JPH04111135A - Computer device containing light emitting means for output of checking result - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To check a computer device by providing a light emitting means to a microcomputer device to output the coded digital data, i.e., the checking result. CONSTITUTION:Various types of analog input set at each reference state are checked through a connector terminal. These checking results are turned into a series of coded digital information based on a prescribed rule and applied to a light emitting means 4. The means 4 blinks based on the received digital information and produces the optical signals. These optical signals are received by a light receiving means 5 through a light leading part 5 and converted into the electric signals. A checking device 10 analyzes the electric signals and confirms that the checking result output is equal to a prescribed level. Thus no connection of a connector is required and the checking jobs are simplified.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] A microcomputer device used to control an engine, etc. is housed in a case and is connected to the outside using only limited connectors. In some cases, it may not be possible to provide a signal terminal to the In this case, it is not easy to inspect the microcomputer device housed in the case.

Therefore, by providing a light emitting means that can output the test results as a series of coded optical signals, and providing a hole or window in the case to allow this light to pass through, the test results can be transmitted without the need to provide a new signal terminal using a connector. Enable output to outside. Furthermore, since the output is an optical signal, there is no need to connect a connector, which simplifies the inspection work.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to the inspection of a combination coater device in which a microcomputer device is housed in a case, and particularly to the inspection of a computer device in which it is not possible to add test signal terminals using connectors.

[Conventional technology]

A microcomputer device equipped with a microcomputer used to control various objects such as an engine is housed in a case, and is connected to the outside through a limited number of connector terminals as needed. This prevents an increase in manufacturing costs due to additional terminals of the connector, and also prevents mistakes in connection due to extra terminals. Therefore, all terminals of the connector are normally assigned to signals, power, etc. necessary during operation. This is particularly based on customer requirements and is often not taken into account during production.

Various inspections are performed in the manufacturing process of microcomputer devices, and in the final process, it is necessary to confirm the operation of the microcomputer device. In particular, in the case of a microcomputer device for engine control, analog data such as temperature is taken in as input and various controls are performed based on this input, so it is necessary to confirm that these functions are being performed normally. Therefore, an inspection program called test mode is provided in the microcomputer program, and this inspection program is started after holding each input terminal in a predetermined reference state. After reading the analog data in the reference state, the corresponding digital data is read. Inspection is performed by outputting the data and comparing it with a predetermined value.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

When detecting digital data of test results in the test mode, it is possible to directly detect signals at appropriate locations on the microcomputer before the microcomputer is housed in the case. However, the final inspection must be performed on the computer device in which the microcomputer device is housed in a case in the shipping state.

As mentioned above, the microcomputer device housed in the case is connected to the outside through the terminals of predetermined connectors, and all of these terminals are assigned to signals necessary for operation. In test mode,
It is conceivable to use some of these terminals to output test results, but this poses a problem in terms of reliability. Also connections,
As mentioned above, adding more terminals to the connector poses problems in terms of cost and reliability. In particular, customers generally do not want to add terminals other than those required during operation.

Therefore, up until now, the final inspection was the inspection before the case was put in the case, and no inspection was performed after the case was put in the case.
When inputting analog data, etc., there is a problem that the test is not sufficient due to the influence of the case. Furthermore, in order to detect the output from the terminals of a connector or the terminals of a microcomputer device, it is necessary to connect the connector or bring a test bottle into contact with the terminals, and these tasks are quite troublesome, so it is difficult to improve the efficiency of inspection work. There is a problem from this point of view.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to inspect the computer device by storing the microcomputer device in a case without adding connector terminals, and it also simplifies the inspection work. The purpose is to promote

