Automated Data Capture for Demo Applications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for creating demo applications are labor-intensive and prone to human error, requiring manual data capture and updates from live web applications, which is slow and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

Automating data capture using UI automation tools like Selenium to interact with live web application UI elements, monitor network traffic, and generate JSON files for demo applications, reducing manual intervention and increasing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual data capture and updates are used from live web applications, then demo applications can be created and maintained, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of creating demo applicationVSAvoidtime for data capture and updates

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses browser automation tools to automatically capture data from the live web application UI and copy it to populate the demo application. This eliminates manual data entry by having the system automatically replicate data from the source application to the demo environment, significantly reducing both labor intensity and time required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring network traffic, capturing responses, and updating the demo application without requiring manual intervention. The automated process continuously synchronizes data from the live application to the demo application, making the maintenance process self-sufficient and eliminating the need for manual data management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If manual data capture methods are used, then demo applications can be updated, but the process is slow and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of demo application updatesVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous automated data capture by monitoring network traffic in real-time and continuously updating the demo application as changes occur in the live application. This continuous process eliminates the discontinuous, manual update cycles, ensuring the demo application remains synchronized without requiring repeated manual interventions, thereby dramatically improving update speed and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of data capture and entry with an automated computer-controlled system that monitors network traffic and programmatically populates the demo application. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with automated electronic processes eliminates the time constraints and inefficiencies associated with manual updating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If manual data capture is performed, then data can be transferred to demo application, but human error is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of data transferVSAvoidtime for manual updates

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the automated system continuously monitors the live application's network traffic and UI state, captures the actual data being displayed, and verifies its transfer to the demo application. This closed-loop feedback process automatically detects and corrects any data transfer issues, ensuring high accuracy while eliminating the need for manual verification and reducing the time required for updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If automated UI interactions are used, then data capture efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata capture efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of automation system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses browser automation tools as an intermediary layer between the live web application and the demo application. This intermediary automatically performs UI interactions, captures network traffic, and transfers data without requiring complex custom development. By leveraging existing automation frameworks, the system achieves high data capture efficiency while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through the use of established tools rather than building complex custom solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11221862B2Capturing data from a live web application to populate a demo application

Publication Date: 2022.01.11 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

Data can be captured from a live web application to populate a demo application. In an example, automated input is provided to user interface touch points of a live application, and corresponding responses are captured. These responses are reformatted into a convention of the demo application, and used to populate demo response files. Then, when a demo application operates, it retrieves, processes, and displays information in these demo response files.