Patent · US10432328B2 · B2 · US

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

(11) Publication number

US10432328B2

(21) Application number

15/955,610

(22) Filing date

2018-04-17

(30) Priority date

2014-12-05

(43) Publication date

2019-10-01

(45) Date of grant

2019-10-01

(51) IPC

B25J 9/16; 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, 4/80, 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 automatic system level testing (ASLT) system for testing smart devices is disclosed. The system comprises a system controller operable to be coupled with a smart device in an enclosure, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor. The system also comprises the enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: (i) a robotic arm comprising a stylus, wherein the stylus is operable to manipulate the smart device to simulate human interaction therewith; and (ii) a platform comprising a device holder, wherein the device holder is operable to receive a smart device inserted there into. 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 (19)

An automatic system level testing (ASLT) system for testing smart devices, the system comprising: a system controller operable to be coupled with a smart device, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor; an enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises an image plate with a fixed reference image, and wherein the enclosure further comprises a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: a robotic arm comprising a stylus attached, 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; 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 further the processor is configured to: launch a camera application on the smart device; control the platform to position the smart device in a suitable location relative to the image plate; control the smart device to capture an image of the fixed reference image on the image plate using a camera on the smart device; retrieve a captured image from the smart device; and compare the captured image with a reference image stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the camera on the smart device.
The system of claim 1, wherein the camera on the smart device is a front facing camera.
The system of claim 1, wherein the camera on the smart device is a back facing camera.
The system of claim 1, wherein the platform is controlled to move in the x-y direction.
The system of claim 1, wherein the fixed reference image is a color chart.
The system of claim 1, wherein the device holder is customized to fit a specific smart device model.
The system of claim 1, wherein the camera application comprises a flash, and wherein the processor is configured to verify proper operation of the flash.
An automatic system level testing (ASLT) system for testing smart devices, the system comprising: a system controller operable to be coupled with a smart device, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor; an enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises an image plate with a fixed reference image, and wherein the enclosure further comprises a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: a robotic arm comprising a stylus attached, 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; 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 further the processor is configured to: launch a camera application on the smart device; control the platform to position the smart device in a suitable location relative to the image plate, wherein the image plate is located above the platform; control the smart device to capture an image of the fixed reference image on the image plate using a front facing camera on the smart device; retrieve a first captured image from the smart device; and compare the first captured image with a reference image stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the front facing camera on the smart device.
The system of claim 8, wherein the smart device further comprises a back facing camera and wherein the processor is further configured to: access the camera application on the smart device to switch to the back facing camera; control the smart device to capture an image of the fixed reference image on the image plate using the back facing camera on the smart device; retrieve a second captured image from the smart device; and compare the second captured image with a reference image stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the back facing camera on the smart device.
The system of claim 8, wherein the platform is controlled to move in the x-y direction.
The system of claim 8, wherein the fixed reference image is a color chart.
The system of claim 8, wherein the device holder is customized to fit a specific smart device model.
The system of claim 8, wherein the camera application comprises a flash, and wherein the processor is configured to verify proper operation of the flash.
An automatic system level testing (ASLT) system for testing smart devices, the system comprising: a system controller operable to be coupled with a smart device, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor; an enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises an image plate with a fixed reference image, and wherein the enclosure further comprises a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: a robotic arm comprising a stylus attached, 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; a light sensor; 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 further the processor is configured to: launch a camera application on the smart device, wherein the camera application comprises a flash; control the platform to position the smart device in a suitable location relative to the image plate; control the smart device to capture an image of the fixed reference image on the image plate using a camera on the smart device and using the flash; retrieve a captured image from the smart device; compare the captured image with a reference image stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the camera on the smart device; and measure a light intensity of the flash using the light sensor.
The system of claim 14, wherein the camera on the smart device is a front facing camera.
The system of claim 14, wherein the camera on the smart device is a back facing camera.
The system of claim 14, wherein the platform is controlled to move in the x-y direction.
The system of claim 14, wherein the fixed reference image is a color chart.
The system of claim 14, wherein the device holder is customized to fit a specific smart device model.

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.

Automatic 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.

