JPH03107716A - Remotely controlled automatic inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically and accurately check the moderation feeling of a push-button switch, a correct signal output, and a liquid crystal display by pressing an optional push-button switch of a wireless remote controller with the liquid crystal display by a pressing device. CONSTITUTION:An inspection base 31 has an inspection part 32 which holds the wireless remote controller 1 with the liquid crystal display and the pressing device 35 presses the push-button switch the remote controller 1 and detects the current pressing force. A robot 33 is installed by the inspection part 32 and a support frame 34 which supports the pressing device 35 is moved to press the optical push-button switch of the remote controller 1 by the pressing device 35. A receiver 36 is installed behind the inspection part 32 and receives an infrared-ray signal outputted from the remote controller 1. An image pickup camera 37 is arranged above the inspection part 32 and picks an image of the liquid crystal display on the remote controller 1. Consequently, the remote controller 1 is only set at the inspection part 32 of the inspection base 31 to automatically and accurately make a check.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an automatic remote control testing device for automatically testing the characteristics of a wireless remote controller with a liquid crystal display.

[Conventional technology]

Some infrared wireless remote controllers used to remotely control televisions, video decks, air conditioners, etc. have a liquid crystal display section to display the current operating status of the equipment operated by the wireless remote controller to the user. be.

The wireless remote control with liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as the remote control) (1) has a projection on the front for outputting an infrared signal toward the light receiving window of the device that corresponds to the remote control (1), as shown in Fig. 11. It has a light window (2), and on its surface is a liquid crystal display section (3) and an operation section (4) on which push button switches (5) for instructing various operations are arranged.
is the provision.

In addition, the push button switch (5) provided in the operation section (4)
(5)... are openings (7) (7) provided in a synthetic resin sheet member (6) as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.
)... has a structure in which push button switches (5) (5)... are integrally formed on top thereof via thin-walled connecting portions (8) (8)... so as to be freely movable up and down. In addition, the above push button switch (
5) is formed with a conductive land (9) that serves as a contact point for connecting a pair of opposing conductive lands (11) (11) formed by a wiring pattern on a printed circuit board (10) to be described later. has been done. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the sheet member is RWed onto a printed circuit board (10) built into the remote control (1), and push button switches (5) (5) are protruded from the sheet member (6).・・・
The connecting portion (8) supporting the push-button switch (5) on the opening (7) of the sheet member (6) in a state where the . ) by pressing down against the elastic force of the push button switch (5) and bringing the conductive lands (9) on the bottom of the push button switch (5) into contact with the opposing conductive lands (11) (11) on the printed circuit board (10). I am trying to make it conductive. Further, the push button switch (5) is designed to have a sense of moderation when turning on the push button switch (5) due to the elastic force of the connecting portion (8). The pressing force is usually around 130g.

Before the remote control (1) having the above structure is shipped, a characteristic test is performed to check whether the various functions operate normally. In this characteristic test, as shown in FIG. ) is set in front of the workbench (18), and the test is performed by operating the remote control (1) according to the work instructions (19) hanging on the side of the inspection machine (17). . That is, the inspector (15)
Press the push button switch (5) of the remote control (1) as instructed in step 1 of the work instruction (19), at the same time check the moderation of the push button switch (5), and then Receiver 1 confirms whether the transmission code of the infrared signal is correct or incorrect.
(16) and the inspection machine (17), and then visually check whether the display corresponding to the push button switch (5) you just pressed is displayed correctly on the liquid crystal display (3). , the test for one pushbutton switch (5) is completed. From then on,
In accordance with the work order displayed on the work instructions (19), press all the pushbutton switches (5) (
5) Perform the above test on ... and - remote controllers (
Finish the test for 1).

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As mentioned above, in the characteristic inspection performed before shipping the remote control (1), the moderation of each push button switch (5) is checked, and when the push button switch (5) is pressed, Check to see if the correct signal is output.
7 and check whether the LCD display is performed correctly.
Since the remote controller (1) is equipped with many pushbutton switches (5) due to its multi-functionality, all the above inspections have to be done manually by the inspector (15). If you do this, it will be very time consuming and at the same time require a lot of inspectors (15
), which placed a heavy burden on the staff, and caused inspection errors to occur easily.

