Modular test instrument

Abstract

A modular test instrument comprises a base unit and one of a selection of application modules, neither being capable of performing end-user functions without the other. When physically assembled to one another, the base unit and application module comprise a structurally unitary device specialized for performance of application-specific end-user functions. The base unit is generic to all types of test to be provided, and comprises a display, a power supply, a user interface, and generic software to operate the display and user interface. Each application module is connected to the base unit in the same manner, so that the same base unit can be employed with a wide variety of application modules. The application modules can be readily and conveniently removed from and assembled to the base unit. The application-specific application modules each include a physical interface for establishing signal-communicating connection to the equipment to be tested, and application-specific program data and software, including information required to provide appropriate test signals, test messages, and the like. Each application module also stores user interface software for providing an application-specific user interface. When an application module is assembled to a base unit, polling software comprised by the base unit determines the identity of the application module, and determines whether it stores any software or other program data not previously copied to the base unit's memory; if not, the copying step is begun automatically upon assembly.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An instrument, comprising in combination a base unit and an application module, 
 said base unit providing predetermined non-application-specific functions, and adapted to be assembled to a single corresponding application-specific application module selected from a group thereof, each application module mating with said base unit in accordance with a predetermined physical and electrical interface, and    each said application module storing application-specific program data and software and providing application-specific physical interface means for providing predetermined application-specific communication with an apparatus, device, or system to be tested,    wherein when said base unit and a corresponding application module have been cooperatively assembled, the combination is capable of performing one or more predetermined end-user functions, the end-user functions provided by a given application module being specific to a single application, and    wherein neither said base unit nor said application module is operable to perform end-user functions without the other.    
     
     
         2 . The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein said base unit comprises a display device for display of a graphical user interface (GUI), said predetermined non-application-specific functions provided by said base unit including generic control functions required to operate said display device, and wherein said application modules each comprise means for storing application-specific GUI (ASGUI) software for controlling said display device to display an ASGUI for prompting a user to perform predetermined application-specific steps and input application-specific required information needed to carry out said application-specific end user functions.  
     
     
         3 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein said display device comprised by said base unit is a touch-sensitive display operated by said generic control functions provided by said base unit to accept user input responsive to a user contacting predetermined areas thereof, whereby said predetermined areas of said touch-sensitive display may be defined differently with respect to different end-user functions by application-specific software stored by said different application modules, as part of ASGUIs defined for each application.  
     
     
         4 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein an ASGUI is defined for each application-specific end-user function by provision of a sequence of screens of information each identifying one or more areas on said display device for prompting user input, the sequence of said screens displayed in any given operation of said instrument to perform an end-user function varying responsive to the input provided by the user responsive to said prompting information.  
     
     
         5 . The instrument of  claim 4 , wherein said specific application is telecommunications testing, comprising the the testing of one or more of a telecommunications apparatus, communication facility, or overall system operation, and wherein an application module is selected corresponding to the communication protocol implemented by said apparatus, facilities, or systems, and is assembled to said base unit for telecommunications testing thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The instrument of  claim 5 , wherein said sequence of screens provided to a user for telecommunications testing includes one or more screens giving the user the option to select an end-user function, and wherein the user may specify a given end-user function by individual input of parameters for controlling said application module to perform a given test in order to test an associated apparatus, facility, or system, or by selecting a predetermined test from a library of tests stored by said application module, each stored test comprising a corresponding selection of said parameters.  
     
     
         7 . The instrument of  claim 4 , wherein said different application modules each include memory means storing ASGUI software defining an ASGUI for the corresponding application-specific end-user functions, and wherein said non-application-specific software stored by said base unit comprises GUI software for copying and storing said ASGUI software from said application module, and for then displaying the sequence of screens defined by said ASGUI on said display.  
     
     
         8 . The instrument of  claim 7 , wherein said base unit comprises polling software for determining an identification of ASGUI software stored by an associated application module when assembled to said base unit, for determining whether said ASGUI software has previously been stored by said base unit, and, if not, for copying said ASGUI software from said application module to said base unit for displaying the sequence of screens defined by said ASGUI on said display.  
     
     
         9 . The instrument of  claim 8 , wherein said base unit and said application modules each comprise separate housings adapted to be conveniently assembled to one another to form a structurally integral unit, and wherein said polling software comprised by said base unit operates automatically without user input upon such assembly.  
     
