Station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices and method for

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic diagnosis mode of an electronic device, which can be used in the electronic industry. The essence of the set of inventions is a station for the automatic diagnosis of a device comprising a control unit to which are connected a device communicator, a device visual and hardware defect identification aid and a device spatial orientation device capable of linearly moving the device relative to the defect identification aid. The control unit has visual defect identification software, and the spatial orientation device is designed to have the ability to rotate the device relative to the defect identification aid. The set of inventions aims at achieving the technical result of increasing the number of detectable visual defects of a device (2 independent claims, 5 dependent claims, 3 schematic diagrams) by means of a station for automatic diagnosis.

Description

[0001] A group of inventions relates to means for automatically diagnosing electronic gadgets, which can be used in the electronics industry as well as for commercial purposes.

[0002] A station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices and a method for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices with the aid of the station have been selected as a prototype. The station consists of a control unit to which an electronic device communicator, an electronic device visual and hardware defect recognition aid, and an electronic device spatial orientation device capable of linearly moving the electronic device relative to the electronic device visual and hardware defect recognition aid are connected. The control unit has electronic device visual defect recognition software, and the electronic device visual defect recognizer is equipped with a camera that captures the appearance of the electronic device during diagnosis and sends electronic signals to the control unit. The method includes positioning the electronic device in an electronic device spatial orientation device of a station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices, connecting the electronic device to a control unit of the station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices via an electronic device communicator, moving the electronic device relative to an electronic device visual and hardware defect identification auxiliary tool, capturing the appearance of the electronic device with the aid of a camera, sending an electronic signal to the control unit, and identifying the electronic device visual and hardware defects through the control unit [US11004042B2, publication date: May 11, 2021; IPC: G06Q10 / 00; H04M1 / 24; G07F 17 / 00; H04M 1 / 72406].

[0003] The disadvantage of the prototype is that the electronic device visual defect recognition system does not have a high enough degree of recognition of electronic device visual defects because the camera of the electronic device visual defect recognition system does not capture all required angles at equal distances during the electronic device diagnosis process, including the end, front and back of the electronic device, which is caused by the lack of designed rotation capability of the electronic device being diagnosed in the field of view of the camera lens, resulting in a further decrease in the accuracy of the electronic device diagnosis quality and residual value assessment. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a station that can provide such capabilities and technology using the station.

[0004] The technical problem that this group of inventions aims to achieve is to improve the quality of automatic diagnosis of electronic components by means of a station for automatic diagnosis of electronic components.

[0005] The technical effect that this group of inventions aims to achieve is to increase the number of visual defects that can be detected in electronic devices by means of a station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices.

[0006] Another technical effect that the present group of inventions aims to achieve is to increase the number of detectable hardware defects of electronic devices by means of a station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices.

[0007] Another technical effect that this group of inventions aims to achieve is to provide a possibility of evaluating the residual value of an electronic device diagnosed by a station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices.

[0008] Another technical effect that this group of inventions aims to achieve is to simplify the design of electronic device spatial orientation equipment for stations used for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices.

[0009] The essential content of the first invention in this group of inventions is as follows.

[0010] A station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices, comprising a control unit, to which an electronic device communicator, an electronic device visual and hardware defect recognition aid, and an electronic device spatial orientation device capable of linearly moving the electronic device relative to the electronic device visual and hardware defect recognition aid are connected. The control unit has electronic device visual defect recognition software. Unlike the prototype, the electronic device spatial orientation device is designed to be able to rotate the electronic device relative to the electronic device visual and hardware defect recognition aid.

[0011] The essential content of the second invention in this group of inventions is as follows.

[0012] A method for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices by a station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices, comprising: positioning the electronic device in an electronic device spatial orientation device of the station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices; connecting the electronic device to a control unit of the station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices via an electronic device communicator; moving the electronic device relative to an electronic device visual and hardware defect identification aid tool; and identifying visual and hardware defects of the electronic device by the control unit. Unlike the prototype, when the electronic device is moved relative to the visual and hardware defect identification aid tool by means of the electronic device spatial orientation device, the electronic device rotates relative to the electronic device visual and hardware defect identification aid tool.

