IP Library Granted Patent US 9,477,567
Granted Patent B2
US 9,477,567 · App. 14/219,968 · Granted Oct 25, 2016

Method for monitoring a graphical user interface on a second computer display from a first computer

Inventors: Douglas P. Simons (Fort Collins, CO); Jonathan D. Gillaspie (Golden, CO)
Assignee: TestPlant, Inc.
G06F11/2273G06F3/0487G06F3/04817G06F3/04842G06F9/4445G03G15/50G06F11/3672G06T7/001G06T7/0008
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,477,567
App. No.
14/219,968
Granted
Oct 25, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A high level interface between a remote computer and local computer operator permits the remote computer to be controlled via a sequence of interactions. The remote computer may be monitored for display information which is expected, and also controlled in the event the expected information either is or is not obtained. Command language extensions are provided which extend and complement a basic scripting language. Scripts with embedded command language extensions may be executed through a remote interface, permitting remote testing, operation and evaluation. The development of the scripts, including embedded command language extensions, may be prepared through execution of commands at the local computer on a depiction of the GUI received from the remote computer, and subsequently saved as a script.

Claims (60)

1. A computer system for testing a mobile device, the computer system being connected to the mobile device and comprising:

a memory unit that stores instructions comprising a testing script; and at least one processing unit that executes the testing script to:

receive a representation of a graphical user interface of the mobile device;

detect a presence or absence of a first graphical element in the received representation of the mobile device graphical user interface based on an image analysis; and

in direct response to detecting a presence of the first graphical element, automatically provide a signal to the mobile device to initiate an input action on the mobile device graphical user interface, wherein the input action is specified by a specific script command in the testing script.

2. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the input action emulates an input command from a peripheral input device including at least one selected from a group comprising: a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch screen device.

3. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the input action includes at least one selected from a group comprising: a mouse click, a mouse movement, and text entry.

4. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the first graphical element comprises less than the entire representation of the mobile device system graphical user interface.

5. The computer system of claim 4 , wherein the first graphical element comprises at least one selected from a group comprising: an icon, text, a text box, and a prompt.

6. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing unit further executes the testing script to:

automatically provide as the signal, a first signal to execute a first input action at the mobile device, in response to detecting a presence of the first graphical element in the received representation of the mobile device graphical user interface during the search.

7. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing unit further executes the testing script to:

indicate a failure, in response to detecting an absence of the first graphical element in the received representation of the mobile device graphical user interface during the search.

8. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing unit further executes the testing script to:

receive an additional representation of the graphical user interface of the mobile device subsequent to automatically providing the signal to the mobile device to initiate the input action in accordance with the testing script; and

detect a presence or absence of a second graphical element in the additionally received representation of the mobile device graphical user interface based on an image analysis.

9. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one processing unit further executes the testing script to:

based on a result of detecting a presence of the second graphical element, automatically provide a signal to the mobile device to initiate another input action on the mobile device graphical user interface in accordance with the testing script.

10. The computer system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a local display that depicts the received representation of the mobile device graphical user interface.

11. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing unit further executes the testing script to:

capture user input effected with respect to the representation of the mobile device graphical user interface display; and

generate the testing script based on the captured user input.

12. A method implemented at a computer system for testing a mobile device connected to the computer system, the method executed by at least one processor and comprising:

receiving a representation of a graphical user interface of the mobile device;

detecting a presence or absence of a first graphical element in the received representation of the mobile device graphical user interface based on an image analysis; and

in direct response to detecting a presence of the first graphical element, automatically providing a signal to the mobile device to initiate an input action on the mobile device graphical user interface, wherein the input action is specified by a specific script command in the testing script.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the input action emulates an input command from a peripheral input device including at least one selected from a group comprising: a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch screen device.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the input action includes at least one selected from a group comprising: a mouse click, a mouse movement, and text entry.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first graphical element comprises less than the entire representation of the mobile device system graphical user interface.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first graphical element comprises at least one selected from a group comprising: an icon, text, a text box, and a prompt.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises:

automatically providing as the signal, a first signal to execute a first input action at the mobile device, in response to detecting a presence of the first graphical element in the received representation of the mobile device graphical user interface during the search.

18. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

indicating a failure, in response to detecting an absence of the first graphical element in the received representation of the mobile device graphical user interface during the search.

19. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

receiving an additional representation of the graphical user interface of the mobile device subsequent to automatically providing the signal to the mobile device to initiate the input action in accordance with the testing script; and

detecting a presence or absence of a second graphical element in the additionally received representation of the mobile device graphical user interface based on an image analysis.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:

based on a result of detecting a presence of the second graphical element, automatically providing a signal to the mobile device to initiate another input action on the mobile device graphical user interface in accordance with the testing script.

21. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

depicting, on a local display, the received representation of the mobile device graphical user interface.

22. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

capturing user input effected with respect to the representation of the mobile device graphical user interface display; and

generating the testing script based on the captured user input.

23. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a testing script for enabling a computer system to implement a method for testing a mobile device connected to the computer system, the method comprising:

receiving a representation of a graphical user interface of the mobile device;

detecting a presence or absence of a first graphical element in the received representation of the mobile device graphical user interface based on an image analysis; and

in direct response to detecting a presence of the first graphical element, automatically providing a signal to the mobile device to initiate an input action on the mobile device graphical user interface, wherein the input action is specified by a specific script command in the testing script.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 23 , wherein the input action emulates an input command from a peripheral input device including at least one selected from a group comprising: a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch screen device.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 23 , wherein the input action includes at least one selected from a group comprising: a mouse click, a mouse movement, and text entry.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 23 , wherein the first graphical element comprises less than the entire representation of the mobile device system graphical user interface.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 26 , wherein the first graphical element comprises at least one selected from a group comprising: an icon, text, a text box, and a prompt.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 23 , wherein the method further comprises:

automatically providing as the signal, a first signal to execute a first input action at the mobile device, in response to detecting a presence of the first graphical element in the received representation of the mobile device graphical user interface during the search.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 23 , wherein the method further comprises:

indicating a failure, in response to detecting an absence of the first graphical element in the received representation of the mobile device graphical user interface during the search.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 23 , wherein the method further comprises:

receiving an additional representation of the graphical user interface of the mobile device subsequent to automatically providing the signal to the mobile device to initiate the input action in accordance with the testing script; and

detecting a presence or absence of a second graphical element in the additionally received representation of the mobile device graphical user interface based on an image analysis.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2020
From: SILICON VALLEY BANK
To: TESTPLANT INC.
Reel/Frame 054688/0615 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 7, 2020
From: TESTPLANT INC.
To: EGGPLANT SOFTWARE, INC.
Reel/Frame 053437/0402 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 28, 2018
From: TESTPLANT INC.
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 046231/0828 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 1, 2014
From: TESTPLANT INC.
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 034499/0484 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2014
From: SIMONS, DOUGLAS P.; GILLASPIE, JONATHAN D.
To: REDSTONE SOFTWARE, INC.
Reel/Frame 034048/0237 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 28, 2014
From: REDSTONE SOFTWARE INC.
To: TESTPLANT INC.
Reel/Frame 034048/0325 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 12963620 · Dec 8, 2010
Continuation 10678043 · Oct 1, 2003
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