System and method for testing computer hardware and software

Claim 1

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to stored input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application for generating visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host with a memory having the stored input data and having stored signatures of visual display signals; and, (b) an interface device, connected to said host and to the SUT, comprising: (1) means for sending the stored input data from said host to the SUT, (2) means for comparing new signatures of visual display signals from the visual display device with said stored signatures of visual display signals from said host in a non-intrusive manner, and (3) means for indicating whether the SUT is functioning properly.

Claim 2

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to stored input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application for generating visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host with a memory having the stored input data and having stored signatures of visual display signals; and, (b) an interface device, connected to said host and to the SUT, comprising: (1) means for sending the stored input data from said host to the SUT, (2) means for comparing new signatures of visual display signals from the visual display device with said stored signatures of visual display signals from said host in a non-intrusive manner, and (3) means for indicating whether the SUT is functioning properly.

Claim 12

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application for generating visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host for receiving first input data from an input device, said host comprising, (1) first means for storing said first input data as stored input data, (2) second means for sending said first input data to an interface device during a record mode, (3) third means for sending a take-signature command to said interface device during said record mode, and (4) fourth means for storing captured signatures of visual display signals as stored signatures of visual display signals; and (b) said interface device, being connected to said host and to the SUT for sending said first input data to the software application of the SUT for capturing signatures of the visual display signals from the visual display device, said interface device comprising, (1) fifth means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device in response to said take-signature command, and (2) sixth means, responsive to said fifth means, for sending captured signatures of visual display signals to said fourth means for storage as said stored signatures of visual display signals.

Claim 13

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application for generating visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host for receiving first input data from an input device, said host comprising, (1) first means for storing said first input data as stored input data, (2) second means for sending said first input data to an interface device during a record mode, (3) third means for sending a take-signature command to said interface device during said record mode, and (4) fourth means for storing captured signatures of visual display signals as stored signatures of visual display signals; and (b) said interface device, being connected to said host and to the SUT for sending said first input data to the software application of the SUT for capturing signatures of the visual display signals from the visual display device, said interface device comprising, (1) fifth means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device in response to said take-signature command, and (2) sixth means, responsive to said fifth means, for sending captured signatures of visual display signals to said fourth means for storage as said stored signatures of visual display signals.

Claim 17

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to stored input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application, the testing system comprising: (a) a host with a memory having the stored input data and having first stored signatures of visual display signals; and (b) an interface device, connected to said host and to the SUT, comprising: (1) means for sending the stored input data from said host to said SUT, (2) means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner second signatures of visual display signals from the visual display device, and (3) means for sending said second signatures of visual display signals to said memory on said host for storage.

Claim 18

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to stored input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application, the testing system comprising: (a) a host with a memory having the stored input data and having first stored signatures of visual display signals; and (b) an interface device, connected to said host and to the SUT, comprising: (1) means for sending the stored input data from said host to said SUT, (2) means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner second signatures of visual display signals from the visual display device, and (3) means for sending said second signatures of visual display signals to said memory on said host for storage.

Claim 19

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to stored input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application for generating visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host for receiving the first input data from an input device, said host comprising: (1) first means for storing said first input data as stored input data, (2) second means for sending said first input data to an interface device during a playback mode, (3) third means for sending the first input data to said interface device during a record mode, (4) fourth means for sending a take-signature command to said interface device during said record mode, and (5) fifth means for storing captured signatures of visual display signals as stored signatures of visual display signals during said record mode; and, (b) said interface device, being connected to said host and to the SUT, which sends during said record mode the first input data to the software application of the SUT, which sends during said playback mode the stored input data, and which captures during said playback mode and said record mode signatures of the visual display signals from the visual display device, said interface device comprising, (1) sixth means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device in response to said take-signature command during said record mode, (2) seventh means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device during said playback mode, (3) eighth means, responsive to said sixth means, for sending said captured signatures of visual display signals to said fifth means for storage as the stored signatures of visual display signals, and (4) ninth means, responsive to said seventh means and to said second means, for comparing said stored signatures of the visual display signals with captured signatures of the visual display signals, so as to provide an indication as to whether the SUT is functioning properly.

