SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOBILE DEVICE COSMETIC EVALUATION

• US 20190318465A1
• Filed: 06/25/2018
• Published: 10/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tu X. Nguyen
• Original Assignee: Tu X. Nguyen
• Inventors: Nguyen, Tu
• Granted Patent: US 10,726,542 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/244 by turning them about an axis substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/248 by turning over or inverting them B65G47/244 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0008 checking presence/absence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/001 using an image reference approach

Abstract

An automated system which inspects the cosmetic appearance and general physical condition of each mobile device and then assigns a grade. The system inspects for scratches, cracks, dents, bents, dings, etc. The various identified defects are evaluated and receive a grade. All of the independent grades can be used to assign an overall grade.

Claims

1. A system for evaluating cosmetic appearance of mobile devices, comprising:

a housing;

a transport system for transporting the mobile devices within the housing;

a front imaging station positioned within the housing and having a camera and an illumination source configured to image front surface of each of the mobile devices;

an edge imaging station positioned within the housing and having a camera and an illumination source configured to image four edges of a bezel of each of the mobile devices;

a flatness evaluation station positioned within the housing and configured for evaluating flatness of each of the mobile devices;

a back imaging station having a camera and an illumination source configured to image back surface of each of the mobile devices;

a flipper positioned between the front imaging station and the back imaging station; and

,

a controller evaluating data received from the front imaging station, edge imaging station, flatness evaluation station, and back imaging station to identify defect and assign grade to each of the mobile devices.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transport system comprises a plurality of individually motorized wheels.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the edge imaging station comprises a plate configured to engage a mobile device, the plate being coupled to a z-actuator movable in the vertical direction and rotatable about a rotation axis.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the flatness evaluation station comprises a flatbed and an illumination source configured to illuminate a surface of one the mobile devices while resting on the flatbed.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the flatness evaluation station comprises a flatbed and an illumination source provided within a window situated in the flatbed.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the plate of the edge imaging station is configured to pass through the window in the flatbed.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the edge imaging station is nested within the flatness evaluation station.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the flipper is positioned between the flatness evaluation station and the back imaging station.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising an entry shelf and a sensor for detecting presence of a mobile device on the entry shelf.

10. A method for inspecting cosmetic appearance of a mobile device, comprising:

taking a picture of front surface of the mobile device and activating a processor to identify all cosmetic defects presented within the picture and assign a severity score to the cosmetic defects in the front surface;

taking a picture of back surface of the mobile device and activating the processor to identify all cosmetic defects presented within the picture and assign a severity score to the cosmetic defects in the back surface;

taking pictures of four edges of the mobile device and activating the processor to identify all cosmetic defects presented within the picture and assign a severity score to the cosmetic defects in the edges;

placing the mobile device in a flatness tester and testing the flatness of the mobile device; and

,

assigning an overall score to the mobile device based on the severity scores and the flatness.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein testing the flatness of the mobile device comprises:

placing the mobile device on a flatbed having a window;

illuminating the mobile device through the window;

imaging an interface between the mobile device and the flatbed;

analyzing intensity of light appearing at the interface.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein taking pictures of four edges of the mobile device comprises:

transporting the mobile device onto a plate;

raising the plate so as to bring a first edge of the mobile device to within a field of view of a side imaging camera;

activating the side imaging camera to take a picture of the first edge;

rotating the plate so as to bring a second edge to within the field of view;

activating the side imaging camera to take a picture of the second edge.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein between the steps of taking a picture of the front surface and taking a picture of the back surface, the method comprises the steps of:

placing the mobile device on a flipper;

activating the flipper to flip the phone.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising assigning weights to the different severity scores.

15. A system for evaluating cosmetic appearance of mobile devices, comprising:

a housing;

at least one camera configured for imaging front, back, and edges of each mobile device;

an illumination source positioned inside the housing and configured to illuminate each of the mobile devices during imaging;

a flatbed having back-illumination and configured to list each mobile device and illuminate the back of each mobile device with the back-side illumination;

a flatness tester configured to measure intensity of light emanating from an interface between the flatbed and a mobile device resting on the flatbed.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a flipper configured to flip each mobile device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the flipper comprises:

two front arms and two back arms, each of the back arms being connected to one of the front arms at a ninety-degree angle;

a plurality of individually motorized wheels distributed along the two front arms and two back arms in a facing relationship;

a holding arm configured to rotate ninety degrees so as to assume a first position in parallel with the front arms and a second position parallel with the back arms.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the arrangement of two front arms and two back arms is configured to rotate ninety degrees.

19. The system of claim 15, further comprising a z-lifter and wherein the flatbed is attached to the z-lifter.

20. The system of claim 15, further comprising a lifting plate attached to a rotatable lift and configured to lift a mobile device rotate the mobile device is successive ninety-degrees rotations.