Software automatic test implementation method, device and equipment and storage medium
By building an automated software testing factory using distributed technology, the problems of long construction cycles, high costs, poor scalability, and poor stability in centralized solutions are solved, enabling rapid development, low-cost access to testing equipment, and high stability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DONGFENG MOTOR GRP
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing centralized software automated testing facilities suffer from problems such as long construction cycles, high costs, poor scalability, and poor stability.
A software automated testing factory is built using distributed technology. By constructing a data management system and multiple test management platforms to replace the middle platform system, distributed management and execution of test tasks are achieved.
It shortens the development cycle, reduces costs, improves scalability and stability, enables rapid integration of new automated testing equipment, and ensures that the independently operating test management platform is unaffected by malfunctions.
Smart Images
Figure CN122332268A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of software testing technology, specifically to a method, apparatus, device, and storage medium for implementing automated software testing. Background Technology
[0002] With the development of intelligent connected vehicles, software-defined vehicles have become an industry trend. The functions of automotive software are constantly being enriched, and the iteration speed is accelerating, placing higher demands on the efficiency and quality of software testing. Currently, OEMs commonly build automated software testing facilities to improve testing efficiency and quality.
[0003] A software automated testing factory can automate the entire automotive software testing process, including test task issuance, test case generation, test execution, test result feedback, and test report generation, thereby effectively improving testing efficiency and quality. Current software automated testing factory technical solutions are centralized, building a middleware system that connects the test task management system and automated testing equipment. Its automated testing process includes: 1. The middleware system automatically retrieves test tasks from the test task management system and obtains the test case library from the local testing equipment; 2. The middleware system automatically associates test cases from the test case library according to the test task requirements, forming an automated test sequence; 3. Engineers access the middleware system via the internet to review and manage the test sequence and confirm the test plan; 4. The middleware system issues the automated test sequence to the corresponding automated test execution equipment according to the test plan, remotely controlling the start of the test; 5. The test executes automatically, and the test results are automatically fed back to the middleware system, where engineers remotely access and review them; 6. The middleware system automatically generates a test report based on the corresponding template, which is reviewed by the engineer and then fed back to the test task management system, ending the task.
[0004] Existing centralized software automated testing factory solutions have the following drawbacks: 1. Long development cycle and high cost: Automated testing equipment from different fields and manufacturers typically uses different development languages and test case specifications. To achieve remote control of all automated testing equipment through a middleware system, dedicated interfaces need to be developed and debugged for each type of equipment. The development content is complex, communication and refinement are time-consuming, and developers need to learn and become familiar with new languages, ultimately leading to a long system development cycle and high development costs. 2. Poor scalability: After the automated testing factory is built, if new automated testing equipment needs to be added, interface development and debugging must be carried out again, resulting in high expansion costs. Some equipment is a closed system with no open interfaces, making it impossible to connect to the testing factory. 3. Poor stability: All systems, data, and users interact through the middleware system, resulting in a complex middleware system function and structure. If the middleware system fails, the entire automated testing factory will be paralyzed.
[0005] It is evident that current testing solutions based on centralized software automated testing plants suffer from drawbacks such as long construction cycles, high costs, poor scalability, and poor stability. Summary of the Invention
[0006] This application provides a method, apparatus, equipment, and storage medium for implementing automated software testing. It adopts distributed technology to build an automated software testing factory, and constructs a data management system and multiple test management platforms to replace the middleware system, which significantly improves the shortcomings of centralized solutions such as long construction cycle, high cost, poor scalability, and poor stability.
[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a method for implementing automated software testing, based on a constructed distributed automated software testing factory, the method comprising: The system acquires test tasks and sends them to the corresponding test management platform. It parses the test tasks and associates them with basic test cases in the test case library to form an automatic test sequence for the corresponding test tasks. Distribute automated test sequences to automated test execution devices managed by the test management platform to fulfill test plans, perform test operations, obtain test results, and generate test reports.
[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one implementation method, The distributed software automated testing factory includes a test task management system and a data management system. The data management system corresponds to multiple test management platforms, and each test management platform corresponds to an automated test execution device. Both the data management system and the test management platform support remote access from their respective clients.
