Wireless tracking of power tools and related devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9466198-B2
Application number	US-201414185594-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 20, 2014
Priority date	Feb 22, 2013
Publication date	Oct 11, 2016
Grant date	Oct 11, 2016

Abstract

A power distribution box includes a power input configured to receive power from an external power source, an alternating current (AC) output electrically coupled to the power input, a power-line adapter and a gateway device. The power-line adapter is coupled to the power input and configured to receive power via the power input and communicate with an external network. The gateway device is coupled to the power-line adapter and is configured to communicate with the external network. The gateway device includes a wireless network module configured to communicate with at least one power tool device in a wireless network, and a translation controller configured to enable communications between the wireless network module and the external network through the power-line adapter.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A power distribution box comprising:
a power input configured to receive power from an external power source;
an alternating current (AC) output electrically coupled to the power input and configured to provide power to an external device;
a power-line adapter coupled to the power input and configured to
receive power via the power input and
communicate with an external network; and

a gateway device coupled to the power-line adapter, the gateway device including
a wireless network module configured to communicate with at least one power tool device in a wireless network, and
a translation controller coupled to the power-line adapter and enabling communications between the wireless network module and the external network through the power-line adapter.

2. The power distribution box of claim 1 , wherein the gateway device also includes a cellular module coupled to the translation controller and is configured to communicate with the external network through a cellular network.

3. The power distribution box of claim 1 , further comprising a housing in which an inner portion of the gateway device is positioned and wherein the gateway device includes an antenna positioned outside of the housing.

4. The power distribution box of claim 3 , further comprising a cover secured to the housing and covering the antenna.

5. The power distribution box of claim 1 , further comprising a daisy-chain output electrically coupled to the power input and configured to receive a daisy-chain cable to connect to, and thereby provide power to, a second power distribution box.

6. The power distribution box of claim 1 , wherein the power tool device includes at least one of the group including of a power tool and a power tool battery having a wireless module for communicating with the wireless network module via the wireless network, and wherein the power tool device sends operational data regarding the power tool device to the gateway device through the wireless network.

7. The power distribution box of claim 6 , wherein the gateway device also includes a GPS module enabling the gateway device to determine position information of the power tool device.

8. The power distribution box of claim 7 , wherein the external network includes a tool monitoring server and wherein at least one of the group including operational data and the position information is transmitted to the tool monitoring server through the power-line adapter.

9. A power distribution box comprising:
a power input configured to receive power from an external power source;
a first power output electrically coupled to the power input, the first power output configured to provide power to an external device;
a power-line adapter coupled to the power input and configured to
receive power through the power input and
communicate with an external network; and

a gateway device coupled to the power-line adapter, the gateway device including
a wireless network module configured to communicate with at least one power tool device in a wireless network,
a cellular module configured to communicate with the external network through a cellular network,
a translation controller coupled to the power-line adapter, the wireless network module, and the cellular module, the translation controller enabling communication between the wireless network module and the external network using at least one of the group including the power-line adapter and the cellular module.

10. The power distribution box of claim 9 , further comprising a daisy-chain output electrically coupled to the power input and configured to receive a daisy-chain cable to connect to, and thereby provide power to, a second power distribution box.

11. The power distribution box of claim 9 , further comprising a second power output electrically coupled to the power input and configured to provide power to another external device, and wherein the first power output is an alternating current (AC) output and the second power output is a direct current (DC) power output.

12. The power distribution box of claim 9 , wherein the power tool device is one of the group including a power tool and a power tool battery having a wireless module for communicating with the wireless network module via the wireless network, and wherein the power tool device sends operational data regarding the power tool device to the gateway device through the wireless network.

13. The power distribution box of claim 12 , wherein the external network includes a tool monitoring server, the tool monitoring server receives data regarding the power tool device through the power distribution box.

14. The power distribution box of claim 9 , wherein the gateway device is removably secured to the power distribution box.

15. The power distribution box of claim 9 , further comprising a housing portion and a base portion, the base portion elevating the housing portion above a surface on which the power distribution box is positioned.

16. A method of communicating with at least one power tool using a power distribution box, the power distribution box including a power-line adapter, a gateway device, and alternating current (AC) power outlets, the method comprising:
receiving, at a power input of the power distribution box, alternating current (AC) power from an external power source;
distributing the AC power received from the external power source to the AC power outlets;
receiving, via the gateway device, wireless communication from a power tool device including operational data associated with the power tool device; and
transmitting, by the power-line adapter, the operational data associated with the power tool device to an external network, the external network including a tool monitoring server; and
receiving, at the tool monitoring server, information regarding the power tool device.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising providing, via a daisy-chain power cable, power to a second power distribution box.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising communicating, by the second power distribution box, with the external network via the daisy-chain power cable.

19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising removing the gateway device from the power distribution box.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein transmitting the operational data by the power-line adapter includes multiplexing data signals with power signals over a power cable coupled between the power input and the external power source.

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Burch Wade F
• Zeiler Jeffrey M
• Reading Leslie J

Classifications

• G08B25/009

  Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range · CPC title

• G08B21/0213 Primary

  System disabling if a separation threshold is exceeded (disabling electrical appliances in case of unplugging G08B13/1409) · CPC title

• G08B13/1427

  with transmitter-receiver for distance detection · CPC title

• B25F5/00

  Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• G06Q10/08

  Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management · CPC title