Abstract:
An automatic keyboard testing apparatus includes a pair of support arms fixed to a machine frame for supporting a keyboard to be tested therebetween. A clamping device secures the keyboard between the support arms. A test module has testing units for operating/testing pushbuttons, a knob and indictors of the keyboard. A key actuating device comprises a plurality of key depressing elements movably mounted thereto. Each key depressing element forms a pressurized air stream outlet for applying a pressurized air stream to a corresponding key of the keyboard for actuating the key. A conveyor mechanism moves the key actuating device across the keyboard for sequentially actuating the keys of the keyboard. A keyboard coupling device electrically couples the keyboard to a processor-based determination device to receive signals therefrom for determining if the tested keyboard is properly functioning. A warning device is connected to the determination device for giving off a warning signal when the keyboard fails the test.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to an automatic apparatus for testing computer keyboard. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Keyboards have been widely used as a man-machine interface between processor-based apparatus, such as personal computer, industrial controller and cash register, and users/operators for manually inputting instructions and data to the processor-based apparatus. The operation reliability is an important factor for a satisfactory performance of a keyboard. Thus, tests conducted before a keyboard is shipped to a user or a sale agent is very important. Conventionally, keyboards are tested manually. In other words, an operator sequentially depresses and actuates each key or pushbutton of the keyboard to see if the keyboard generates a correct responsive signal. Such a manual test is inefficient and laborious. Furthermore, striking forces that the operator applies to the keys of the tested keyboard may be different from key to key resulting in fault test result. 
     Besides, there are a variety of keyboards available in the market and a keyboard manufacturing shop may need to manufacture several kinds of keyboard. Therefore, a testing operator has to acquaint himself or herself with different key layouts of the keyboards when different keyboards are manufactured. This complicates the test and quality control operation of the keyboard manufacture. 
     Thus it is desired to have an automatic keyboard testing apparatus which overcomes the problems discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic keyboard testing apparatus which performs automatic testing process on keyboards thereby providing an efficient and effective quality control of the keyboards. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic keyboard testing apparatus which facilitates reducing the likelihood of fault test result. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an automatic keyboard testing apparatus which allows a striking force applied to keys of the keyboard in test to be adjustable for suiting for different types of keyboards. 
     It is still further object of the present invention is to provide an automatic keyboard testing apparatus which is suitable for testing keyboards of different key layouts. 
     To achieve the above objects, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an automatic keyboard testing apparatus comprising a pair of support arms fixed to a machine frame for supporting a keyboard to be tested therebetween. A clamping device secures the keyboard between the support arms. A test module comprises testing units for operating/testing pushbuttons, a knob and indictors of the keyboard. A key actuating device comprises a plurality of key depressing elements movably mounted thereto. Each key depressing element comprises a pressurized air stream outlet for applying a pressurized air stream to a corresponding key of the keyboard for actuating the key. A conveyor mechanism moves the key actuating device across the keyboard for sequentially actuating the keys of the keyboard. A keyboard coupling device electrically couples the keyboard to a processor-based determination device to receive signals therefrom for determining if the tested keyboard is properly functioning. A warning device is connected to the determination device for giving off a warning signal when the keyboard fails the test. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic keyboard testing apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the automatic keyboard testing apparatus with a keyboard to be tested clamped therein; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial front view of the automatic keyboard testing apparatus showing pressurized air stream is applied to actuate keys of the keyboard; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a test module of the automatic keyboard testing apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pushbutton testing unit of the test module; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a key actuating device of the automatic keyboard testing apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a pressurized air stream outlet member of the key actuating device; 
     FIG. 8 is a partial side elevational view of the automatic keyboard testing apparatus showing a spatial relationship between the test module and the keyboard to be tested; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a top view of an example of the keyboard to be tested by the automatic keyboard testing apparatus of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 11 is a front view showing an automatic keyboard testing apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1-3, wherein an automatic keyboard testing apparatus constricted in accordance with the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral  100 , is shown, the automatic keyboard testing apparatus  100  comprises a machine frame  10  which may be made of any suitable material in any suitable form. In the embodiment illustrated, the machine frame  10  comprises a plurality of aluminum-extruded bars  11 , including at least one longitudinal bar and two transverse bars mounted to the longitudinal bar to form a U-shape. The machine frame  10  further comprises two upright bars  11  mounted to and extending from the longitudinal bar  11  thereby being substantially normal to the longitudinal bar  11  and the transverse bars  11 . 
     A pair of support arms  20 ,  21  are mounted to the longitudinal bar  11  and extending therefrom substantially parallel to the transverse bars  11 . The support arms  20 ,  21  are spaced from each other for defining a space therebetween to accommodate a keyboard to be tested A (FIG. 2) which will be briefly referred to as the keyboard A. The support arms  20 ,  21  may have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the keyboard A and capable to support the keyboard A thereon. The distance between the support arms  20 ,  21  are adjustable by moving the support aims  20 ,  21  with respect to each other for accommodating different sizes of different keyboards. Each support arm  20 ,  21  has a keyboard detecting sensor  201 ,  211  mounted thereon for detecting the keyboard A. Examples of the keyboard detecting sensor  201 ,  211  include micro-switch, proximity switch, photo-electrical switch, but not limited thereto. 
