Remote Test System for Cross-Platform Accessibility Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software developers face challenges in testing their products across the diverse range of hardware and software platforms used by their target audience, as acquiring and configuring multiple devices is resource-intensive and may overlook potential market segments, especially with multiple generations and iterations of platforms like iOS and Android.
Innovation Solution
A remote test system (RTS) that allows developers to connect to a multitude of remote devices via a server-powered dashboard, mirroring the remote device's display on their local machine, enabling seamless interaction and testing without the need for physical devices, using video streaming and input translation to simulate keyboard and mouse interactions on various platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If developers acquire and configure multiple physical devices for testing, then testing coverage across multiple platforms is improved, but resource consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of physical devices through virtualization technology. Virtual device instances replicate the hardware and software characteristics of real devices, allowing developers to test across multiple platforms without acquiring physical devices. The virtualization layer abstracts the underlying hardware, presenting standardized device profiles that can be instantiated and configured programmatically, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining comprehensive testing coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing infrastructure is designed as a universal platform that can simulate multiple device types, operating systems, and configurations through software. A single physical testing station can instantiate various virtual devices representing different platforms (iOS, Android, Windows, etc.), eliminating the need for separate physical devices for each platform. This multi-functional approach allows one system to serve multiple testing purposes across diverse device ecosystems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If developers acquire and configure multiple physical devices for testing, then compatibility testing across platforms is improved, but resource strain and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Virtual device instances serve as software copies of physical devices, replicating their operational characteristics without requiring physical hardware. Each virtual instance can represent a specific device model, OS version, or configuration, enabling comprehensive platform compatibility testing. The virtualization infrastructure allows multiple virtual devices to share underlying physical resources (CPU, memory, storage), significantly reducing the quantity of physical resources needed compared to maintaining separate physical devices for each test scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple device testing capabilities into a single integrated virtualization platform. Multiple virtual devices are consolidated on shared physical infrastructure, allowing simultaneous testing across various platforms using common hardware resources. The system combines device emulation, simulation, and virtualization technologies to provide unified access to diverse device environments through a single testing infrastructure, reducing both resource consumption and acquisition costs.
3Productivity
If developers risk disregarding particular platforms to save resources, then resource efficiency is improved, but market coverage and product reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Virtual device copies enable comprehensive platform testing without the resource burden of physical devices. Developers can instantiate virtual instances of any target platform (including lesser-known or emerging platforms) on-demand, ensuring their products are tested across the complete market landscape. This approach maintains high resource efficiency while eliminating the need to disregard any platform, as virtual instances can be created for any supported platform without physical acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables preliminary testing on all potential target platforms before actual product deployment. By virtualizing device environments, developers can proactively identify and resolve compatibility issues across all platforms early in the development cycle. This preliminary action across all platforms ensures product reliability is validated comprehensively before release, preventing market segment loss while maintaining resource efficiency through virtualized testing.
Data Source
AI summary
A software developer can use a local browser, running on a local machine of the developer in a first location to access a real device (e.g., a smart phone) at a second location, such as a datacenter. The developer can select and control the remote device, in the second location. A mirrored display of the remote device can be generated on the local machine by transmitting a video feed of the screen of the remote device to the local machine. The developer can interact with the mirrored display, and the interactions can be transmitted to the remote device. The developer can activate an accessibility mode via the local machine to test accessibility features of a program.