Patent Publication Number: US-2009220097-A1

Title: Sound testing device for mobile phone and method for using the same

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to sound testing devices for mobile phones and sound testing methods, particularly to an automatic sound testing device for mobile phones and a method for using the same. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In manufacturing of mobile phones, it is necessary to test the sound quality of many components, such as microphones, earphones and speakers. In most typical testing methods, sound characteristics of these components, such as the maximal value of frequency response, the acceptable total harmonic distortion (THD) and rub and buzz distortion, are recorded and displayed by oscillographs. The components are evaluated based on the testing results. 
     However, analyzing the test results is generally time consuming. In production, the number of the test sound components is usually very large. Thus, displaying initial test results of sound characteristics of the components and analyzing the test result to test the components may spend too much time, thereby delaying the producing procedure. 
     Therefore, a new sound testing device and a new testing method are desired in order to overcome the above-described shortcomings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the new testing device and method for using the same can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the new testing device and method for using the same. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of a sound testing device, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow chart of a testing method according to a first exemplary embodiment, which is used to test a sound component transforming electronic signals into sound signals. 
         FIG. 3  a flow chart of a testing method according to a second exemplary embodiment, which is used to test an sound component transforming sound signals into electronic signals. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a sound testing device  100  according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The sound testing device  100  tests the quality of sound components of mobile phones, such as microphones, earphones and speakers, etc. The sound testing device  100  includes a processor  10 , a mouth simulator  30 , an ear simulator  40  and a soundproof container  50 . 
     The processor  10  can be a personal computer or a single chip, etc., which is configured for controlling the mouth simulator  30  to send sound signals to test sound components and receive sound signals detected by the ear simulator  40  to test sound components of mobile phones. The processor  10  includes a controlling module  12 , a first testing module  131 , a second testing module  132 , a parameter module  14  and a display module  16 . The controlling module  12  is electronically connected to the first testing module  131 , the second testing module  132 , the parameter module  14  and the display module  16  to control the testing process, and particularly to provide electronic testing signals to the test sound components. The first testing module  131  receives and analyzes electronic signals, from test sound components which transform sound signals into electronic signals, such as microphones. The second testing module  132  receives and analyzes sound signals, from test sound components which transform electronic signals into sound signals, such as earphones or speakers. Both the first testing module  131  and the second testing module  132  have a fast Fourier transform algorithm (FFT) program installed therein. The parameter module  14  is configured for setting and storing testing parameters. The display module  16  is a screen configured for displaying relative testing data and test results. 
     The mouth simulator  30  generates sound signals received by test sound components. The ear simulator  40  receives sound signals output from test sound components. The soundproof container  50  receives the mouth simulator  30 , the ear simulator  40  and test sound components therein to prevent outside sound signals from interfering with the testing process. The soundproof container  50  includes a switch  52  and a power supply  54 . Both the mouth simulator  30  and the ear simulator  40  are electronically connected to the processor  10  via the switch  52 . Thus, the mouth simulator  30  and the ear simulator  40  are selectively connected to the processor  10 . The power supply  54  is configured for providing power to the test sound components during testing process. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a method for testing sound component quality, according to a first exemplary embodiment, is shown. 
     First, testing parameters are set and stored in the parameter module  14  of the processor  10 . The testing parameters are acceptable ranges of relative parameters which indicate sound quality of the test sound components, for example, the value of frequency response, the allowable total harmonic distortion (THD), rub and buzz, etc. 
     Second, connecting the test sound component to the testing device  100 . A test sound component is placed in the soundproof container  50 , and electronically connected to the power supply  54  and the processor  10 . 
     Third, sound quality of the component is test. The controlling module  12  of the processor  10  controls the switch  52  to turn on the power supply  54  and the mouth simulator  30 . Whereafter, the controlling module  12  controls the mouth simulator  30  to send sound testing signals to the test sound component, and the test component transforms the sound signals into electronic signals. Understandably, the electronic signals directly outputted from the test sound component are time domain signals. 
     The first testing module  131  is then activated and receives the time domain electronic signals outputted from the test component, and transforms the time domain electronic signals into frequency domain electronic signals by the FFT program installed therein. It is understood that some important parameters which indicate quality of sound components, such as frequency response, THD and rub and buzz, can be shown more distinctly in frequency domain than in time domain. The frequency domain electronic signals are regarded as testing data and compared with the stored testing parameters. If the testing data does not exceed an acceptable range determined by the testing parameters, the test sound component passes the test. On the other hand, if the testing data of a test sound component exceeds the acceptable range of the testing parameters, the test component fails the test. The display module  16  can display the testing data and the comparing results. 
     In the testing method according to the first embodiment, the controlling module  12  can also control the mouth simulator  30  to send sound signals in different frequencies to the test sound component, and then the first testing module  131  analyses the electronic signals outputted from the test sound component having different frequencies to improve test precision. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a method for testing quality of sound components, according to a second exemplary embodiment, is shown. This method is essentially using the testing device  100  to test sound components which transform electronic signals into sound signals, such as earphones or speakers. The method includes these steps. 
     First, setting and storing parameters and connecting the test sound component to the testing device  100 , which are similar to that of the method according to the first embodiment, are performed. 
     Second, the sound quality of the component is tested. The controlling module  12  controls the switch  52  to turn on the power supply  54  and the ear simulator  40 . Whereafter, the controlling module  12  sends electronic testing signals to the test component. The test component transforms the electronic signals into sound signals, thus the controlling module  12  controls the ear simulator  30  to receive sound signals outputted from the test component, and transform the sound signals into electronic signals. Understandably, the electronic signals sound signals directly outputted from the test component are time domain signals. 
     Similar to the first testing module  131 , the second testing module  132  is activated and receives the time domain electronic signals transformed from the sound signals received by the ear simulator  40 , and further transforms the time domain electronic signals into frequency domain electronic signals by the FFT program installed therein. The frequency domain electronic signals are regarded as testing data and compared with the stored testing parameters. If the testing data of a test sound component does not exceed an acceptable range determined by the testing parameters, the test component passes the test. On the other hand, if the testing data of a test sound component exceeds the acceptable range, the test component fails the test. The display module  16  can display the testing data and the comparing results. 
     In the testing method according to the second exemplary embodiment, the controlling module  12  can also send electronic signals in different frequencies to the test component and controls the ear simulator  40  to receive sound signals outputted from the test component having different frequencies. The second testing module  132  then analyses the sound signals to improve test precision. 
     Compared to most typical sound testing devices, the present testing device  100  is simple in structure and cost less. Compared to most typical sound testing methods, the present testing methods need not directly displaying test results of the sound characteristics of test sound components, and analyzes signals in frequency domain; which simplifies testing procedure and allows the testing data and testing results to have a higher precision. 
     It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.