Smartphone Inspection Chamber for Consistent Defect Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smartphone inspection methods require manual evaluation by staff, leading to inconsistent results and inefficiency due to subjective human judgment, which complicates the inspection process and affects accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A smartphone inspection device with a main body, inclined surfaces, a push bar, and a camera assembly that captures images of both the front and back surfaces of the smartphone, ensuring consistent alignment and accurate defect detection without human intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual inspection by staff is used, then flexibility in handling various smartphone conditions is improved, but inspection consistency and accuracy deteriorate due to subjective valuation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in handling various smartphone conditionsVSAvoidinspection consistency and accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical inspection process with an automated optical inspection system using a camera assembly. The camera captures images of the smartphone screen and housing, which are then processed by a control unit to automatically detect defects. This substitution eliminates subjective human judgment while maintaining the ability to handle various smartphone conditions through programmable inspection criteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection system performs self-evaluation by automatically analyzing captured images through the control unit. The system compares detected features against predefined standards to determine defect presence and severity, enabling the device to inspect itself without external human intervention and ensuring consistent application of inspection criteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated camera inspection is implemented, then inspection speed and consistency are improved, but the ability to handle complex subjective judgment cases deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection speedVSAvoidability to handle complex subjective judgment cases

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the inspection process from subjective qualitative assessment to objective quantitative measurement by capturing images and analyzing specific parameters such as pixel values, color deviations, and geometric dimensions. The control unit processes these parameters systematically to detect defects, enabling high-speed automated inspection while maintaining adaptability through configurable parameter thresholds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces image processing algorithms as an intermediary between the camera capture and final defect determination. This intermediary layer automatically analyzes the captured images, extracting relevant features and comparing them against inspection standards, thereby enabling the system to handle complex inspection cases with consistency and speed without requiring human subjective judgment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the smartphone is held manually during inspection, then positioning flexibility is improved, but inspection accuracy deteriorates due to hand shaking and angle deviation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidinspection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the smartphone from manual holding and secures it in a dedicated inspection chamber with fixed positioning structures. The smartphone is placed on a positioning platform that ensures consistent orientation and distance from the camera assembly, eliminating hand shaking and angle deviation while maintaining ease of operation through simple placement procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an equipotential inspection environment by providing a stable, vibration-isolated inspection chamber with fixed optical paths. The camera assembly and lighting system are rigidly mounted to ensure consistent imaging conditions, while the positioning platform provides a reference plane that ensures the smartphone is always positioned at the optimal inspection angle and distance, eliminating variability caused by manual handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

Data Source

PatentUS20250342111A1Smartphone inspection device

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 IMT CO LTD(JP)

AI summary

A smartphone inspection device comprises: a main body extending along a height direction, wherein the main body comprises: a first inclined surface formed at an end of the main body; and an inspection space formed inside the main body and communicated with the first inclined surface, wherein the inspection space comprises: a second inclined surface formed adjacent to the first inclined surface; and a third inclined surface formed corresponding to the first inclined surface and formed adjacent to the second inclined surface; a lid deposited on the first inclined surface; a push bar movably deposited inside the main body and deposited corresponding to the second inclined surface; and a camera assembly deposited in the inspection space and deposited corresponding to the lid.