UI Path Testing System Analyzes Navigation Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often struggle to navigate user interfaces (UIs) efficiently, leading to difficulties in accessing information, which can result in users opting for alternative methods like phone calls instead of using the UI.
Innovation Solution
A computer system for testing UIs, comprising a test creation module, a test execution module, a path entry module, and an analysis module, which determines a shortest path to a goal within the UI and compares it to a preferred path, providing an analysis result based on this comparison.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users navigate through the UI to access information, then the company can provide information through digital channels, but users may struggle to properly navigate the UI and opt for alternative methods like phone calls
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of UI paths before users attempt navigation. By pre-calculating shortest paths and preferred paths, and preparing test data about navigation difficulties, the system can provide proactive guidance to users before they encounter navigation problems, thereby improving both ease of operation and information access reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by comparing actual user navigation paths with predetermined preferred paths and shortest paths. This feedback loop identifies navigation difficulties and allows the system to adaptively improve UI guidance, helping users successfully navigate to information without resorting to alternative methods like phone calls
2Loss of information
If the UI requires multiple navigation steps to reach a goal, then comprehensive information can be accessed, but users may find it difficult to navigate and abandon the UI
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the navigation path from the initial UI state to the goal state into distinct steps. By analyzing and breaking down the navigation into manageable segments, the system can identify optimal paths and provide step-by-step guidance to users, making complex navigation sequences easier to follow while ensuring all necessary information is accessible
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis to determine shortest paths and preferred paths before users attempt navigation. This advance preparation allows the system to present users with optimized navigation routes that balance information accessibility with navigation simplicity, reducing the likelihood of users abandoning the UI
3Productivity
If the system analyzes multiple UI paths to determine the shortest path, then navigation efficiency can be improved, but the testing and analysis process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary testing and analysis to establish a library of shortest paths and preferred paths for common UI goals. By conducting this analysis in advance and storing the results, the system can quickly retrieve and present optimized paths to users without performing complex real-time analysis, thereby improving navigation efficiency while managing testing system complexity through pre-computation
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified representations (copies) of UI paths and their characteristics for analysis purposes. By working with these abstracted path models rather than the full complexity of the actual UI, the system can efficiently determine shortest paths and preferred paths, improving navigation efficiency while reducing the computational complexity of the testing and analysis process
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system for testing a user interface includes a memory circuit and a processor circuit configured to execute instructions including obtaining a state of the user interface. The instructions include setting a current position to a specified location within the user interface. The instructions include executing user interface tests to generate multiple paths. The instructions include determining a shortest path toward a goal location by identifying a path having a minimum distance that satisfies criteria. A distance for the path is based on two-dimensional distances between pairs of consecutive positions that include the current position as well as positions, along the particular path, of user interface elements requiring interaction to satisfy the criteria. The instructions including generating a preferred path based on preferred path information indicative of a specified path toward the goal location, comparing the determined shortest path to the generated preferred path, and outputting an analysis result.