     A clamping device  30  is mounted to the longitudinal bar  11  for clamping and thus securing the keyboard A between the support arms  20 ,  21 . In the embodiment illustrated, the clamping device  30  comprises a pneumatic cylinder mounted on a support plate  31  fixed to the longitudinal bar  11  of the machine frame  10 . The support plate  31  is position-adjustable for positioning the clamping device  30  corresponding to different types of keyboard A. The pneumatic cylinder has driving rods  32  supporting a clamping pawl  33  on free ends thereof whereby when the pneumatic cylinder of the clamping device  30  is actuated by the detection of the keyboard A by the keyboard detecting sensors  201 ,  211  of the support arms  20 ,  21 , the clamping pawl  33  is moved toward the longitudinal bar  11  thereby clamping and securing the keyboard A. The operation of the pneumatic cylinder of the clamping means  30  is controlled by the detection of the keyboard A by the keyboard detecting sensors  201 ,  211  of the support arms  20 ,  21 . 
     Further referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the automatic keyboard testing apparatus  100  comprises a test module  40  detachably attached to and supported on the longitudinal bar  11  of the machine frame  10 . The test module  40  may have different configuration corresponding to the particular keyboard A retained between the support arms  20 ,  21  for testing keyboards of different configuration. The test module  40  comprises a plurality of pushbutton testing units  41  as particularly shown in FIG. 5, a knob testing unit  42  and an indicator testing units  43 . These testing units  41 ,  42 ,  43  are arranged in accordance with special function pushbuttons A 1 , a volume knob A 2  and indicators A 3  of the keyboard A (see FIG. 10) for selectively actuating the special function pushbuttons A 1  and the volume knob A 2  and detecting light emitted from the indicators A 3  for testing purposes. 
     The pushbutton testing units  41  may be of any know construction provided that they are capable to depress and actuate the special function pushbuttons A 1 . In the embodiment illustrated and as shown in FIG. 5, each pushbutton testing unit  41  comprises an electromagnet which, when energized, moves a rod  411  in a downward direction to contact and depress the corresponding pushbutton A 1 . A returning spring  412  surrounds the rod  411  for returning the rod  411  back to the original position when the pushbutton testing unit  41  is de-energized. 
     The knob testing unit  42  comprises a motor having a toothed roller  421  (FIGS. 8 and 9) mounted to a spindle thereof for rotating therewith. The toothed roller  421  has a tooth periphery engaging with and rotating the volume knob A 2  for testing volume control function of the knob A 2 . 
     The indicator testing unit  43  comprises a movable member (not labeled) driven by a pneumatic cylinder (not shown) with photo sensors  431  (FIG. 8) mounted thereon. The photo sensors  431  are moved toward the indicators A 3  of the keyboard A by means of the movement of the movable member driven by the pneumatic cylinder and positioned proximate the indicators A 3  for detecting light emitted from the indicators A 3  when the indicators A 3  are turned on. The arrangement of the photo sensors  431  on the movable member is accordance with the configuration of the indicators A 3  of the particular keyboard A. 
     With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a key actuating device  50  is movably mounted to the machine frame  10  and comprises a number of key depressing element  51  position-adjustably supported thereon. The key depressing elements  51  may be of any known construction provided that they are capable to depress and actuate keys A 4  of the keyboard A (FIG.  10 ). In the embodiment illustrated, each key depressing element  51  comprises a pneumatic cylinder having a movable rod  511 . A pressurized air stream outlet member  512  is mounted to the rod  511  to be movable therewith. Each air stream outlet member  512  defines an L-shaped passage  512 ′ to which a pressurized air conduit B is connected. The air conduit B is controlled by a air control element B 1  to control timing of supplying pressurized air to the air passage  512 ′ and the pressures inside the air passage  512 ′. The key depressing elements  51  are movable toward the corresponding keys A 4  and pressurized air streams are applied thereto from the air passages  512 ′ to actuate the keys A 4 . 
     The key actuating device  50  further comprises a depressing bar  513  which is fixed to the movable rod  511  of one of the key depressing element  51  and movable therewith for contacting and actuating pushbuttons A 1  of the keyboard A that are located remote positions and cannot be actuated by the pushbutton testing units  41  of the test module  40 . Each key depressing element  51  comprises a base member  54  for movably mounting the key depressing element  51  to the key actuating device. 
