Automated TV Application Testing via External Test Driver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual testing of interactive applications on TV devices is error-prone, time-consuming, and costly, and existing automatic testing approaches are not suitable for TV devices, requiring skilled technicians and restrictive development workflows.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a test driver system runs and monitors test scenarios on TV devices separately, using a test definition helper library integrated into the interactive application to perform user interaction steps transparently, allowing for automated and efficient testing without modifying the application code, and providing a graphical user interface for test case creation and execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual testing is used for interactive applications on TV devices, then testing can be performed with human judgment and flexibility, but it is error-prone, time-consuming, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
A test driver system is introduced as an intermediary between the tester and the TV device. This system automatically performs user interactions and monitors target states, eliminating human error while maintaining comprehensive testing coverage. The test driver system handles the repetitive tasks of simulating remote control inputs and verifying application states, thus reducing both time and error rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system is designed to be self-executing through automated test scenarios that define sequences of user interactions and expected target states. The system automatically compares actual application behavior against expected outcomes without requiring continuous human intervention, thereby reducing testing time while maintaining reliability.
2Productivity
If existing automatic testing approaches are used, then testing speed increases, but they require skilled technicians and restrictive development workflows
Solution Approach 1:
The test driver system serves as an intermediary that abstracts the complexity of automated testing from the tester. It provides a simplified interface for defining test scenarios using natural language descriptions of user interactions and target states, eliminating the need for skilled technicians to write complex test scripts or modify application code.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual copies of user interactions through the test driver, which simulates remote control inputs and other user actions. This allows automated testing without requiring physical interaction with each device, significantly improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through software-based test execution.
3Productivity
If automated testing is implemented on TV devices, then testing speed increases, but it requires modification of application code and restrictive development styles
Solution Approach 1:
The test driver system acts as an intermediary that interfaces with the TV device without requiring modifications to the application code under test. It communicates with the device through standard interfaces and monitors target states externally, thus increasing testing throughput without adding complexity to the application development process.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system is segmented into separate functional components: the test scenario definition, the test driver system, and the TV device under test. This segmentation allows the application code to remain unchanged while the testing infrastructure handles automation, thereby improving productivity without increasing application complexity.
4Extent of automation
If a test driver system is introduced, then testing automation and efficiency improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The test driver system is designed as a universal platform that can test multiple interactive applications across different TV devices through a standardized interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for device-specific or application-specific test infrastructure, thereby increasing automation extent without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses virtual copies and simulations of user interactions rather than requiring physical test equipment for each scenario. This approach maximizes automation while minimizing the physical complexity of the testing system, as software-based test execution can be replicated across multiple devices without additional hardware complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a system for testing interactive applications on at least one TV device (18) according to at least one test scenario. The test scenario is run and monitored by a test driver system (14) separate from the at least one TV device (18), wherein the test scenario comprises a series of user interaction steps and at least one target state of the application and / or the at least one TV device (18) to be achieved after a specified user interaction step, the method comprising the steps of: a. integrating a test definition helper library (15) into the interactive application, wherein the test definition helper library (15) is configured to obtain information on the state of the interactive application and / or the at least one TV device (18); b. providing the modified interactive application to the at least one TV device (18); c. running the at least one test scenario, wherein the test driver system (14) non-transparently performs the series of user interaction steps on the at least one TV device (18); and d. comparing the information on the state of the interactive application and / or the at least one TV device (18) obtained by the test definition helper library (15) with the at least one target state after the specified user interaction step.