GUI Input Object Identification Across Display Configurations

Solution Overview

Problem

Automated testing of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) is challenging due to the change in identification information of input elements when the display configuration is modified, causing scripts to fail when executed under different configurations.

Innovation Solution

A testing tool records user interactions, modifies input objects with temporary tags, and determines identification information in various display configurations, storing this information for later use to correctly identify input objects during testing executions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If automated testing scripts are recorded in a specific display configuration, then the testing process is efficient and automated, but the scripts fail when executed under different display configurations due to changed identification information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated testingVSAvoidscript execution reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of input objects by adding temporary tags to GUI elements during a configuration execution phase. This preliminary action captures the identification information before the actual testing execution, allowing the same script to work across multiple display configurations without modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces temporary tags as intermediary identifiers that are added to GUI input objects during configuration execution. These temporary tags serve as mediators between the recorded script and the actual execution, enabling the script to locate input objects correctly regardless of the display configuration used during recording.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display configuration is changed to test different scenarios, then the adaptability and coverage of testing is improved, but the identification information of input elements changes causing script failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting configuration adaptabilityVSAvoididentification information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of input objects by adding temporary tags to GUI elements during a configuration execution phase. This preliminary action captures the identification information before the actual testing execution, allowing the same script to work across multiple display configurations without modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a mapping or copy of the identification information for input objects across different display configurations. By storing the temporary tags and their corresponding identification information for multiple configurations, the system enables the script to adapt to different display setups without losing the ability to correctly identify input elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If manual testing is performed to ensure accuracy under all configurations, then the reliability and thoroughness of testing is improved, but the time and resource consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of input objects by adding temporary tags to GUI elements during a configuration execution phase. This preliminary action captures the identification information before the actual testing execution, allowing the same script to work across multiple display configurations without modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automated scripts to self-identify and self-adjust to different display configurations by using the temporary tags and stored identification information. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention in each configuration, allowing the testing system to automatically adapt and execute scripts across multiple configurations efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11106571B2Identification of input object in a graphical user interface

Publication Date: 2021.08.31 MICRO FOCUS LLC

AI summary

A computing device includes a processor and a medium storing instructions. The instructions are executable by the processor to: record a test script for an application in a first display configuration, the test script including a user interaction with an input object in a graphical user interface (GUI) of the application; in response to reaching the user interaction during a configuration execution of the recorded test script, determine identifier information of the input object for each of a plurality of display configurations; and store the identifier information of the input object for each of the plurality of display configurations, the stored identifier information used during testing executions of the test script.