DE10116332A1 - System and method for generating a test system with temporarily interconnectable components - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for generating a test system with components that temporarily automatically connect to a test system for an individual test object (1), the tester (6) using a mobile system (5) that reacts sensitively to the individual test systems , automatically connects to the individual test systems and thus temporarily becomes part of the respective test system, whereby wireless communication between all components gives the tester (6) both free movement during the test of a test object (1) and the problem-free change between test objects (1) to guarantee.

Description

The invention relates to a system and a method for genes ration of a test system, as well as a mobile computer unit for use in such a system or method.

Such a system and method comes, for example, in Area of automation technology, in production and Machine tools, with diagnostic / service support systems as well as for complex components, devices and systems such as for example vehicles and industrial machines and plant conditions. A particularly advantageous application be stands in connection with augmented reality (= AR = "erwei ter reality "), a new form of human-technology Interaction where information is in the user Field of view can be shown - for example via a da tenbrille. However, the overlay is context-sensitive, d. H. suitable and derived from the object under consideration, e.g. B. one component. For example, the real field of view becomes fitter by showing installation instructions for him important information expanded. In this case, Aug mented reality, among other things, the conventional assembly manual replace.

The solution presented here relates to the one set of augmented reality (AR) in assembly and loading rich service and maintenance.

The invention is based on the following problem: The final test Products (vehicles) are used with a lot of individual components (test computer, vehicle adapter, measurement adapter, mobile test system), which for each individual DUT (vehicle) must be reassigned. Farther is the examiner to the examiner during the course of the exam  ling bound. In the future is from an extension and Automation of the individual test sequences. This not only leads to an extension of the complete examination vehicle, but also to a higher resource requirement through the longer commitment of the examiner. The invention lies based on the task of a system and a procedure admit that avoids the problems mentioned.

This task is solved by a system for testing products, which includes test systems that can be temporarily connected

• - a candidate,
• - a stationary test computer to identify the DUT and its technical properties, for genes and execution of a test program depending of the identified test object and its technology properties and for communication with other com components,
• - A mobile diagnostic adapter in the device under test, as a cut place between test object and stationary test computer, and
• - A measuring adapter for recording measurement data from the test lings and for the transmission of the measurement data to the stationary test computer,

and at least one mobile computing unit for temporary ver circuit with the components of the test systems, for communication tion between an inspector and the components of the inspection system me, contains a temporary, reversible interconnection between the test object, the stationary test computer, the mobi len diagnostic adapter, the measuring adapter and the mobile computer unit is provided.

This problem is solved by a method for testing products, in which

• - a candidate,
• - a stationary test computer to identify the test lings and its technical characteristics, to genius and execution of a test program depending of the identified test object and its technical  Properties and for communication with other components th,
• - A mobile diagnostic adapter in the device under test, as an interface between test object and stationary test computer, and
• - a measuring adapter for recording measurement data of the test object and to transmit the measurement data to the stationary test computer

temporarily interconnected to a test system and at wel chem at least one mobile computing unit at times and right is interconnected with the components of the test system and with an examiner using the mobile computers communicates with the components of the test system.

An advantageous embodiment of the system according to the invention is that the test computer, the mobile diagnostic adapter ter and the mobile computing unit as a mobile test system in a structural unit and that mobi peripheral devices as an interface between the mobile Test system and the examiner are provided. The communication between the components within the mobile test system and between the mobile peripherals and the mobile Test system can be done wirelessly.

To connect the mobile computer unit with each exactly one test system at a certain time range, it is proposed to assign a test item Communication area and a core area within the To provide communication area, with a change of Ver switching of the mobile computing unit only within the core area and can be a communication between the mobile computing unit and the temporarily interconnectable Test system provided only within the communication area hen is.

If the mobile diagnostic adapter is equipped with a and Output means for operating and monitoring the mobile diagnosis seadapters opens up the possibility of moving to the mobile  Computer unit to dispense and the test system directly over to operate and monitor the mobile diagnostic adapter. This option is particularly useful as a return level in the event of a fault.

The invention is described below with reference to the figures illustrated embodiments described and he purifies.

Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a first variant "Stationary testing system" to the configuration of a test system,

Fig. 2 shows a second variant "mobile test system" for con figuration of a test system and

Fig. 3 is a sketch for the visualization of communication and core area.

In today's solutions, the test equipment is assigned once at the start of the test. This assignment remains until the end. For a currently implemented version, the test system consists of the components:

• - test computer (stationary)
• - Mobile test system / hand terminal
• - Mobile diagnostic adapter 3
• - Battery adapter / measuring adapter 4 .
  Such a test system has the following properties:
• - The hand terminal is permanently assigned to a test computer.
• - The hand-held terminal reads an ID number from the mobile diagnostic adapter 3 or from device under test 1 (input via keyboard or scanner).
• - The test computer assigns the device under test 1 according to the identification.
• - The identity of the measuring adapter 4 must be announced to the test computer by keyboard input.