(Means for Solving the Problems) An examination table having an examination part that holds a wireless remote controller with a liquid crystal display; a pressing device that presses a push button switch of the wireless remote controller with a liquid crystal display and detects the pressing force at this time; By moving the support frame that supports the pressing device, the pressing device can press any push button switch on the wireless remote controller with LCD display. A receiver for receiving an infrared signal outputted from a wireless remote control with a liquid crystal display, and an imaging camera placed above the inspection unit for photographing the liquid crystal display of the wireless remote control with a liquid crystal display. This is a remote control automatic inspection device.

[Effect]

As mentioned above, the robot detects the pressing device that presses the push button switch of the wireless remote control with a liquid crystal display using the suppression device, inspects the pressure when the push button switch is turned on, and receives the infrared signal output at this time using the receiver. Furthermore, by measuring the display appearing on the liquid crystal display section using an imaging camera, it is possible to automate the characteristic inspection of a wireless remote control with a liquid crystal display.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 shows a remote control automatic inspection device (30) according to the present invention.
This shows the overall configuration of the . The remote control automatic inspection device (30) shown in this figure has an inspection section (32) on the top surface of which a plurality of (four in this embodiment) remote controllers (1) can be set.
an examination table (31) having a
The robot (33) is attached to a Cartesian coordinate type robot (33) and a support frame (34) extending from the robot (33), and the robot l-
By the movement of (33), the push button switches (5) of each remote control (1) are simultaneously pressed, and four pressing devices (35) (35) are used to detect the pressing force at that time.
...and a receiver (36) placed behind the inspection section (32) to receive the infrared signal emitted from the remote control (1) when the push button switch (5) is pressed. (32) and each remote control (1)
four imaging cameras (37) (37) for photographing the liquid crystal display section (3) of the remote control (1), and a lighting device (38) for illuminating the liquid crystal display section (3) of the remote control (1). The main part is composed of.

In addition, a control panel (39) placed on the side of the examination table (31) that controls the various devices described above includes a robot controller (40) that controls the movement of the robot (33), and an imaging camera (37) ( 37) Image processing bag ff for processing image signals from... Conversion device (42), said pressing device W (35) (35)
..., a computer (43) for determining whether the remote control (1) is good or bad based on signals from the image processing device (41) and the serial/parallel converter (42), and determination results by the computer (43) A CRT (4, 4) for externally displaying is incorporated.

Support frame (34) extending from the robot (34)
The four remote controllers (
1) It has enough length to straddle (1)... Also, four pressing devices (35) (35) are supported above each remote control (1) by a support frame (34).
・has a structure as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

That is, each of the pressing devices (35) is attached to the support frame (34).
) is supported by a hollow bush (45) that is movable up and down;
), a cylindrical support block (47) screwed into the tip of the
A cap nut (48) screwed onto the outer periphery of the support block (47).
), a locking nut (49) for positioning and fixing the cap nut (48) to the support block (47), and a support nut (49) with the tip (50a) protruding below the cap nut (48). A resin tentacle (50) supported in the space formed between the block (47) and the cap nut (48)
) and a pressure sensor (51) interposed between the support block (47) and the contactor (50), and the tip of the contactor (50) contacts the push switch (5). Then, the contact pressure at that time can be detected by the pressure sensor (51). In addition, a flat plate (5
2) is buried, with a feeler (50) and a pressure sensor (51).
) to ensure a successful hit. In addition, a lead (51a) extending from the pressure sensor (51) is provided at one location on the outer periphery of the bag neck (48) that supports the feeler (50).
) is provided to the outside, and the upper end surface (48b) of the cap nut (48) and the lower end surface (49a) of the locking nut (49) ensure that they are in contact with each other. It is processed into a tapered shape. Furthermore, a spring (
54) is press-fitted, and the shaft (46) is constantly pressed downward by the pressing force of this spring (54). If the pressing force against the pushbutton switch (5) by the feeler (50) placed below the shaft (46) exceeds a certain value for some reason, the spring (
By raising the shaft (46) while compressing the push button switch (54), a pressing force exceeding a certain value is not applied to the push button switch (5).

