MLchartDataset catalogue

Patent · US10020899B2 · B2 · US

Smart box for automatic feature testing of smart phones and other devices

(11) Publication number
US10020899B2
(21) Application number
14/949,551
(22) Filing date
2015-11-23
(30) Priority date
2014-12-05
(43) Publication date
2018-07-10
(45) Date of grant
2018-07-10
(51) IPC
B25J 9/16; G01R 31/28; G05B 19/418; G06F 11/22; G06F 3/0346; H02J 7/02; H04B 17/11; H04B 17/16; H04B 17/21; H04B 17/29; H04M 1/04; H04M 1/24; H04N 7/18; H04W 24/02; H04W 24/06; H04W 4/02; H04W 4/80; H04W 84/12
(52) CPC
  • H04W Wireless communication networks: 4/02, 24/02, 24/06, 4/008, 4/80, 84/12
  • B25J Manipulators; chambers provided with manipulation devices: 9/1679
  • G05B Control or regulating systems in general; functional elements of such systems; monitoring or testing arrangements for such systems or elements: 19/41875, 2219/32368, 2219/37021, 2219/37022, 2219/37231, 2219/37368, 2219/37388, 2219/37431, 2219/37433, 2219/37634, 2219/40041, 2219/45089
  • G06F Electric digital data processing: 11/2221, 3/0346
  • H02J Electric power networks; circuit arrangements or systems for supplying or distributing electric power; systems for storing electric energy: 7/025, 7/731, 7/82
  • H04B Transmission: 17/11, 17/16, 17/21, 17/29
  • H04M Telephonic communication: 1/04, 1/24
  • H04N Pictorial communication, e.g. television: 7/18
(73) Assignee
w2bi Inc
(72) Inventors
Derek Diperna; Ira Leventhal; Keith SCHAUB; Artun Kutchuk
(54) Title
Smart box for automatic feature testing of smart phones and other devices
(57) Abstract

An automated test system for testing smart devices is presented. The system includes a system controller coupled to a smart device, wherein the system controller includes a memory with test logic and a processor. The system also includes an enclosure with a plurality of components. The plurality of components include (a) a robotic arm with a stylus, wherein the stylus is operable to manipulate the smart device to simulate human interaction therewith; (b) a platform with a device holder, wherein the device holder is operable to hold a smart device inserted therein; (c) an audio capture and generator device; and (d) a microphone. The processor is configured to automatically control the smart device and the plurality of components in accordance with the test logic.

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Claims (21)

