Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of operating a number of data formatters 1) blocks execution of a tester's test processes that generate test results, the test results pertaining to test of at least one device under test (DUT); 2) launches a number of data formatters, operable to format the test results, while execution of the test processes is blocked; and 3) upon determining that the number of data formatters has successfully launched, removing the block. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a system for accumulation of summaries of test data. The system includes a data populator having code to: (1) generate data objects from the test data and store the data objects in a data model, (2) arrange the data objects in a tree structure, (3) generate summaries of the test data, (4) store the summaries of the test data in the tree structure, and (5) delete the data objects. The system also includes a number of clients in communication with the data model, the clients having code to: (1) selectively read the test data from the data objects stored in the data model, and (2) read the summaries of the test data stored in the tree structure. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for determining which of two computer processes should perform a function X includes the following actions. If a second computer process is dependent on data received at a first computer process, it is determined whether the second computer process currently requires the data. If the second computer does not currently require the data, it is determined whether 1) a cost of the second computer process performing a function X on the data, plus 2) a cost of transmitting the data to the second computer process, exceeds 3) a cost of the first computer process performing the function X on the data. If the first two costs exceed the latter, the function X is caused to be performed by the first computer process.

Abstract: A system for formatting test data includes at least one data formatter to retrieve test data from a data store, upon receiving notifications of test events, and to generate a number of test records based on the test data. The system further includes an abort handler to cause at least one of the data formatters to complete the generation of its number of test records based on currently available test data in the data store, in response to an abort event.

Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more data structures that define associations between a plurality of configuration keys and a plurality of configuration values are accessed, and a highest priority configuration value is retrieved for each of the plurality of configuration keys. The configuration values are stored in the data structure in one or more of a plurality of configuration layers, with each of the configuration layers conferring a priority to the configuration values stored therein. Configuration values for at least some of the configuration keys are simultaneously specifiable in multiple ones of the configuration layers. A data formatting process is configured in accord with the retrieved configuration values for the configuration keys. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, apparatus includes a data populator that is provided to 1) receive a plurality of events, 2) create a plurality of data objects in memory, with at least some of the data objects corresponding to logical groupings of data implied by ones of the events, 3) relate data corresponding to ones of the events to ones of the data objects, and 4) store the data in the memory. A number of data formatters 1) accesses ones of the data objects, and 2) retrieves and format the data that is related to the data objects, the data being retrieved in response to notifications received by the data formatter(s). A notification manager receives indications of events from the data populator, and provides notifications of ones of the events to one or more of the data formatters. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, and in response to an ordered sequence of events corresponding to execution of a plurality of tests on at least one device under test (DUT), 1) a plurality of data objects are created, the data objects including A) some data objects that correspond to logical groupings of test results implied by ones of the events, and B) a generic data object that corresponds to a user-defined one of the events; 2) ones of the data objects are related to others of the data objects in a hierarchical tree structure, with the generic data object being related to others of the data objects based on the position of the user-defined event in the ordered sequence of events; and 3) data corresponding to ones of the events is related to ones of the data objects in the hierarchical tree structure. A number of data formatters are provided access to the plurality of data objects and data associated with the hierarchical tree structure. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method for assigning test numbers, current testflow context information is maintained during execution of a testflow. Upon execution of a subtest in the testflow, a database of test numbers is indexed using index information comprising 1) an identifier of the subtest, and 2) the current testflow context information. If a test number corresponding to the index information exists in the database, the test number is assigned to a result of the subtest. If a test number corresponding to the index information does not exist in the database, a new test number is assigned to the result of the subtest, and the index information and new test number are associated in the database. A test number engine for satisfying calls for test numbers is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method for assigning test numbers, current testflow context information is maintained during the execution of a testflow. If one or more test number factors have been specified for one or more levels of the current testflow context, the test number factors are used to determine a base number for a current test number range. Otherwise, the base number is set to a default base number. Upon execution of a subtest in the testflow, a result of the subtest is assigned a next test number in the current test number range. The following items are then associated in a test number database: 1) an identifier of the subtest, 2) the current testflow context information, 3) the test number, and 4) the base number. When stored in the database, the base number serves as a specification number for its corresponding test number. Also disclosed are other methods and apparatus that use contextual test number factors to assign test numbers.