Claim 20

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to stored input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application for generating visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host for receiving the first input data from an input device, said host comprising: (1) first means for storing said first input data as stored input data, (2) second means for sending said first input data to an interface device during a playback mode, (3) third means for sending the first input data to said interface device during a record mode, (4) fourth means for sending a take-signature command to said interface device during said record mode, and (5) fifth means for storing captured signatures of visual display signals as stored signatures of visual display signals during said record mode; and, (b) said interface device, being connected to said host and to the SUT, which sends during said record mode the first input data to the software application of the SUT, which sends during said playback mode the stored input data, and which captures during said playback mode and said record mode signatures of the visual display signals from the visual display device, said interface device comprising, (1) sixth means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device in response to said take-signature command during said record mode, (2) seventh means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device during said playback mode, (3) eighth means, responsive to said sixth means, for sending said captured signatures of visual display signals to said fifth means for storage as the stored signatures of visual display signals, and (4) ninth means, responsive to said seventh means and to said second means, for comparing said stored signatures of the visual display signals with captured signatures of the visual display signals, so as to provide an indication as to whether the SUT is functioning properly.

Claim 26

A method for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application for generating visual display signals, the testing method being operable in a record mode and a playback mode, said method comprising the steps of: (a) in the record mode, (1) receiving the input data from an input device, (2) storing the input data from step (1) to thereby form stored input data; (3) sending the input data from step (1) to the software application on the SUT; (4) generating visual display signals in response to the input data from step (3); and (5) capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals from step (4); (6) storing said signatures of the visual display signals from step (5); and (b) in the playback mode, (7) sending the stored input data from step (2) to the software application on the SUT; (8) generating new signatures of the visual display signals in response to the stored input data from step (6); (9) capturing in a non-intrusive manner said new signatures of the visual display signals from step (7); and (10) comparing said signatures of the visual display signals from step (5) and said new signature of the visual display signals from step (8) so as to indicate whether or not the SUT is functioning properly.

Claim 27

A method for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application for generating visual display signals, the testing method being operable in a record mode and a playback mode, said method comprising the steps of: (a) in the record mode, (1) receiving the input data from an input device, (2) storing the input data from step (1) to thereby form stored input data; (3) sending the input data from step (1) to the software application on the SUT; (4) generating visual display signals in response to the input data from step (3); and (5) capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals from step (4); (6) storing said signatures of the visual display signals from step (5); and (b) in the playback mode, (7) sending the stored input data from step (2) to the software application on the SUT; (8) generating new signatures of the visual display signals in response to the stored input data from step (6); (9) capturing in a non-intrusive manner said new signatures of the visual display signals from step (7); and (10) comparing said signatures of the visual display signals from step (5) and said new signature of the visual display signals from step (8) so as to indicate whether or not the SUT is functioning properly.

Claim 32

A method for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application for generating visual display signals, the testing method being operable in a record mode, said method comprising the steps of: (1) receiving the input from an input device; (2) storing the input data form step (1) to thereby form stored input data; (3) sending the input data from step (1) to the software application on the SUT; (4) generating visual display signals in response to the input data from step (3); (5) capturing signatures of the visual display signals from step (4) in a non-intrusive manner; and, (6) storing said signatures of the visual display signals from step (5).

Claim 33

A method for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application for generating visual display signals, the testing method being operable in a record mode, said method comprising the steps of: (1) receiving the input from an input device; (2) storing the input data form step (1) to thereby form stored input data; (3) sending the input data from step (1) to the software application on the SUT; (4) generating visual display signals in response to the input data from step (3); (5) capturing signatures of the visual display signals from step (4) in a non-intrusive manner; and, (6) storing said signatures of the visual display signals from step (5).

Claim 38

A method for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application for generating visual display signals, the testing method being operable in a regeneration mode, said method comprising the steps of: (1) sending the stored input data to the software application on the SUT, (2) generating new signatures of visual display signals in response to the stored input data of step (1); (3) capturing said new signatures of visual display signals of step (2) in a non-intrusive manner; and (4) storing said new signatures of visual display signals.

