APPARATUS FOR TESTING A BATTERY-POWERED DEVICE

Abstract

An apparatus for testing a battery-powered device is provided. The apparatus is configured to be inserted into a button cell battery slot of the device to provide temporary power for testing the device. The testing apparatus may include a button cell battery, electrical contacts connected to or provided by the button cell battery and configured to engage electrical contacts within the button cell battery slot of the device, and an extension portion shaped to project from the slot when the testing apparatus is inserted into the button battery slot.

Claims

1. A testing apparatus for temporary insertion into a button cell battery slot, the apparatus comprising a button cell battery, electrical contacts connected to or provided by the button cell battery and configured to engage electrical contacts within the slot, and an extension portion shaped to project from the slot when the apparatus is inserted into the button battery slot.

2. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the button cell battery is electrically connected to the contacts and located away from the contacts.

3. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contacts are of a size and shape so as to engage with contacts designed to engage terminals of the button cell battery.

4. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the button cell battery is removable from the testing apparatus.

5. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the testing apparatus to be inserted into the slot has a width approximately equal to or less than the width of the button cell battery.

6. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the testing apparatus to be inserted into the slot has a thickness approximately equal to the thickness of the button cell battery.

7. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a housing configured to enclose the button cell battery and expose the contacts.

8. A testing apparatus according to claim 7, comprising a cover configured to shield the contacts when not in use.

9. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the button cell battery is a lithium button battery.

10. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion is shaped to provide a grip surface.

11. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a guide portion configured to align the testing apparatus with the slot.

12. A method of testing a battery-powered device having a slot configured to receive a button battery, the method comprising: inserting into the slot a testing apparatus according to any preceding claim so as to power the device; performing one or more tests of the device; and removing the testing apparatus.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the battery-powered device is a device having an on-board, battery-powered biometric sensor and a biometric verification module, and wherein the at least one test includes testing at least one of the biometric sensor and the biometric verification module.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein performing one or more tests of the device comprises the device automatically performing a self-test when powered by the testing apparatus.

15. A method according to claim 12, further comprising testing a plurality of battery-powered devices, wherein the same testing apparatus is used to test each of the battery-powered devices.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic layout of the components of a battery-powered device;

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a housing of the battery-powered device;

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a testing apparatus for temporarily powering the battery-powered device;

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of the battery-powered device, the testing apparatus and a button cell battery; and

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates the testing apparatus inserted into the battery-powered device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] FIG. 1 shows the architecture of a battery-powered, biometric authentication device 100. The biometric authentication device 100 is configured to communicate with a reader (not shown) using an antenna 108. The biometric authentication device 100 comprises a fingerprint authentication engine 120, which includes a processing unit 128 and a fingerprint reader 130. The fingerprint authentication engine 120 is powered by a battery 126. The processing unit 128 comprises a microprocessor that is chosen to be of very low power and very high speed, so as to be able to perform biometric matching in a reasonable time.

[0032] The fingerprint authentication engine 120 is arranged to scan a finger or thumb presented to the fingerprint reader 130 and to compare the scanned fingerprint of the finger or thumb to stored reference fingerprint data using the processing unit 128. A determination is then made as to whether the scanned fingerprint matches the reference fingerprint data. Ideally, the time required for capturing a fingerprint image and accurately recognising an enrolled finger is less than one second.

[0033] If a match is determined, then an RFID chip 110 is authorised to transmit a signal to the reader. In this embodiment, the RFID chip 110 is activated by closing a switch 132, e.g. between the antenna 108 and the RFID chip 110, to provide power to the RFID chip 110. However, in an alternative embodiment where the RFID chip 110 is powered by the battery 126, the switch 132 may be located between the RFID chip and the battery 126. In yet further alternative embodiments, instead of using a switch 132, the RFID chip 110 may be activated by sending an electronic signal from the fingerprint authentication engine 120 to a controller 114 of the chip 110.

