Robot-Assisted Retail Sale Software Testing With Physical Peripherals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software testing methods for retail sale systems cannot physically interact with peripherals, as these devices are designed for human interaction and not capable of interacting with software, leading to inefficiencies and errors in testing.
Innovation Solution
A robot system is introduced that includes an interface computer and a robot with end effectors to physically interact with retail sale system peripherals, translating software instructions into robot control instructions to perform actions such as card swipes, weight additions, and cash drawer closures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If existing software testing methods are used, then software can be tested, but physical interaction with peripherals cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
A robot serves as an intermediary between the software testing system and physical peripheral devices. The robot receives virtual instructions from testing software, translates them into physical actions through its end effectors, and executes interactions with peripherals such as card readers, scales, and cash drawers. This mediator enables automated testing of physical interactions that previously required human operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot creates a physical copy of human interaction capabilities within a software testing environment. By replicating the physical actions that humans would perform with peripherals (swiping cards, placing items on scales, closing cash drawers), the robot enables software to be tested as if real users were interacting with the system, without requiring actual human presence.
2Reliability
If human operators perform physical interactions during testing, then peripherals can be interacted with, but time consumption and human error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs self-service by autonomously executing physical interactions with peripherals without human intervention. Testing software sends virtual instructions directly to the robot, which independently translates and executes these instructions through its end effectors. This self-service capability eliminates human error and accelerates testing by removing the time required for manual operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If peripherals are designed for human interaction, then they function properly for users, but they cannot be interacted with by software or robots
Solution Approach 1:
The robot's end effectors provide universal interaction capabilities that work with multiple types of peripherals designed for human use. Through different end effector configurations (grippers, suction cups, styluses), the robot can interact with diverse devices including card readers, scales, printers, and cash drawers, making the system adaptable to various peripheral types without requiring specialized interfaces for each device.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for automatically testing retail sale system software installed in a retail sale system computer are presented. The techniques use a testing system that includes a robot and an interface computer. The interface computer receives a peripheral device interaction instruction from the retail sale system computer generated by test software installed in the retail sale system computer, where the peripheral device interaction instruction corresponds to a physical interaction with a retail sale system peripheral device, translates the peripheral device interaction instruction into a robot control instruction, and provides the robot control instruction to the robot. The robot is in physical proximity with the retail sale system peripheral device. The robot accepts the robot control instruction and performs the physical interaction with the retail sale system peripheral device.