Automated Functional Testing System for Handheld Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing the functionalities of hand-held devices, such as smartphones, are largely manual and time-consuming, leading to low throughput and inefficiency in identifying and repairing device defects.
Innovation Solution
The development of automated functional testing systems that include conveyor systems, testing jigs, shuttles, robots, and a test application controller to rapidly and accurately test various functionalities like touch screen, camera, and audio, and reconfigure devices for refurbishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual testing methods are used to test hand-held device functionalities, then testing can be performed with simple equipment, but testing throughput is low and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system is divided into multiple independent testing stations, each dedicated to testing specific functionalities (touch screen, camera, audio, display, etc.). This segmentation allows parallel testing of multiple devices simultaneously, dramatically increasing throughput while keeping each individual testing station relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated testing system employs universal testing jigs and robotic mechanisms that can be configured to test various functionalities across different device types. The conveyor system and testing stations are designed to accommodate multiple device form factors, allowing the same infrastructure to test smartphones, tablets, and other hand-held devices through automated adaptation rather than requiring completely separate testing systems for each device type.
2Speed
If automated testing systems are implemented to increase throughput, then testing speed improves, but system complexity and initial costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system incorporates dynamic elements such as movable conveyors, adjustable testing jigs, and programmable robotic arms that can be reconfigured for different testing scenarios. This dynamic design allows the system to maintain high speed through automation while adapting to various testing requirements without requiring completely separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby managing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical testing operations are replaced with automated robotic systems that perform precise, rapid testing actions. The robotic arms and automated conveyors substitute human operators in repetitive tasks, dramatically increasing testing speed. The system uses software-controlled automation rather than complex mechanical linkages, reducing mechanical complexity while achieving high-speed operation through programmable control.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive functionality testing is performed on all device components, then defect identification accuracy improves, but testing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system operates continuously with devices moving through multiple testing stations in an uninterrupted flow. Each station performs its specific testing function without stopping the overall process, allowing comprehensive testing of all functionalities while maintaining rapid throughput. The continuous conveyor system ensures that testing time per device is minimized while still covering all necessary test cases through parallel processing at multiple stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary sorting and routing of devices based on initial assessments, directing devices to specific testing paths based on their device type and detected issues. This preliminary action allows the system to focus comprehensive testing resources on devices that need them while quickly routing obviously functional devices through expedited paths, thereby maintaining high defect identification accuracy without uniformly increasing testing time for all devices.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic robot control system and methods relating thereto are described. These systems include components such as a touch screen panel (“TSP”) robot controller for controlling a TSP robot, a camera robot controller for controlling a camera robot and an audio robot controller for controlling an audio robot. The TSP robot operates inside a TSP testing subsystem, the camera robot operates inside a camera testing subsystem, and the audio robot operates inside an audio testing subsystem. Inside the audio testing subsystem, an audio signals measurement system, using a bi-directional coupling, controls the operation of the audio robot controller. In this control scheme, a test application controller is designed to control the different types of subsystem robots.Methods relating to TSP, camera, and audio robots, and their controllers, taken individually or in combination, for automatic testing of device functionalities are also described.