Abstract: A method is provided for performing a diagnostic test on a piece of equipment, the equipment including a plurality of components, each of the components including a diagnostic test result store. The method comprises executing a diagnostic test by means of a diagnostic apparatus embedded within the piece of equipment, determining, based on the results of the diagnostic test, that one of the components is diagnosed to be faulty, preparing a report of results of the diagnostic test within the diagnostic test store of the faulty component; and storing the report in a test report store on-board the diagnosed faulty component.

Abstract: A system for running a diagnostic on a piece of equipment comprises a testing apparatus, embodied within the piece of equipment, the apparatus executing diagnostic tests responsive to test execution commands, and producing diagnostic test results. A command receiver, embodied within the piece of equipment, receives the test execution commands. A data store interface for formatting the diagnostic test results and providing the formatted diagnostic test results to a diagnostic test results data store.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling elements in an electronic device is via a graphical block diagram of the electronic device which displays the elements. The block diagram is coupled to the electronic device so that an operator controls the elements via the block diagram. In one embodiment of the invention, the operator uses the block diagram for selecting a combination of components and latches in the electronic device for establishing prescribed signal paths connecting the combination.