Disadvantages of this solution include:

• - Manual assignments required.
• - Inspector 6 must wear the handheld terminal.
• - Binding of the examiner 6 to a test object 1 , since the hand terminal is bound to the test object 1 during the test.

In the approach of the invention (see FIG. 1), the components 2 interconnect. , , 5 temporarily automatically to a test system for an individual test object 1 . The tester 6 uses a mobile system 5 , which reacts sensitively to the individual test systems, automatically connects to the individual test systems and thus temporarily becomes part of the respective test system. This and the wireless communi cation between all components guarantee the examiner 6 both free movement during the test of a test article 1, as well as easy change between specimens 1 (z. B. vehicles).

The following components are used:

• - Test computer 2
  The test computer 2 determines the individual technical properties of the test object 1 from the identification of the test object 1 (e.g. production number) and uses this data to generate a test program, which it cooperates with the other components 2 . , , 5 and the examiner 6 processed.
• - Mobile computer 5 with data glasses, headset and scanner pen
  The mobile computer 5 on the tester 6 is responsible for the communication between the tester 6 and the remaining components. It is extremely compact and connected to data glasses, headset and scanner pen either by cable or by radio (e.g. Bluetooth). Optionally, further peripheral components 7 can be coupled to the mobile computer 5 using the same method.
• - Mobile diagnostic adapter 3
  The mobile diagnostic adapter 3 is stalled in each sample 1 in the test sample 1 automatically identifies and represents the contact with the intelligence of the device under test. 1 In addition, the mobile diagnosis adapter 3 is equipped with a small display and some function keys that allow even without mobile Computer 5 - with limited ease of use - to carry out tests.
• - Measuring adapter 4
  The measuring adapter 4 records electrical data (e.g. current, voltage) of the test object 1 and sends it continuously to the test computer 2 .

The sequence of a test according to a first variant is described below with reference to FIG. 1. In the example, the test object is a vehicle 1 . In the first step, the tester 6 installs the mobile diagnostic adapter 3 in the vehicle 1 . This can be omitted if the mobile diagnostic adapter 3 is already installed. A permanently installed diagnostic adapter 3 can be used during the entire life cycle of a vehicle, e.g. B. wirelessly transmit data from the vehicle to external systems during production, testing and diagnostics. The mobile diagnostic adapter 3 automatically identifies the vehicle 1 (reading the vehicle control unit) and connects itself automatically to a free test computer 2 via wireless radio communication. Optionally, the test object 1 can also be identified with a scanner pen. In the following step, the unattended tests are started automatically by means of a cooperation between test computer 2 and mobile diagnostic adapter 3 . The tester 6 adapts the measuring adapter 4 to the vehicle 1 . The measuring adapter 4 identifies itself to the mobile diagnosis adapter 3 wirelessly (eg Bluetooth.) And is automati cally in the cooperation test computer 2 - integrated mobile diagnosis adapter 3. The inspector 6 then sits in the vehicle 1 or moves near the mobile diagnostic adapter 3 located in the vehicle 1 . Its mobile computer unit 5 identifies itself automatically and wirelessly (for example via Bluetooth) with respect to the mobile diagnostic adapter 3 and is integrated into the already existing cooperation of the test components. Finally, the tester 6 receives instructions from the test computer 2 via the mobile computer 4 . The instructions are displayed in data glasses. Necessary acknowledgments or operating commands take place either via an interaction device located on the tester 6 or by voice.

The advantages of the system described are the following:

• - Automatic merging of the test components into one individual test system (manual assignments via keyboard door entries or scanners are not required).
• - By using data glasses and a headset, the examiner 6 has both hands free at all times during the test.
• - Freedom of movement for the user 6
  The tester 6 can move freely around the test object 1 to be tested and can thus carry out actions inside and outside the test object 1 .
• - Switching between test objects 1 is possible without any problems, since the mobile computer unit 5 of the tester 6 automatically adjusts to the individual test object 1 (see above). When changing, the tester 6 is shown the current operating requirements for the device under test 1 . The possibility of changing the device under test is a great advantage, especially for tests that take longer.

In a second variant of the test system (cf. FIG. 2), the functions of the test computer 2 , the mobile computer 5 and the mobile diagnostic adapter 3 are combined in a new component to form a so-called mobile test system. The mobile peripheral devices 7 such as data glasses, headset and scanner pin remain on the tester 1 and communicate wirelessly with the mobile test system. In contrast to the first variant, the connection 10 to the control system takes place via WLAN (wireless LAN). The sequence of a test corresponds to the sequence of the first variant described above, although the integration of the functionality eliminates certain coordination tasks.

Advantages of the second variant:

• - The tester 6 only carries the peripheral devices 7 and no mobile computer 5 .
• - Less equipment and thus a reduction in costs.
• - Easier installation, commissioning and operation.

