Method and device for actuating a key of a keyboard with a tracer finger of a robot

• US 20110251719A1
• Filed: 04/04/2011
• Published: 10/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vodafone Holding GmbH (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Vodafone Holding GmbH (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Inventors: Petlic, Christoph, Lien, Tam
• Granted Patent: US 9,043,026 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/245
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1664 characterised by motion, path, trajectory planning
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1679 characterised by the tasks executed
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/39535 Measuring, test unit build into hand, end effector
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40447 Bitmap based
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40503 Input design parameters of workpiece into path, trajectory planner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2221 to test input/output devices or peripheral units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/26 Functional testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/24 Arrangements for testing

Abstract

There is provided a method for actuating a first key of a keyboard with a tracer finger of a robot. An exemplary method comprises acquiring parameters of the keyboard and determining a position of the first key as a function of the acquired parameters using a model of the keyboard. The exemplary method also comprises guiding the tracer finger of the robot to the determined position of the first key. The exemplary method additionally comprises actuating the first key with the tracer finger of the robot.

Claims

1. A method for actuating a first key of a keyboard with a tracer finger of a robot, the method comprising:

acquiring parameters of the keyboard;

determining a position of the first key as a function of the acquired parameters using a model of the keyboard;

guiding the tracer finger of the robot to the determined position of the first key; and

actuating the first key with the tracer finger of the robot.

2. The method recited in claim 1, comprising selecting the model from a plurality of models as a function of the type of keyboard detected.

3. The method recited in claim 1, whereby the model is one of a plurality of models that are each associated with an arrangement of the keys in rows and columns having the same distances between the keys of one row and the keys of one column.

4. The method recited in claim 1, whereby a first acquired parameter is a distance between two predefined keys of a row or the positions of other predefined keys of a row.

5. The method recited in claim 1, wherein a one of the acquired parameters is a distance between two predefined keys of a column or the positions of other predefined keys of a column.

6. The method recited in claim 1, whereby the model provides for the keys of a row and/or of column to be arranged along several straight lines.

7. The method recited in claim 6, wherein the straight lines are mirror-symmetrical with respect to a center axis in a plane of the keyboard.

8. The method recited in claim 6, whereby a one of the parameters is at least one gradient parameter that describes an orientation of at least one straight line.

9. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the model is one of a plurality of models that differ in terms of the number of rows of keys and/or the number of columns of keys.

10. The method recited in claim 1, whereby the model provides for the keys to be arranged in three columns and four rows.

11. The method recited in claim 10, the model being employed to determine the position of a key of a reduced key panel.

12. The method recited in claim 10, whereby a second model provides for the keys to be arranged in ten columns and three rows.

13. The method recited in claim 1, comprising employing a second model to determine a position of a key of a complete keyboard panel.

14. One or more computer-readable storage media, comprising code to actuate a first key of a keyboard with a tracer finger of a robot, the code configured to direct a processing unit to:

acquire parameters of the keyboard;

determine a position of the first key as a function of the acquired parameters using a model of the keyboard;

guide the tracer finger of the robot to the determined position of the first key; and

actuate the first key with the tracer finger of the robot.

15. A device for actuating a key of a keyboard, comprising a control module and a computation module, the computation module being configured to determine the position of the key as a function of the acquired parameters of the keyboard using a model of the keyboard, and the control module being configured to guide the tracer finger of the robot to the position of the first key determined in the computation module.