Patent Publication Number: US-2011060432-A1

Title: Method for testing audio function of computer

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a method for testing computer audio function. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Normally, computers are tested before shipping to market for all necessary functions. One necessary test is for audio function. A conventional method for testing computer audio function includes playback of a sample audio file using a left audio channel and/or a right audio channel of the computer; wherein a tester determines, by listening to the output, whether the audio function of the computer is passable. While easily performed, results of the test are subjective and thus less than accurate. 
     What is needed, therefore, is a testing method for more accurately testing computer audio function. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a computer for audio testing. 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  comprise a flowchart of a method for testing audio function of a computer, such as, for example, that of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate different volume settings of a left audio channel and a right audio channel of the computer of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. 
     In general, the word “module,” as used herein, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, written in a programming language, such as, for example, Java, C, or assembly. One or more software instructions in the modules may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM. It will be appreciated that modules may comprise connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and may comprise programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processors. The modules described herein may be implemented as either software and/or hardware modules and may be stored in any type of computer-readable medium or other computer storage device. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a computer  100  includes a storage module  10 , an audio playback module  20 , an audio record module  30 , a test module  40 , a left audio channel  50 , and a right audio channel  60 . The computer  100  provides audio playback and recording functions. 
     The storage module  10  is configured to store sample audio files and recorded audio files therein. The audio playback module  20  is configured to play the sample audio files, and the audio record module  20  is configured to obtain recorded audio files during playback of the sample audio files. The test module  40  is installed in the computer  100  for automatically testing the audio function of the computer  100 . The computer  100  can output single-channel audio signals using either the left audio channel  50  or the right audio channel  60  or output stereophonic sound using both. 
     The computer  100  further includes a line-in jack  70  and a line-out jack  80 . An audio cable  90  can be connected between the line-in jack  70  and the line-out jack  80  for eliminating unwanted surrounding noise during audio recording. 
       FIGS. 2A-2B  and  FIGS. 3A-3C , show an embodiment of a method for testing audio function of a computer  100 , as follows. 
     In block S 01 , the computer  100  obtains and saves sample audio files in the storage module  10 . The sample audio files include a first sample audio file, a second sample audio file, and a third sample audio file. Frequencies of waveforms of the sample audio files are different and distinguishable from each other. 
     In block S 02 , the test module  40  automatically sets a volume of the left audio channel  50  to a maximum value and sets a volume of the right audio channel  60  to a minimum value (See  FIG. 3A ). Thus, the left audio channel  50  is enabled while the right audio level  60  is muted, and the computer  100  can play back the sample audio files using the left audio channel  50 . 
     In block S 03 , the audio playback module  20  of the computer  100  plays the first sample audio file using the left audio channel  50 , while, simultaneously, a record function of the computer  100  is initiated. 
     In block S 04 , the audio record module  30  of the computer  100  records a first recorded audio file and stores the first recorded audio file into the storage module  10 . 
     In block S 05 , the test module  40  automatically sets the volume of the left audio channel  50  to the minimum value and sets the volume of the right audio channel  60  to the maximum value (See  FIG. 3B ). Thus, the right audio channel  60  is enabled while the left audio level  50  is muted, and the computer  100  plays back the sample audio files using the right audio channel  60 . 
     In block S 06 , the audio playback module  20  of the computer  100  plays back the second sample audio file using the right audio channel  60 . 
     In block S 07 , the audio record module  30  of the computer  100  records a second recorded audio file and stores the second recorded audio file into the storage module  10 . 
     In block S 08 , the test module  40  automatically sets the volume of both the left audio channel  50  and the right audio channel  60  to the maximum value (See  FIG. 3B ). Thus, both of the left audio channel  50  and the right audio channel  60  are enabled, and the computer  100  can play the sample audio files back using both channels. 
     In block S 09 , the audio playback module  20  of the computer  100  plays the third sample audio file using both the left audio channel  50  and the right audio channel  60  to generate stereophonic sound. 
     In block S 10 , the audio record module  30  of the computer  100  records a third recorded audio file and stores the third recorded audio file into the storage module  10 . 
     In block S 11 , the test module  40  extracts waveforms of the sample audio files (input waveforms) and waveforms of the recorded audio files (output waveforms). 
     In block S 12 , the test module  40  analyzes and compares the output waveforms with the input waveforms. In this block, the test module  40  compares frequencies of each of the output waveforms with a related input waveform, calculates a degree of distortion for each of the output waveforms relative to the related input waveform, and calculates a signal-to-noise ratio of each of the output waveforms. 
     In block S 13 , the test module  40  determines whether the degree of distortion and the signal-to-noise ratio of each of the output waveforms meet predetermined requirements, and, if so, block S 14  is implemented, otherwise, block S 15  is implemented. 
     In block S 14 , a positive test result for audio function of the computer  100  is displayed. 
     In block S 15 , a negative test result for audio function of the computer  100  is displayed. 
     While the present disclosure has been illustrated by the description of preferred embodiments thereof, and while the preferred embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such details. Additional advantages and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. 
     Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps of the methods described may be removed, others may be added, and the sequence of steps may be altered. It is also to be understood that the description and the claims drawn to a method may include some indication in reference to certain steps. However, the indication used is only to be viewed for identification purposes and not as a suggestion as to an order for the steps.