[0013] A station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices provides for positioning the electronic device therein, connecting the electronic device to a control unit of the station, moving the electronic device relative to visual and hardware defect recognition aids, and identifying visual and hardware defects of the electronic device by the control unit. The station has a control unit, an electronic device communicator, an electronic device visual and hardware defect recognition aid, and an electronic device spatial orientation device. The housing of the station can be made of any structural material, and the above-mentioned devices can be fixed therein, or can also be mounted on a solid surface. In this case, the components of the station will be oriented relative to each other in a manner that provides the possibility of moving the electronic device relative to the visual and hardware defect recognition aids.

[0014] The control unit includes input / output means, input / output interfaces, a computer module equipped with software tools for electronic device vision and hardware defect recognition.

[0015] The input / output tool enables the user-station interface by setting up diagnostic procedures and displaying diagnostic results, and may be represented by a display, keyboard, buttons, however, most preferably by a touch screen display.

[0016] Input and output interfaces allow the station to be connected to the device to be diagnosed and / or other equipment (such as printer, PC, etc.).

[0017] Any known electrical connector may be the input and output interface.

[0018] The electronic device hardware defect identifier has electronic device hardware defect identifier software.

[0019] The electronic device hardware defect identification software ensures the evaluation of the operability of the electronic device hardware components and can be a combination of software and a database stored in the internal memory of the control unit, which sends electronic signals to the diagnosed electronic device to enable and disable its hardware components, receives electronic signals from the diagnosed electronic device after enabling and disabling the hardware components, compares the target value of the indication signal characterizing the effective performance of the electronic device with the target value preset in the database, and drafts a conclusion about the performance of the electronic device hardware components based on the comparison results.

[0020] The hardware components under test may be electronic device modules such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, speakers, microphones, accelerometers, displays, flashes, etc. In addition, the electronic device hardware defect identifier may include a camera focus test mark for diagnosing the electronic device camera. The camera may be tested under different lighting conditions. In order to provide different lighting conditions, the control unit is designed so that it can change the brightness of the station internal lighting by changing the lighting power provided or by other means.

[0021] The electronic device communicator includes an electrical connector, a conductive cable and a rotating mechanism.

[0022] The rotation mechanism enables the electronic device to be locked in the electronic device spatial orientation device in such a way that its linear movement is restricted but still retains the ability to rotate about its longitudinal axis.

[0023] Furthermore, to improve the quality of hardware defect diagnosis by increasing the number of hardware components diagnosed, the electronic device hardware defect identifier may include a stylus attached to a stylus unit positioned relative to the electronic device, which allows the station to diagnose display performance of the electronic device.

[0024] The stylus may include a housing, a tip, and a connector for insertion into an electronic device hardware defect identifier.

[0025] Furthermore, the stylus may comprise a housing, inside which there are an outer movable rod and an inner movable rod interacting with each other, in order to diagnose a touch or pressure sensitive display of an electronic device by applying a continuously varying pressure to the electronic device. Thus, the inner rod is fixed in a cage, and its outer and inner ends are provided with elastic members. The elastic members may be fixed to the rod coaxially or at an angle, and their cross-sectional diameter may be a fraction of the diameter of the rod or may be larger. However, in the most preferred option, the elastic members are mounted at two opposite ends of the rod, in line with the central axis of the stylus.

[0026] The stylus unit positioned relative to the electronics may be configured to move in one, two or more planes and for this purpose the carriage is mounted on one or more guides. It may also contain a stylus holder, guides and an actuator. In the most preferred option, the guides of the stylus positioning unit are fixed to the housing of the station parallel to the base to allow horizontal movement of the stylus. In this case, the actuator may be servo, electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or any other known mechanism and is fixed in such a way as to ensure movement of the stylus in the horizontal and / or vertical planes.

[0027] The electronic component visual defect recognition device is a combination of electronic component visual defect recognition software, camera and station internal lighting.

