Data management software PM-KB™

testmeasurementinspection

Overview
PM-KB™ is a turnkey system for automated visual inspection of illuminated keyboards and keypads. PM-KB™ pairs application-specific software with a ProMetric imaging colorimeter or photometer to measure character luminance and chromaticity, verify key-cap placement, and evaluate overall keyboard luminance and color uniformity. The system captures and analyzes all keys simultaneously for faster, more consistent results than manual inspection or single-point instruments.

Multiple Testing Options
Users define measurement conditions and pass/fail criteria for points of interest on any keyboard or keypad, including:

• the allowed number of individual character failures;
• minimum luminance uniformity between characters;
• maximum color difference between characters when color is measured.

Designed for High-Volume Manufacturing
On production lines, PM-KB™ provides a simple operator interface, clear start/test commands, and visible pass/fail results. The system can record device barcodes or accept inputs from production control systems. Test reports are generated for traceability. A database stores keyboard models, measurement parameters, and pass/fail definitions for rapid model switching in production.

Multiple System Configurations
PM-KB™ supports ProMetric imaging colorimeters or photometers to meet different pixel-resolution, dynamic-range, and cost requirements. A special-purpose calibration light source is available to ensure consistent calibrations across production lines and additional ProMetric equipment.

Applications and Capabilities

• Automated inspection of backlit characters and icons for luminance and chromaticity.
• Assessment of overall keyboard luminance and color uniformity.
• Verification of key-cap presence and correct key locations.
• High-throughput simultaneous measurement of all keys using imaging techniques.
• Database-driven model management for fast model changes and protected test parameters.

Technical specifications

• Current Version: Ver. 4.3.28.1
• Supported products: ProMetric Y Series Photometers: Y2, Y16, Y29, Y43; ProMetric I Series Colorimeters: I2, I8, I16, I29
• System requirements: ProMetric imaging photometer or colorimeter; Windows 10, 64-bit; 16–32 GB RAM; additional requirements vary by camera.
• Measurement types: character luminance, character chromaticity (color), overall keyboard luminance and color uniformity, key-cap presence/location checks.
• Production features: barcode recording or production-control input; test report generation; database of keyboard configurations and pass/fail criteria.
• Calibration: supports special-purpose calibration light source for line-to-line consistency.