Permeable Layer Apparatus for Device Test Scenario Reproduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Software developers face challenges in reproducing device testing issues due to users' inability to accurately recall their interactions, and existing recording methods may fail to capture all actions, especially during severe device problems like system restarts or hang-ups.

Innovation Solution

A test scenario reproduction apparatus with installable components that include a permeable layer for screen image capture, camera sensors for image recording, pressure sensors for gesture coordination, and audio sensors to record interactions, allowing for comprehensive data capture and playback analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If video recording is used to capture user interactions, then visual documentation of device actions is improved, but completeness of captured interactions deteriorates due to blocked views and severe device problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of captured interactionsVSAvoidreliability of recording during severe problems

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A transparent permeable layer is introduced as an intermediary between the user's gestures and the device screen. This layer allows gestures to pass through to the device while enabling sensors to detect the gestures, solving the problem of blocked views in video recording and ensuring complete interaction capture even during severe device problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces optical recording (video camera) with a sensor-based detection system. Pressure sensors and gesture sensors directly detect user interactions through the permeable layer, providing more reliable and complete data than video recording, especially when the device screen may be blocked or the device experiences severe problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If device monitors and records interactions internally, then data capture is improved, but data recovery deteriorates during severe problems like system restarts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata capture capabilityVSAvoiddata recovery during severe problems

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The permeable layer with embedded sensors performs preliminary detection of user gestures before the device processes them. This early detection and recording of interaction data ensures that even if the device experiences severe problems like system restarts, the interaction data has already been captured and can be recovered for analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If installable components are added to the device, then interaction detection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture detection accuracyVSAvoidcomplexity of installable components

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thin flexible permeable layer that can be installed over the device screen. This thin film structure provides gesture detection capabilities without significantly increasing device complexity, as it integrates seamlessly with the existing device form factor and does not require major structural modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate reproduction and analysis of device testing scenarios, allowing developers to identify and debug issues by providing an interactive graphical user interface to review and replay recorded interactions, ensuring all actions and device responses are captured and reviewed.

Implementation Method 1

a permeability layer configured to allow a screen image produced by the device-under-test to penetrate the apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission through permeable layer: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

a pressure sensor configured to sense coordinates and durations of the user gestures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11012548B1System and method for providing test scenario reproduction for a device under test

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 MARVELL ASIA PTE LTD

AI summary

Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with debugging a device-under-test are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes sensing and recording a screen image produced by a device-under-test as the device-under-test is being operated. The sensing and recording of the screen image are performed by an apparatus. The method also includes sensing and recording coordinates and durations of gestures impinged upon the apparatus while operating the device-under-test. The sensing and recording of the coordinates and durations are performed by the apparatus. The apparatus is configured to physically conform to the device-under-test to allow functionality of the device-under-test through the apparatus.