[0028] The electronic device visual defect recognition software provides for the determination of the visual integrity of the electronic device and / or its degree of damage and may represent a combination of software and a database. It provides for sending an electronic signal to a camera to start filming, receiving one or a series of images from the camera, detecting mechanical damage to the electronic device on the captured images, classifying the detected damage according to the values ​​set in the database, and drafting a conclusion on the visual integrity of the electronic device and / or its degree of damage.

[0029] The camera of the station is capable of acquiring images of the electronic device being diagnosed and sending the acquired images to the electronic device visual defect identifier, and may include one or more lenses and connectors to be inserted into the electronic device visual defect identifier.

[0030] The camera can be attached in any manner at any location of the station housing so that its lens field of view covers the electronic devices located in the electronic device spatial orientation device.

[0031] According to the control unit's command, the station lighting provides different lighting conditions for the camera diagnostics through the electronics hardware defect identifier. It can be represented by any light source, but in the most preferred choice, it is an LED lamp or an LED lamp system.

[0032] The electronic device spatial orientation device ensures that the electronic device moves relative to the electronic device vision and hardware defect identification auxiliary tool. It can include a frame, a receiving slot, a rotating mechanism bracket for the electronic device communicator, a flap and a rotating fixture assembly.

[0033] The receiving slot provides the possibility to accommodate the electronic device in the electronic device spatial orientation device and can be represented by a combination of a hole matching the size of the electronic device and any manipulators and / or conveyors.

[0034] However, in the most preferred option, the possibility of positioning the electronic device in the electronic device spatial orientation device is ensured by a retractable mechanism capable of moving the electronic device spatial orientation device outwards from the housing of the station. The retractable mechanism can be represented by a telescopic mechanism, a conveyor or a manipulator.

[0035] However, in the most preferred option, the retractable mechanism has guides equipped with actuators. In this case, the actuators can be servo, electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or any other mechanism known in the prior art and can be fixed to the housing of the station in a way that allows the electronic device spatial orientation device to move horizontally.

[0036] The electronic device can be held at the same level as the rotating clamp assembly by any means known in the art, such as a manipulator. However, in the most preferred option, retention is ensured by a tab forming a plane flush with the rotating clamp assembly, so that the electronic device can be easily fixed between the output plug of the device and the rotating clamp assembly lock, mechanically acting on the electronic device.

[0037] The flaps can be made of any material and have any size and shape. However, in the most preferred option, they are arranged relative to each other and represent a flat rectangular platform with a width and length corresponding to the width and length of the electronic device, which provides a simplified design for the electronic device spatial orientation device. Also in the most preferred option, the flaps include guides equipped with flap actuators, which are attached to the housing of the station so that the flaps can be moved vertically towards the side panels of the station.

[0038] The flaps may also have markings which are used to determine the size of the electronic device by analyzing the image of the electronic device acquired by the camera of the station with respect to these markings by the control unit.

[0039] The rotating fixture assembly allows the electronic device to be locked and oriented relative to the electronic device vision and hardware defect identification aids, and can be represented by any system of conveyors, manipulators and / or push rods and brackets known in the prior art. However, in the most preferred option, the rotating fixture assembly has a rod pusher with an internal elastic member and a push rod actuator, an electronic device holder and a rotating mechanism.

[0040] The electronics holder ensures the attachment of the electronics and can mount a board with parallel protrusions that match the ends of the electronics.

[0041] The rotating mechanism ensures that the electronic device rotates relative to the electronic device vision and hardware defect identification aid tool and can be represented by any known rotating device. However, in the most preferred option, the rotating mechanism ensures that the electronic device rotates 0 to 360 degrees around its axis and includes a vertically arranged spur gear provided with a drive gear actuator.

[0042] The control unit recognizes visual and hardware defects of the electronic device based on software and / or databases installed in the internal memory of the control unit or third-party software and / or databases and supports the electronic device diagnosis. An option can also be implemented that the control unit contains a machine learning algorithm including a neural network. An option can also be implemented that the software calculations during the electronic device diagnosis are performed on a remote server with the help of cloud computing.

