ML System Testing with Bayesian Scenario Selection

The patent merges simulation-based testing with physical testing into a unified framework. Simulation models are used to generate test scenarios and identify critical regions, while physical tests validate these scenarios. The results from both approaches are integrated to produce comprehensive test coverage and validated reliability assessments, resolving the contradiction between testing efficiency and result reliability.

The patent introduces an intermediary validation layer that uses physical test data to calibrate and verify simulation models. This intermediary step bridges the gap between virtual and physical domains, allowing simulation results to be trusted for efficiency gains while physical validation ensures reliability. The intermediary process includes model calibration, uncertainty quantification, and result correlation.

The patent segments the large input space into manageable regions using simulation-based exploratory testing and uncertainty quantification. Critical regions are identified where system behavior is most sensitive to input variations. Testing resources are then focused on these segmented critical regions rather than uniformly covering the entire input space, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.

The patent performs preliminary simulation-based analysis to identify critical test scenarios and input regions before conducting physical testing. This preliminary action uses computational models to pre-screen the input space, prioritize test cases, and prepare test sequences. By doing this preliminary work in the virtual domain, the complexity of physical testing is reduced while ensuring comprehensive coverage of critical scenarios.

The patent performs preliminary simulation-based validation to identify safe test boundaries and critical scenarios before conducting physical tests. Virtual experiments are used to pre-assess risks, optimize test parameters, and prepare safety protocols. This preliminary action in the simulation domain reduces safety risks during physical testing while maintaining test validity by ensuring that physical tests focus on pre-validated critical scenarios.

The patent uses simulation models as virtual copies of the physical system to perform preliminary testing and validation. These virtual copies allow comprehensive testing of edge cases and hazardous scenarios without exposing physical systems to safety risks. The simulation copies are then used to guide and validate a reduced set of critical physical tests, maintaining measurement precision while minimizing harmful factors.

The patent segments the test scenario space into critical and non-critical regions using simulation-based uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis. By identifying and focusing on segmented critical regions where system failures are most likely, the approach achieves comprehensive coverage of critical cases with fewer tests. Non-critical regions are explored through simulation rather than exhaustive physical testing, reducing time loss.

The patent applies partial action by executing a reduced set of high-value test scenarios identified through simulation analysis, rather than exhaustively testing all possible scenarios. The simulation model guides which specific test cases provide the most information for validating system reliability. This partial action approach achieves adequate coverage of critical cases with significantly reduced testing time compared to exhaustive testing.