  1. An automated test system for testing smart devices, said system comprising: a system controller operable to be coupled to a smart device, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor; an enclosure comprising a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: a robotic arm comprising a stylus, wherein the stylus is operable to manipulate the smart device to simulate human interaction therewith; a platform comprising a device holder, wherein the device holder is operable to hold a smart device inserted therein; an audio capture and generator device; and a microphone, and wherein the processor is configured to automatically control the smart device and the plurality of components in accordance with the test logic, and wherein the processor is further configured to: transmit a reference audio file to the smart device; control the smart device to render the reference audio file; control the microphone and the audio capture and generator device to record the reference audio file played by the smart device; transmit the recorded reference audio file from the audio capture and generator device to the system controller; and compare the recorded reference audio file with a reference audio file stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the smart device.
  2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor uses a POLQA compliant algorithm to perform the compare operation.
  3. The system of claim 2, wherein the smart device renders the reference audio file using a speaker phone on the smart device.
  4. The system of claim 2, wherein the smart device renders the reference audio file through a headset coupled to the smart device.
  5. The system of claim 4, wherein the device holder comprises an actuator operable to insert a cable into a headphone jack of the smart device and wherein processor is further configured to: control the actuator to insert the audio cable into the headphone jack prior to rendering the reference audio file; and control the actuator to remove the audio cable from the headphone jack after the compare operation.
  6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of components further comprises an audio dampening module, wherein the audio dampening module is operable to provide acoustic insulation within the enclosure.
  7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to control the platform to move the smart device in proximity to the microphone and the audio capture and generator device prior to the recording of the reference audio file rendered by the smart device.
  8. An automated testing system for testing smart devices, said system comprising: a system controller operable to be coupled to a smart device, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor; an enclosure comprising a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: a robotic arm comprising a stylus affixed thereto, wherein the stylus is operable to manipulate the smart device to simulate human interaction therewith; a platform comprising a device holder affixed thereto, wherein the device holder is operable to hold the smart device; an audio capture and generator device; and a speaker, and wherein the processor is configured to automatically and contemporaneously control the smart device and the plurality of components in accordance with the test logic, and wherein the processor is further configured to: launch a receiver application on a smart device; render a reference audio file using the speaker and the audio capture and generator device; record the reference audio file using the receiver application; transmit a recorded reference audio file from the smart device to the system controller; and compare the recorded reference audio file with a reference audio file stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the smart device.
  9. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor uses a POLQA compliant algorithm to perform the compare operation.
  10. The system of claim 8, wherein the smart device receives the reference audio file using a microphone on the smart device.
  11. The system of claim 8, wherein the smart device receives the reference audio file through a microphone on a headset coupled to the smart device.
  12. The system of claim 11, wherein the device holder comprises an actuator operable to insert an audio cable into a headphone jack of the smart device and wherein processor is further configured to: control the actuator to insert the audio cable into the headphone jack prior to rendering the reference audio file using the speaker; and control the actuator to remove the audio cable from the headphone jack after the compare operation.
  13. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of components further comprises an audio dampening module, wherein the audio dampening module is operable to provide acoustic insulation within the enclosure.
  14. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to control the platform to move the smart device in proximity to the speaker and the audio capture and generator device prior to rendering the reference audio file using the speaker.
  15. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to: control the smart device to perform speech recognition using the reference audio file recorded on the smart device; and transmit results of the speech recognition operation to the system controller for verification thereof.
  16. An automated test system for testing smart devices, said system comprising: a system controller coupled to a smart device, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor; an enclosure comprising a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: a robotic arm comprising a stylus, wherein the stylus is operable to manipulate the smart device to simulate human interaction therewith; a platform comprising a device holder, wherein the smart device is operable to be held in the device holder; an audio capture and generator device; a speaker; and a microphone, and wherein the processor is configured to automatically control the smart device and the plurality of components in accordance with the test logic, and wherein the processor is further configured to: launch a receiver application on a smart device; render a reference audio file using the speaker and the audio capture and generator device; control the smart device to record the reference audio file; control the smart device to play back the reference audio file after recording is complete; control the microphone and the audio capture and generator device to record the reference audio file played back by the smart device; transmit the reference audio file captured using the microphone to the system controller; and compare the reference audio file transmitted from the microphone with a reference audio file stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the smart device.
  17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor uses a POLQA compliant algorithm to perform the compare operation.
  18. The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of components further comprises an audio dampening module, wherein the audio dampening module is operable to provide acoustic insulation within the enclosure.
  19. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to control the platform to move the smart device in proximity to the speaker, the microphone, and the audio capture and generator device prior to rendering the reference audio file using the speaker.
  20. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor in the system controller communicates with the smart device and the plurality of components through a USB Hub.
  21. In a testing system, a method of testing a smart device, the method comprising: registering a model of a smart device inserted into the testing system, wherein the testing system comprises: a system controller operable to be coupled with the smart device, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor; and an enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: a robotic arm comprising a stylus, wherein the stylus is operable to manipulate the smart device to simulate human interaction therewith; a platform comprising a device holder, wherein the device holder is operable to receive a smart device inserted there into; an audio capture and generator device; and a speaker; controlling the smart device and the plurality of components in accordance with the test logic; launching a receiver application on a smart device; rendering a reference audio file using the speaker and the audio capture and generator device; recording the reference audio file using the receiver application; transmitting a recorded reference audio file from the smart device to the system controller; and comparing the recorded reference audio file with a reference audio file stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the smart device.

Description

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of electronic device testing systems and more specifically to the field of electronic device testing equipment for testing smart phones and tablets.

Automated System Level Testing (ASLT) can be used to execute automated tests that quickly perform measurements and generate test results that can then be analyzed. An ASLT assembly may be anything from a computer system coupled to a meter, to a complicated automated test assembly that may include a custom, dedicated computer control system and many different test instruments that are capable of automatically testing electronics parts or testing devices such as smart phones. ASLT systems both reduce the amount of time spent on testing devices to ensure that the device functions as designed and serve as a diagnostic tool to determine the presence of faulty components within a given device before it reaches the consumer.

ASLT systems to test smart phones, for example, are required at both the point of sale and at the production facilities. Currently, if a user experiences a problem with their phone and brings it into a retail facility, there are no systems in place to exhaustively test the hardware and software on the phone to determine the source of the problem with a high degree of accuracy. Some retail facilities have the capability of performing some basic software testing of the phone, however, no retail facility has the ability to perform a complete hardware and software test on the phone and to test all the functions on the phone automatically.