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a microcomputer device with a light emitting means for outputting coded digital data that is the test result, and transmits the test result to the outside through the light emitting means. FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of a computer device based on the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a microcomputer device, and 2 is a case in which the microcomputer device 1 is housed. Reference numeral 4 denotes a light emitting means, which is provided in the microcomputer device 1 and outputs test results as a series of coded optical signals when testing the computer device. Reference numeral 5 denotes a light guide portion for guiding the light from the light emitting means 4 to the outside of the case 2, which is actually a hole or a transparent window, and is provided in the case 2.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3 denotes a microcomputer on the microcomputer device 1, and the microcomputer device 1 is provided with various other components, although not shown. Reference numeral 8 denotes a test switch, and this switch puts the computer into a test mode for testing, but there are several other ways to put the computer into the test mode. Reference numeral 9 denotes a light receiving means that receives light from the light emitting means 4 and converts it into an electrical signal, and the inspection device 10 analyzes this electrical signal to confirm that it is a predetermined output.

When the test switch 8 is turned on and the computer device is placed in a test mode, a test program is started and the microcomputer 3 performs a predetermined operation. For example, each part within the microcomputer device 1 is inspected, and various analog manual inputs set to a reference state through connector terminals (not shown) are inspected. These test results are converted into a series of coded digital information according to predetermined rules and applied to the light emitting means 4. The light emitting means 4 blinks according to this information and a light signal is generated. The optical signal that has passed through the light guide B5 is received by the light receiving means 5 and converted into an electrical signal. The inspection device 10 analyzes this electrical signal and confirms that the output of the inspection result is a predetermined value.

As mentioned above, the test results are output as optical signals from the light emitting means 4 to the outside through the hole or window of the case 2.
There is no need to add additional connector terminals. Furthermore, since inspection can be started immediately by simply aligning the hole or window with the light receiving means 9, there is no need to connect connectors, etc., and inspection work can be simplified.

Furthermore, since it is not necessary after the final test is completed and the test results are detected, if the light guide section 5 is blocked, external connections can be made with only the terminals necessary during operation. This improves reliability.

〔Example〕

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an on-vehicle electronics control unit will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. Parts that perform functions common to those shown in FIG. 1 are represented by common numbers with lowercase letters of the alphabet.

In FIG. 2, 4a is a light emitting section that outputs the test results as an optical signal, and is composed of an LED, a transistor, and a resistor. 5a is a window that guides the optical signal output from the light emitting section 4a to the outside.

6a is an 8-bit A/D converter that takes in analog data necessary for controlling engine temperature, etc., converts it into digital data, and sends it to the microcomputer 3a. 7
A is a human power reference, and a reference voltage corresponding to a predetermined temperature is applied to the terminal of the A/D converter 6a instead of a temperature detection thermistor at the time of inspection. Although only one terminal is shown in Figure 2, there are usually multiple terminals of this type, and they are connected to the outside through the connector on the case 2a, along with other control terminals, power terminals, etc. . All terminals of this connector are assigned to specific signals, power supplies, etc. Reference numeral 8a is a switch for putting the computer device of this embodiment into a test mode.By turning on this switch 8a, the computer device performs a test according to a predetermined sequence, and outputs the test result as an optical signal from the light emitting section 4a. do. The test switch 8a is provided inside the case 2a, and can be covered so that it cannot be touched after the test is completed. 9a is a phototransistor.

The actual inspection work will be explained. First, a computer device is placed on a stand equipped with a phototransistor 9a and an inspection device. Since the position of the window 5a is fixed, the positions of the window 5a and the phototransistor 9a can be aligned by simply placing the computer device in a predetermined position. Next, after making necessary connections such as the input reference 78, the test switch 8a is turned on. As a result, the microcomputer 3a starts a predetermined inspection operation. Here, an example will be described in which an input from the input reference 7a is read and a digitally converted value is output as an inspection result. FIG. 3 shows the signals at each part of FIG. 2 in this case.