Claim 39

A method for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application for generating visual display signals, the testing method being operable in a regeneration mode, said method comprising the steps of: (1) sending the stored input data to the software application on the SUT, (2) generating new signatures of visual display signals in response to the stored input data of step (1); (3) capturing said new signatures of visual display signals of step (2) in a non-intrusive manner; and (4) storing said new signatures of visual display signals.

Claim 40

A method for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application for generating visual display signals, the testing method being operable in a regeneration mode, said method comprising the steps of: (1) sending the stored input data to the software application on the SUT, (2) generating new signatures of visual display signals in response to the stored input data of step (1); (3) capturing said new signatures of visual display signals from step (2); (4) retrieving stored signatures of visual display signals; and (5) comparing the stored signatures of the visual display signals and said new signatures of the visual display signals, so as to indicate whether or not the SUT is functioning properly.

Claim 41

A method for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application for generating visual display signals, the testing method being operable in a regeneration mode, said method comprising the steps of: (1) sending the stored input data to the software application on the SUT, (2) generating new signatures of visual display signals in response to the stored input data of step (1); (3) capturing said new signatures of visual display signals from step (2); (4) retrieving stored signatures of visual display signals; and (5) comparing the stored signatures of the visual display signals and said new signatures of the visual display signals, so as to indicate whether or not the SUT is functioning properly.

Claim 43

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application to generate visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host for receiving first input data from an input device, said host comprising, (1) first means for storing said first input data as stored input data, (2) second means for sending said first input data to an interface device during a record mode, (3) third means for sending a take-signature command to said interface device during said record mode, (4) fourth means for storing captured signatures of visual display signals as stored signatures of visual display signals, and (5) software module means for causing said fourth means to store only said captured signatures of the visual display signals having a selected prevalence; and (b) said interface device, being connected to said host and to the SUT for sending said first input data to the software application of the SUT, and comprising: (1) fifth means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device in response to said take-signature command, and (2) sixth means, responsive to said fifth means, for sending captured signatures of visual display signals to said fourth means for storage as said stored signatures of visual display signals.

Claim 44

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application to generate visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host for receiving first input data from an input device, said host comprising, (1) first means for storing said first input data as stored input data, (2) second means for sending said first input data to an interface device during a record mode, (3) third means for sending a take-signature command to said interface device during said record mode, (4) fourth means for storing captured signatures of visual display signals as stored signatures of visual display signals, and (5) software module means for causing said fourth means to store only said captured signatures of the visual display signals having a selected prevalence; and (b) said interface device, being connected to said host and to the SUT for sending said first input data to the software application of the SUT, and comprising: (1) fifth means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device in response to said take-signature command, and (2) sixth means, responsive to said fifth means, for sending captured signatures of visual display signals to said fourth means for storage as said stored signatures of visual display signals.

Claim 46

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application to generate visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host for receiving first input data from an input device, said host comprising, (1) first means for storing said first input data as stored input data, (2) second means for sending said first input data to an interface device during a record mode, (3) third means for sending a take-signature command to said interface device during said record mode, and (4) fourth means for storing captured signatures of visual display signals as a stored visual signature of the display signals; and (b) said interface device, being connected to said host and to the SUT for sending said first input data to the software application of the SUT, and comprising: (1) fifth means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner a selected portion representative of a plane of the visual display signals of the visual display device in response to said take-signature command, and (2) sixth means, responsive to said fifth means, for sending captured signature of the visual display signals to said fourth means for storage as a stored signature of visual display signals.

Claim 47

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application to generate visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host for receiving first input data from an input device, said host comprising, (1) first means for storing said first input data as stored input data, (2) second means for sending said first input data to an interface device during a record mode, (3) third means for sending a take-signature command to said interface device during said record mode, and (4) fourth means for storing captured signatures of visual display signals as a stored visual signature of the display signals; and (b) said interface device, being connected to said host and to the SUT for sending said first input data to the software application of the SUT, and comprising: (1) fifth means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner a selected portion representative of a plane of the visual display signals of the visual display device in response to said take-signature command, and (2) sixth means, responsive to said fifth means, for sending captured signature of the visual display signals to said fourth means for storage as a stored signature of visual display signals.