Citations (38)

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  • US20170052527A1
Record as JSON 
{
  "publication_number": "US10020899B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Smart box for automatic feature testing of smart phones and other devices",
  "abstract": "An automated test system for testing smart devices is presented. The system includes a system controller coupled to a smart device, wherein the system controller includes a memory with test logic and a processor. The system also includes an enclosure with a plurality of components. The plurality of components include (a) a robotic arm with a stylus, wherein the stylus is operable to manipulate the smart device to simulate human interaction therewith; (b) a platform with a device holder, wherein the device holder is operable to hold a smart device inserted therein; (c) an audio capture and generator device; and (d) a microphone. The processor is configured to automatically control the smart device and the plurality of components in accordance with the test logic.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An automated test system for testing smart devices, said system comprising: a system controller operable to be coupled to a smart device, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor; an enclosure comprising a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: a robotic arm comprising a stylus, wherein the stylus is operable to manipulate the smart device to simulate human interaction therewith; a platform comprising a device holder, wherein the device holder is operable to hold a smart device inserted therein; an audio capture and generator device; and a microphone, and wherein the processor is configured to automatically control the smart device and the plurality of components in accordance with the test logic, and wherein the processor is further configured to: transmit a reference audio file to the smart device; control the smart device to render the reference audio file; control the microphone and the audio capture and generator device to record the reference audio file played by the smart device; transmit the recorded reference audio file from the audio capture and generator device to the system controller; and compare the recorded reference audio file with a reference audio file stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the smart device.",
    "2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor uses a POLQA compliant algorithm to perform the compare operation.",
    "3. The system of claim 2, wherein the smart device renders the reference audio file using a speaker phone on the smart device.",
    "4. The system of claim 2, wherein the smart device renders the reference audio file through a headset coupled to the smart device.",
    "5. The system of claim 4, wherein the device holder comprises an actuator operable to insert a cable into a headphone jack of the smart device and wherein processor is further configured to: control the actuator to insert the audio cable into the headphone jack prior to rendering the reference audio file; and control the actuator to remove the audio cable from the headphone jack after the compare operation.",
    "6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of components further comprises an audio dampening module, wherein the audio dampening module is operable to provide acoustic insulation within the enclosure.",
    "7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to control the platform to move the smart device in proximity to the microphone and the audio capture and generator device prior to the recording of the reference audio file rendered by the smart device.",
    "8. An automated testing system for testing smart devices, said system comprising: a system controller operable to be coupled to a smart device, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor; an enclosure comprising a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: a robotic arm comprising a stylus affixed thereto, wherein the stylus is operable to manipulate the smart device to simulate human interaction therewith; a platform comprising a device holder affixed thereto, wherein the device holder is operable to hold the smart device; an audio capture and generator device; and a speaker, and wherein the processor is configured to automatically and contemporaneously control the smart device and the plurality of components in accordance with the test logic, and wherein the processor is further configured to: launch a receiver application on a smart device; render a reference audio file using the speaker and the audio capture and generator device; record the reference audio file using the receiver application; transmit a recorded reference audio file from the smart device to the system controller; and compare the recorded reference audio file with a reference audio file stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the smart device.",
    "9. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor uses a POLQA compliant algorithm to perform the compare operation.",
    "10. The system of claim 8, wherein the smart device receives the reference audio file using a microphone on the smart device.",
    "11. The system of claim 8, wherein the smart device receives the reference audio file through a microphone on a headset coupled to the smart device.",
    "12. The system of claim 11, wherein the device holder comprises an actuator operable to insert an audio cable into a headphone jack of the smart device and wherein processor is further configured to: control the actuator to insert the audio cable into the headphone jack prior to rendering the reference audio file using the speaker; and control the actuator to remove the audio cable from the headphone jack after the compare operation.",
    "13. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of components further comprises an audio dampening module, wherein the audio dampening module is operable to provide acoustic insulation within the enclosure.",
    "14. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to control the platform to move the smart device in proximity to the speaker and the audio capture and generator device prior to rendering the reference audio file using the speaker.",
    "15. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to: control the smart device to perform speech recognition using the reference audio file recorded on the smart device; and transmit results of the speech recognition operation to the system controller for verification thereof.",
