WO2009052913A1

WO2009052913A1 - Method and device for testing an object

Info

Publication number: WO2009052913A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/008024
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ingrid Nikschat-Tillwick; Detlef Schroeder; Engelbert Veenker; Ulrich Kehlenbeck; Detlef Ammermann
Original assignee: Daimler Ag
Priority date: 2007-10-19
Filing date: 2008-09-23
Publication date: 2009-04-30
Also published as: DE102007050127A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for testing an object (O), especially a vehicle, whereby the test is carried out in a voice-controlled manner. The test is carried out and documented in a voice-controlled manner such that test contents (OI) and/or test results (PE) of individual test steps or a plurality of test steps (PS) of a pre-determinable test operational sequence (PAF) are acoustically adapted to a momentaneous test parameter (PP) and/or outputted or inputted in a voice-optimised manner.

Description

Method and device for testing an object

The invention relates to a method and a device for testing an object, in particular a vehicle, wherein the test is performed voice-controlled.

From DE 101 04 902 Al a system and a method for a voice-controlled fault diagnosis are known. In this case, in particular voice signals entered by means of a mobile telephone are preprocessed by digitization and filtering and compared with a stored language sentence. An appropriate dialog sequence is output for a recognized speech sequence. The appropriate dialog sequence can be determined by comparison with stored dialog sequences or dynamically generated from XML-based error models.

Furthermore, DE 102 06 044 A1 discloses an on-board computer system for agricultural machines for controlling, regulating and / or monitoring these machines or parts thereof with a data input and / or output device. In order to make the data input and output simpler and easier to handle, it is provided that the data input and / or output device is designed as a voice input and / or output device.

Furthermore, in DE 694 27 640 T2 a device for finding errors in computer-controlled electromechanical Devices, where the device provides voice commands to guide a technician conducting error-checking tests.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved method and apparatus for testing an object.

With regard to the method, the object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1. With regard to the device, the object is achieved by the features specified in claim 9.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention comprises a method and a device for testing an object, in particular a vehicle, wherein the test is performed voice-controlled. The test is carried out and documented in a voice-controlled manner such that test contents and / or test results of one or more test steps of a predefinable test sequence are acoustically adapted to a current test parameter and / or output or input.

For execution of the voice-controlled test, a mobile test unit is provided, which comprises a microphone, a speech recognizer and a speech synthesizer for a direct voice-controlled test. This mobile test unit can be used as a mobile phone or as a mobile data processing unit, eg. B. as a pocket PC or laptop, be formed. This advantageously results in an optimization with regard to a sequence of the test steps on the basis of the specifiable test sequence. The test steps of the predetermined test sequence can be processed statically and / or dynamically by a test person. So z. B. in a detection of a malfunction, a subsequent test step are skipped by the test person, if it is not necessary to carry out the next test step due to the error occurred.

Due to the fact that the test unit is mobile, light and handy, the test person performing the test results in a high degree of flexibility. The microphone, speech recognizer and speech synthesizer enable direct voice-controlled testing, which results in a concentration of the test person being directed at the object to be tested during the test, which leads to an increase in process and personal safety.

As an instantaneous test parameter, a current test position, a current test function and / or the test person carrying out the test are automatically determined and / or specified. If the current test position z. B. in a noisy environment, an acoustic output of the test contents can be made with greater volume. This achieves a situational and environment-adapted volume control and, as a result, a high degree of intelligibility for the test person. For acoustic output, the mobile test unit is equipped with one or more loudspeakers and / or a connection for loudspeakers.

Due to the automatic determination and / or specification of the executing test person, the specifiable test sequence an experience, physical limitations, such as As disabilities, or be adapted to a native language of the examiner.

The sequence of test sequences is also output and documented in terms of time and / or event. On the basis of a predetermined test time adapted to the respective test function and / or a change to a following test function after completion of a preceding test function, a cost and time optimization of the test is achieved.

