Online Testing Unification System with Remote Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current product validation processes are inefficient due to manual testing, lack of shared knowledge among test groups, and redundancy, leading to errors and wasted resources, as testers struggle to duplicate results and communicate effectively across multiple test groups.

Innovation Solution

An online product validation system with a centralized knowledge database and remote test automation module that provides a web-based interface for creating and executing test cases, generating script files, and displaying real-time progress, reducing ambiguity and improving efficiency by automating repetitive tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual testing is used, then testers can interpret procedures and record results, but testing efficiency is low and errors are introduced due to repetitive tasks and lack of consistency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidtesting consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-testing through script files that execute test procedures autonomously without requiring continuous human intervention. The testing system automatically records results, compares them against expected outcomes, and generates reports, allowing the system to service itself and eliminating the need for manual execution of repetitive test tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical testing operations with automated electronic systems. Script files contain automated instructions that substitute human testers' manual actions, and the system electronically executes these scripts, records results, and generates reports automatically, replacing the mechanical process of manual test execution with an automated electronic testing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple test groups service different customers, then customer-specific testing can be performed, but communication between groups is poor leading to redundancy and lost results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer-specific testing capabilityVSAvoidtest result sharing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides a universal testing platform that can service multiple customers through a single centralized system. The script files and test procedures are designed to be adaptable to different customer requirements while maintaining a common infrastructure for result storage and sharing, allowing one system to perform multiple customer-specific testing functions without requiring separate isolated test groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple test groups' operations into a single centralized testing system. All test results, procedures, and scripts are stored in a common database accessible by all users, combining previously separate testing operations into one unified system that eliminates redundancy and enables information sharing across all test groups serving different customers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If testers perform manual testing with detailed recording, then specific test results can be captured, but time is wasted on repetitive tasks and results may be misinterpreted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest result accuracyVSAvoidtime for repetitive tasks

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses script files as digital copies of test procedures that can be repeatedly executed without manual intervention. These script copies contain the exact test instructions and expected results, eliminating the need for testers to manually rewrite or reinterpret test procedures for each execution, thereby maintaining measurement precision while eliminating time-wasting repetitive documentation tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Productivity

If automated testing is implemented, then testing speed and consistency improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated testing system is segmented into distinct modular components: script file creation, script execution, result recording, result comparison, and report generation. Each component performs a specific function independently, allowing the complex automated testing process to be broken down into manageable segments that can be developed, maintained, and executed separately, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high testing speed and consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7673179B2Online testing unification system with remote test automation technology

Publication Date: 2010.03.02 NETAPP INC

AI summary

The present invention is directed to an online product validation solution integrating an online testing module configured to assist a user to create test cases and a remote test automation module configured to execute the created test cases on remote test systems. When a user creates a test plan, complete test coverage for the test plan may be ensured and cross-checked with product specifications stored in the knowledge database. Moreover, seamless integration of the online testing module and the remote test automation module may provide a uniform interface for generating both manual and automated test cases. Test case status is reported within the test plan in synchronicity with test case execution.