Device synchronization and testing
AssigneeCentrica Hive Limited
InventorMatthew Timothy Coote
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a platform that enables devices, services and applications to be connected together. Creating a “connected environment” via this platform requires co-ordinating multiple device manufacturers and service providers, and multiple standards/protocols. Advantageously, the platform removes the requirement for different manufacturers of different devices to adopt common protocols to enable device connection, and further, the platform removes the burden of configuration away from the consumer. Time-dependent behaviors, and time-dependent behaviors of groups of devices, may be tested in a simulated environment to identify emergent behaviors and software bugs before they are implemented via the platform, to enhance the user experience.
Claims25
A system comprising:
- at least one physical device, wherein the physical device is addressable by the system, and wherein the physical device is operated or controlled by a device driver;
- a simulation module which comprises storage means for storing a copy of the device driver for the at least one physical device;
- and
- at least one processor which is configured to:
- receive at least one time-dependent command for the at least one physical device, wherein time is obtained from a reference clock;
- test system operation within the simulation module by a process including the steps of:
- defining a test period;
- adjusting said reference clock for said test period;
- applying the at least one time-dependent command in said test period to the copy of the device driver associated with the specified physical device to simulate behaviour of the specified physical device;
- and
- outputting any problems with the simulated behaviour of the specified physical device;
- and
- control a physical device within the system by sending the time-dependent command to the device driver associated with the specified physical device, wherein the device driver applies the time-dependent command to the physical device.
A method for testing a plurality of devices, services and applications which are interconnected in a single platform, the method comprising:
- receiving at least one time-dependent action specified for at least one physical device, wherein time is obtained from a reference clock;
- defining a test period;
- adjusting said reference clock for said test period;
- applying each time-dependent action in said test period to a copy of a device driver which is associated with the specified physical device to simulate behaviour of the specified physical device, wherein the copy of the device driver is a copy of a driver used to operate or control the at least one physical device;
- and
- outputting any problems with the simulated behaviour of the specified physical device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.