In addition to the acoustic output, the test sequence can also be output optically via a display unit integrated into the mobile test unit. Consequently, the test content associated with a current test function can be optically output by the test person if the latter has not perceived the test content on the basis of the acoustic output. Furthermore, for inexperienced test persons optical instructions for performing the current test function can be displayed.

On the basis of the sequential processing of the individual test steps of the test sequence, a concentration of the test person on the currently performed test step is achieved, resulting in increased process reliability and quality improvement of the test.

At least one test action to be carried out and / or a test reaction resulting therefrom are specified as test contents. The test person is at each test step, the test action to be performed, for. B. opening the boot lid issued. The test person performs the resulting test reaction, z. B. Boot lid is opened, on the object to be tested. In this case, the test person determines the test result, depending on which an adapted test documentation is executed. For a positive test result, for example, a shortened input of the test result, z. As "iθ" or "OK", sufficient. In the case of a negative test result, in addition to the input of the test result, eg. "Error", a test dictation and / or a test report are opened, which serve to record a detailed test documentation on the microphone, a built-in mobile test unit keyboard or a touch-sensitive screen. Thus, an error can be documented immediately when it occurs, which is especially in a mobile exam, z. B. a driving test of a vehicle, is very beneficial.

The mobile test unit additionally has a data and / or communication interface which is cable-bound or unbound as an Internet interface or a data bus interface. By means of this data and / or communication interface, the mobile test unit receives test contents and / or test results from other mobile test units or a test center and / or transmits test contents and / or test results to them.

This makes it possible that, for example, when an error occurs another person, which is also equipped with a mobile test unit, can fix this error immediately. If several tests are performed on an object, the results of a previous test are available for a current test and can thus be included in the current test. By sending to a test center, the test results can be recorded centrally and by receiving information from the test center, it is possible to to communicate any changes to a test sequence and updates to the mobile test unit.

In summary, the invention advantageously leads to an increase in process and personal safety during a test. Furthermore, a test time reduction, an increase in efficiency and a quality improvement of the test are achieved, which enables a reduction of costs. The invention also makes, especially by the voice control a job easier for the executive examiner.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

Showing:

Fig. 1 shows schematically a block diagram of a possible application of the method and apparatus for testing an object, in particular a vehicle.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the possible application of the method and the device for testing an object O. The object to be tested O may in particular be a vehicle.

In this case, a test person P is equipped with a mobile test unit 1 to the object O, z. As part of a quality control, repair or spare parts determination to examine. The mobile test unit 1 can, for. B. be executed as a mobile phone, Pocket PC or laptop. Thus, the examiner P both hands are available for review, which leads to an increase in the safety and effectiveness of the test. The mobile test unit 1 comprises for the test one or more integrated test sequence sequences PAF, which are composed of several test steps PS and test contents PI. These test contents PI include one or more test actions PA which the test person P makes on the object O to be tested.

The test actions PA to be performed are audibly output to the test person P via one or more speakers 2. For this purpose, it is necessary for a speech synthesizer 3 to convert the test sequences PAF stored in the form of alphanumeric data and the associated test steps PS, test contents PI and test actions PA into acoustic signals. The test actions PA to be carried out can additionally also be output via an optical display unit 4 or the optical display unit 4 supplements the acoustic signals.

As a test, for example, a final vehicle test in the context of a quality control called. It is z. B. a test sequence PA predetermined with several test steps PS. These test steps PS may include troubleshooting instructions for troubleshooting vehicle components and / or diagnostic instructions for ECU diagnostics, engine / generator testing, and / or electrical testing, among others.

As an example of the test step PS is the test of a vehicle boot lid not shown specified. The test content PI of the test step PS envisages carrying out the test action PA "opening the vehicle boot lid via a possible opener, eg, opener on the boot lid, interior opener in the vehicle interior, and making sure noises during the opening operation". This the test person is transmitted acoustically by means of the loudspeaker 2. The test person P carries out a test reaction PR "boot lid opens".