The voltage of the human power standard 7a is set to xV, and the A/D
The converter 6a converts xV into 8 pinto dental value i:conversion L,
The data is output as real data in response to a request from the microcomputer 3a. When the test switch 8a is turned on in this state, the microcomputer 3a detects this and outputs a -H- signal to the terminal C. In response to this, the LED emits light and outputs an optical signal E, which is received by the phototransistor 9a and outputs an electrical signal E. The inspection device 10a detects that the electric signal E has become r 2 )(2, detects that the inspection has started, and waits until the inspection results are sent.

The microcomputer 3a reads the output B of the A/D converter 6a and stores it in a register.

Next, the "rL" signal is output to the terminal C, and after continuing the "L" signal for two cycles in a predetermined time cycle, the data in the register is output in this cycle. In response to this data output, the LED emits light, and the three signals shown in FIG. 3 are generated in the phototransistor 9a. The inspection device 10a has three signals “L, 1
The three signals are analyzed according to the rule that data transmission starts two cycles after the signal changes to , and the test results are obtained. If this matches xV, you can be sure that the correct operation is being performed.

The above is a simple example of outputting the value of a single analog input, but in reality, there are many inputs and inspection items, and more complex inspection operations are performed, and the output data is also more complex, but the basic operation is The same is true.

After the inspection is completed, both the window 5a and the test switch 8a are covered and shipped in a state where they cannot be touched from the outside. As a result, the external appearance is such that only the connector terminals required during operation are connected to the outside.

In the above example, the test switch 8a is provided inside the case 2a, but due to the necessity of providing a separate switch for testing and the fact that the switch is located inside the case, operability is poor and inspection work is troublesome. It is conceivable to use an existing connector that is actually installed in a car and apply a signal to it to put it into test mode. However, in this case, some kind of countermeasure is required because the test mode must never be entered during use. FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of using an existing switch with this conservation measure taken.

In Fig. 4, input terminals A and B are connector terminals of the computer device, and these terminals A and B are connected to A-r.
Enter test mode when L' and B=rHj.

Switch SWx and 5IIiY when installed in the car
The mode is selected by setting , and the logical values of terminals A and B are as shown in the table below depending on the settings of switches SWX and 5IIIY.

ON ON HH As is clear from this table, no matter how the switches SWx and SWY are set, the state of A-rLj and B=rHJ will not be achieved, so the test mode will not be entered in the mounted state. When testing, set terminal A to 7L, , and terminal B to r) (=). mode is set.

If the test mode is set so that the terminals A and D are both at "rH", the test mode will not be entered because the terminals A and D will not become "H" at the same time in the installed state.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the inspection results of the microcomputer device housed in the case can be checked without adding additional connector terminals, so that the final appearance does not have any terminals other than those necessary for operation. can. Furthermore, since test results can be detected without contact, testing work can be simplified.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of a computer device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a computer device having analog human power, and shows the configuration at the time of inspection. FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the operation of each part of the embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are diagrams showing examples of protection circuits when using existing terminals to set the test mode. In the figure, 1...Microcomputer device, 2...Case, 3...Microcomputer, 4...Light emitting means, 5...Light leading part, 6a
... A/D converter, 7a... Human power standard, ... Test switch, 9... Light receiving means, 10... Inspection device. Basic configuration of the convenience store device of the present invention Diagram 1... Microcomputer device 10... Inspection device Time chart of each point of the device in FIG. Procedural Amendment (Method) Display of the Case No. 1990 Patent Application No. 228456 Protection during installation when using existing terminal Address: Shizukou Toranomon Building, 8-10 Toranomon-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105 Telephone Example of protection when installed using existing terminals Figure 5 Name

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A computer device in which a microcomputer device (1) is housed in a case (2), wherein the microcomputer device (1) is configured to:
The case (2) includes a light emitting means (4) that outputs the test results as a series of coded optical signals, and the case (2) is configured to guide light from the light emitting means (4) to the outside of the case (2). A computer device comprising a light-emitting means for outputting test results, which includes a derivation section (5), and allows test results of the computer device to be detected in a non-contact manner by receiving the output light of the light-emitting means (4).