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Record as JSON

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  "publication_number": "US10432328B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Smart box for automatic feature testing of smart phones and other devices",
  "abstract": "An automatic system level testing (ASLT) system for testing smart devices is disclosed. The system comprises a system controller operable to be coupled with a smart device in an enclosure, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor. The system also comprises the enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: (i) a robotic arm comprising a stylus, wherein the stylus is operable to manipulate the smart device to simulate human interaction therewith; and (ii) a platform comprising a device holder, wherein the device holder is operable to receive a smart device inserted there into. The processor is configured to automatically control the smart device and the plurality of components in accordance with the test logic.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An automatic system level testing (ASLT) system for testing smart devices, the system comprising: a system controller operable to be coupled with a smart device, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor; an enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises an image plate with a fixed reference image, and wherein the enclosure further comprises a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: a robotic arm comprising a stylus attached, 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; 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 further the processor is configured to: launch a camera application on the smart device; control the platform to position the smart device in a suitable location relative to the image plate; control the smart device to capture an image of the fixed reference image on the image plate using a camera on the smart device; retrieve a captured image from the smart device; and compare the captured image with a reference image stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the camera on the smart device.",
    "2. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera on the smart device is a front facing camera.",
    "3. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera on the smart device is a back facing camera.",
    "4. The system of claim 1, wherein the platform is controlled to move in the x-y direction.",
    "5. The system of claim 1, wherein the fixed reference image is a color chart.",
    "6. The system of claim 1, wherein the device holder is customized to fit a specific smart device model.",
    "7. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera application comprises a flash, and wherein the processor is configured to verify proper operation of the flash.",
    "8. An automatic system level testing (ASLT) system for testing smart devices, the system comprising: a system controller operable to be coupled with a smart device, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor; an enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises an image plate with a fixed reference image, and wherein the enclosure further comprises a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: a robotic arm comprising a stylus attached, 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; 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 further the processor is configured to: launch a camera application on the smart device; control the platform to position the smart device in a suitable location relative to the image plate, wherein the image plate is located above the platform; control the smart device to capture an image of the fixed reference image on the image plate using a front facing camera on the smart device; retrieve a first captured image from the smart device; and compare the first captured image with a reference image stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the front facing camera on the smart device.",
    "9. The system of claim 8, wherein the smart device further comprises a back facing camera and wherein the processor is further configured to: access the camera application on the smart device to switch to the back facing camera; control the smart device to capture an image of the fixed reference image on the image plate using the back facing camera on the smart device; retrieve a second captured image from the smart device; and compare the second captured image with a reference image stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the back facing camera on the smart device.",
    "10. The system of claim 8, wherein the platform is controlled to move in the x-y direction.",
    "11. The system of claim 8, wherein the fixed reference image is a color chart.",
    "12. The system of claim 8, wherein the device holder is customized to fit a specific smart device model.",
    "13. The system of claim 8, wherein the camera application comprises a flash, and wherein the processor is configured to verify proper operation of the flash.",
    "14. An automatic system level testing (ASLT) system for testing smart devices, the system comprising: a system controller operable to be coupled with a smart device, wherein the system controller comprises a memory comprising test logic and a processor; an enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises an image plate with a fixed reference image, and wherein the enclosure further comprises a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising: a robotic arm comprising a stylus attached, 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; a light sensor; 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 further the processor is configured to: launch a camera application on the smart device, wherein the camera application comprises a flash; control the platform to position the smart device in a suitable location relative to the image plate; control the smart device to capture an image of the fixed reference image on the image plate using a camera on the smart device and using the flash; retrieve a captured image from the smart device; compare the captured image with a reference image stored in the memory of the system controller to verify proper functionality of the camera on the smart device; and measure a light intensity of the flash using the light sensor.",
    "15. The system of claim 14, wherein the camera on the smart device is a front facing camera.",
    "16. The system of claim 14, wherein the camera on the smart device is a back facing camera.",
    "17. The system of claim 14, wherein the platform is controlled to move in the x-y direction.",
    "18. The system of claim 14, wherein the fixed reference image is a color chart.",
    "19. The system of claim 14, wherein the device holder is customized to fit a specific smart device model."
  ],
  "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\nAutomatic 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.",
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  "assignees": [
    "w2bi Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Derek Diperna",
    "Ira Leventhal",
    "Keith SCHAUB",
    "Artun Kutchuk"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-04-17",
  "publication_date": "2019-10-01",
  "grant_date": "2019-10-01",
  "priority_date": "2014-12-05",
  "application_number": "US-201815955610-A",
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