     
         10 . The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein said base unit and said application modules each comprise separate housings adapted to be conveniently assembled to one another to form a structurally integral unit, and wherein said base unit comprises means, operated automatically without user input upon such assembly, for identifying said application module and for copying said application-specific program data and software stored by said application module into said base unit as needed for performance of said end-user functions.  
     
     
         11 . The instrument of  claim 10 , wherein said base unit comprises power supply means for powering both said base unit and said application module when connected thereto, said application-specific program data and software stored by said application module being stored in non-volatile memory.  
     
     
         12 . The instrument of  claim 11 , wherein said power supply means comprised by said base unit comprises a battery and battery condition monitor means, said battery condition monitor means providing a signal to said application module if said battery is detected to be significantly discharged, and said application module comprising means for responding thereto by storing updated data.  
     
     
         13 . The instrument of  claim 12 , wherein latching deadman relay means connecting input and output connections of said instrument are also set upon detection of said signal.  
     
     
         14 . A modular test instrument for telecommunications testing, comprising the testing of one or more of a telecommunications apparatus, communication facility, or overall system operation, said instrument comprising a base unit and an application module assembled to one another, said base unit comprising: 
 a display device for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI);    user interface means for accepting user input;    means for storing generic user input software and GUI software for operating said user interface means and said display, respectively;    means for being physically assembled to and placed in signal-communication contact with an associated application module; and    means for copying application-specific information from an associated application module-upon assembly thereof; and    said application module comprising:    means for being physically assembled to and placed in signal-communication contact with an associated base unit;    application-specific connection means for establishing signal communication between said instrument and an apparatus, facility, or system to be tested; and    means for storing application-specific GUI (ASGUI) software for cooperating with said generic software stored by said base unit to provide an ASGUI including application-specific user prompts for prompting the user to input specific information needed in order to select, specify, and/or perform a specified test.    
     
     
         15 . The modular test instrument of  claim 14 , wherein an application module corresponding to the communication protocol implemented by a particular apparatus, facility, or system is selected for assembly to said base unit for telecommunications testing thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The modular test instrument of  claim 15 , wherein said application-specific connection means of each application module for establishing signal communication between said instrument and an apparatus, facility, or system to be tested varies with respect to the communication protocol implemented thereby.  
     
     
         17 . The modular test instrument of  claim 14 , wherein said display device and said user interface means comprised by said base unit comprise a touch-sensitive display operated by generic control functions provided by said base unit to accept user input responsive to a user contacting predetermined areas thereof, responsive to a user contacting predetermined areas thereof, whereby said predetermined areas of said touch-sensitive display may be defined differently with respect to different applications by said application-specific software stored by said application modules, as part of the ASGUI defined for each application.  
     
     
         18 . The modular test instrument of  claim 14 , wherein an ASGUI is defined for each application-specific end-user function by provision of a sequence of screens of information each identifying one or more areas on said display device for prompting user input, the sequence of said screens displayed in any given operation of said instrument to perform said end-user function varying responsive to the input provided by the user responsive to said prompting information.  
     
     
         19 . The modular test instrument of  claim 18 , wherein said sequence of screens provided to a user for telecommunications testing includes one or more screens giving the user the option to specify a given test by individual input of parameters for controlling said application module to perform a given test in order to test an associated apparatus, facility, or system, or to select a predetermined test from a library of tests stored by said application module, each stored test comprising a corresponding selection of said parameters.  
     
     
         20 . The modular test instrument of  claim 14 , wherein said base unit comprises polling software for determining an identification of ASGUI software stored by an associated application module when assembled to said base unit, for determining whether said ASGUI software has previously been stored by said base unit, and, if not, for copying said ASGUI software from said application module to said base unit for displaying the sequence of screens defined by said ASGUI on said display.  
     
     
         21 . The modular test instrument of  claim 20 , wherein said base unit and said application modules each comprise separate housings adapted to be conveniently assembled to one another to form a structurally integral unit, and to be simultaneously placed in signal-communication contact with one another, and wherein said polling software comprised by said base unit operates automatically without user input upon such assembly.  
     
