US 12,179,341 B2Granted

Simulation manipulator

AssigneeGoogle Inc.

InventorsChihhao Lee, Hsu Chung, Yenming Liu, Lin Chi Lin, Hung-Ren Yu, Chen Chao Huang

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Abstract

This document describes systems and techniques for simulating the touch of a human finger in manipulating an interface device, such as a touchscreen included in a mobile phone or other computing device. The systems and techniques include an artificial finger configured to be received and manipulated by a robotic actuator to simulate surface engagement, mechanical force, and electrical conductivity of a human finger engaging the touchscreen at varied touch angles and/or mechanical pressures. The systems and techniques thereby provide for rigorous and repeatable testing of an electrical and mechanical response of the touchscreen to simulated user inputs without involving a human test operator.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

an artificial finger including:
a rigid central member extending in a first direction, including a curvature in a transverse direction to approximate phalanges of an extended human finger, and defining an interior channel configured to receive an electrical conductor configured to electrically couple a conductive element with a coupling;
and
a compressible outer layer disposed around at least a portion of the rigid central member and shaped to approximate a form of the extended human finger and including the conductive element, the conductive element spanning at least a distal pad and a tip of the artificial finger;
and
the coupling, the coupling joined with the artificial finger and configured to be received by a robotic actuator to enable the robotic actuator to mechanically manipulate the artificial finger and to electrically couple the conductive element with a conductive portion of the robotic actuator.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/362,593Filed 31 Jul 2023 · us provisional application
Priority: 28 Jul 2023
Published: US 2023/0373106 A123 Nov 2023
Granted: 31 Dec 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B25J 15/08
Gripping heads and other end effectors: having finger members
B25J 11/00
Manipulators not otherwise provided for
B25J 15/12
Having finger members: with flexible finger members
B33Y 80/00
Products made by additive manufacturing

Family

Application63/516,405Us provisional application · filed 28 Jul 2023
US 2023/0373106 A1Pre-grant publication · published 23 Nov 2023
US 12,179,341 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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