Hierarchical Trace Display for Mobile Terminal Test Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile communication terminal test devices face challenges in displaying complex test scenario information in a meaningful manner, making it difficult to analyze and check the operation of mobile communication terminals across various communication standards and protocols.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communication terminal test device with a display unit, test engine unit, and display control unit that displays a hierarchical trace of executed test procedures and their outcomes, allowing for nested execution levels and breakpoint management, enabling efficient visualization and debugging of test operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex test scenarios are used to evaluate mobile communication terminals across multiple standards and protocols, then the comprehensiveness of testing is improved, but the difficulty of analyzing and checking test operation status increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting comprehensivenessVSAvoidtest operation analysis difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments complex test scenarios into hierarchical test procedure structures with multiple execution levels. Test scenarios are divided into parent test procedures and child test procedures, creating a tree-like hierarchy that breaks down complex testing into manageable, analyzable units while maintaining comprehensive coverage across multiple communication standards and protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to test scenario organization by implementing nested execution levels. Instead of flat test procedure lists, the system creates multi-level hierarchies where test procedures are organized across different execution levels, adding structural depth that enables better analysis and tracking of complex test operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If detailed log information is collected during communication to check terminal operation state, then the accuracy of operation checking is improved, but the time and effort required to analyze the information increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation checking accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and displays only the essential test procedure execution status information from comprehensive log data. The display control unit presents a simplified hierarchical view showing which test procedures are executed, pending, or failed, separating critical status information from the overwhelming detailed logs while maintaining accurate operation checking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary organization and structuring of test log information into hierarchical test procedure executions before presentation to the user. By pre-organizing the data into meaningful hierarchical structures with clear status indicators during test execution, the system reduces the cognitive load and analysis time required when examining test results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If hierarchical trace display of test procedures is implemented, then the ease of analyzing test operations is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest analysis easeVSAvoidtest device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display control unit serves multiple functions: it displays hierarchical test procedure structures, shows execution status indicators, presents timing information, and provides navigation capabilities all within a single integrated interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex subsystems while maintaining ease of test analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified graphical representation (copy) of the actual test execution hierarchy. Instead of directly presenting raw test data and complex internal structures, the system generates a visual copy showing hierarchical relationships and execution statuses that is easier to analyze, while the underlying complex test device structure remains unchanged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10064075B2Mobile communication terminal test device and mobile communication terminal test method

Publication Date: 2018.08.28 ANRITSU CORP

AI summary

A mobile communication terminal test device communicates with a mobile communication terminal to perform a test operation. The test device comprises a display unit, a test engine unit that determines a test procedure to be executed as part of the test operation and communicates the test procedure to a test execution unit which executes the test procedure and returns an outcome of the test procedure execution to the test engine unit, and a display control unit that displays a screen indicating a hierarchical trace of executed test procedures and their outcomes, on the display unit.