[0043] Furthermore, in order to enhance the functionality of the station, the control unit may be designed to be able to evaluate the residual value of the diagnosed electronic device by comparing the parameters determined by the device during the identification of visual and hardware defects of the electronic device with parameters preset in the database related to the residual value data of the electronic device. Furthermore, in order to enhance the functionality of the station, the control unit may be designed with a feature for resetting the electronic device to its initial settings (factory parameters).

[0044] The inventions in this group can be made from known materials using known tools, which proves that they meet the patentability standard of "industrial applicability".

[0045] The invention is characterized by a combination of basic features not known in the prior art, characterized in that:

[0046] --The electronic device spatial orientation equipment is designed to be able to rotate the electronic device relative to the electronic device visual and hardware defect identification aids.

[0047] --When the electronic device is moved relative to the visual and hardware defect identification aid tool with the aid of the electronic device spatial orientation device, the electronic device is rotated relative to the electronic device visual and hardware defect identification aid tool.

[0048] The combination of basic features of the present invention allows the camera of the electronic device visual defect identifier to shoot from all required angles, including the ends, front and back of the electronic device, so that the control unit can obtain and process more data about the appearance condition of the electronic device.

[0049] This results in achieving a technical effect of increasing the number of detectable visual defects of electronic devices by a station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices, thereby providing a high degree of recognition of visual defects of electronic devices by an electronic device visual defect recognizer.

[0050] This group of inventions has a set of basic features that are not known in the prior art, which indicates that they meet the patentability standard of "novelty".

[0051] A station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices is known in the prior art, comprising a control unit to which is connected an electronic device communicator, an electronic device visual and hardware defect recognition aid, and an electronic device spatial orientation device capable of linearly moving the electronic device relative to the electronic device visual and hardware defect recognition aid. The control unit has electronic device visual defect recognition software.

[0052] However, no electronic device spatial orientation apparatus is known in the prior art that is designed as a station capable of rotating an electronic device relative to an electronic device vision and hardware defect identification aid.

[0053] Therefore, the invention meets the patentability criterion of “inventive step”.

[0054] The inventions in this group of inventions are interrelated to form a single inventive concept, namely, a method for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices implemented by a station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices, which indicates that this invention group meets the patentability standard of "unity of invention".

[0055] The present invention is explained by the following figures.

[0056] Figure 1 —Isometric view of a station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices without housing panels.

[0057] Figure 2 —Top view of a station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices without housing panels.

[0058] Figure 3 — Main view of a station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices.

[0059] Given below are options for the present group of inventions that may be modified or supplemented in any way to demonstrate feasibility and to better understand the essence of the present group of inventions, wherein the present group of inventions is not limited to the options provided.

[0060] A station for automated diagnosis of electronic devices has a housing within which is mounted an electronic device communicator, electronic device vision and hardware defect identification aids, and electronic device spatial orientation equipment.

[0061] The housing 1 comprises a skin panel with openings for input and output connectors and station controls, as well as a power plug. The interior of the housing also houses station internal lighting means 2 .

[0062] The control unit comprises input / output means 3, input / output interfaces, a computer module equipped with electronic device vision and hardware defect recognition software tools.

[0063] The electronic device communicator includes an output plug, a conductive cable and a rotating mechanism.

[0064] The electronic device hardware defect identifier is a combination of an electronic device hardware defect identification software tool, an electronic device communicator and a stylus positioning component 4 .

[0065] The stylus positioning assembly 4 comprises a stylus support 5, a guide member 6 and an actuator.

[0066] The stylus comprises a casing having an outer movable rod and an inner movable rod interacting with each other, a tip, a connector for inserting an electronic device hardware defect identifier, and a stylus dual plane positioning unit 4. The inner rod is fixed in the cage, and its outer and inner ends are equipped with elastic members.

[0067] The electronic device visual defect recognition device is a combination of electronic device visual defect recognition software, a camera 7 and station internal lighting 2.

[0068] The camera head 7 has a lens, a housing attachment for a station for automatic diagnosis of electronic components, and a connector for inserting a visual defect recognizer for electronic components.

[0069] The electronic device spatial orientation apparatus has a frame, a retractable mechanism, a rotating mechanism bracket for the electronic device communicator, a wing 8 and a rotating fixture assembly 9.