The mobile test unit 1 varies the output of the test action PA on the basis of a characteristic of detected test parameters PP. The test parameters PP include the test person P, a test function PF and a test position POS, which are derived from the test content PI and the test step PS. Thus, for each test step PS an environment, eg. B. outside area or production hall, in which the test step PS is performed, and deposited the corresponding volume as a test position POS. In a noisy environment, the volume of the acoustic output of the test position POS is adjusted and increased. The test function PF depends on the test content PI. If the test function PF is, for example, an engine test or an exhaust gas test, the acoustic output also takes place at a higher volume.

Furthermore, the test parameter PP test person P influences both the adaptation of the acoustic output and a speech optimization. Is it the test person P to a person with physical limitations, such. As a hearing loss, the acoustic output is performed at a higher volume than a test person P with unrestricted acoustic perception. Furthermore, it is considered whether the test person P is experienced or inexperienced with regard to the predetermined test sequence PAF. In this case, a voice-optimized output of the test action PA in such a way that in an inexperienced test person P the already mentioned test action PA "opening the vehicle boot lid on a possible opener, eg., Outer opener on the boot lid, interior opener in the vehicle interior, and pay attention to noises during the opening process ".

In the case of an experienced test person P, on the other hand, the test action PA can be limited to "opening". If the test person P is on the boot lid of the vehicle, the term "boot lid" from the wording of the test action PA can be omitted. Furthermore, the experienced test person P knows at which locations the various openers are arranged and which test action PA is to be performed, as a result of which the remaining components of the wording of the test action PA can likewise be dispensed with.

The test parameter PP test person P further comprises a native language of the test person P, so that in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the acoustic and / or optical output of the test sequence PAF is language optimized so that it can be output in the native language of the test person P.

Furthermore, the test action PA to be carried out may additionally be performed via the optical display unit 4, for. As a screen, are issued when the test person P, for example, has not perceived the acoustic output. In the case of an inexperienced test person P, the acoustically output test action PA can also be supplemented via the optical display unit 4 in such a way that, for example, B. positions of the various openers of the boot lid on the vehicle visually displayed to shorten a possible search of the inexperienced test person P or avoid.

The acoustical adaptation, the speech-optimized output and the additional optical output result in a process optimization of the test and a time saving achieved, which leads to a reduction of costs. Furthermore, there is a considerable reduction in effort and support for the examiner P.

After the test person P has carried out the test reaction PR, the test person P transmits a test result PE either via a manual input device 5, which is designed as a keyboard or touch-sensitive screen, or in particular by acoustic speech input via a microphone 6 to the mobile test unit 1. The test result For example, PE can be entered in the form "iθ" or "OK" for positive test results PE or in the form "error" or "not OK" for negative test results PE. By using short terms to describe the test result PE, in turn, a time saving and an increase in the effectiveness of the test can be achieved.

A speech recognizer 7 converts the acoustic speech input into alphanumeric characters, which can be stored in the mobile test unit 1. When a positive test result PE is entered, the positive test result PE is stored and transferred in the test sequence PAF to the next test step PS and the test is continued by the test person P.

However, if the test person P inputs a negative test result PE, a test documentation PD is opened. Depending on the test result PE, a test dictation PDI and / or a test report PB can be opened. In this case, the test person P has the opportunity to deposit a detailed description of the negative test result PE in the mobile test unit 1. This can be stored as a voice file or by conversion into alphanumeric characters by means of the speech recognizer 7 as text. So z. B. in a test of the vehicle boot lid with a sound occurring during the opening process as a test result PE "error" and as a specification in the test report PB or the test dictate PDI z. B. "grinding noise on the left joint" are held.

If a negative test result PE occurs, the test person P can change from a static test sequence PAF to a dynamic test sequence PAF by skipping a following test step PS, if this z. B. is superfluous due to the error occurred.

Without an intervention of the inspector P in the

Test sequence PAF is processed sequentially and statically. Furthermore, the test sequence PAF is executed time-controlled and / or event-controlled. The predetermined optimized sequence of the test steps PS and the time-dependent control can in turn save time

Check be achieved and by the separate execution of the test actions PA and the event-driven

Test sequence PAF reduced an error rate or one

Quality improvement of the test can be achieved.

