Meta-Test Case Aggregation for Autonomous Driving Test Analysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current test methods for autonomous vehicle systems are inefficient in assessing test results and identifying error causes, making it difficult for users to evaluate and improve test executions.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that calculates and aggregates characteristic values from pre-recorded sensor data to evaluate test cases, allowing for meta-test case evaluation and identifying errors, thereby simplifying data evaluation and future test execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If test results are presented with all attached test result artifacts and execution log data, then complete test information is provided, but it becomes difficult and inefficient for users to evaluate test results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest information completenessVSAvoidtest evaluation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the large volume of test data into hierarchical groups (test suites, test cases, individual test results) and introduces meta-test cases that aggregate results at multiple levels. This segmentation allows users to evaluate tests at different granularities without being overwhelmed by complete raw data, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and evaluation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces meta-test cases as intermediary elements between raw test data and user evaluation. These meta-test cases aggregate and summarize test results, serving as a mediator that preserves complete test information while presenting it in an efficiently evaluable format, thus resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If all test cases are evaluated in detail, then comprehensive error identification is achieved, but test execution and evaluation time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror identification accuracyVSAvoidtest evaluation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments test evaluation into multiple hierarchical levels (individual test cases, test suites, and meta-test cases). This allows selective evaluation at different levels, enabling comprehensive error identification through aggregated meta-test case analysis without requiring detailed examination of every single test case, thus reducing evaluation time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables partial evaluation by allowing users to focus on meta-test cases that aggregate specific types of errors or test suites of interest. This partial action approach identifies errors comprehensively in relevant areas without performing excessive detailed evaluation across all test cases, resolving the time-accuracy contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If test data is not aggregated and analyzed systematically, then original test data is preserved, but identified errors cannot be efficiently reused for future test execution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest data integrityVSAvoidfuture test execution efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary aggregation and analysis of test data during the current test execution, creating meta-test cases that capture error patterns and characteristics. This preliminary action preserves original test data integrity while preparing processed, analyzed results that can be efficiently reused for planning and executing future tests, thus resolving the contradiction between data integrity and future productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where test results are aggregated into meta-test cases that inform future test execution strategies. The analyzed error patterns and aggregated results provide feedback for improving future test campaigns, enabling more efficient test execution while maintaining reliance on preserved original test data, thus resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4318245A1Method and system for analyzing test executions
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 DSPACE SE & CO KG
  • EP4318245A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4318245A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4318245A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for analyzing test procedures of a device (10a) and/or function (10b) for at least partial autonomous driving of a motor vehicle, comprising aggregating (S4) the first characteristic value (12) calculated for each of the plurality of test cases (T1) into a second characteristic value (16) representing a meta-test case (T2); and evaluating (S5) the second characteristic value (16) using a predetermined second criterion (18) and by logically combining the first evaluation results (14a) of the plurality of test cases (T1) into a second evaluation result (18a) of the meta-test case (T2). Furthermore, the invention relates to a system (1) for analyzing test procedures of a device (10a) and/or function (10b) for at least partial autonomous driving of a motor vehicle.