[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one implementation, the step of acquiring and sending test tasks to the corresponding test management platform, parsing the test tasks and associating them with basic test cases in the test case library to form an automatic test sequence for the corresponding test tasks specifically includes: The data management system retrieves test tasks from the test task management system and distributes the test tasks to the corresponding test management platform based on the information in the test tasks. The test management platform parses test tasks and associates them with basic test cases in the test case library to form an automatic test sequence for the corresponding test tasks.
[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one implementation method, The test task includes the task name, identifier ID, sample, test content, test equipment, and responsible personnel; The test content includes the execution steps and judgment criteria for each test; The basic test cases are pre-written execution files, and each basic test case corresponds to a specific test execution step.
[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one implementation, the distribution of automated test sequences to automated test execution devices managed by the test management platform specifically includes: The client corresponding to the current test management platform accesses the test management platform, reviews and manages the automatic test sequences, and confirms the test plan; The current test management platform distributes automatic test sequences to the corresponding automated test execution devices according to the test plan.
[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one implementation method, fulfilling the test plan, performing test operations, and obtaining test results specifically includes: To execute the test plan and perform test operations, thereby obtaining test results; The test results are transmitted to the test management platform, and the test results are reviewed by accessing the test management platform through the client.
[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one implementation method, after reviewing the test results, the method further includes: The test management platform will transmit the approved test results to the data management system; The data management system automatically generates test reports based on the corresponding templates; The test report is reviewed by accessing the data management system through the client, and the approved test report is then transmitted to the test task management system.
[0014] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a software automated testing implementation apparatus, the software automated testing implementation apparatus comprising: The test preparation module is used to obtain test tasks and send them to the corresponding test management platform, parse the test tasks and associate them with basic test cases in the test case library to form an automatic test sequence for the corresponding test tasks. The test execution module is used to distribute automated test sequences to automated test execution devices managed by the test management platform, fulfill test plans, perform test operations, obtain test results, and generate test reports.
[0015] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a software automated testing implementation device, which includes a processor, a memory, and a software automated testing implementation program stored in the memory and executable by the processor. When the software automated testing implementation program is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the software automated testing implementation method described above.
[0016] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a software automated testing implementation program, wherein when the software automated testing implementation program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the software automated testing implementation method described above.
[0017] The beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided in this application include: (1) Shorten the development cycle and reduce costs: The distributed solution develops a dedicated test management platform for each test field in conjunction with automated test equipment suppliers. The test equipment developers continue to develop the test management platform, which has the remote control foundation of the corresponding equipment, effectively shortens the development cycle, reduces development costs, and enables software automation testing to be achieved quickly and at low cost. (2) Improve scalability: The distributed solution communicates with each test management platform through the data management system to realize task distribution and result feedback. The development logic is simple and easy to expand. After the automated test factory is built, if new automated test equipment is to be connected, the data interface that has been developed can be fine-tuned according to the data characteristics of the new equipment. Even if the equipment is a closed system and does not open the data call interface, it can still be connected to the automated test factory by calling the data management system interface through the test management platform. (3) Improved stability: The distributed solution data management system and each test management platform operate independently. The failure of the data management platform will not affect the engineers from continuing to carry out the test tasks through the test management platform. The failure of one test management platform will not affect the operation of other test management platforms, thus enhancing stability. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the software automation testing implementation method of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the distributed software automated test factory structure of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the functional modules of the software automation testing implementation device of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the software automation testing device used in this application. Detailed Implementation
[0019] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.
[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a method for implementing automated software testing, which is based on a constructed distributed automated software testing factory. The automated software testing factory is constructed using distributed technology, and a data management system and multiple test management platforms are constructed to replace the middleware system, which significantly improves the shortcomings of centralized solutions, such as long construction cycle, high cost, poor scalability, and poor stability.
[0022] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the software automation testing implementation method of this application. Figure 1 As shown, the methods for implementing automated software testing include: S1: Obtain test tasks and send them to the corresponding test management platform, parse the test tasks and associate them with basic test cases in the test case library to form an automatic test sequence for the corresponding test tasks; S2: Distribute automated test sequences to automated test execution devices managed by the test management platform to fulfill test plans, perform test operations, obtain test results, and generate test reports.
[0023] It should be noted that the distributed software automated test factory in this application has the following structural form: Figure 2 As shown, the distributed software automated testing factory includes a test task management system and a data management system. The data management system corresponds to multiple test management platforms, and each test management platform corresponds to an automated test execution device. That is, the test task management system and the data management system are connected, the data management system is connected to multiple test management platforms, and each test management platform corresponds to an automated test execution device.
