Sensor Data Replay for Cloud Application Testing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for simulating sensors in application testing are complex, costly, and inefficient, as they often rely on live environment simulations that fail to accurately reproduce sensory inputs, especially in cloud environments where sensors may be ineffective.

Innovation Solution

The method involves simulating sensors by hooking applications to capture and store sensory data, associating it with automation instructions, and using support devices to simulate sensory inputs in a separate environment, allowing for efficient and consistent testing without user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If live environment simulations are used for sensor testing, then real sensor data can be captured, but the testing becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of sensory input reproductionVSAvoidcomplexity of simulation setup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of sensory inputs by recording actual sensor data from live environments and storing it as reusable test data. Instead of maintaining complex live simulation setups, the system captures authentic sensor readings (accelerometer, GPS, camera, etc.) and replays them in controlled testing environments, achieving reliable sensory input reproduction without the ongoing complexity of live simulations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary data capture by recording sensory inputs during actual device operation before testing begins. This pre-captured data is stored and can be replayed repeatedly during application testing, eliminating the need for repeated complex live environment setups while maintaining accuracy of the sensory inputs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If live environment simulations are used for sensor testing, then real sensor data can be captured, but the costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of sensory input reproductionVSAvoidcost of testing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By creating reusable virtual copies of sensory data, the system eliminates the need for repeated expensive live environment setups. The recorded sensor data can be played back infinitely without additional cost, achieving both accuracy and cost efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, complex live simulation infrastructure with inexpensive software-based data replay mechanisms. The virtual sensory environment requires minimal hardware resources compared to maintaining physical test setups, significantly reducing testing costs while maintaining data authenticity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If manual operation is required for sensor simulation, then accurate sensory inputs can be reproduced, but efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of sensory input reproductionVSAvoidtesting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system makes the testing process self-service by automatically capturing sensor data during normal device operation and automatically replaying it during testing. The recorded sensory data includes timestamps and contextual information that enable automated replay without manual intervention, maintaining accuracy while dramatically improving efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the data recording and replay system) between the sensor and the application under test. This intermediary captures authentic sensor outputs and delivers them to the application in a controlled manner, enabling both accurate reproduction and automated testing without requiring manual operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If sensors are used in cloud environments, then application testing can be performed, but sensors may be ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting environment flexibilityVSAvoidsensor effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates virtual sensory inputs that copy the behavior and output of physical sensors without requiring actual sensor hardware in the cloud environment. This allows application testing in flexible cloud-based or emulated environments while maintaining the reliability of sensory data through software-generated replicas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the sensor function from the physical sensor hardware by implementing virtual sensors that can operate independently in different environments. This segmentation allows the sensing capability to be deployed wherever needed (cloud, edge, local) without being constrained by physical sensor limitations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10169216B2Simulating sensors

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

Simulating sensors can include hooking an application associated with sensory data and associating the sensory data with an automation instruction. Simulating sensors can include providing the sensory data to a support device having an ability to modify the application and automatically causing the support device to simulate a sensory input using the sensory data by executing the automation instruction.