[0070] The retractable mechanism has a guide 10 on which an actuator is mounted.

[0071] The flap 8 has markings for electronic device size identification and guides for mounting the flap actuator.

[0072] The rotating fixture assembly 9 has a rod-type push rod with an internal elastic member and a push rod actuator, an electronic device holder 11 mounted with a plate with parallel protrusions matching the ends of the electronic device, and a rotating mechanism with vertically arranged spur gears provided with a driving gear actuator.

[0073] Note that the electronic device communicator is rigidly connected to the electronic device through an input plug and is also connected to the control unit through an output plug; the guide 10 of the retractable mechanism of the electronic device spatial orientation device is horizontally fixed to the housing 1 of the station, and the wing 8 of the electronic device spatial positioning device is fixed in the electronic device spatial orientation device so that it is longitudinally located on the wing when it is placed for diagnosis, and is rigidly connected to the output plug of the electronic device communicator, and the output plug is rigidly connected to the rotating mechanism of the electronic device communicator; the push rod of the rotating clamp assembly is rigidly connected to the push rod actuator and the electronic device holder 11, and is positioned so that when the electronic device is placed on the wing, the protrusion of the electronic device holder plate placed at its end is parallel to and at the same level as the corresponding end of the electronic device; the wing 8 is rigidly connected to the wing guide and actuator, and the guide and actuator are arranged so that when the electronic device is placed in the housing of the station for automatic diagnosis, they are aligned with the output plug of the electronic device communicator, and the output plug is rigidly connected to the electronic device communicator. A rotating mechanism in a sub-device communicator, and when the electronic device interacts with the rotating fixture assembly 9, the wing 8 is located at the side end directly opposite the electronic device without contacting it; at the same time, a rotating mechanism with vertically arranged spur gears is connected to the rotating fixture assembly push rod and the driving gear actuator; the guide 6 of the stylus positioning unit is fastened to the housing 1 in a plane parallel to the wing 8, and the stylus is rigidly fixed in the stylus holder 5, and the stylus holder 5 is rigidly connected to the guide 6 of the stylus positioning unit and the stylus positioning unit actuator so that its tip points to the electronic device located in the electronic device spatial orientation device; the camera 7 is fixed with the aid of an accessory to the housing 1 of the station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices so that its lens field of view covers the entire electronic device located in the electronic device spatial orientation device; the station internal lighting 2 is fixed on the accessory to the housing 1 of the station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices so that its light is emitted to the electronic device located in the electronic device spatial orientation device; all listed functional elements are connected to the control unit with the aid of a transmission cable.

[0074] The operation of this group of inventions is as follows.

[0075] The electronics diagnostic program is selected in the control unit of the station for automatic diagnosis of electronics by means of input / output tool 3. When the station is started, the actuator of the retractable mechanism of the electronics spatial orientation device is activated according to the command of the control unit, sliding it out of the housing 1 of the station.

[0076] The electronics are connected to the control unit by means of an electronics communicator and are placed on the tab 8 of the electronics spatial orientation device, fixed between the output plug of said device and the holder 11 of the rotating fixture assembly 9 .

[0077] According to the command of the control unit, the push rod actuator of the rotating clamp assembly 9 is activated and the electronic device is locked by the electronic device holder with a plate with parallel protrusions matching the ends of the electronic device.

[0078] According to the command of the control unit, the actuator of the retractable mechanism of the electronic device spatial orientation device is activated, sliding it out of the housing 1 of the station.

[0079] According to the command of the control unit, the actuator of the guide of the flap 8 is activated, the flap 8 rotates about the guide axis and moves towards a plane parallel to the side panels of the housing 1 of the station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices.

[0080] According to the command of the control unit, the electronic device hardware defect identifier is activated, the electronic device hardware defect identification software is started, the electronic device communicator sends and receives electronic signals from the electronic device to evaluate the operability of the electronic device hardware components, start the electronic device camera, and perform a mark focus test.