[0024] Both the data management system and the test management platform support remote access via their respective clients. This means that administrators and engineers can access the data management system and the test management platform through the corresponding clients.
[0025] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the test task is acquired and sent to the corresponding test management platform, the test task is parsed and associated with basic test cases in the test case library to form an automatic test sequence for the corresponding test task, specifically including: S101: The data management system obtains test tasks from the test task management system and distributes the test tasks to the corresponding test management platform based on the information in the test tasks; S102: The test management platform parses test tasks and associates them with basic test cases in the test case library to form an automatic test sequence for the corresponding test tasks.
[0026] Specifically, the data management system automatically retrieves test tasks from the test task management system. Test tasks include information such as task name, identifier ID, sample, test content, test equipment, and responsible personnel. The data management system distributes the test tasks to the corresponding test management platform based on the test equipment information. The test management platform parses the received test tasks and automatically associates them with basic test cases in the test case library to form an automatic test sequence for the corresponding test tasks.
[0027] The test content includes the execution steps and judgment criteria for each test. Basic test cases are pre-written execution files, each corresponding to a specific test execution step. The test case library covers basic test cases corresponding to various execution steps, thus allowing the association of corresponding basic test cases based on the execution step information of each test in the test task.
[0028] Furthermore, in one embodiment, distributing automated test sequences to automated test execution devices managed by the test management platform specifically includes: S201: The client corresponding to the current test management platform accesses the test management platform, reviews and manages the automatic test sequence, and confirms the test plan; S202: The current test management platform issues automatic test sequences to the corresponding automated test execution devices according to the test plan.
[0029] Specifically, engineers from different testing domains access their respective domain's test management platform through a client to review and manage automated test sequences, thereby confirming the test plan. The test management platform then issues automated test sequences to the corresponding automated test execution devices according to the test plan, remotely controlling the start of the test.
[0030] Furthermore, in one embodiment, fulfilling the test plan, performing test operations, and obtaining test results specifically includes: S211: Fulfill the test plan and perform test operations to obtain test results; S212: Transmit the test results to the test management platform, and review the test results by accessing the test management platform through the client.
[0031] Specifically, the tests are executed automatically, and the test results are automatically sent back to the test management platform. Engineers can remotely access the test management platform through a client to review the test results.
[0032] Furthermore, in one embodiment, after reviewing the test results, the method further includes: S221: The test management platform will transmit the approved test results to the data management system; S222: The data management system automatically generates test reports based on the corresponding templates; S223: Access the data management system via the client to review the test report, and then transmit the approved test report to the test task management system.
[0033] Specifically, the test management platform sends the approved test results back to the data management system. The data management system automatically generates a test report based on the corresponding template. Engineers access the data management system through the client to review the test report. The data management system then sends the approved test report back to the test task management system, thus ending the test task.
[0034] The following section uses automated testing of robotic arm clicks as an example to illustrate the software automation testing implementation method of this application.
[0035] First, the data management system automatically retrieves the test task from the test task management system. The test task information includes: (1) Task name: Automatic clicking of robotic arm; (2) Identifier ID: 001; (3) Sample: Touch screen; (4) Test content; (5) Test equipment: Robotic arm; (6) Person in charge: XX.
[0036] The test specifically includes the following steps: Step 1: Raise the robotic arm to the default height – Judgment criterion: height z0; Step 2: Move the robotic arm to the specified coordinates – Judgment criterion: position coordinates (x, y, z0); Step 3: Lower the robotic arm to the specified height – Judgment criterion: position coordinates (x, y, z1) & touchscreen signal; Step 4: Raise the robotic arm to the default height – Judgment criterion: position coordinates (x, y, z0); Step 5: Move the robotic arm to the initial position – Judgment criterion: position coordinates (x0, y0, z0).
