SHIELD FOR USER INTERFACE TESTING

• US 20090228987A1
• Filed: 03/04/2008
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Van Gogh, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 8,261,238 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/27
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/84 output devices, e.g. displays or monitors

Abstract

Real user input targeting an application under test is blocked to prevent interference with the test. A shield window can be placed in front of an application under test window to intercept input destined for the application. Users can be notified of interception or a failed attempt to access the application. Furthermore, the shield window can be employed to provide feedback about the test including pointer movement and area focus.

Claims

1. A test shield system, comprising:

a generation component that generates a shield window; and

a position component that positions the shield window in front of an application under test window to intercept user input destined for the application under test.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a component that identifies a screen location of the application to facilitate positioning of the shield window.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a focus component that determines when the application under test window is in focus and initiates action by the position component.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a notification component that notifies a user that input was intercepted.

5. The system of claim 1, the shield window is substantially transparent.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a feedback component that provides test feedback on the shield window.

7. The system of claim 6, the feedback includes position and/or movement of a pointer or cursor as a function of test activity.

8. The system of claim 6, the feedback includes identification of test focus area.

9. The system of claim 6, further comprising an interface to enable tests to provide information about test progress in the shield window.

10. A method of reliable application testing, comprising:

deploying a transparent window in front of an application under test window; and

blocking an input device message bound for the application under test with the transparent window.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining size and location of the application under test window.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising repositioning and/or resizing the transparent window in response to changes in the application under test window.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising notifying a user that the input device message was blocked.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing test feedback in the transparent window.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

monitoring the application under test; and

presenting graphic representations of test actions in the transparent window.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising animating pointer movement, and/or highlighting an area of test focus.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving the feedback from a test.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising indicating to the application under test window that it is in the foreground despite the transparent window residing in the foreground.

19. A method that facilitates UI testing, comprising:

intercepting a pointer or keyboard message destined for an application under test window with a transparent window positioned over top of the test application window; and

providing test feedback through the transparent window.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising notifying a user that the message was intercepted and failed to reach the test application.