IP Library Granted Patent US 9,317,147
Granted Patent B2
US 9,317,147 · App. 13/659,777 · Granted Apr 19, 2016

Input testing tool

Inventors: Steven Andrew Welch (Seattle, WA); Takahiro Shigemitsu (Bellevue, WA); Timothy Allen Wright (Redmond, WA); Mark D. Vance (Sammamish, WA); Steven E. Wittenberg (Snohomish, WA)
Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC.
G06F3/041H04N17/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,317,147
App. No.
13/659,777
Filed
Oct 24, 2012
Granted
Apr 19, 2016
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2627
USPC
345/173
Abstract

Various embodiments provide an input test tool that promotes precision testing, flexibility and repeatability over a wide variety of functionality tests that are utilized in both touch and near-touch input scenarios. The input test tool enables a variety of degrees of motion, including both linear and rotational motion, so that a device under test can be tested utilizing a number of different linear and/or rotational input scenarios.

Claims (33)

1. An input testing tool comprising:

a frame;

a platform rotatably mounted on the frame and configured to receive a device under test for testing the device under test and to rotate during testing of the device under test;

an actuator assembly mounted on the frame and configured to removably receive one or more actuators, individual actuators being configured to test the device under test using touch and/or near touch testing scenarios,

wherein the testing tool is configured to enable the testing scenarios using at least one linear motion of the actuator assembly and at least one rotational motion of the actuator assembly.

2. The input testing tool of claim 1 , wherein said at least one linear motion comprises motion in x, y, and z directions.

3. The input testing tool of claim 1 further comprising one or more actuators configured to be removably mounted on the actuator assembly.

4. The input testing tool of claim 1 further comprising one or more actuators configured to be removably, magnetically mounted on the actuator assembly.

5. The input testing tool of claim 1 further comprising one or more actuators configured to be removably mounted on the actuator assembly, individual actuators having respective tips.

6. The input testing tool of claim 1 further comprising one or more actuators configured to be removably mounted on the actuator assembly, individual actuators comprising, respectively, moveable rods extending toward and terminating at a conductive tip.

7. The input testing tool of claim 1 further comprising a pinch hanger assembly configured to be mounted on the actuator assembly and removably receive multiple actuators to enable pinch testing of the display device.

8. The input testing tool of claim 1 , wherein the input testing tool is automated.

9. An input testing tool comprising:

a frame;

a platform rotatably mounted on the frame and configured to receive a device under test for testing a display device of the device under test and to rotate during testing of the device under test; and

an actuator assembly mounted on the frame and configured to removably receive one or more actuators, individual actuators being configured to test a display device using touch and/or near touch testing scenarios relative to the display device, wherein the testing tool is configured to enable the testing scenarios using multiple linear motions of the actuator assembly.

10. The input testing tool of claim 9 , wherein one linear motion comprises motion in the x direction, and another linear motion comprises motion in the z direction.

11. The input testing tool of claim 9 , wherein one linear motion comprises motion in the y direction, and another linear motion comprises motion in the z direction.

12. The input testing tool of claim 9 , wherein multiple linear motions comprise motion in the x, y, and z directions.

13. The input testing tool of claim 9 further comprising one or more actuators configured to be removably mounted on the actuator assembly.

14. The input testing tool of claim 9 further comprising one or more actuators configured to be removably, magnetically mounted on the actuator assembly.

15. The input testing tool of claim 9 further comprising one or more actuators configured to be removably mounted on the actuator assembly, individual actuators comprising a moveable rod extending toward and terminating at a tip.

16. The input testing tool of claim 9 further comprising a pinch hanger assembly configured to be mounted on the actuator assembly and removably receive multiple actuators to enable pinch testing of the display device.

17. The input testing tool of claim 9 , wherein the input testing tool is automated.

18. An input testing tool comprising:

a frame;

a platform operably mounted on the frame and configured to receive a device under test for testing a display device of the device under test and to rotate during testing of the device under test;

an actuator assembly mounted on the frame and configured to removably receive one or more actuators, individual actuators being configured to test a display device using touch and/or near touch testing scenarios relative to the display device;

a plurality of actuators configured to be removably mounted on the actuator assembly;

wherein the testing tool is configured to enable the testing scenarios using multiple rotational motions and multiple linear motions, the multiple rotational motions comprising at least rotational motion of the platform relative to the frame, and rotational motion of the actuator assembly relative to the platform;

the linear motions comprising motion in the x, y, and z directions.

19. The input testing tool of claim 18 , wherein the actuators are configured to be magnetically mounted on the actuator assembly.

20. The input testing tool of claim 18 further comprising a pinch hanger assembly configured to be mounted on the actuator assembly and removably receive multiple actuators to enable pinch testing of the display device.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2015
From: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
To: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
Reel/Frame 039025/0454 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2012
From: WELCH, STEVEN ANDREW; SHIGEMITSU, TAKAHIRO; WRIGHT, TIMOTHY ALLEN; VANCE, MARK D.; WITTENBERG, STEVEN E.
To: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029195/0305 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140111484A1 · Apr 24, 2014