Patent ID: 6526526
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for performing remote automated usability testing of a software application utilizing a data processing system connected within a network, said method comprising the steps of:providing a user with an automated usability test for a particular software application, wherein said automated usability test is to be activated while said particular software application is running utilizing a data processing system connected within a network; prompting said user to perform particular tasks, in response to activation of said automated usability test while said software application is running; gathering data indicating the usability of said software application through user responses to said promptings; automatically sending said gathered data to a data collection location at a remote site within said network, such that usability test data from a plurality of data processing systems in a plurality of remote user environments is gathered at a location remote from said plurality of data processing systems; activating said automated usability test while said software application is running, in response to a non-user input; and utilizing a remote trigger input to activate said automated usability test while said software application is running, where said remote trigger is a data input received from said network.