Human-computer interface (HCI) test driver

Abstract

A method and a system for driving a computer interface for a user is provided. The system includes an interface client having a computer platform, a test driver having software on the computer platform; a window displayed to the interface client, the window providing an interface between the computer platform and the user; and a command file that provides an instruction to the computer interface for executing by the driver software, such that the instruction mimics a user input. The method includes providing instructions through a command file having an instruction for execution on the computer interface, providing driver software to the computer interface, and executing the instruction on the computer interface using the driver software, such that the instruction mimics a user input.

1. A method for driving a computer interface on a computer platform that executes test software, the method comprising:
 connecting the computer interface with an input provider via a thread;  
 communicating a command file having an instruction for execution on the computer interface;  
 providing driver software to the computer interface;  
 executing the instruction on the computer interface using the driver software to produce a result, wherein the instruction mimics a command from the input provider; and  
 transmitting the result from the computer interface to the input provider.  
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 exchanging server information with a remote server,  
 executing a server command from the remote server in response to the server information.  
 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying a window of the instruction on the computer interface; and  
 providing an editor viewable by the window for modifying the instruction.  
 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the instruction in the command file verifies attributes of the information by one of confirming conformity and identifying discrepancy. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the input provider is a series of selections from a list of menu options for a window displayable to an operator. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the command file includes a verification step that compares a reply to the instruction with an expectation to determine a discrepancy and displays an indicator in response to the discrepancy. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the command file incorporates the instruction in ASCII text using Motif code. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the driver software incorporates a software library. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the computer interface is a Human-Computer Interface (HCI), and the computer system is a platform simulator for combat operations. 
     
     
       10. A system for driving a computer interface for an input provider, the system comprising:
 an interface client connecting by a thread to the input provider and having a computer platform that includes the computer interface;  
 a command file that issues an instruction to the computer interface;  
 a test driver having software on the computer platform and that executes the instruction for providing a result to the computer interface; and  
 a window that displays on the interface client, the window  
 communicating the result from the computer interface to the input provider, wherein the instruction mimics a command from the input provider.  
 
     
     
       11. The system according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a remote server to exchange server information with the interface client,  
 wherein the interface client executes a server command from the remote server in response to the server information.  
 
     
     
       12. The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the input provider is a series of selections from a list of menu options for the window displayable to an operator. 
     
     
       13. The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the command file includes a verification step that compares a reply to the instruction with an expectation to determine a discrepancy and displays an indicator in response to the discrepancy. 
     
     
       14. The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the command file incorporates the instruction in ASCII text using Motif code. 
     
     
       15. The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the driver software incorporates a software library. 
     
     
       16. The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the instruction in the command file verifies attributes of the information by one of confirming conformity and identifying discrepancy. 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the input provider is a server simulator. 
     
     
       18. The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the input provider is a server simulator.