Claim 48

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application to generate visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host for receiving first input data from an input device, said host comprising, (1) first means for storing said first input data as stored input data, (2) second means for sending said first input data to an interface device during a record mode, (3) third means for sending a take-signature command to said interface device during said record mode, and (4) fourth means for storing captured signatures of visual display signals as a stored visual signature of the display signals; and (b) said interface device, being connected to said host and to the SUT for sending said first input data to the software application of the SUT, and comprising: (1) fifth means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device in response to said take-signature command, said fifth means comprising: (i) a linear feedback shift register which captures said signatures of the visual display signals and (ii) a hardware state machine for controlling said linear feedback shift register, and (2) sixth means, responsive to said fifth means, for sending a captured signature of the visual display signals to said fourth means for storage as said stored signature of visual display signals.

Claim 49

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application to generate visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host for receiving first input data from an input device, said host comprising, (1) first means for storing said first input data as stored input data, (2) second means for sending said first input data to an interface device during a record mode, (3) third means for sending a take-signature command to said interface device during said record mode, and (4) fourth means for storing captured signatures of visual display signals as a stored visual signature of the display signals; and (b) said interface device, being connected to said host and to the SUT for sending said first input data to the software application of the SUT, and comprising: (1) fifth means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device in response to said take-signature command, said fifth means comprising: (i) a linear feedback shift register which captures said signatures of the visual display signals and (ii) a hardware state machine for controlling said linear feedback shift register, and (2) sixth means, responsive to said fifth means, for sending a captured signature of the visual display signals to said fourth means for storage as said stored signature of visual display signals.

Claim 51

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to stored input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application and which generates visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host for receiving first input data from an input device, said host comprising, (1) first means for storing said first input data as stored input data, (2) second means for sending said first input data to an interface device during a playback mode; (3) third means for sending the first input data to said interface device during a record mode, (4) fourth means for sending a take-signature command to said interface device during said record mode, and (5) fifth means for storing captured signatures of the visual display signals as stored signatures of visual display signals during said record mode, and (6) software module means for causing said fifth means to store only said captured signatures of the visual display signals having a selected prevalence; and (b) said interface device, being connected to said host and to the system under test, which sends during said record mode the first input data to the software application of the system under test, which sends during said playback mode the stored input data, and which captures during said playback mode and said record mode the visual display signals from the visual display device, said interface device comprising, (1) sixth means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device in response to said take-signature command during said record mode, (2) seventh means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device during said playback mode, (3) eighth means, responsive to said sixth means, for sending said captured signatures of the visual display signals to said fifth means for storage as the stored signatures of visual display signals, and (4) ninth means, responsive to said seventh means and to said fifth means, for comparing the stored signatures of the visual display signals with captured signatures of the visual display signals, so as to provide an indication as to whether the system under test is functioning properly.

Claim 52

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to stored input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application and which generates visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host for receiving first input data from an input device, said host comprising, (1) first means for storing said first input data as stored input data, (2) second means for sending said first input data to an interface device during a playback mode; (3) third means for sending the first input data to said interface device during a record mode, (4) fourth means for sending a take-signature command to said interface device during said record mode, and (5) fifth means for storing captured signatures of the visual display signals as stored signatures of visual display signals during said record mode, and (6) software module means for causing said fifth means to store only said captured signatures of the visual display signals having a selected prevalence; and (b) said interface device, being connected to said host and to the system under test, which sends during said record mode the first input data to the software application of the system under test, which sends during said playback mode the stored input data, and which captures during said playback mode and said record mode the visual display signals from the visual display device, said interface device comprising, (1) sixth means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device in response to said take-signature command during said record mode, (2) seventh means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device during said playback mode, (3) eighth means, responsive to said sixth means, for sending said captured signatures of the visual display signals to said fifth means for storage as the stored signatures of visual display signals, and (4) ninth means, responsive to said seventh means and to said fifth means, for comparing the stored signatures of the visual display signals with captured signatures of the visual display signals, so as to provide an indication as to whether the system under test is functioning properly.

