Method for modifying the compatibility of an audio analyzing apparatus with an application program

The present invention provides a method for checking and modifying the compatibility of an audio analyzing apparatus with an application program. The method includes the steps of: providing a server installed with the program, and a test computer; generating audio signals, and sending the audio signals to the test computer; storing the signals as an audio file; transforming the audio file into a particular format identifiable by the audio analyzing apparatus; invoking the program and analyzing the audio file by the audio analyzing apparatus; determining whether any abnormity is caused by the incompatibility of the audio analyzing apparatus with the program if an abnormity arises during the analyzing process; and modifying the program to be compatible with the audio analyzing apparatus if the abnormity is caused by the incompatibility of the audio analyzing apparatus with the program.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to methods for checking audio analyzing devices, and more particularly, to a method for checking and modifying the compatibility of an audio analyzing device with an application program.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Audio analyzing apparatuses, such as the AP2722 released by AP technology limited, are broadly used to test audio components of electronic devices, such as personal computers, APPLE IPODs, and digital video displayers. The audio analyzing apparatuses typically requires corresponding application programs to run it. Typically, a test server is used to run an application program to control the audio analyzing apparatuses so as to test the audio components. However, because of on-going improvements in the technology of audio testing and newly issued specifications in the audio testing field, manufacturers need to keep developing new apparatuses that apply to the new technologies and specifications.

On the other hand, application programs corresponding to the apparatuses may also require updates so as to be compatible with any newly released apparatuses. However, manufacturers tend not to update the apparatuses corresponding programs according to the new technologies or any newly issued specifications.

What is needed, therefore, is a method to check and modify the compatibility of an audio analyzing apparatus with an application program.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One embodiment provides a method for checking and modifying the compatibility of an audio analyzing apparatus with an application program. The method includes the steps of: providing a server installed with the application program of the audio analyzing apparatus, and a test computer connected with the audio analyzing apparatus; generating audio signals at different frequencies and ranges by the server, and sending the audio signals to the test computer; storing the signals as an audio file by the test computer; transforming the audio file into a particular format identifiable by the audio analyzing apparatus; invoking the application program and analyzing the audio file by the audio analyzing apparatus; determining whether any abnormities are caused by the incompatibility of the audio analyzing apparatus with the application program if any abnormities arises during the analyzing process; and modifying the program to be compatible with the audio analyzing apparatus if the abnormities were caused by the incompatibility of the audio analyzing apparatus and the application program.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one skilled in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating an application environment for checking and modifying the compatibility of an audio analyzing apparatus with an application program in accordance with one preferred embodiment. The application environment typically includes a server1, a test computer2, and an audio analyzing apparatus3(hereinafter, “the apparatus3”). The server1is connected with the apparatus3via a connection4. The test computer2includes a sound card21having an input port22and an output port23. The apparatus3includes an analog signal input port32connected to the output port23of the sound card21, and an analog signal output port31connected to the input port22of the sound card21. The apparatus3may further include a digital signal processor (DSP) for processing audio files, such as an AUTHORWARE shocked packet audio formatted file (.aas).

The server1is installed with a particular application program of the apparatus3that can be used to control the apparatus3and test the sound card21. The server1can also be used for checking whether the particular application program is compatible with apparatus3, and for modifying an incompatible program to be compatible with the apparatus3.

FIG. 2is a flowchart of a method for checking and modifying the compatibility of the application program with apparatus3. In step S200, the server1executes the application program installed therein, controls the apparatus3to generate audio signals at different frequencies and ranges, and sends the audio signals to the test computer1. The audio signals are generated according to different tests that, may for example, include a frequency response test, a dynamic range test, and a total harmonic distortion test. The audio signals are outputted from the analog signal output port31and transmitted to the input port22of the sound card21.

In step S202, the test computer2selects a corresponding channel of the sound card21for the audio signals. In step S203, the test computer2stores the audio signals received by the sound card21in waveform sound file format (.wav). In step S204, the test computer2transforms the .wav files to an AUTHORWARE shocked packet file format (.aas) that the apparatus3can identify, and transmits the .aas file to the apparatus3via the output port23of the sound card21. In step S206, the apparatus3receives the .aas file via the analog signal input port32, divides the .aas file into a plurality of auto template Aldus Persuasion 2.0 formatted (.at2) test files, and analyzes the test files. Each of the test files has a frequency of either 44 k HZ or 48 k HZ.

In step S208, the server1determines whether there are any abnormities by analyzing the test files. If there are no abnormities during the analyzing process, in step S210, the server1determines whether the abnormities are caused by the DSP of the apparatus3. Also, .aas files generated in previous successful test processes may be sent directly to the apparatus3for analyzing. If there are no abnormities by analyzing other .aas files, it can be determined that there is nothing wrong with the DSP of apparatus3and any abnormities detected in step S208are not caused by the DSP of the apparatus3. Otherwise, if there are any abnormities analyzing other .aas files, it can be determined that there is something wrong with the DSP of apparatus3and any abnormities detected in step S208are substantially caused by the DSP of the apparatus3. If the abnormities are not caused by the DSP of the apparatus3, in step S212, the server1determines whether the .aas files are compatible with the DSP of the apparatus3.

If the .aas file is not compatible with the DSP, it means the abnormities were caused by the incompatibility of the .aas files with the DSP. In step S214, the server1modifies the application program being executed therein to be compatible with the DSP of the apparatus3. The modifying process is illustrated in detail below in relation toFIG. 3. In step S216, the server1may use the modified application program to re-test the sound card21.

On the other hand, if in step S208there are no abnormities during the analyzing process, the procedure ends. Similarly, if in step S210it is determined that the abnormities are not caused by the DSP, the procedure ends. If in step S212it is determined that the .aas files are compatible with the DSP, the test is successful and the procedure ends.

FIG. 3is a flowchart illustrating the details of step S214. In step S300, the server1modifies the program to change the format of each of the test files. The format of each test file is changed from .at2 to .at27. The .at27 file is a new test file format identifiable by apparatus3, such as the AP2700 series released by AP technology limited. In step S302, the server1modifies the program to reset a receivable frequency range of audio signals at an upper limitation of 20 k HZ. In step S304, the server1redefines input and output items of the application program. In particular, redefining input and output items may include: changing the connection between the test computer2with the apparatus3to a coaxial cable; changing the reference value of the output sample rate from 192K HZ to 44.1K HZ; and changing the real value of the output sample rate from 96K HZ to 44.1K HZ.