Usability Study Application Generation Using Designed Experiments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conducting usability studies is challenging due to the subjective and burdensome process of selecting appropriate tests, which imposes a significant cognitive load and is prone to errors, especially when balancing time, budget, and personnel constraints.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilizes design of experiments (DoE) to automate and optimize the creation of usability studies by generating a computer-executable application that presents usability tests in a predetermined sequence, collects user data, and deploys the application for execution, supporting various types of usability studies such as choice, comparative, and observational.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If traditional manual methods are used to select usability tests, then the creator can exercise expert judgment and flexibility, but the process becomes subjective, burdensome, and error-prone with significant cognitive load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of usability test selectionVSAvoidcomplexity of test selection process

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically selecting and sequencing usability tests based on application configuration data without requiring manual expert judgment. The designed experiment module autonomously processes the configuration data and generates an optimized test sequence, eliminating the cognitive burden on creators while maintaining scientific rigor through algorithmic selection criteria

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms the subjective parameter of expert judgment into objective parameters through the designed experiment methodology. By changing from manual selection based on creator expertise to algorithmic selection based on application configuration data and experimental design principles, the system achieves automation while reducing errors and cognitive load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a diverse set of usability tests is included to comprehensively assess the application, then assessment coverage improves, but time, budget, and personnel constraints are exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensiveness of usability assessmentVSAvoidtime required for usability study

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by selecting a subset of usability tests that are optimally sufficient rather than including all possible tests. The designed experiment methodology determines the minimum necessary set of tests that provide comprehensive assessment coverage within the given constraints, avoiding both insufficient and excessive testing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The test selection and sequencing is dynamic rather than static, adapting to the specific application configuration data provided. The system dynamically adjusts which tests to include and in what sequence based on the particular features and characteristics of the application being tested, optimizing the balance between comprehensiveness and resource constraints for each unique case

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If manual selection of usability tests is performed, then flexibility in customization is maintained, but the process is subjective and imposes significant cognitive load on the creator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of creating usability studyVSAvoidlevel of automated test selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system substitutes the mechanical process of manual test selection with an automated computational process. Instead of relying on human cognitive processes for selecting and sequencing tests, the system uses algorithmic processing of application configuration data through designed experiment methodology, replacing manual operation with automated computation to improve ease of use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12505029B2Systems, methods, and graphical user interfaces for generating a computer-executable usability study application

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 JMP STATISTICAL DISCOVERY LLC

AI summary

A system, method, and computer-program product includes obtaining application configuration data; computing, via an execution of a designed experiment, a plurality of application usability tests based on the application configuration data; generating a computer-executable application based at least on the plurality of application usability tests; and deploying the computer-executable application to a target computing environment for execution by one or more users.