fixture for manual functional testing of wireless devices

1. A fixture for functional testing of an assembled wireless device, the wireless device having a data port and a removable casing concealing a battery cavity having battery contacts, the fixture comprising:

a base having an opening formed therein for receiving a retainer, the retainer being rotatably mounted in the opening for rotating from a first position to a second position, the retainer for receiving the wireless device with the removable casing removed while in the first position;

a connector mounted in the retainer for engaging the data port of the wireless device when the wireless device is received by the retainer in the first position, the connector for communicating test signals with external test equipment; and,

a battery emulator insert rotatably mounted on the base, the battery emulator insert having power contacts for engaging the battery contacts in the battery cavity of the wireless device when the retainer is rotated to the second position, the power contacts for providing power from the external test equipment.

2. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the removable casing is a battery pack.

3. The fixture of claim 1 and further comprising a spring coupled between the battery emulator insert and the base for controlling rotation of the battery emulator insert.

4. The fixture of claim 1 and further comprising an adjustable element mounted on the base and coupled to the battery emulator insert for adjusting the battery emulator insert's position.

5. The fixture of claim 1 and further comprising a plunger screw mounted on the base for engaging a ball bearing mounted on the retainer for locking the retainer in the second position.

6. The fixture of claim 1 and further comprising a pair of pins mounted on the retainer for engaging a mating set of holes formed in the base to allow the retainer to rotate in the opening in the base.

7. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the retainer has one or more adjustable elements for engaging one or more sides of the wireless device to retain the wireless device in the retainer.

8. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the data port is a universal serial bus (“USB”) port and the connector is a USB connector.

9. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the wireless device when received by the retainer is approximately thirty degrees from a perpendicular to the base and approximately parallel to the perpendicular to the base when the retainer is in the first and second positions, respectively.

10. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the serial port and removable casing are on a side and back of the wireless device, respectively.

11. The fixture of claim 1 and further comprising means for attachment to an arm assembly of the external test equipment for manipulating the wireless device during the functional testing.

12. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the wireless device includes memory for storing a test application for directing the wireless device in response to the test signals.

13. A method for functional testing of an assembled wireless device, the wireless device having a data port and a removable casing concealing a battery cavity having battery contacts, the method comprising:

providing a fixture having: a base having an opening formed therein for receiving a retainer, the retainer being rotatably mounted in the opening for rotating from a first position to a second position, the retainer for receiving the wireless device with the removable casing removed while in the first position; a connector mounted in the retainer for engaging the data port of the wireless device when the wireless device is received by the retainer in the first position, the connector for communicating test signals with external test equipment; and, a battery emulator insert rotatably mounted on the base, the battery emulator insert having power contacts for engaging the battery contacts in the battery cavity of the wireless device when the retainer is rotated to the second position, the power contacts for providing power from the external test equipment; and,

applying the test signals to the connector.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the removable casing is a battery pack.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the fixture has a spring coupled between the battery emulator insert and the base for controlling rotation of the battery emulator insert.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the fixture has an adjustable element mounted on the base and coupled to the battery emulator insert for adjusting the battery emulator insert's position.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the fixture has a plunger screw mounted on the base for engaging a ball bearing mounted on the retainer for locking the retainer in the second position.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the fixture has a pair of pins mounted on the retainer for engaging a mating set of holes formed in the base to allow the retainer to rotate in the opening in the base.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the retainer has one or more adjustable elements for engaging one or more sides of the wireless device to retain the wireless device in the retainer.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein the data port is a universal serial bus (“USB”) port and the connector is a USB connector.

21. The method of claim 13 wherein the wireless device when received by the retainer is approximately thirty degrees from a perpendicular to the base and approximately parallel to the perpendicular to the base when the retainer is in the first and second positions, respectively.

22. The method of claim 13 wherein the serial port and removable casing are on a side and back of the wireless device, respectively.

23. The method of claim 13 wherein the fixture has means for attachment to an arm assembly of the external test equipment for manipulating the wireless device during the functional testing.

24. The method of claim 13 wherein the wireless device includes memory for storing a test application for directing the wireless device in response to the test signals.