to said upper and lower performance envelopes of said known good set-top box; and

performing video tests on said set-top boxes to be tested by comparing the video output to the video output of the known good set-top box; and

displaying diagnostic, audio and video test results for each set-top box under test.

32. A method of testing electronic equipment in accordance with claim 31 wherein said step of testing each of said plurality of set-top boxes to be tested for audio and video performance is performed by comparing the audio output of one of said plurality of set-top boxes to the output of said known good set-top box and comparing the video output of each of said plurality of set-top boxes to be tested to said known good set-top box video output.