Abstract: Methods for configuring the capabilities of electronic systems containing printed circuit boards are provided. One such method comprises: providing an initial configuration describing a first set of capabilities corresponding to each PCB as currently configured; modifying the initial configuration through a user interface to produce a new configuration describing a second set of capabilities corresponding to each PCB after upgrade; saving the initial configuration as modified by the user interface to be the new configuration; and configuring the plurality of PCBs according to the new configuration. Systems are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for logging test results, has steps for: A) accessing a stream of test data associated with a tester performing tests on a number of devices under test; B) selecting items of the test data to be logged to a data store, the selecting being performed in accord with a number of test data formatting selections; and C) logging the selected items of the test data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of has the steps of A) accessing a stream of test data comprising 1) a number of state events and 2) a number of data events interspersed with the ones of the state events; B) upon accessing one of the data events, determining if the data event is in conformity with the current test state; C) if not, 1) buffering a number of additional data events; and 2) if the number of additional data events imply that a state event should have been received and a state change should have occurred, prior to accessing the data event, i) synthesizing and publishing the state event that should have been received, in conformity with the implied state change; ii) updating the current test state; and iii) then, publishing the data event.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of generating a formatted data set in accord with a number of formatting rules includes the steps of A) indexing, with a standard data name referenced by one of the formatting rules, a mapping set comprising a first number of mapping pairs, each mapping pair comprising 1) a custom data name and 2) a corresponding standard data name; B) if a custom data name corresponding to the standard data name referenced by the formatting rule is found in the mapping set, C) accessing test data associated with a tester performing tests on a number of devices under test; D) identifying a data item in the test data that is associated with the custom data name corresponding to the standard data name referenced by the formatting rule; and E) then, formatting the data item associated with the custom data name in accord with the formatting rule referencing the standard data name.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of operating a number of data formatters 1) blocks execution of a tester's test processes that generate test results, the test results pertaining to test of at least one device under test (DUT); 2) launches a number of data formatters, operable to format the test results, while execution of the test processes is blocked; and 3) upon determining that the number of data formatters has successfully launched, removing the block. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, there is disclosed a system for processing test data, including a data populator having code for: (1) generating data objects from test data, (2) arranging data objects in a tree structure, and (3) generating tokens referring to data objects; code for releasing data objects for reclamation of memory for data objects having no references thereto, and clients having code for: (1) receiving tokens generated by the data populator, (2) reading data objects referred to by tokens, and (3) deleting tokens after reading data objects. In an embodiment, a method of processing data objects from test data is disclosed, including generating data objects from test data; arranging data objects in a tree structure; generating tokens referring to data objects; and reclaiming memory storing data objects having no references from tokens or child data objects. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, and in response to an ordered sequence of events corresponding to execution of a plurality of tests on at least one device under test (DUT), 1) a plurality of data objects are created, the data objects including A) some data objects that correspond to logical groupings of test results implied by ones of the events, and B) a generic data object that corresponds to a user-defined one of the events; 2) ones of the data objects are related to others of the data objects in a hierarchical tree structure, with the generic data object being related to others of the data objects based on the position of the user-defined event in the ordered sequence of events; and 3) data corresponding to ones of the events is related to ones of the data objects in the hierarchical tree structure. A number of data formatters are provided access to the plurality of data objects and data associated with the hierarchical tree structure. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more data structures that define associations between a plurality of configuration keys and a plurality of configuration values are accessed, and a highest priority configuration value is retrieved for each of the plurality of configuration keys. The configuration values are stored in the data structure in one or more of a plurality of configuration layers, with each of the configuration layers conferring a priority to the configuration values stored therein. Configuration values for at least some of the configuration keys are simultaneously specifiable in multiple ones of the configuration layers. A data formatting process is configured in accord with the retrieved configuration values for the configuration keys. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, apparatus includes a data populator that is provided to 1) receive a plurality of events, 2) create a plurality of data objects in memory, with at least some of the data objects corresponding to logical groupings of data implied by ones of the events, 3) relate data corresponding to ones of the events to ones of the data objects, and 4) store the data in the memory. A number of data formatters 1) accesses ones of the data objects, and 2) retrieves and format the data that is related to the data objects, the data being retrieved in response to notifications received by the data formatter(s). A notification manager receives indications of events from the data populator, and provides notifications of ones of the events to one or more of the data formatters. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer implemented method for formatting data involves 1) automatically comparing data associated with a test result, the known data types being associated with test result types, to known data types to determine a best match test result type for the test result; and 2) automatically formatting the data associated with the test result in accord with one or more data formatting rules that are associated with the best match test result type. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, and in response to a plurality of events, 1) a plurality of data objects are created in memory, 2) data corresponding to ones of the events is related to ones of the data objects, and 3) the data is stored in the memory. At least some of the data objects correspond to logical groupings of data implied by ones of the events. During or after creation of the data objects, a number of data formatters are provided access to the plurality of data objects and data in the memory. Other embodiments are also disclosed.