Graphical User Interface for Automated Test Scenario Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users unfamiliar with XML struggle to create automated test files, and even experienced users introduce errors due to manual editing, leading to increased costs and reduced test coverage.

Innovation Solution

A graphical user interface (GUI) for composing XML test scenarios, allowing users to create, edit, and manage automated tests without manual XML editing, featuring suggestions and conversions to XML format for automated testing tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users manually edit XML files to create automated test scenarios, then the testing can be configured with specific parameters, but users unfamiliar with XML cannot create files and experienced users introduce errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of test scenario creationVSAvoidease of creating XML test files

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a graphical user interface (GUI) as an intermediary between the user and the XML test scenario files. The GUI provides a visual environment where users can create, edit, and manage test scenarios through forms and controls rather than directly editing XML code. This mediator handles the XML generation and validation automatically, eliminating syntax errors while maintaining XML-based test configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of editing XML text files with an automated graphical interface system. Instead of users manually typing and formatting XML code, the GUI automatically generates properly formatted XML test scenarios based on user inputs through visual controls, substituting the manual editing mechanism with an automated conversion process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users manually edit XML files for automated testing, then test scenarios can be customized, but the process is time consuming and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization of test scenariosVSAvoidspeed of creating test scenarios

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the time-consuming manual XML editing process with an automated graphical interface that quickly generates test scenarios. The GUI system automatically converts user inputs into formatted XML test files, dramatically reducing the time required to create customized test scenarios while maintaining full adaptability through the visual configuration options provided in the interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If manual XML editing is used, then test files can be created, but errors are not detected until automated testing fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to create test filesVSAvoiddetection of XML errors

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary validation and error detection within the graphical user interface before the XML test scenario is finalized and executed. The GUI system checks for errors, validates the test configuration, and provides feedback to users during the creation process, allowing errors to be detected and corrected beforehand rather than waiting for automated testing to fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9959200B2User interface for composing test scenarios

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 RED HAT ISRAEL

AI summary

A graphical user interface allows a user with little or no knowledge of XML to compose and manage automated tests for a target testing platform and testing framework. An example system opens an XML file storing test parameters and converts the test parameters to fields in a graphical user interface for presentation to a user. The system receives, from the user, input via the graphical user interface to modify the test parameters to yield modified test parameters, and outputs the modified test parameters, in XML format, for use with a testing framework which is configured to perform automated tests on a target test platform based on the modified test parameters.