Claim 54

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to stored input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application and which generates visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host for receiving the first input data from an input device, said host comprising, (1) first means for storing the first input data as the stored input data, (2) second means for sending the stored input data to an interface device during a playback mode; (3) third means for sending the first input data to said interface device during a record mode, (4) fourth means for sending a take-signature command to said interface device during said record mode, and (5) fifth means for storing captured signatures of the visual display signals as stored signatures of the visual display signals during said record mode; and, (b) said interface device, connected to said host and to the system under test, which sends during said record mode the first input data to the software application of the system under test, which sends during said playback mode the stored input data, and which captures during said playback mode and said record mode the visual display signals from the visual display device, said interface device comprising, (1) sixth means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device in response to said take-signature command during said record mode, (2) seventh means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device during said playback mode, (3) eighth means, responsive to said sixth means, for sending said captured signatures of the visual display signals to said fifth means for storage as stored signatures of the visual display signals, (4) ninth means, responsive to said seventh means and to said fifth means, for comparing said stored signatures of the visual display signals with captured signatures of the visual display signals, so as to provide an indication as to whether the system under test is functioning properly, and (5) tenth means for capturing a selected portion of signatures of the visual display signals representative of a plane.

Claim 55

A system for testing a system under test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to stored input data and a visual display device responsive to the software application and which generates visual display signals, the testing system comprising: (a) a host for receiving the first input data from an input device, said host comprising, (1) first means for storing the first input data as the stored input data, (2) second means for sending the stored input data to an interface device during a playback mode; (3) third means for sending the first input data to said interface device during a record mode, (4) fourth means for sending a take-signature command to said interface device during said record mode, and (5) fifth means for storing captured signatures of the visual display signals as stored signatures of the visual display signals during said record mode; and, (b) said interface device, connected to said host and to the system under test, which sends during said record mode the first input data to the software application of the system under test, which sends during said playback mode the stored input data, and which captures during said playback mode and said record mode the visual display signals from the visual display device, said interface device comprising, (1) sixth means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device in response to said take-signature command during said record mode, (2) seventh means for capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals of the visual display device during said playback mode, (3) eighth means, responsive to said sixth means, for sending said captured signatures of the visual display signals to said fifth means for storage as stored signatures of the visual display signals, (4) ninth means, responsive to said seventh means and to said fifth means, for comparing said stored signatures of the visual display signals with captured signatures of the visual display signals, so as to provide an indication as to whether the system under test is functioning properly, and (5) tenth means for capturing a selected portion of signatures of the visual display signals representative of a plane.

Claim 56

A method for testing a system under the test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data stored input data and visual display device responsive to the software application and which generates visual display signals, the testing method being operable in a record mode and a playback mode, said method comprising the steps of: in the record mode, (1) receiving the input data from an input device, (2) storing the input data from step (1) to thereby form stored input data, (3) sending the input data from step (1) to the software application on the SUT, (4) generating visual display signals in response to the input data from step (3), (5) capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals from step (4); and (6) storing in a memory on a host signatures of the visual display signals having a selected prevalence, and in the playback mode, (7) sending the stored input data from step (2) to the software application on the SUT, (8) generating new signatures of the visual display signals in response to the stored input data from step (7), (9) capturing in a non-intrusive manner said new signatures of the visual display signals from step (7), and (10) comparing said signatures of the visual display signals from step (6) and said new signature of the visual display signals from step (9) so as to indicate whether or not the SUT is functioning properly.

Claim 57

A method for testing a system under the test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data stored input data and visual display device responsive to the software application and which generates visual display signals, the testing method being operable in a record mode and a playback mode, said method comprising the steps of: in the record mode, (1) receiving the input data from an input device, (2) storing the input data from step (1) to thereby form stored input data, (3) sending the input data from step (1) to the software application on the SUT, (4) generating visual display signals in response to the input data from step (3), (5) capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals from step (4); and (6) storing in a memory on a host signatures of the visual display signals having a selected prevalence, and in the playback mode, (7) sending the stored input data from step (2) to the software application on the SUT, (8) generating new signatures of the visual display signals in response to the stored input data from step (7), (9) capturing in a non-intrusive manner said new signatures of the visual display signals from step (7), and (10) comparing said signatures of the visual display signals from step (6) and said new signature of the visual display signals from step (9) so as to indicate whether or not the SUT is functioning properly.

