Screenshot Database Delta Storage for Application Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storing massive amounts of screenshot data for application testing is inefficient due to the large disk space requirements, as most screenshots are similar and current methods do not effectively utilize this similarity for space savings.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with a 'reference area' for complete images and a 'delta area' for differences, where new images are compared to existing reference images to determine if they can be stored as delta images, significantly reducing storage space by using delta images that are much smaller than reference images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If complete screenshot images are stored in the database, then image quality and completeness are maintained, but disk space consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the screenshot storage into two separate areas: a reference area for complete images and a delta area for difference images. This segmentation allows the system to store only the differences (delta images) rather than complete images for all test cases, significantly reducing disk space while maintaining image quality through the reference area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a reference copy of the complete screenshot image and stores it in the reference area. Then, instead of storing the complete image again for each test case, the system stores only the differences (delta images) in the delta area. This copying approach reduces redundancy and disk space consumption while preserving image quality.
2Measurement precision
If all screenshot images are stored as complete images, then retrieval accuracy is maintained, but storage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting storage into reference and delta areas, the system maintains retrieval accuracy through the reference area while improving storage efficiency through the delta area. The delta images are generated by comparing current screenshots with reference images, allowing efficient storage of only the differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the storage parameter from complete image size to difference image size. By calculating and storing only the delta (difference) between images rather than the full image data, the system achieves significantly improved storage efficiency while maintaining the ability to retrieve accurate image information by combining reference and delta images.
3Quantity of substance
If delta images are stored instead of complete images, then disk space consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages complexity by segmenting the database into two clear areas: reference area for complete images and delta area for difference images. This segmentation provides a simple, organized structure for storing and retrieving images, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from storing only delta images.
Solution Approach 2:
By maintaining a reference copy of complete images, the patent simplifies the system architecture. The reference area serves as a baseline that simplifies the delta image generation and storage process, making the overall system less complex compared to storing only differences without a reference baseline.
4Reliability
If screenshots are stored for all application tests, then test verification completeness is maintained, but storage resources are exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments storage resources into reference and delta areas, allowing the system to maintain test verification completeness by storing reference images and their corresponding delta images. This segmentation enables efficient use of storage resources while ensuring all test screenshots can be verified.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the storage parameter from complete image size to difference image size for test verification. By storing delta images instead of complete images for all test cases, the system maintains verification completeness while significantly reducing storage resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums are presented that process and store images efficiently in a memory system. When a new image is received, it is compared to a plurality of reference images. The most similar reference image is located, and a delta image is generated representing a difference between the reference image and the new image. Instead of storing the entirety of the new image, the delta image can be stored along with a reference to the corresponding reference image, such that the new image can be restored from the delta image and the reference image. The total number of reference images and delta images can be dynamically balanced such that predetermined ratios of image numbers or image sizes can be maintained.