     The key actuating device  50  comprises a holder  52  having any desired form which in the embodiment illustrated is L-shaped comprising a first section  521  defining an elongate slot  522  for being engaged with and movably retaining the base members  54  of the key depressing elements  51  as shown in FIG.  6 . The holder  52  also has a second section  523  defining a plurality of openings  524 . A slide member  53  forms connecting sections  531  on opposite edges thereof Each connecting section  531  defines a recess  532 . The openings  524  of the second section  523  of the holder  52  are secured to the recess  532  of one of the connecting sections  531  thereby mounting the holder  52  to the slide member  53 . The holder  52  is position-adjustable corresponding to configuration and size of the particular keyboard A to be tested. 
     A conveying mechanism  60  (as shown in FIG. 1) is arranged behind the support arms  20 ,  21  and comprises a motor  61  drivingly coupled to a rail  62  for moving the rail  62 . The rail  62  may be of any suitable form, such as that comprising a timing belt. The rail  62  is substantially parallel to the keyboard A and coupled to the connecting section  531  of the slide member  53  for moving the slide member  53  with the rail  62 . 
     A keyboard coupling device  70  is fixed to one transverse bar  11  and comprises a number of different sockets  71  for selectively connecting an outlet plug A 5  of the keyboard A as shown in FIG.  1 . For example, the sockets  71  may be of ISA type and USB type. The connection device  70  receives output signals from the keyboard A and transmits the signals to determination means  80 . 
     The determination means  80  may be any suitable configuration and form, such as a programmable logic control (PLC) or a personal computer, which receives indicator lighting signals from the test module  40  and key actuation signals from the keyboard coupling device  70  to determine if the special function pushbuttons A 1 , the volume knob A 2  and the indicators A 3  and the keys A 4  function properly. The determination means  80  also generates a corresponding test result signal displayed on a status displaying device  81  to indicate the status of the keyboard A. The status displaying device  81  may be of any configuration and type, such as a plurality of indicating lamps  811  as shown in the drawings. Alternatively, the status displaying device  81  may be a monitor of a computer. 
     In case the keyboard A fails the test, the determination means  80  generates a driving signal to a warning device  90 . The warning device  90  may be of any suitable form, such as a buzzer whereby when the driving signal is applied to the buzzer  90 , an audio warning signal is generated to inform an operator of the automatic keyboard testing apparatus  100  of the failure of the keyboard A that is being tested. 
     Although not necessary, the determination means  80  controls the operations of the conveying mechanism  60  and the key actuating device  50  for coordinating the operations thereof and the testing process of the keyboard A. 
     Referring to FIGS. 8-10, in operation, a keyboard A is positioned between the support arms  20 ,  21  and a test module  40  corresponding to the particular keyboard A is selected and mounted to the machine frame  10 . The keyboard detecting sensors  201 ,  211  of the support arms  20 ,  21  detect the keyboard A and actuate the clamping device  30  to secure the keyboard A. The indicators A 3  are energized and the photo sensors  431  of the indicator testing unit  43  of the test module  40  detect light beams generated therefrom. If an abnormal situation is determined from ther received light beams, then the determination means  80  generates the warning signal through the warning device  90  and the status displaying device  81  shows the status of failure of the tested keyboard A. The test process is terminated and the operator of the automatic keyboard testing apparatus  100  is called by the warning signal to remove the keyboard A. 
     If the indicators A 3  of the keyboard A pass the test, then the pushbutton testing units  41  and the knob testing unit  42  of the test module  40  and the key depressing elements  51  of the key actuating device  50  are actuated to test the special function pushbuttons A 1 , the volume knob A 2  and the keys A 4  (as shown in FIGS.  8  and  9 ). The keys A 4  are actuated by the pressurized air streams from the pressurized air stream outlet members  512 . The air pressure may be easily adjusted by means of the associated air control element B 1  whereby the actuating or depressing force applied to the keys A 4  are adjustable to suit for different types of keys A 4 . The determination means  80  gives off a warning signal to notify the operator once any one of the special function pushbuttons A 1 , the volume knob A 2  and the keys A 4  are found malfunctioning and the failure status is displayed on the status displaying device  81 . 
     The key actuating device  50  is moved by the conveying mechanism  60  along the rail  62  to travel across the keyboard A and tests the keys A 4  sequentially. Actuation signals of the keys A 4  are transmitted to the determination means  80 . A warning signal is given off via the warning device  90  and the status display device  81  when one of the keys A 4  malfunctions and the test is terminated. Data related to the unsuccessful test is stored in the determination means  80  for further processing when repairing and adjustment of the malfunctioning keys A 4 . This provides an automatic test process. 
     Referring to FIG. 11, a second embodiment of the automatic keyboard testing apparatus in accordance with the present invention is shown, wherein two sets of testing facility are mounted to the machine frame  10  and spaced from each other for each receiving and independently testing a keyboard A. Thus, two keyboards may be tested at the same time. Furthermore, the keyboards may be different types whereby a more efficient and more effective way of testing keyboards may be obtained. 
     Although the present invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it is contemplated that a variety of modifications, variations and substitutions may be done without departing from the scope of the present invention that is intended to be defined by the appended claims.