[0037] Then, the data management system distributes the test tasks to the corresponding test management platform of the robotic arm based on the test equipment information. The test management platform of the robotic arm automatically associates the received test tasks with the basic test cases in the test case library to form an automated test sequence. The data relationship is as follows: Step 1: Raise the robotic arm to the default height - Test Case A (script that controls the robotic arm to move in the z-direction to the set value); Step 2: Move the robotic arm to the specified coordinates - Test Case B (script that controls the robotic arm to move in the x-direction to the set value) + Test Case C (script that controls the robotic arm to move in the y-direction to the set value); Step 3: Lower the robotic arm to the specified height - Test Case A (script that controls the robotic arm to move in the z-direction to the set value); Step 4: Raise the robotic arm to the default height - Test Case A (script that controls the robotic arm to move in the z-direction to the set value); Step 5: Move the robotic arm to the initial position - Test Case B (script that controls the robotic arm to move in the x-direction to the set value) + Test Case C (script that controls the robotic arm to move in the y-direction to the set value).
[0038] Then, the engineer accesses the test management platform corresponding to the robotic arm via a client, reviews and manages the automated test sequences, maintains settings, and confirms that the test plan will begin at 20:00 on [date]. The test management platform for the robotic arm issues the automated test sequences to the automated test execution equipment corresponding to the robotic arm according to the test plan, and the test begins at the specified time. The test executes automatically, and the test results are automatically transmitted back to the test management platform for the robotic arm. The engineer remotely accesses and reviews the results, and the test management platform for the robotic arm transmits the reviewed test results back to the data management system, which automatically generates a test report based on the corresponding template. After the engineer reviews the report, it is transmitted back to the test task management system, and the task is completed.
[0039] The software automation testing implementation method of this application shortens the development cycle and reduces costs: The distributed solution, through joint development with automated testing equipment suppliers, establishes dedicated test management platforms for each testing domain. Test equipment developers then further develop the test management platforms, which possess the remote control capabilities for the corresponding equipment, effectively shortening the development cycle and reducing development costs. This enables rapid and low-cost software automation testing. It also improves scalability: The distributed solution communicates with each test management platform through a data management system to distribute tasks and return results. The development logic is simple and easily expandable. After the automated test factory is built, if new automated testing equipment needs to be added, the developed data interface can be fine-tuned according to the data characteristics of the new equipment. Even if the equipment is a closed system without open data call interfaces, it can still be accessed through the test management platform by calling the data management system interface. Finally, it improves stability: The distributed solution's data management system and each test management platform operate independently. A failure of a data management platform does not affect engineers' ability to continue testing tasks through the test management platform. A failure of one test management platform does not affect the operation of other test management platforms, thus enhancing stability.
[0040] Secondly, embodiments of this application also provide a software automation testing implementation device.
[0041] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the functional modules of the software automated testing implementation device of this application. Figure 3 As shown, the software automation testing implementation device includes: a test preparation module and a test execution module.
[0042] The test preparation module is used to obtain test tasks and send them to the corresponding test management platform, parse the test tasks and associate them with basic test cases in the test case library to form an automatic test sequence for the corresponding test tasks; the test execution module is used to distribute the automatic test sequence to the automated test execution devices managed by the test management platform, execute the test plan, perform test operations, obtain test results and generate test reports.
[0043] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a software automation testing implementation device, which can be a personal computer (PC), laptop computer, server, or other device with data processing capabilities.
[0044] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the software automated testing implementation device involved in the embodiments of this application. In the embodiments of this application, the software automated testing implementation device may include a processor, a memory, a communication interface, and a communication bus.
[0045] The communication bus can be of any type and is used to interconnect the processor, memory, and communication interface.
[0046] Communication interfaces include input / output (I / O) interfaces, physical interfaces, and logical interfaces used for interconnecting internal components within the software automation testing device, as well as interfaces used for interconnecting the software automation testing device with other devices (such as other computing devices or user equipment). Physical interfaces can be Ethernet interfaces, fiber optic interfaces, ATM interfaces, etc.; user equipment can be displays, keyboards, etc.
[0047] Memory can be various types of storage media, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), flash memory, optical storage, hard disk, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), etc.
[0048] The processor can be a general-purpose processor, which can call the software automation test implementation program stored in memory and execute the software automation test implementation method provided in the embodiments of this application. For example, the general-purpose processor can be a central processing unit (CPU). The method executed when the software automation test implementation program is called can be referred to in the various embodiments of the software automation test implementation method of this application, and will not be repeated here.
[0049] Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 4 The hardware structure shown does not constitute a limitation of this application and may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.
[0050] Fourthly, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium.
[0051] The present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a software automation testing implementation program, wherein when the software automation testing implementation program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the software automation testing implementation method described above.