     
         22 . The modular test instrument of  claim 14 , wherein said base unit and said application modules each comprise separate housings adapted to be conveniently assembled to one another to form a structurally integral unit, and to be simultaneously placed in signal-communication contact with one another, and wherein said means for copying application-specific information from an associated application module comprised by said base unit is operated automatically without user input upon such assembly.  
     
     
         23 . The modular test instrument of  claim 14 , wherein said base unit comprises power supply means for powering both said base unit and said application module when connected thereto, said application-specific program data and software stored by said application module being stored in non-volatile memory.  
     
     
         24 . The modular test instrument of  claim 23 , wherein said power supply means comprised by said base unit comprises a battery and battery condition monitor means, said battery condition monitor means providing a signal to said application module if said battery is detected to be significantly discharged, and said application module comprising means for responding thereto by storing updated data.  
     
     
         25 . The modular test instrument of  claim 24 , wherein latching deadman relay means connecting input and output connections of said instrument are also set upon detection of said signal.  
     
     
         26 . An application module adapted to be'physically assembled to and placed in signal-communicating relationship with a base unit of specified type so as to comprise an instrument capable of performing application-specific end-user functions, said base unit of specified type including: 
 a display device for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI);    user interface means for accepting user input;    means for storing generic user input software and GUI software for operating said user interface means and said display device, respectively;    means for being physically assembled to and placed in signal-communication contact with an associated application module; and    means for copying application-specific information from an associated application module upon assembly thereof; and    said application module comprising:    means for being physically assembled to and placed in signal-communication contact with an associated base unit of said specified type;    application-specific connection means for establishing signal-communicating connection to an apparatus, facility, or system for performance of said end-user functions with respect to a predetermined apparatus, facility, or system; and    means for storing application-specific program data and software for cooperating with said generic software comprised by said base unit for prompting the user to perform predetermined application-specific steps and/or to input specific information needed in order to select, specify, and/or perform a specified end-user function.    
     
     
         27 . The application module of  claim 26 , wherein said display device and said user interface means comprised by said base unit together comprise a touch-sensitive display operated by said generic control functions provided by said base unit to accept user input responsive to a user contacting predetermined areas thereof, whereby said predetermined areas of said touch-sensitive display may be defined differently with respect to different applications by said application-specific software stored by each of said application modules, as part of an application-specific GUI (ASGUI) defined for each application.  
     
     
         28 . The application-module of  claim 26 , wherein an application-specific GUI (ASGUI) is provided for each end-user function by provision of a sequence of screens of information each identifying one or more areas on said display device for prompting user input, the sequence of said screens displayed in any given operation of said instrument to perform an end-user function varying responsive to the input provided by the user responsive to said prompting information.  
     
     
         29 . The application module of  claim 26 , wherein said end-user functions comprise testing of one or more of a telecommunications apparatus, communication facility, or overall system operation, and wherein an application module is selected corresponding to a communication protocol implemented by said apparatus, facilities, or systems, and is assembled to said base unit for telecommunications testing thereof.  
     
     
         30 . The application module of  claim 26 , wherein said application module comprises a housing adapted to be conveniently assembled to a cooperating housing of said base unit to form a structurally integral unit and to simultaneously establish signal-communicating connection therebetween, and wherein said base unit comprises means, operated automatically without user input upon such assembly, for identifying said application module and for copying said application-specific program data and software stored by said application module into said base unit as needed for performance of said end-user functions.  
     
     
         31 . The application module of  claim 26 , wherein said base unit comprises power supply means for powering both said base unit and said application module when connected thereto, said application-specific program data and software stored by said application module being stored in non-volatile memory.  
     
     
         32 . The application module of  claim 31 , wherein said power supply means comprised by said base unit comprises a battery and battery condition monitor means providing a signal to said application module if said battery is detected to be significantly discharged, and said application module comprises means for responding thereto by storing updated data.  
     
     
         33 . The application module of  claim 32 , wherein latching deadman relay means connecting input and output connections of said instrument are also set upon detection of said signal.  
     
     
         34 . The application module of  claim 26 , wherein said signal-communicating electrical connections made between said application module to said base unit upon their assembly are effected by insertion of a multipin male connector into a multipin female receptacle, and said signals include the following: 
 Power ground    Bidirectional handshake    Bidirectional asynchronous data    Power from base unit to application module    Application module present.    
     