Further, by pressing the push button switch (5) with the toucher (50), the pressure waveform output from the pressure sensor (51) becomes as shown in FIG. 4. That is, when the pressure rises to a certain value, the push button switch (5) is supported.
The push button switch (5) is lowered against the elastic force of the connecting portion (8) shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, and the push button switch (5)
) is turned on, and at this time, the pressure decreases momentarily, and since the push button switch (5) cannot be lowered thereafter, the pressure increases again. Therefore, the first peak (
Pl) is the pressure when the push button switch (5) is turned on, and as mentioned above, the push button switch (5) is designed so that this pressure is usually around 130 g. Therefore, in the present invention, the pressure waveform is sent to the computer (43), the characteristics of the pressure waveform are analyzed, and the first peak (P,
) is within the range of 130g±30g to determine whether the moderation feeling of the push button switch (5) is normal.

Each remote controller (1) is pressed by pressing the push button switch (5) of each remote controller (1) by the pressing device (35) (35) supported by a support frame (34) extending from the robot (33). The receiving device (36) that receives the infrared signal transmitted from the light projection window (2) is provided with four independent light receiving windows (36a (36a)...) on the inspection part (32). The four remote controllers that are set (
1) The infrared signals output from (1)... can be received all at once), and all the infrared signals output from each remote control (1) are serial signals, and at the same time, As shown in Fig. 5, the transmission timing is slightly different due to subtle differences in the positional relationship between the push button switch (5) of each remote controller (1) and each pressing device (35), so the transmission timing of each remote controller (1) It is difficult to input the signals from the receiver (36) to the computer (43) as they are and to determine whether the signals are good or bad. For this reason, reception 1 (3
6) Four serial signals received by (a) (a)...
The above serial number installed in the control panel (39) was
It is sent to the parallel converter (42) and the parallel signal (b
) (b)..., and when all the signals from each remote control (1) are converted into parallel signals (b) (b)..., the parallel signal ( b
), (b), . . . are collectively read into the computer (43), it is possible to instantly determine whether the infrared signals output from each remote control (1) are good or bad.

Further, when the push button switch (5) is pressed by the pressing device (35), the liquid crystal display section (3) of the remote control (1) is turned on.
), four CCD cameras (37) (37)... are used as an imaging camera (37) for photographing the liquid crystal display section (3). Each CCD camera (37) is connected to an inspection section (32).
) LCD display section (3) of each remote control (1) set in
It is like taking a picture. And each CCD camera (
Image processing for determining whether the liquid crystal display section (3) of the remote control (1) is good or bad is performed as follows based on the image taken by the remote controller (1). That is, the image of the liquid crystal display section (3) captured by each CCD camera (37) is processed by the image processing bag f (41) into a predetermined number of pixels (2) each having a size of about 100 μ square.
After the brightness of each point is divided into "0" or "1" depending on whether it is black or white, this binary inspection image (m) is obtained. ) is sent to the computer (43), and as shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG.
), and the number of dots in the part of the inspection image (m) determined to be black (the shaded part in the figure) and the non-defective standard image (
It is determined whether or not the number of black dots in item n) matches, and if they match, it is determined that the test is passed.

The reason why the pass/fail of the inspection image (m) is compared based on the number of dots rather than by comparing the position of the black part of the non-defective product reference image (n) and the black part of the inspection image (m) is as follows. It is. That is, when displaying, for example, characters using a liquid crystal, the accuracy of the position of the characters on the liquid crystal display section is about several tens of microns, so a positional deviation of about several tens of microns is within the manufacturing tolerance range. However, when determining the quality of this display by comparing the positions of the non-defective standard image (n) and the inspection image (m), even if the positional deviation is within the above-mentioned tolerance range, it will be determined as a failure. This is because there is. On the other hand, if the method of counting the number of dots is used, as shown in FIG. 7, the non-defective reference image (
Even if there is a positional shift in the part determined to be black between n) and the inspection image (m), if the shape of the characters, symbols, etc. displayed on the liquid crystal display (3) is accurate, the dots will be displayed. This is because the numbers are the same in both cases, it is determined that the test has passed, and the above-mentioned trouble does not occur.

