IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,003,560
Granted Patent B2
US 11,003,560 · App. 16/985,699 · Granted May 11, 2021

End effector attachment for testing electronic touchscreen device

Inventors: Timothy M. Fenton (Bentonville, AR); Christopher D. Johnson (Bentonville, AR); Joel E. Strader (Bella Vista, AR)
Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
G06F11/2221G01R1/0425G01R1/06711G01R31/2825G06F3/044Y02P90/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,003,560
App. No.
16/985,699
Granted
May 11, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for testing a touchscreen electronic device. In some embodiments, an attachment for an end effector for use with testing a touchscreen electronic device comprises a body, wherein the body includes a connection portion configured to secure the attachment to the end effector, a first end, an opening, wherein the opening is located adjacent to the first end, and a conductive contact member, wherein the conductive contact member is wrapped about the first end, and wherein the conductive contact member is configured to contact the touchscreen during testing and simulate a touch of a human finger.

Claims (32)

1. An attachment for an end effector for use with testing a touchscreen electronic device, the attachment comprising:

a body, wherein the body includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is opposite the second end, and wherein the body comprises:

a connection portion configured to secure the attachment to the end effector, wherein the connection portion is located adjacent to the second end;

a conductive contact member, wherein the conductive contact member comprises conductive fabric, wherein the conductive contact member is wrapped about the first end, and wherein the conductive contact member is configured to contact the touchscreen during testing and simulate a touch of a human finger; and

a conductive linear member, wherein the conductive linear member is electrically coupled to the end effector and the conductive contact member.

2. The attachment of claim 1 , wherein the conductive linear member is configured to provide a conductive path to a body portion of a robot to which the end effector is attached.

3. The attachment of claim 1 , further comprising:

a resilient portion, wherein the resilient portion is located between the first end and the conductive contact member.

4. The attachment of claim 3 , wherein the resilient portion comprises rubber.

5. The attachment of claim 3 , wherein the resilient portion is affixed to the first end.

6. The attachment of claim 1 , wherein the connection portion allows the end effector to be at least partially inserted within the attachment.

7. The attachment of claim 1 , further comprising:

a securement mechanism configured to releasably secure the attachment to the end effector.

8. The attachment of claim 7 , wherein the securement mechanism is one or more of a clip, detent, clasp, raised portion, groove, and button.

9. The attachment of claim 1 , wherein the conductive linear member is configured to secure the conductive contact member to the body.

10. The attachment of claim 1 , wherein the conductive linear member comprises a conductive thread and wherein the conductive contact member comprises a conductive fabric.

11. A method for testing a touchscreen electronic device with an attachment for an end effector, the method comprising:

securing the attachment to the end effector, wherein the attachment comprises:

a body, wherein the body includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is opposite the second end, wherein the body comprises:

a connection portion configured to secure the attachment to the end effector, wherein the connection portion is located adjacent to the second end;

a conductive contact member, wherein the conductive contact member comprises fabric, wherein a conductive contact member is wrapped about the first end; and

a conductive linear member, wherein the conductive linear member is electrically coupled to the end effector and the conductive contact member; and

contacting, with the conductive contact member, the touchscreen to simulate the touch of a human finger.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the conductive contact linear member is configured to provide a conductive path to a body portion of a robot to which the end effector is attached.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the attachment further comprises a resilient portion, wherein the resilient portion is located between the first end and the conductive contact member.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the resilient portion comprises rubber.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the resilient portion is affixed to the first end.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the connection portion allows the end effector to be at least partially inserted within the attachment.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the attachment further comprises a securement mechanism configured to releasably secure the attachment to the end effector.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the securement mechanism is one or more of a clip, detent, clasp, raised portion, groove, and button.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the conductive linear member is configured to secure the conductive contact member to the body.

20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the conductive linear member comprises a conductive thread and wherein the conductive contact member comprises a conductive fabric.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 31, 2020
From: WAL-MART STORES, INC.
To: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
Reel/Frame 053640/0821 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2020
From: FENTON, TIMOTHY M.; JOHNSON, CHRISTOPHER D.; STRADER, JOEL E.
To: WAL-MART STORES, INC.
Reel/Frame 053418/0684 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 15852281 · Dec 22, 2017
Provisional Application 62437904 · Dec 22, 2016
Related Publication 20200363452A1 · Nov 19, 2020