# US 10,768,203 B2 · End effector attachment for testing electronic touchscreen device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,768,203 B2 - Document ID: US10768203B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/852,281 - Filed: 2017-12-22 - Published: 2018-06-28 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-22 - Assignees: Walmart Apollo, LLC - Applicants: Walmart Apollo, LLC - Inventors: Timothy M. Fenton; Christopher D. Johnson; Joel E. Strader - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10768203B2 ## CPC - G06F 11/2221: {to test input/output devices or peripheral units} - G01R 1/0425: {Test clips, e.g. for IC's} - G01R 1/06711: {Probe needles; Cantilever beams; "Bump" contacts; Replaceable probe pins} - G01R 31/2825: {in household appliances or professional audio/video equipment (testing LAN's H04L43/50; testing TV systems H04N17/00; testing loudspeakers H04R29/00)} - G06F 3/044: by capacitive means - Y02P 90/02: Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## 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 ### Claim 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; 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 through the opening, and wherein the conductive contact member is configured to contact the touchscreen during testing and simulate a touch of a human finger. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The attachment of claim 1, wherein the conductive contact member is configured to provide a conductive path to a body portion of a robot to which the end effector is attached. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The attachment of claim 3, wherein the resilient portion comprises rubber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The attachment of claim 3, wherein the resilient portion is affixed to the first end. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The attachment of claim 1, wherein the connection portion allows the end effector to be at least partially inserted within the attachment. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The attachment of claim 1, further comprising: a securement mechanism configured to releasably secure the attachment to the end effector. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The attachment of claim 7, wherein the securement mechanism is one or more of a clip, detent, clasp, raised portion, groove, and button. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The attachment of claim 1, further comprising: a conductive portion, wherein the conductive contact member is conductively coupled to the conductive portion, and wherein the conductive portion is conductively coupled to at least a portion of the end effector when the attachment is secured to the end effector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The attachment of claim 1, wherein the conductive contact member is one of a conductive linear member and a conductive fabric. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The attachment of claim 1, wherein the conductive contact member comprises a linear member, and wherein the conductive contact member is wrapped multiple times about the first end and through the opening. ### Claim 12 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; 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 through the opening; and contacting, with the conductive contact member, the touchscreen to simulate a touch of a human finger. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the conductive contact member is configured to provide a conductive path to a body portion of a robot to which the end effector is attached. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the attachment further comprises a resilient portion, wherein the resilient portion is located between the first end and the conductive contact member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the resilient portion comprises rubber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the resilient portion is affixed to the first end. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the connection portion allows the end effector to be at least partially inserted within the attachment. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the attachment further comprises a securement mechanism configured to releasably secure the attachment to the end effector. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the securement mechanism is one or more of a clip, detent, clasp, raised portion, groove, and button. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the attachment further comprises a conductive portion, wherein the conductive contact member is conductively coupled to the conductive portion, and wherein the conductive portion is conductively coupled to at least a portion of the end effector when the attachment is secured to the end effector. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the conductive contact member is one of a conductive linear member and a conductive fabric. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the conductive contact member comprises a linear member, and wherein the conductive contact member is wrapped multiple times about the first end and through the opening.