The change between test objects 1 is explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 3. In a band operation (. Eg driving generating final assembly), the "collection regions" overlap of each of the samples 1 (Fig. 3: communication area 8 and core 9). This leads to a switching problem that is solved as follows: A distinction is made between a core area 8 and a communication area 9 . For a change of the device under test 1 , the examiner 6 has to dive into the core area 8 of the device under test 1 . Only one tester 6 can be assigned to each test system at a time. If the tester 6 is integrated into a test system for a test object 1 , then the tester 6 can move freely in the communication area 9 of the test object 1 . An overlap with the communication areas 9 of other test objects 1 is not a problem. The distinction between the identification phase and the operating phase results in a hysteresis that can be used to reduce the distances between the test objects 1 . A change from one core area 8 to another core area 8 must be acknowledged by the tester 6 so that accidental logging into another test system is prevented. If an examiner 6 temporarily leaves the communication area 9 of a device under test 1 and comes back into the communication area 9 , then he will be resumed in the test system of his old device under test 1 without the need for acknowledgment. Booking processes and leaving the communication area 9 are visually or acoustically displayed to the examiner 6 .

In summary, the invention thus relates to a system for generating a test system with components which temporarily and automatically interconnect to form a test system for an individual test object 1 , the tester 6 using a mobile system 5 , which reacts sensitively with respect to the individual test systems, automatically connects with the individual test systems and thus temporarily becomes part of the respective test system, with wireless communication between all components guaranteeing the tester 6 both free mobility during the test of a test object 1 and the problem-free change between test objects 1 .

Claims (9)

1. System for testing products, which temporarily switchable test systems with
a test object ( 1 ),
a stationary test computer ( 2 ) for identifying the test object ( 1 ) and its technical properties, for generating and executing a test program depending on the identified test object ( 1 ) and its technical properties and for communicating with other components ( 3 , 4 , 5 ),
a mobile diagnostic adapter ( 3 ) in the test object ( 1 ), as an interface between the test object ( 1 ) and the stationary test computer ( 2 ), and
a measuring adapter ( 4 ) for recording measurement data of the test object ( 1 ) and for transmitting the measurement data to the stationary test computer ( 2 ),
and contains at least one mobile computer unit ( 5 ) for the temporary interconnection with the components ( 1 ... 4 ) of the test systems, for communication between an examiner ( 6 ) and the components ( 1 ... 4 ) of the test systems, with a temporary , Reversible connection between the device under test ( 1 ), the stationary test computer ( 2 ), the mobile diagnostic adapter ( 3 ), the measuring adapter ( 4 ) and the mobile computer unit ( 5 ) is provided. 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the test computer ( 2 ), the mobile diagnostic adapter ( 3 ) and the mobile computer unit ( 5 ) are combined as a mobile test system in a structural unit and that mobile peripheral devices ( 7 ) as an interface between the mobile test system and the examiner ( 6 ) are provided. 3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a test specimen ( 1 ) associated communication area ( 8 ) and a core area ( 9 ) within the communication area ( 8 ) is provided, with a change in the United circuit of the mobile computing unit ( 5 ) is only provided within the core area ( 9 ) and communication between the mobile computer unit ( 5 ) and the temporarily switchable test system is provided within the communication area ( 8 ). 4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mobile diagnostic adapter ( 3 ) contains input and output means for operating and monitoring the mobile diagnostic adapter ( 3 ). 5. Procedure for testing products, at which
a test object ( 1 ),
a stationary test computer ( 2 ) for identifying the test object ( 1 ) and its technical properties, for generating and executing a test program depending on the identified test object ( 1 ) and for its technical properties and for communicating with other components ( 3 , 4 , 5 ),
a mobile diagnostic adapter ( 3 ) in the device under test ( 1 ), as an interface between the device under test ( 1 ) and the stationary test computer ( 2 ), and
a measuring adapter ( 4 ) for recording measurement data of the test object ( 1 ) and for transmitting the measurement data to the stationary test computer ( 2 )
are temporarily connected to a test system and in which at least one mobile computer unit ( 5 ) is temporarily and reversibly connected to the components ( 1 ... 4 ) of the test system and in which a tester ( 6 ) with the help of the mobile computer unit Components ( 1 ... 4 ) of the test system communicated. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the test computer ( 2 ), the mobile diagnostic adapter ( 3 ) and the mobile computer unit ( 5 ) are combined as a mobile test system in a structural unit and that mobile peripheral devices ( 7 ) as an interface between the mobile test system and the examiner ( 6 ) are provided. 7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a test specimen ( 1 ) associated communication area ( 8 ) and a core area ( 9 ) within the communication area ( 8 ) is provided, the interconnection of the mobile computer unit ( 5 ) is only changed within the core area ( 9 ) and the mobile computer unit ( 5 ) communicates with the temporarily interconnectable test system within the communication area ( 8 ). 8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the mobile diagnostic adapter ( 3 ) can be operated and observed by means of input and output means. 9. Mobile computing unit ( 5 ) for use in a system and in a method according to one of claims 1 or 5.