    "16. An automated test system for testing smart devices, said system comprising: a system controller coupled to a smart device, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor; an enclosure comprising a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: a robotic arm comprising a stylus, wherein the stylus is operable to manipulate the smart device to simulate human interaction therewith; a platform comprising a device holder, wherein the smart device is operable to be held in the device holder; an audio capture and generator device; a speaker; and a microphone, and wherein the processor is configured to automatically control the smart device and the plurality of components in accordance with the test logic, and wherein the processor is further configured to: launch a receiver application on a smart device; render a reference audio file using the speaker and the audio capture and generator device; control the smart device to record the reference audio file; control the smart device to play back the reference audio file after recording is complete; control the microphone and the audio capture and generator device to record the reference audio file played back by the smart device; transmit the reference audio file captured using the microphone to the system controller; and compare the reference audio file transmitted from the microphone with a reference audio file stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the smart device.",
    "17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor uses a POLQA compliant algorithm to perform the compare operation.",
    "18. The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of components further comprises an audio dampening module, wherein the audio dampening module is operable to provide acoustic insulation within the enclosure.",
    "19. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to control the platform to move the smart device in proximity to the speaker, the microphone, and the audio capture and generator device prior to rendering the reference audio file using the speaker.",
    "20. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor in the system controller communicates with the smart device and the plurality of components through a USB Hub.",
    "21. In a testing system, a method of testing a smart device, the method comprising: registering a model of a smart device inserted into the testing system, wherein the testing system comprises: a system controller operable to be coupled with the smart device, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor; and an enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: a robotic arm comprising a stylus, wherein the stylus is operable to manipulate the smart device to simulate human interaction therewith; a platform comprising a device holder, wherein the device holder is operable to receive a smart device inserted there into; an audio capture and generator device; and a speaker; controlling the smart device and the plurality of components in accordance with the test logic; launching a receiver application on a smart device; rendering a reference audio file using the speaker and the audio capture and generator device; recording the reference audio file using the receiver application; transmitting a recorded reference audio file from the smart device to the system controller; and comparing the recorded reference audio file with a reference audio file stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the smart device."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure relates generally to the field of electronic device testing systems and more specifically to the field of electronic device testing equipment for testing smart phones and tablets.\n\nAutomated System Level Testing (ASLT) can be used to execute automated tests that quickly perform measurements and generate test results that can then be analyzed. An ASLT assembly may be anything from a computer system coupled to a meter, to a complicated automated test assembly that may include a custom, dedicated computer control system and many different test instruments that are capable of automatically testing electronics parts or testing devices such as smart phones. ASLT systems both reduce the amount of time spent on testing devices to ensure that the device functions as designed and serve as a diagnostic tool to determine the presence of faulty components within a given device before it reaches the consumer.\n\nASLT systems to test smart phones, for example, are required at both the point of sale and at the production facilities. Currently, if a user experiences a problem with their phone and brings it into a retail facility, there are no systems in place to exhaustively test the hardware and software on the phone to determine the source of the problem with a high degree of accuracy. Some retail facilities have the capability of performing some basic software testing of the phone, however, no retail facility has the ability to perform a complete hardware and software test on the phone and to test all the functions on the phone automatically.",
  "cpc": [
    "H04W 4/02",
    "B25J 9/1679",
    "G05B 19/41875",
    "G05B 2219/32368",
    "G05B 2219/37021",
    "G05B 2219/37022",
    "G05B 2219/37231",
    "G05B 2219/37368",
    "G05B 2219/37388",
    "G05B 2219/37431",
    "G05B 2219/37433",
    "G05B 2219/37634",
    "G05B 2219/40041",
    "G05B 2219/45089",
    "G06F 11/2221",
    "G06F 3/0346",
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    "H04B 17/11",
    "H04B 17/16",
    "H04B 17/21",
    "H04B 17/29",
    "H04M 1/04",
    "H04M 1/24",
    "H04N 7/18",
    "H04W 24/02",
    "H04W 24/06",
    "H04W 4/008",
    "H04W 4/80",
    "H04W 84/12"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B25J 9/16",
    "G01R 31/28",
    "G05B 19/418",
    "G06F 11/22",
    "G06F 3/0346",
    "H02J 7/02",
    "H04B 17/11",
    "H04B 17/16",
    "H04B 17/21",
    "H04B 17/29",
    "H04M 1/04",
    "H04M 1/24",
    "H04N 7/18",
    "H04W 24/02",
    "H04W 24/06",
    "H04W 4/02",
    "H04W 4/80",
    "H04W 84/12"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "w2bi Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Derek Diperna",
    "Ira Leventhal",
    "Keith SCHAUB",
    "Artun Kutchuk"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-11-23",
  "publication_date": "2018-07-10",
  "grant_date": "2018-07-10",
  "priority_date": "2014-12-05",
  "application_number": "US-201514949551-A",
  "family_id": "56164042",
  "cited_by_count": 10,
  "citations": [
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    "US20160337053A1",
    "US20160187876A1",
    "US20160192213A1",
    "US9469037B2",
    "US20170052527A1"
  ]
}

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