[0052] The method implemented when the software automation testing implementation program is executed can be referred to in various embodiments of the software automation testing implementation method of this application, and will not be repeated here.
[0053] The terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus. The terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are used to distinguish different objects, etc., and do not indicate a sequence, nor do they limit "first," "second," and "third" to different types.
[0054] In the description of the embodiments of this application, terms such as "exemplary," "for example," or "for instance" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary," "for example," or "for instance" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary," "for example," or "for instance" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.
[0055] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " means "or". For example, A / B can mean A or B. The "and / or" in the text is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, in the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more.
[0056] In some processes described in the embodiments of this application, multiple operations or steps are included in a specific order. However, it should be understood that these operations or steps may not be executed in the order they appear in the embodiments of this application, or they may be executed in parallel. The sequence number of the operation is only used to distinguish different operations, and the sequence number itself does not represent any execution order. In addition, these processes may include more or fewer operations, and these operations or steps may be executed sequentially or in parallel, and these operations or steps may be combined.
[0057] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms. Of course, they can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk) as described above, and includes several instructions to cause a terminal device to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.
[0058] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and do not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. A method for implementing automated software testing, based on a constructed distributed automated software testing factory, characterized in that, The software automated testing implementation method includes: The system acquires test tasks and sends them to the corresponding test management platform. It parses the test tasks and associates them with basic test cases in the test case library to form an automatic test sequence for the corresponding test tasks. Distribute automated test sequences to automated test execution devices managed by the test management platform to fulfill test plans, perform test operations, obtain test results, and generate test reports.
2. The software automated testing implementation method as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The distributed software automated testing factory includes a test task management system and a data management system. The data management system corresponds to multiple test management platforms, and each test management platform corresponds to an automated test execution device.
3. The software automated testing implementation method as described in claim 2, characterized in that: Both the data management system and the test management platform support remote access from their respective clients.
4. The software automated testing implementation method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The process of acquiring and sending test tasks to the corresponding test management platform, parsing the test tasks and associating them with basic test cases in the test case library to form an automatic test sequence for the corresponding test tasks specifically includes: The data management system retrieves test tasks from the test task management system and distributes the test tasks to the corresponding test management platform based on the information in the test tasks. The test management platform parses test tasks and associates them with basic test cases in the test case library to form an automatic test sequence for the corresponding test tasks.
5. The software automated testing implementation method as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The test task includes the task name, identifier ID, sample, test content, test equipment, and responsible personnel.
6. The software automated testing implementation method as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The test content includes the execution steps and judgment criteria for each test; The basic test cases are pre-written execution files, and each basic test case corresponds to a specific test execution step.
7. The software automated testing implementation method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The distribution of automated test sequences to automated test execution devices managed by the test management platform specifically includes: The client corresponding to the current test management platform accesses the test management platform, reviews and manages the automatic test sequences, and confirms the test plan; The current test management platform distributes automatic test sequences to the corresponding automated test execution devices according to the test plan.
8. The software automated testing implementation method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The process of fulfilling the test plan, executing test operations, and obtaining test results specifically includes: To execute the test plan and perform test operations, thereby obtaining test results; The test results are transmitted to the test management platform, and the test results are reviewed by accessing the test management platform through the client.
9. The software automated testing implementation method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, After reviewing the test results, the following also applies: The test management platform will transmit the approved test results to the data management system; The data management system automatically generates test reports based on the corresponding templates; The test report is reviewed by accessing the data management system through the client, and the approved test report is then transmitted to the test task management system.
10. A software automated testing implementation device, characterized in that, The software automated testing implementation device includes: The test preparation module is used to obtain test tasks and send them to the corresponding test management platform, parse the test tasks and associate them with basic test cases in the test case library to form an automatic test sequence for the corresponding test tasks. The test execution module is used to distribute automated test sequences to automated test execution devices managed by the test management platform, fulfill test plans, perform test operations, obtain test results, and generate test reports.
11. A software automation testing implementation device, characterized in that, The software automation testing implementation device includes a processor, a memory, and a software automation testing implementation program stored in the memory and executable by the processor, wherein when the software automation testing implementation program is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the software automation testing implementation method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.
12. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a software automated testing implementation program, wherein when the software automated testing implementation program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the software automated testing implementation method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.