     
         35 . The application module of  claim 34 , wherein said signals further include the following: 
 Audio ground    Speaker audio    Microphone audio    Loss of power warning.    
     
     
         36 . A method of assembling an instrument specialized for performance of one or more predetermined end-user functions, said instrument comprising a base unit, including user interface means and means for storing generic user interface software providing non-application-specific user interface functions, and an application module, providing application-specific physical interface functions and storing application-specific program data and software, including functional and user interface software, said user interface software stored by said application module operating in cooperation with said user interface means and generic user interface software stored by said base unit to provide an application-specific user interface, said method comprising the steps of: 
 selecting an application module providing application-specific physical interface functions and storing application-specific program data and software appropriate to a predetermined end-user function of interest;    physically assembling said application module to said base unit to form a structurally integral unit, such that signal-communicating electrical connections are made therebetween;    determining the extent to which said application-specific program data and software has not been previously copied from said application module to said base unit;    copying said application-specific program data and software from said application module to said base unit as required; and    operating said user interface means in accordance with said application-specific program data and software to prompt a user to perform predetermined application-specific steps and input application-specific required information needed to select and perform an end-user function, and operating said application module in accordance with said application-specific functional software to perform said selected end-user function.    
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said user interface means comprises a display device for display of a graphical user interface (GUI), said predetermined non-application-specific functions provided by said base unit including generic control functions required to operate said display device, and to obtain user input, and wherein said application modules each comprise means for storing application-specific software for controlling said display device to display an application-specific GUI (ASGUI) for prompting a user to perform predetermined -application-specific steps and input application-specific required information needed to select and perform a corresponding predetermined end-user function.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said display device and said user interface means comprised by said base unit together comprise a touch-sensitive display operated by said base unit to accept user input responsive to a user contacting predetermined areas thereof, whereby said predetermined areas of said touch-sensitive display may be defined differently with respect to different applications by application-specific GUI software stored by different application modules, as part of an ASGUI defined for each application.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein an ASGUI is defined for each application-specific end-user function by provision of a sequence of screens of information each identifying one or more areas on said display device for prompting user input, the sequence of said screens displayed in any given operation of said instrument to perform an end-user function varying responsive to the input provided by the user responsive 'to said prompting information.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said application is telecommunications testing, and said application-specific end-user functions comprise testing of one or more of a telecommunications apparatus, communication facility, or overall system operation, and wherein an application module is selected providing physical interface functions corresponding to the communication protocol implemented by said apparatus, facilities, or systems.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said sequence of screens provided to a user for telecommunications testing includes one or more screens giving the user the option to select an end-user function for performance, to specify a given test by individual input of parameters for controlling said instrument to perform a given test in order to test an associated apparatus, facility, or system, or to select a predetermined test from a library of tests stored by said application module, each stored test comprising a corresponding selection of said parameters.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said different application modules each include memory means storing ASGUI software defining-ASGUIs for the corresponding end-user functions, and wherein said base unit comprises generic GUI software for copying and storing said ASGUI software from said application module, and for then displaying the sequence of screens corresponding to the ASGUI of an end-user function selected by a user on said display device.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , comprising the further steps of said base unit polling an associated application module when assembled to said base unit for determining an identification of ASGUI software stored thereby, determining whether said ASGUI software has previously been stored by said base unit, and if not, copying said ASGUI software from said application module to said base unit.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein said base unit and said application modules each comprise separate housings adapted to be conveniently assembled to one another to form a structurally integral unit, and wherein said polling step is performed by said base unit automatically without user input upon such assembly.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said base unit and said application modules each comprise separate housings adapted to be conveniently assembled to one another to form a structurally integral unit, and wherein said base unit performs the steps of determining the extent to which said application-specific program data and software has not been previously copied from said application module to said base unit and copying said application-specific program data and software from said application module to said base unit as required automatically and without user input upon such assembly.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said base unit comprises power supply means for powering said base unit and said application module upon assembly thereof, said application module comprising non-volatile memory for storing said application-specific functional and user interface software.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said power supply means comprised by said base unit comprises a battery and battery condition monitor means, and said method further comprises the steps of said battery condition monitor means providing a signal to said application module if said battery is detected to be significantly discharged, and said application module responding thereto by storing updated data.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein latching deadman relay means connecting input and output connections of said instrument are also set upon detection of said signal.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said signal-communicating electrical connections made between said application module to said base unit upon their assembly are effected by insertion of a multipin male connector into a multipin female receptacle, and said signals include the following: 
 Power ground    Bidirectional handshake    Bidirectional asynchronous data.    Power from base unit to application module    Application Module Present.    
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said signals further include the following: 
 Audio ground    Speaker audio    Microphone audio    Loss of Power Warning.    
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said steps of determining the extent to which said application-specific user interface software has not been previously copied from said application module to said base unit and copying said application-specific user interface software from said application module to said base unit as required are performed upon detection of the Application Module Present signal upon physical assembly of said application module to said base unit to form a structurally integral unit, such that said signal-communicating electrical connections are made therebetween.  
     