Claim 59

A method for testing a system under the test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data stored input data and visual display device responsive to the software application and which generates visual display signals, the testing method being operable in a record mode and a playback mode, said method comprising the steps of: in the record mode, (1) receiving the input data from an input device; (2) storing the input data from step (1) to thereby form stored input data, (3) sending the input data from step (1) to the software application on the system under test; (4) generating visual display signals in response to the input data from step (3); and (5) capturing in a non-intrusive manner a selected portion of the visual display signals from step (4) representative of a plane of the new visual display signal; in the playback mode, (6) sending the stored input data from step (2) to the software application on the system under test; (7) generating new visual display signals in response to the stored input data from step (6); (8) capturing in a non-intrusive manner said new visual display signals from step (7); and (9) comparing the visual display signals from step (5) and said new visual display signals from step (8) so as to indicate whether or not the system under test is functioning properly.

Claim 60

A method for testing a system under the test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data stored input data and visual display device responsive to the software application and which generates visual display signals, the testing method being operable in a record mode and a playback mode, said method comprising the steps of: in the record mode, (1) receiving the input data from an input device; (2) storing the input data from step (1) to thereby form stored input data, (3) sending the input data from step (1) to the software application on the system under test; (4) generating visual display signals in response to the input data from step (3); and (5) capturing in a non-intrusive manner a selected portion of the visual display signals from step (4) representative of a plane of the new visual display signal; in the playback mode, (6) sending the stored input data from step (2) to the software application on the system under test; (7) generating new visual display signals in response to the stored input data from step (6); (8) capturing in a non-intrusive manner said new visual display signals from step (7); and (9) comparing the visual display signals from step (5) and said new visual display signals from step (8) so as to indicate whether or not the system under test is functioning properly.

Claim 61

A method for testing a system under the test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data stored input data and visual display device responsive to the software application and which generates visual display signals, the testing method being operable in a record mode and a playback mode, said method comprising the steps of: in the record mode, (1) receiving the input data from an input device; (2) storing the input data from step (1) to thereby form stored input data; (3) sending the input data from step (1) to the software application on the system under test; (4) generating visual display signals in response to the input data from step (3); and (5) capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals from step (4); in the playback mode, (6) sending the stored input data from step 2) to the software application on the system under test; (7) generating new signatures of the visual display signals in response to the stored input data from step (6); (8) capturing in a non-intrusive manner a selected portion of said new signatures of the visual display signals from step (7) representative of a plane of the new signatures of the visual display signals; and, (9) comparing signatures of the visual display signals from step (5) and said new signatures of the visual display signals from step (8) so as to indicate whether or not the SUT is functioning properly.

Claim 62

A method for testing a system under the test (SUT) having at least one of computer hardware and software applications residing thereon, the SUT having a software application responsive to input data stored input data and visual display device responsive to the software application and which generates visual display signals, the testing method being operable in a record mode and a playback mode, said method comprising the steps of: in the record mode, (1) receiving the input data from an input device; (2) storing the input data from step (1) to thereby form stored input data; (3) sending the input data from step (1) to the software application on the system under test; (4) generating visual display signals in response to the input data from step (3); and (5) capturing in a non-intrusive manner signatures of the visual display signals from step (4); in the playback mode, (6) sending the stored input data from step 2) to the software application on the system under test; (7) generating new signatures of the visual display signals in response to the stored input data from step (6); (8) capturing in a non-intrusive manner a selected portion of said new signatures of the visual display signals from step (7) representative of a plane of the new signatures of the visual display signals; and, (9) comparing signatures of the visual display signals from step (5) and said new signatures of the visual display signals from step (8) so as to indicate whether or not the SUT is functioning properly.