In addition, the threshold value when dividing the image of the liquid crystal display section (3) photographed by the CCD camera (37) into black or white depending on the brightness of each point and converting it into two values, that is, the binary level is , the optimum value is set according to the characters, symbols, etc. displayed on the liquid crystal display section (3). That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the liquid crystal display section (3) displays, in addition to the normal character (A),
There are a variety of things, such as white characters (b) and symbols drawn with thin lines (c), and if you fix the binarization level to a constant value, white characters and thin lines can be accurately binarized. Can not. Therefore, the image captured by the CCD camera (37) is divided into the part where normal characters are drawn (the part that captures the standard display) (A), the part where white characters are drawn (the part where white characters are captured), The part where the display with a small area was captured) CB), the part where symbols etc. were drawn with thin lines (the part where the display with a large white area was captured) (C
), and set a binarization level for each divided area. For example, area (A) with normal characters (A) is set to the standard binarization level, and area CB) with white characters (B) is set to the standard binarization level.
The binarization level is set above the standard, and the binarization level is set below the standard in the area (C) having a symbol (c) drawn with a thin line.

After obtaining an inspection image (m) that has been binarized at the optimum binarization level for each area, this inspection image (m) and the good quality reference image (n) are combined using the method of counting the number of dots described above. It is designed to compare and distinguish between good and defective products. In this case, the good quality standard image (n) is also stored for each area, the above comparison is performed for each area, and only when each area passes, the inspection at that time is judged as passing. right,.

Each remote control (1
) The illumination device (38), which serves as a light source when photographing the liquid crystal display section (3), is equipped with four CCD cameras (37) (37)... Two straight fluorescent lamps (55) placed in parallel on both sides of the CCD camera (37) (37)...
(55) and a cover member (56) with an opening at the bottom to support this, and these two straight tube fluorescent lamps (55) (55) allow the inspection section (32
) 4 remote controls set on top (1) (1)...
The liquid crystal display sections (3) are simultaneously and uniformly illuminated. Also, CCD camera (37) (3
7) Straight tube fluorescent lights (55) on both sides of (55)
This arrangement prevents shadows from appearing on the display on the liquid crystal display (3) during lighting, and at the same time prevents the light source itself from being reflected on the liquid crystal display (3), resulting in a clear image. That's how you get it. Also, this straight tube fluorescent lamp (
55) In (55), high-frequency lighting using an inverter is used for the purpose of preventing flickering during lighting and making it possible to adjust illuminance.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a pass sealing device (57) is arranged below the inspection section (32) of the remote control automatic inspection device (30) which is composed of the various devices described above. A seal of approval is stamped on the back of a remote control (1) that has passed the inspection by the device (30).

In order to test the characteristics of the remote controller (1) using the remote control automatic testing device (30) having the above configuration, first, four remote controllers (1) (1) are placed in the testing section (32) of the testing table (31).
)... manually by the worker, and then presses an inspection start switch (not shown). Then, the robot (33) of the remote control automatic inspection system ff (30) starts first, and the four pressing devices (35) attached to the support frame (34) extending from the robot (33) (35)...
Each contact (50) is located above a preset push button switch (5) of the corresponding remote control (1). Next, by lowering the support frame (34), the contact (50y) of each pressing device (35') comes into pressure contact with the corresponding push button switch (5) of each remote control (1), and each push button switch (5 ) are turned on almost simultaneously.At this time, the computer (43) analyzes the characteristics of the pressure waveform output from the pressure sensor (51) built into each pressing device ff (35).
Each pushbutton switch (5) has 13
It is determined whether it is turned on within the range of 0g±30g.

In this way, after checking the moderation of the first push button switch (5) of each remote control (1), each remote control (
The infrared signal composed of the serial signal output from 1) is transmitted to the four light receiving windows (36a) of the receiver (36).
(36a)..., and each received serial signal (a) is sent to the serial/parallel converter (42). And each serial signal (
When all a) are converted to parallel signals (b), four sets of parallel No. 18 (b) corresponding to each remote control (1)
(b) ... are read into the computer (43) all together, and (each remote control (1) outputs an accurate infrared signal corresponding to the push button switch t (5) just QNed). A determination is made.

When the infrared signal check is completed in this way, each push button switch (5) is turned on to display the display on the liquid crystal display (3) of each remote controller (1). Each corresponding CCD camera (37) captures the image, and the image at this time is sent to the image processing device (41).
As described above, after the inspection image (m) is converted into a binarized inspection image (m) for each divided area, this inspection image (m) and the good quality reference image (
n) are compared using the above-mentioned dot counting method, and whether an accurate display corresponding to the push button switch (5) that has just been turned on is displayed on each liquid crystal display (3) of each remote control (1). A determination is made as to whether each remote control (
The inspection of one pushbutton switch (5) in step 1) is completed.

