System and method of substituting parameter sets in self-contained mini-applications

• US 8,849,612 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2010
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fourthwall Media Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fourthwall Media Incorporated
• Inventors: Slothouber, Louis P., Ye, Aaron, Johnston, Jeffrey W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bullock, Jr., Lewis A
• Assistant Examiner(s): APONTE, FRANCISCO JAVIER
• Application Number:
  US12/878,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20110067003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,482 Days
• Field of Search: 717101-178, 715200-867
• US Class Current: 702/182
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/38 for implementing user interfaces

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods of building a default set of parameters into a software application by defining a widget template having associated parameter schema and then instantiating a widget by substituting a new set of application parameters for the built-in defaults such that the new parameters meet the same constraints defined for the default parameters. Aspects of the invention also include testing the original application containing the default parameters, along with the parameter substitution process itself, using a Statistical Software Testing Methodology (SSTM) to ensure the application meets a pre-determined level of quality.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for certifying a widget template having associated schema, comprising:

selecting the widget template having associated parameter schema for certification;

specifying a target value for an acceptable defect rate;

iteratively generating, using a processor, a set of parameter values, the set of parameter values based on the associated parameter schema and varying from iteration to iteration, wherein for each iteration performing the steps;

(1) an initial sample of (n) units to be tested is chosen,

(2) parameter values are randomly generated from a set of all valid parameters as defined by the schema for the n units,

(3) a validating parser is run to assure the parameters satisfy the schema constraints,

(4) n widgets are instantiated using the widget template and the generated parameter values,

(5) the n widgets are tested for defects to determine the sample defect rate)(0°

, wherein the sample defect rate equals the number of defective widgets found divided by n,

(6) the overall defect rate is estimated by extrapolating from the sample defect rate,

(7) the sample defect rate is used to calculate a new value of n,

(8) steps (2)-(7) are repeated until a suitable n is determined and sampling is completed, wherein the sample defect rate)(0°

found at iteration i is used as the defect rate for computing n at iteration i+1, wherein a suitable n is determined and sample is completed if n at iteration i+1 is less than n at iteration i; and

terminating the certification process and certifying the widget template if the sample defect rate is within the acceptable defect rate.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein an XML schema, enhanced XML schema, or SIAD tree is used to automatically generate the set of parameter values.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein SOAD trees are used to determine the defect rate.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the parameter values are randomly generated from a subset of parameter values that are likely to be used in deployed widgets.

5. A computer-implemented method for creating an instantiated widget, comprising:

receiving a certified widget template having associated parameter schema and default parameter values, wherein the certified widget template results from a process comprising;

selecting a widget template having associated parameter schema for certification,

specifying a target value for an acceptable defect rate,

iteratively generating, using a processor, a set of parameter values, the set of parameter values based on the associated parameter schema and varying from iteration to iteration, wherein for each iteration performing the steps;

(1) an initial sample of (n) units to be tested is chosen,

(2) parameter values are randomly generated from a set of all valid parameters as defined by the schema for the n units,

(3) a validating parser is run to assure the parameters satisfy the schema constraints,

(4) n widgets are instantiated using the widget template and the generated parameter values,

(5) the n widgets are tested for defects to determine the sample defect rate(0°

) , wherein the sample defect rate equals the number of defective widgets found divided by n,

(6) the overall defect rate is estimated by extrapolating from the sample defect rate,

(7) the sample defect rate is used to calculate a new value of n,

(8) steps (2)-(7) are repeated until a suitable n is determined and sampling is completed, wherein the sample defect rate)(0°

) found at iteration i is used as the defect rate for computing n at iteration i+1, wherein a suitable n is determined and sample is completed if n at iteration i+1 is less than n at iteration i; and

terminating the certification process and certifying the widget template if the sample defect rate is within the acceptable defect rate;

providing alternative parameter values;

validating, using a processor, the alternative parameter values against the

associated parameter schema;

replacing the default parameter values with the validated alternative parameter values; and

making the instantiated widget available for use.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the widget template and associated schema are received as files or data streams.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the default parameter values are generated by a widget editor tool, test case generator, or text editor.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the associated parameter schema provides semantic and syntactic constraints.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the parameter schema is an XML schema, enhanced XML schema, or SIAD tree.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the replacing the default parameter values comprises direct replacement of values in a memory structure.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the replacing the default parameter values comprises:

direct replacement or using a call interface.

12. A system comprising one or more computer processors configured to:

receive a certified widget template having default parameter values, wherein the certified widget template results from a process comprising;

selecting a widget template having associated parameter schema for certification,

specifying a target value for an acceptable defect rate,

iteratively generating, using a processor, a set of parameter values, the set of parameter values based on the associated parameter schema and varying from iteration to iteration, wherein for each iteration performing the steps;

(1) an initial sample of (n) units to be tested is chosen,

(2) parameter values are randomly generated from a set of all valid parameters as defined by the schema for the n units,

(3) a validating parser is run to assure the parameters satisfy the schema constraints,

(4) n widgets are instantiated using the widget template and the generated parameter values,

(5) the n widgets are tested for defects to determine the sample defect rate)(0°

), wherein the sample defect rate equals the number of defective widgets found divided by n,

(6) the overall defect rate is estimated by extrapolating from the sample defect rate,

(7) the sample defect rate is used to calculate a new value of n,

(8) steps (2)-(7) are repeated until a suitable n is determined and sampling is completed, wherein the sample defect rate)(0°

)found at iteration i is used as the defect rate for computing n at iteration i+1, wherein a suitable n is determined and sample is completed if n at iteration i+1 is less than n at iteration i; and

terminating the certification process and certifying the widget template if the sample defect rate is within the acceptable defect rate;

input parameter schema, wherein the parameter schema is associated with the widget template;

store an alternative set of parameter values;

validate the alternative parameter values against the parameter schema and replace at least one default parameter value with at least one new parameter value without recompiling source code; and

make the instantiated widget available for use.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more computer processors are configured to make the instantiated widget available for use by sending the instantiated widget over a network to a set-top box.