Through the acoustic voice input by means of the microphone 6, the acoustic voice output by means of the loudspeaker 2 and the possibility of an acoustic voice input of the test dictation PDI and / or the test report PB, the invention is advantageously suitable for a mobile application. As a mobile application, for example, a driving test of a vehicle may be mentioned. Thus, the test person P can be simultaneously the driver of the vehicle and perform the driving test based on the test sequence PAF and the test results PE and test reports PB and Define the test dictates PDI promptly in the mobile test unit 1 by voice input.

The mobile test unit 1 additionally has a data and / or communication interface 8, which may be cable-bound or unbound as an Internet interface or a data bus interface. By means of this data and / or communication interface 8, the mobile test unit 1 receives test contents PI and / or test results PE from other mobile test units 9 or a test center 10 or transmits test contents PI and / or test results PE to them.

This makes it possible that, for example, when an error occurs another test person P, which is also equipped with a mobile test unit 9, can fix this error immediately. If several tests are performed on an object O, the test results PE of a previous test are available in a current test and can thus be included in the current test. By sending to a test center 10, the test results can be centrally recorded and / or evaluated and by receiving from the test center 10 is possible, any changes a test sequence PAF and updates, for. B. software, to the mobile test unit 1 to submit.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 mobile test unit

2 speakers

3 voice synthesizer

4 display unit

5 Manual input device

6 microphone

7 speech recognizers

8 data and / or communication interface

9 Mobile test unit

10 test center

O object

P examiner

PA test action

PAF test sequence

PB test report

PD test documentation

PDI test dictation

PE test result

PF test function

PI check content

POS inspection position

PP test parameters

PR test reaction

PS test step

Claims

claims

1. A method for testing an object (O), in particular of a vehicle, wherein the test is carried out voice-controlled, characterized in that the test is carried out and documented voice-controlled that test contents (PI) and / or test results (PE) one or more Test steps (PS) a predetermined test sequence (PAF) to a current test parameter (PP) acoustically adjusted and / or language-optimized output or entered.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that as a current test parameter (PP) an instantaneous test position (POS), a current test function (PF) and / or a test performer performing the test (P) automatically determined and / or predetermined.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the test sequence (PAF) time and / or event-driven output and documented.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the Prüfablauffolge (PAF) is additionally issued optically.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the test steps (PS) of a predetermined test sequence (PAF) are processed sequentially.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the test steps (PS) of a predetermined test sequence (PAF) are processed statically and / or dynamically.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that as test contents (PI) at least one test action to be performed (PA) and / or a resulting test reaction (PR) are specified.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that depending on the determined test result (PE) adapted to this test documentation (PD) is executed.

9. Device for testing an object (0), in particular of a vehicle, comprising a mobile test unit (1), by means of which the test is voice-controlled executable, characterized in that the mobile test unit (1) for a direct voice-controlled test a microphone (6 ), a voice recognizer (7) and a speech synthesizer (3), by means of which the test can be executed and documented in a voice-controlled manner such that test contents (PI) and / or test results (PE) one or more test steps (PS) of a predetermined test sequence (PAF) to a current test parameter (PP) acoustically adjusted and / or language-optimized output or can be entered.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the mobile test unit (1) comprises a data and / or communication interface (8).

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the data and / or communication interface (8) wired or unbound as an Internet interface, a data bus interface, a radio interface is formed.

12. Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the mobile test unit (1)

Test contents (PI) and / or test results (PE) on the

Data and / or communication interface (8) to further mobile test units (9) and / or to a

Test center (10) transmits and / or from other mobile

Test units (9) and / or from a test center (10) receives.

13. Device according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the mobile test unit (1) is designed as a mobile data processing unit or a mobile phone.

14. Device according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the mobile test unit (1) for acoustic voice output comprises one or more speakers (2).

15. Device according to, characterized in that the mobile test unit (1) as a manual input device (5) comprises a keyboard and / or a touch-sensitive screen.