In addition, when the liquid crystal display section (3) is shaded by the CCD camera (377), if the support frame (34) extending from the □shirobot (33) becomes a shadow and becomes an obstacle to photographing, After turning on the push button switch (5), the support frame (34) is programmed to retreat to a position where it does not interfere with photographing.

When the inspection for one push button switch (5) is completed as described above, all the push button switches (5) (5) provided on each remote control (1) are then inspected in the same manner as above.
・The above inspection is performed automatically and continuously. After the inspection of all the push-button switches (5), (5), etc. is completed, the remote control (1) that has passed all inspections is marked with a pass stamp device (
57), a pass mark is automatically stamped, and the current characteristic inspection ends.

In this way, the 4
When the characteristics test for the remote controllers (1), (1), etc. is completed, take out these four remote controllers (1), (1), and so on from the inspection section (32), and then check the next four remote controllers. (1
)(1), .

The remote control automatic inspection device (3o) according to the present invention is designed so that all movements of each device can be controlled by the computer (43).
), if the type of remote control (1) to be tested changes, this can be easily handled by simply changing a part of the program manually entered into the computer (43), making it possible to test the characteristics of many types of remote controls (1). This can be done by one remote control automatic inspection device (30).

Further, in the above embodiment, four remote controllers (1) (1)...
Although we have described an example in which characteristics tests can be performed simultaneously and in parallel, it is also possible to change the number of light receiving windows (36a) of the pressing device (35), the receiver (36), and the number of CCD cameras (37). For example, it is a popular theory that you can arbitrarily change the maximum number of remote controllers (1) that can be tested at one time.

(Effect of the invention 2 As described above, if the remote control automatic inspection device according to the present invention is used, the moderation feeling of the push button switch of the remote control can be checked and the push button switch can be pressed by simply setting the remote control in the inspection section of the inspection table. This makes it possible to automatically and accurately perform all three types of checks: checking whether the correct signal is being output and checking whether the liquid crystal display is being performed correctly, which previously required manual labor. Compared to characteristic inspections that were performed manually, inspection time can be significantly shortened, and at the same time, inspection accuracy can be greatly improved.Furthermore, the burden on workers involved in characteristic inspections can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the remote control automatic inspection device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front view of the pressing device, Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the main part of the pressing device, and Fig. 4 is the output from the pressure sensor. A graph showing the pressure waveform, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating status of the serial/parallel converter, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are:
An explanatory diagram for explaining the dot counting method according to the present invention, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of display on a liquid crystal display section,
Fig. 9 is a drawing showing an example of dividing an image captured by a CCD camera into arbitrary areas, Fig. 10 is a schematic drawing showing a state when the liquid crystal display section of the remote control is illuminated by an illumination device, and Fig. 11 is a drawing showing an example of dividing an image captured by a CCD camera into arbitrary areas. The figure is a plan view showing an example of the remote control, Fig. 12 is a plan view of the push button switch, and Fig. 13 is Fig. 12 1-1.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between a push button switch and a printed circuit board, and FIG. 15 is a perspective view for explaining a conventional remote control inspection method. (1)--Wireless remote control with LCD display, (3)-
・Liquid crystal display section, (5)...Push button switch, (30)-
・Remote control automatic inspection device, (31)・-inspection table, (32) −・inspection department, (
33)...Robot, (34)...-support frame, (35)--pressing device, (36)-'receiver, (37)--image camera. Patent applicant: Aiko Giken Co., Ltd. Agent: Gangwon Province
Figure [4 - Pega Figure 8 Figure Figure 0 Figure X1 Figure 15

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An examination table having an inspection section that holds a wireless remote control with a liquid crystal display, a pressing device that presses the push button switch of the wireless remote controller with a liquid crystal display and detects the pressing force at this time, and a device that supports the pressing device. By moving the support frame that is attached to the screen, the press device can press any pushbutton switch on the wireless remote control with an LCD display. A remote control automatic comprising a receiver for receiving an infrared signal output from a wireless remote control, and an imaging camera disposed above an inspection section for photographing a liquid crystal display section of a wireless remote control with a liquid crystal display. Inspection equipment.