Power tool having at least one handle and method for detecting a vein pattern of a person using the power tool

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power tool having at least one handle, wherein the power tool comprises a sensor for detecting a vein pattern of a hand of a person using the power tool, wherein the sensor is arranged on or in a region of the handle of the power tool. In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for detecting a vein pattern of a hand of a person using a power tool, wherein the person's hand is irradiated with radiation in such a manner that the person's hand reflects the incident radiation in accordance with its vein pattern, wherein the radiation reflected by the hand of the person using the power tool is sensed by a sensor and a vein pattern of a person using the power tool can be deduced. A particular advantage of the invention is that the sensor-detected vein pattern of a hand of a person using the power tool can be compared with vein patterns in a database so that, on the basis of the vein pattern, an identity of the person using the power tool can be determined and / or the person using the power tool can be assigned specific vibration exposure.

Description

[0001] Machine tool with at least one handle and method for detecting a vein pattern of a user of the machine tool

[0002] The present invention relates to a machine tool with at least one handle, wherein the machine tool comprises a sensor for detecting a vein pattern of a hand of a user of the machine tool, wherein the sensor is arranged on or in a region of the handle of the machine tool. In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for detecting a vein pattern of a hand of a user of a machine tool, wherein the user's hand is irradiated with radiation such that the user's hand reflects the incident radiation according to its vein pattern, wherein the radiation reflected by the hand of the user of the machine tool is detected by a sensor and a vein pattern of a user of the machine tool can be derived.A particular advantage of the invention is that the vein pattern of a hand of a user of the machine tool detected by the sensor can be compared with vein patterns in a database in order to determine the identity of the user of the machine tool based on the vein pattern and / or to assign vibration exposure to the user.

[0003] Background of the invention:

[0004] In the field of machine tools, dosimeters are known that can be used, for example, to measure the vibration exposure of a machine tool user. These are often external body-worn dosimeters whose data must be evaluated by a computer or data system in order to assign the vibration exposure to a specific user.

[0005] Such a vibration dosimeter for determining the daily vibration exposure of persons exposed to mechanical vibrations at their workplace due to the operation of machine tools is described, for example, in EP 1 994 381 A1.

[0006] It would be desirable, for example, if a technical, unambiguous means could be provided for reliably identifying the identity of a machine tool user for evaluating vibration exposure, in order to facilitate further evaluation and processing of the vibration exposure data. This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the independent claims can be found in the dependent claims.

[0007] Description of the invention:

[0008] According to the invention, a machine tool with at least one handle is provided. The machine tool is characterized in that the machine tool comprises a sensor for detecting a vein pattern of a hand of a user of the machine tool, wherein the sensor is arranged on or in a region of the handle of the machine tool. The machine tool can be designed, for example, as a hammer drill, core drilling device, chiseling device, drill driver and / or as a cut-off or angle grinder, without being limited thereto. Such devices generally have at least one handle that is grasped by a user of the machine tool while working with the machine tool. Such machine tools with two or more handles are also known in the prior art.A basic idea underlying the invention is that the user firmly grasps the at least one handle while working with the machine tool, with contact being maintained for a certain period of time. For example, the machine tool can be used for at least 3 seconds (s), 5 s, 10 s, or 20 s, whereby a vein pattern of the hand of the machine tool user is detected during this work with the machine tool.

[0009] For this purpose, the machine tool comprises a sensor configured to detect the vein pattern of a hand of a user of the machine tool, wherein the sensor is arranged on or in a region of the handle of the machine tool. It is particularly preferred within the meaning of the invention that the sensor for detecting the vein pattern of the user of the machine tool is an infrared-sensitive sensor. For example, the user's hand can be irradiated with a radiation source before and / or during work with the machine tool. This radiation source can be, for example, an infrared radiation source. Within the meaning of the invention, an infrared radiation source is preferably configured to emit thermal radiation whose wavelength lies in a range from approximately 780 nanometers (nm) to 1 millimeter (mm). This means that the radiation emitted by the radiation source has a wavelength in a range of 780-10 -9m to 1 -10' 3 m. The emitted thermal radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, with the infrared radiation region following visible light in the direction of longer wavelengths or lower energies. In other words, infrared radiation generally has a longer wavelength but less energy than visible light. The infrared radiation emitted by the radiation source is therefore not dangerous for the user of the machine tool, but is rather perceived as pleasant and soothing. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the hand of the user of the machine tool can be irradiated with infrared radiation in order to capture an image of the vein pattern of the hand of the user of the machine tool based on the reflection of the infrared radiation.

[0010] According to the invention, it is preferred that the machine tool comprises a radiation source whose radiation is reflected and evaluated for detecting the vein pattern. The radiation source can preferably be formed by a light-emitting diode (LED) or comprise a light-emitting diode, wherein the light-emitting diode is preferably configured to emit radiation in the infrared wavelength range. Thus, the radiation source used in the context of the present invention can be referred to as an infrared radiation source, wherein the infrared radiation source is preferably configured to emit thermal radiation whose wavelength lies in a range from approximately 780 nanometers (nm) to 1 millimeter (mm).According to the invention, it is preferred that the radiation source and the sensor form a single assembly, with the assembly preferably being arranged in the handle of the machine tool or in close proximity to the handle of the machine tool. Irradiation can, for example, be performed once upon activation or at the beginning of the work process with the machine tool. This advantageously eliminates the need for continuous irradiation throughout the entire work process with the machine tool.

