Power tool operation recording and playback

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10556330-B2
Application number	US-201916414587-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 16, 2019
Priority date	Sep 18, 2015
Publication date	Feb 11, 2020
Grant date	Feb 11, 2020

Abstract

Systems and methods of operating power tools. The method includes receiving a command to start a recording mode at a first electronic processor of a first power tool, and receiving at the first electronic processor, a measured parameter from a sensor of the first power tool while a first motor of the first power tool is operating. The method also includes generating a recorded motor parameter by recording the measured parameter, on a first memory of the first power tool, when the first power tool operates in the recording mode, and transmitting, with a first transceiver of the first power tool, the recorded motor parameter. The method further includes receiving the recorded motor parameter at an external device, transmitting the recorded motor parameter to a second power tool via the external device, and receiving the recorded motor parameter via a second transceiver of the second power tool.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for controlling a power tool by an external device, the method comprising:
establishing, via a communication interface of the external device, a first wireless communication link with a first power tool, the external device including a memory and an electronic processor coupled to the memory and the communication interface;
receiving, by the electronic processor of the external device via the first wireless communication link, a recorded motor parameter from the first power tool, wherein the recorded motor parameter is recorded by the first power tool during an operation of the first power tool and is based on an output from a sensor of the first power tool;
establishing, via the communication interface of the external device, a second wireless communication link with a second power tool; and
transmitting, by the external device via the second wireless communication link, the recorded motor parameter to the second power tool, wherein the second power tool is configurable to replicate the operation of the first power tool by playing-back the recorded motor parameter.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein establishing the first wireless communication link includes:
scanning, by the electronic processor, a radio wave communication spectrum utilized for communication with power tools;
identifying, by the electronic processor of the external device, the first power tool within communication range of the external device;
displaying, by the electronic processor of the external device, the first power tool in a power tool list in a graphical user interface; and
receiving, by the electronic processor of the external device, a selection of the first power tool in the power tool list via the graphical user interface.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
displaying, by the electronic processor, a start-recording actuator in a graphical user interface of the external device;
receiving, via the graphical user interface, an input command to actuate start-recording in the first power tool; and
in response to the input command, transmitting a start-recording signal to the first power tool for recording the recorded motor parameter during the operation of the first power tool.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
displaying, by the electronic processor, a graphic selector for selecting an operational characteristic parameter in the graphical user interface;
receiving, via the graphical user interface, a selection of the operational characteristic parameter; and
in response to the selection for the operational characteristic parameter, transmitting the operational characteristic parameter to the first power tool, wherein the operational characteristic parameter configures an operational characteristic in the first power tool when recording the recorded motor parameter during the operation of the first power tool.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving, by the electronic processor, an input command via the graphical user interface; and
in response to the input command, storing the recorded motor parameter from the first power tool as a mode profile in the memory of the external device.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving, by the electronic processor, an input command via the graphical user interface; and
in response to receiving the input command, associating a name with the recorded motor parameter from the first power tool for display in the graphical user interface.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving, by the electronic processor, an input command from the graphical user interface; and
in response to receiving the input command, associating the recorded motor parameter from the first power tool with a first mode in the memory of the external device.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:
transmitting, via the communication interface of the external device, a mode profile assignment for the recorded motor parameter with the first mode, wherein the first power tool or another power tool receives the mode profile assignment for the recorded motor parameter with the first mode and replicates the operation of the first power tool when operating in the first mode.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:
displaying, by the electronic processor of the external device, a list of graphical mode selectors including a graphical mode selector for the first mode associated with the recorded motor parameter from the first power tool;
receiving, from the graphical user interface, a further input command selecting the first mode associated with the recorded motor parameter; and
in response to the further input command, transmitting the first mode selection to the first power tool or another power tool, wherein the first mode selection configures the first power tool or the other power tool to playback the recorded motor parameter to replicate the operation of the first power tool.

10. A device for controlling a power tool, the device comprising:
a communication interface;
an electronic processor coupled to the communication interface;
a memory coupled to the electronic processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the electronic processor, configure the electronic processor to
establish, via the communication interface, a first wireless communication link with a first power tool based on a selection of the first power tool in a power tool list from a graphical user interface;
receive, via the first wireless communication link, a recorded motor parameter from the first power tool, wherein the recorded motor parameter is recorded by the first power tool during an operation of the first power tool and is based on an output from a sensor of the first power tool;
establish, via the communication interface, a second wireless communication link with a second power tool; and
transmit, via the second wireless communication link, the recorded motor parameter to the second power tool, wherein the second power tool is configurable to replicate the operation of the first power tool by playing-back the recorded motor parameter.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein, to establish the first wireless communication link, the electronic processor is further configured to:
scan a radio wave communication spectrum utilized for communication with power tools;
identify the first power tool;
display the first power tool in a power tool list in the graphical user interface; and
receive a selection of the first power tool in the power tool list from the graphical user interface.

12. The device of claim 10 , wherein the electronic processor is further configured to:
display a start-recording actuator in the graphical user interface;
receive, via the graphical user interface, an input command to actuate start-recording in the first power tool; and
in response to the input command, transmit a start-recording signal to the first power tool for recording the recorded motor parameter during the operation of the first power tool.

13. The device of claim 10 , wherein the electronic processor is further configured to:
display a graphic selector for selecting an operational characteristic parameter in the graphical user interface;
receive, from the graphical user interface, a selection for the operational characteristic parameter; and
in response to the selection, transmit the operational characteristic parameter to the first power tool, wherein the operational characteristic parameter configures an operational characteristic in the first power tool when recording the recorded motor parameter during the operation of the first power

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Conrad Cole A
• Simeone Thomas G
• Mergener Matthew J
• Wycklendt Matthew P

Classifications

• B25B21/02

  with means for imparting impact to screwdriver blade or nut socket · CPC title

• G05B19/423

  Teaching successive positions by walk-through, i.e. the tool head or end effector being grasped and guided directly, with or without servo-assistance, to follow a path · CPC title

• B25B23/1475 Primary

  for impact wrenches or screwdrivers · CPC title

• G05B2219/36494

  Record position and inclination of tool, wrist · CPC title

• G05B19/425

  Teaching successive positions by numerical control, i.e. commands being entered to control the positioning servo of the tool head or end effector · CPC title