[0081] According to the command of the control unit, the stylus positioning unit is activated and the stylus moves along the guide 6 using an actuator so that its tip mechanically interacts with the electronic device display by moving the stylus rod and compressing or decompressing the elastic member attached thereto. The stylus applies a varying pressure on the electronic device display, and the electronic signals received from the stylus containing information about the position, number and intensity of the presses are transmitted to the control unit via the connector of the electronic device hardware defect identifier. In this case, the electronic signals are transmitted from the electronic device to the control unit using an electronic device communicator. These signals contain information about the position, number and intensity of the presses received.

[0082] According to the command of the control unit, the stylus positioning unit is activated and then the stylus is moved to its original position by means of the actuator.

[0083] According to the command of the control unit, the electronic device visual defect recognition device is activated, the electronic device visual defect recognition software is started, and the camera 7 and the station internal lighting 2 are activated.

[0084] According to the command of the control unit, the rotating fixture assembly actuator gear is activated, which rotates the rotating fixture assembly push rod with electronic components fixed therein by 0 to 360 degrees around the rotating fixture assembly push rod axis within the range of the lens of the camera 7. The camera 7 sends an electronic signal to the control unit.

[0085] The control unit computer module with embedded software compares the electronic signals received from the functional elements of the station for automatic diagnosis of electronic components with a pre-recorded database and provides the user with information on the diagnosis of the electronic components by means of the input / output tool 3 .

[0086] The control unit computer module with embedded software compares the diagnosed electronic device parameter values ​​with the pre-recorded database. Based on the match, the electronic device is assigned to one of the categories preset in the database and the user is provided with information on the possible residual value of the electronic device corresponding to a certain category.

[0087] Based on the command of the control unit, an electronic signal is sent to the electronic device to reset the electronic device system settings and internal memory to factory values.

[0088] According to the control unit command, the actuator of the guide of the flap 8 is activated, the flap 8 rotates around the axis of the guide and moves towards a plane parallel to the electronic device, resting against it.

[0089] When the station is started, the actuator of the retractable mechanism of the electronic device spatial orientation device is activated according to the command of the control unit, sliding it out of the housing 1 of the station.

[0090] According to the command of the control unit, the rotary clamp assembly push rod actuator is activated, and the electronic device holder 11 returns to its original position, disconnecting the electronic device.

[0091] This results in achieving a technical effect of increasing the number of detectable visual defects of electronic components by a station for automatic diagnosis of electronic components, thereby providing a high degree of recognition of visual failures of electronic components by an electronic component visual defect identifier.

Claims

1. A station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices, comprising a control unit, an electronic device communicator, an electronic device visual and hardware defect recognition auxiliary tool, and an electronic device spatial orientation device capable of linearly moving the electronic device relative to the electronic device visual and hardware defect recognition auxiliary tool connected to the control unit, the control unit having electronic device visual defect recognition software, the station being characterized in that the electronic device spatial orientation device is designed to have the ability to rotate the electronic device relative to the electronic device visual and hardware defect recognition auxiliary tool. 2 . The station according to claim 1 , characterized in that the electronic device hardware defect identifier has a stylus attached to a stylus unit positioned relative to the electronic device.

3. A station according to claim 2, characterised in that the stylus is designed to apply a continuously varying pressure to the electronic device.

4. A station according to claim 2, characterized in that the stylus comprises a housing having an inner movable rod and an outer movable rod interacting with each other, the inner rod being fixed in a cage and having elastic members at its outer and inner ends.

5. The station according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic device spatial orientation device has wings.

6. A method for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices by a station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices, comprising: Positioning the electronic device in the electronic device spatial orientation device of the station for automatic diagnosis of the electronic device; connecting the electronic device to a control unit of the station for automatic diagnosis of electronic devices via an electronic device communicator; moving the electronic device relative to an electronic device visual and hardware defect identification aid; And identifying the appearance and hardware defects of the electronic device through the control unit, the difference of the method is that when the electronic device is moved relative to the visual and hardware defect identification auxiliary tool with the help of the electronic device spatial orientation device, the electronic device rotates relative to the electronic device visual and hardware defect identification auxiliary tool.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the residual value of the electronic component is calculated by the control unit.

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