[0034] The RFID chip 110 comprises terminals connected to first and second output lines 122, 124 from the antenna 108. When exposed to an excitation field generated by the reader, a voltage is induced across the antenna 108. The voltage received from the antenna 108 is rectified by a bridge rectifier 112 on the chip 110, and the DC output of the rectifier 112 is provided to a controller 114 of the chip 110.

[0035] The controller 114 comprises a memory 140 storing data, such as a unique identifier of the card 110. In order to transmit the data to the reader, the data is output from the controller 114 passed to a field effect transistor 116 that is connected across the antenna 108. By switching on and off the transistor 116, a signal can be transmitted by the device 100 and decoded by suitable control circuits in the reader. This type of signalling is known as backscatter modulation and is characterised by the fact that the reader is used to power the return message to itself. However, in other embodiments, the communication from the RFID chip 110 may draw power from the battery 126.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary housing 134 of the device 100. The circuit shown in FIG. 1 is housed within the housing 134 such that a scanning area of the fingerprint reader 130 is exposed from the housing 134.

[0037] The housing 134 may include indicators for communication with the user of the device 100, such as the LEDs 136, 138 shown in FIG. 2. During enrollment, the user may be guided by the indicators 136, 138, which tell the user if the fingerprint has been enrolled correctly. During authorisation, the LEDs may indicate whether or not a match has been determined. The LEDs 136, 138 on the device 100 may communicate with the user by transmitting a sequence of flashes consistent with instructions that the user he has received with the device 100. The LED indicators 136, 138 may be powered by the battery 126.

[0038] The housing 134 comprises a slot (not visible) protected by a removable cover 142. The slot is sized to receive a button cell battery 150, and particularly a 3V lithium button cell battery 150. Within the slot are provided electrical contacts that engage the positive and negative terminals of the button cell battery.

[0039] To determine proper manufacturing of a biometric authentication device 100, the quality control process requires a testing agent to temporarily provide power to the device 100. During this testing phase, the apparatus 100 is inserted into the slot 142 of the device 100 to power the various electronic components.

[0040] Once the device 100 is powered, various tests are performed. Such tests may include one or more of verifying that the indicators 136, 138 function, verifying that the RFID chip 110 functions, verifying that the antenna 108 functions, and verifying that the fingerprint authentication unit 130 functions. In one embodiment, the device 100 is configured to automatically perform a self-test when powered on. The self-test may include any or all of the above tests, and the results of the test may be communicated by the indicators 136, 138. For example, an indicator 136, 138 may illuminate for a short period if all of the tests are successful or flash an error code if one or more of the tests are failed. The error code may indicate which test(s) failed.

[0041] After testing, the battery 150 must be removed for storage of the device 100. It is undesirable to leave the battery 150 in the device 100 during storage as this will drain the battery and can cause damage. It has been found, however, that removing the battery 150 is quite cumbersome and time consuming.

[0042] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a testing apparatus 200 for use in place of the battery 150. The testing apparatus 200 comprises an elongate member 210 sized to be inserted into the slot of the device 100. The elongate member 210 is generally planar, and is provided with a first contact 212 on one side of the member 210 and a second contact 214 on the opposite side of the member 210. The contacts 212, 214 are electrically connected by electrical leads 216, 218 to a socket 220 that is sized to receive the battery 150.

[0043] The testing apparatus 200 comprises a guide portion 222 at the leading end, i.e. the end to be inserted into the slot. The guide portion extends from the elongate member 220 and serves to centre the apparatus 200 with respect to the slot as it is inserted.

[0044] When the battery 150 is inserted into the socket, the contacts are electrically connected to the terminals of the battery 150, such that the device 100 is powered by the battery 150 when the testing apparatus 200 is inserted into the slot of the device 100.

[0045] Whilst the testing apparatus 200 is shown in a bare form in the drawings, it is anticipated that in practice it would be provided with a housing so as to prevent damage to the apparatus 200. The housing might, for example, cover the leads 216, 218 and the socket 220 when the device is in use, but leave the contacts 212, 214 exposed. The housing might further be provided with a cap or sleeve to protect the contacts 212, 214 when the apparatus 200 is not in use.