     
         52 . A method of carrying out one or more specified end-user functions with respect to an apparatus, facility, or system, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a base unit, including user interface means and means for storing software providing non-application-specific user interface functions, and an application module, providing application-specific physical interface means and storing application-specific program data and software, assembling said base unit and said application module into a unitary physical assembly and thus establishing signal communication therebetween;    establishing signal-communicating connection between said apparatus, facility, or system and said application-specific physical interface means;    said base unit then determining an identification of said program data and software stored by said application module, and comparing said identification of said program data and software to any program data and software having been stored by said base unit;    said base unit then copying any program data and software stored by said application module needed for performance of said end-user function(s) not having been previously stored by said base unit into said base unit; and    carrying out said end user function.    
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said step of carrying out said end user function comprises the further step, performed by the combination of said base unit and user interface, of prompting a user to select an end-user function to be performed from a selection of said end-user functions all related to a specific application supported by said application module.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said application-specific program data and software stored by said application module includes application-specific user interface software cooperating with said software providing non-application-specific user interface functions stored by said base unit and said user interface means comprised by said base unit to provide an application-specific user interface.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said user interface means comprised by said base unit comprises a display device for providing a graphical user interface (GUI), said software stored by said base unit providing non-application-specific user interface functions and providing generic control functions for control of said display device, and said application-specific user interface software stored by said application module cooperating therewith to provide an application-specific GUI (ASGUI).  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein said ASGUI comprises a linked series of screens for display on said display device for prompting a user to select an end-user function for performance, to specify a given test by individual input of parameters for controlling said instrument to perform a given test in order to test an associated apparatus, facility, or system, or to select a predetermined test from a library of tests stored by said application module, each stored test comprising a corresponding selection of said parameters.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein said display device comprises a touch-sensitive display, whereby a user may make said selections by contacting areas defined by said ASGUI on said touch-sensitive display corresponding to options available to said user.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said base unit and said application modules each comprise separate housings adapted to be conveniently assembled to one another to form a structurally integral unit, and wherein said base unit performs the steps of determining the extent to which said application-specific program data and software has not been previously copied from said application module to said base unit and copying said application-specific program data and software from said application module to said base unit as required automatically and without user input upon such assembly.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein said base unit and said application modules each comprise separate housings adapted to be conveniently assembled to one another to form a structurally integral unit, and wherein said base unit performs the steps of determining the extent to which said application-specific program data and software has not been previously copied from said application module to said base unit and copying said application-specific program data and software from said application module to said base unit as required automatically and without user input upon such assembly and detection of said Application Module Present signal.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said base unit comprises power supply means for powering said base unit and said application module upon assembly thereof, said application module comprising non-volatile memory for storing said application-specific functional and user interface software.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said signal-communicating electrical connections made between said application module to said base unit upon their assembly are effected by insertion of a multipin male connector into a multipin female receptacle, and said signals include the following: 
 Power ground    Bidirectional handshake    Bidirectional asynchronous data    Power from base unit to application module    Application Module Present.    
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein said signals further include the following: 
 Audio ground    Speaker audio    Microphone audio    Loss of Power Warning.    
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein said power supply means comprised by said base unit comprises a battery and battery condition monitor means, and comprising the steps of said battery condition monitor means providing said Loss of Power Warning signal to said application module if said battery is detected to be significantly discharged, and said application module responding thereto by storing updated data.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein latching deadman relay means connecting input and output connections of said instrument are also set upon detection of said signal.