Shared Platform for Mobile App Interaction Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automating the testing of interactions between mobile applications is challenging due to security measures that prevent automated control of multiple applications by the same test procedure, leading to issues like failed tests caused by unexpected UI updates in secondary applications and unknown output ranges.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a shared platform that can operate in test or runtime modes, providing simulated responses to requests from one application based on simulations of interactions with another application, allowing for testing without actually invoking the secondary application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated testing control is implemented across multiple applications, then testing efficiency is improved, but security restrictions prevent reliable automated control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shared platform as an intermediary layer between the test procedure and multiple applications. This platform provides a standardized interface that enables automated testing while respecting security restrictions. The shared platform mediates communication between applications and the test system, allowing controlled interactions without direct automated control of individual applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the testing system into independent components: a test procedure that manages testing logic, a shared platform that provides standardized interfaces, and individual applications that maintain their security boundaries. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently while maintaining overall testing coordination through the shared platform.
2Reliability
If secondary applications are invoked during testing, then comprehensive interaction testing is achieved, but unexpected UI updates cause test failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining expected behavior patterns and interfaces in the shared platform before actual testing occurs. Test procedures can reference these pre-established expectations to validate application interactions, reducing the complexity of handling unexpected UI updates during testing.
3Reliability
If full application output ranges are tested, then complete functionality verification is achieved, but unknown output ranges prevent thorough testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the shared platform provides standardized responses and status information back to test procedures. This feedback loop enables test procedures to verify application output against expected ranges and patterns, gradually building knowledge of output ranges through systematic testing while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A shared platform included in a device can be configured to execute instructions from a first application and a second application to operate the device. The shared platform can be configured to receive mode instructions from the first application indicative of operating in a test mode where the shared platform provides simulated responses to the first application. The shared platform can receive a request from the first application pertaining to an operation of the second application. The shared platform operating in the test mode can determine a response to the request from the first application based on a simulation of providing the request to the second application.