Robotic Barcode Scanning Tests Under Real-World Mobile Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated testing methods for mobile applications fail to accurately simulate real-world conditions such as ambient lighting, scanning angle, and device position during barcode scanning, as they convert analog signals into digital formats, lacking the ability to replicate actual user interactions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a coordinator component, agents, and robotic devices to perform end-to-end testing of mobile applications, simulating real-world conditions by controlling robotic devices to test electronic devices under various environmental settings, including multiple scanning devices and locations, enabling accurate testing of barcode scanning functionality and user interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated testing converts analog signals into digital formats, then testing can be automated, but the test cannot accurately simulate real-world conditions such as ambient lighting, scanning angle, and device position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses physical copies of barcode scanners (robotic devices) to replicate real-world scanning conditions rather than using digital screenshots. The robotic devices physically scan barcodes displayed on electronic devices, copying the actual optical scanning process including effects of lighting, angle, and position, thereby maintaining both automation and realism.
2Ease of manufacture
If screenshots are used for barcode testing, then the process is simplified, but the test does not accurately capture how analog optical barcode scanning signals are captured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical screenshot process with a robotic mechanical scanning system. Instead of capturing a static image, a robotic device with an optical scanner physically scans the barcode display, substituting the simplified digital capture method with a mechanical system that replicates the actual scanning process, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining automation.
3Reliability
If multiple testing conditions (lighting, angle, position) are simulated, then testing accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic devices are designed as multi-functional units that can perform multiple scanning operations under various conditions (different lighting, angles, positions) without requiring separate dedicated equipment for each condition. This universality allows the system to simulate multiple real-world testing scenarios using the same robotic platform, improving testing accuracy while managing system complexity through consolidation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, system, and apparatus are provided. The method includes receiving (702), with a coordinator component, a task for testing at least one electronic device, retrieving (704), by a first agent from the coordinator component, the task for testing the at least one electronic device, controlling (706) a first robotic device to test the at least one electronic device based on the retrieved task, and receiving (708), with the coordinator component, a result of the task based on the testing of the at least one electronic device.