US Patent 7235996 Functionality test method

A functionality test method for a technical system having at least one technical component to be regularly tested. The method including the steps of defining a test interval by setting a minimum time interval and a maximum time interval between two successive tests of the technical component, defining a test range for a decision parameter, sensing an actual value of the decision parameter, and performing a functionality test of the technical component if the minimum time interval between two successive tests of the technical component has elapsed and the sensed actual value of the decision parameter is within the predefined test range, or the maximum time interval between two successive tests of the technical component has elapsed.