Mobile App Testing Agent Automates Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile application testing is time-consuming and expensive due to the reliance on manual processes and the challenges of emulating various mobile devices and browsers, which complicates the validation of application performance and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize an agent on the mobile device to remotely control and report application execution, allowing for automated testing by comparing actual results to expected outcomes, including screenshots and variable monitoring, thereby facilitating comprehensive and efficient testing across multiple platforms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual testing processes are used to test mobile applications, then testers can directly observe and control application behavior, but the testing process becomes time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated testing where the testing framework independently executes test cases, collects results, and generates reports without continuous human intervention. The testing system self-manages the entire testing workflow including test execution on multiple devices, data collection, and result analysis, thereby reducing both testing time and costs while maintaining precision through systematic automated validation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical testing operations are replaced with an automated testing system that uses software agents and scripting to execute test cases. The system substitutes human operators with automated testing frameworks that can execute tests programmatically, collect data automatically, and generate reports without manual intervention, significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining testing accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If emulators are used to test applications on multiple mobile devices, then physical device access is not required, but the complexity of emulating various devices and browsers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidtesting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using complex emulators that simulate device hardware and software environments, the system uses physical device copies or clones connected to the testing framework. Each physical device is directly instrumented with testing agents, providing accurate representation of real device behavior without the complexity of emulation layers. This approach maintains device compatibility while simplifying the testing infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a centralized testing server as an intermediary between test cases and multiple mobile devices. This mediator manages test execution, coordinates data collection from various devices, and handles result aggregation. The intermediary simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a single point of control rather than requiring complex peer-to-peer device communication or emulation management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If comprehensive application testing is performed across multiple platforms, then application performance and user experience can be validated, but the cost and time required for testing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication performance validationVSAvoidtesting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The testing system divides comprehensive application testing into segmented test cases that can be independently executed and managed. Each test case focuses on specific functionality or platform behavior, allowing parallel execution across multiple devices. This segmentation enables efficient resource utilization and reduces overall testing time while maintaining comprehensive coverage through systematic division of testing tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous automated testing where test cases execute continuously on multiple devices without interruption. The testing framework maintains continuous data collection and monitoring across all connected devices, enabling uninterrupted validation of application performance. This continuous operation maximizes productivity by eliminating idle time between test executions and maintaining constant verification across all platforms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9846638B2Exposing method related data calls during testing in an event driven, multichannel architecture

Publication Date: 2017.12.19 KONY INC

AI summary

Approaches for application testing are provided. An approach includes transmitting a command to an agent associated with an application installed on a mobile device. The approach includes receiving from the agent information about an executed step of the application on the mobile device. The approach includes comparing the information to an expected value of the step. The approach includes display an output based on the comparing.