[0011] According to the invention, it is preferred that the hand of the machine tool user is irradiated with infrared radiation in order to capture an image of the vein pattern of the hand of the machine tool user based on the reflection of the infrared radiation. When the hand of the machine tool user is irradiated with radiation, the hand of the machine tool user reflects the radiation, whereby this reflection depends on the nature of the vein pattern of the hand of the machine tool user. Based on the radiation reflected by the hand of the machine tool user, conclusions can advantageously be drawn about the vein pattern of the machine tool user. It has been shown that a person's vein pattern can be identified as clearly as their fingerprint.In this way, the detection and evaluation of the reflected radiation from the hand of the machine tool user enables the vein pattern to be clearly assigned to a specific person or their identity. Such an assignment of the vein pattern to a specific person or their identity is made possible in particular by comparing the vein pattern of a hand of a machine tool user detected by the sensor with vein patterns in a database. A large number of people and their vein patterns can be stored in the database so that the identity of the machine tool user can be determined on the basis of the vein pattern. The database can be stored in the machine tool, for example. For this purpose, the machine tool can comprise a control device and / or a storage device, for example. The assignment of the vein pattern to a specific person orTheir identity can be verified in particular by the control device, wherein the control device can, for example, access the database which can, for example, be stored in the memory device of the machine tool. According to the invention, it is preferred that the machine tool comprises a memory device for storing the database. Alternatively or additionally, the data acquired by the sensor can be stored in the memory device. Of course, the database can also be stored on an external device such as a cell phone, laptop, notebook, PC or other mobile communication device. Alternatively or additionally, the database can be stored on a server or in a cloud. A communication connection can exist between the database and the machine tool, wherein the communication connection is preferably wired and / or wireless.

[0012] A key advantage of the invention is that it provides a technical, unambiguous means of determining the identity of a machine tool user. Vibration exposure can then be assigned to this identity of the machine tool user.

[0013] By assigning vibration exposure to the identity of a machine tool user, the further evaluation and processing of vibration exposure data can be made significantly easier or more effective. For example, operation of the machine tool can be initiated if it is determined that vibration exposure exceeds a specified limit. Alternatively or additionally, the machine tool user can receive a signal when their personal vibration exposure approaches such a limit. The signal can be, for example, visual, acoustic, or haptic, but is not limited to these.

[0014] According to the invention, it is preferred that the handle of the power tool has a transparent window to allow radiation to pass through to the sensor. This radiation can, for example, be radiation that describes the vein pattern of the user's hand. This radiation, which describes the vein pattern of the user's hand, preferably corresponds to the radiation reflected by the hand of the user of the power tool.

[0015] This reflection is preferably dependent on the vein pattern of the hand of the machine tool user, so that conclusions can be drawn about the vein pattern of the machine tool user based on the reflected radiation. The unique vein pattern of the machine tool user can preferably be derived from the reflection data or the reflected radiation, wherein this derivation preferably takes place with the aid of a control device of the machine tool. The radiation reflected by the hand of the machine tool user preferably passes through a transparent window arranged on or in a region of the handle of the machine tool. The window comprises, in particular, material that is transparent to infrared radiation.In other words, infrared radiation, in particular, can penetrate the transparent window, so that the radiation reflected from the hand of the machine tool user can pass through the window onto the sensor, where the reflection data or the reflected radiation is evaluated to detect a preferably unique vein pattern. It is preferred within the meaning of the invention that the transparent window is configured to transmit radiation in order to capture an image of the vein pattern of the hand of the machine tool user based on the reflection of the radiation.

[0016] However, the transparent window can also allow the original radiation from the radiation source to pass through to the sensor. By comparing the unaltered, original radiation with the reflected radiation, the vein pattern of the machine tool user can be determined or derived.

[0017] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for recognizing a vein pattern of a hand of a user of a machine tool. The terms, definitions, and technical advantages introduced for the machine tool preferably apply analogously to the method. The recognition method is characterized by the following method steps: a) providing a machine tool with at least one handle, b) irradiating the hand of the user of the machine tool with radiation, wherein the user's hand reflects the incident radiation according to its vein pattern, c) detecting the radiation reflected by the hand of the user of the machine tool with a sensor, d) deriving a vein pattern from the reflected radiation, wherein the vein pattern can be unambiguously assigned to a user of the machine tool.

[0018] The invention advantageously allows a vein pattern to be uniquely assigned to a user of the machine tool. This allows other data that characterizes or describes the operation of a machine tool to be specifically assigned to a user. Such automatic or technical assignment is advantageous because it can significantly simplify or make further processing – for example, of vibration exposure data – more effective. Furthermore, automatic or technical assignment is less prone to errors. Previously, the data from individual vibration dosimeters was often evaluated, which could, for example, lead to confusion or incorrect assignment of the dosimeter devices to individual users before the evaluation. Such errors orSources of error are advantageously avoided with the present invention because external devices, such as body-worn vibration dosimeters, no longer need to be evaluated, but the determination of the identity of a user of the machine tool is advantageously based on a characteristic vein pattern of the user.

[0019] The radiation reflected by the hand of the machine tool user can preferably be detected using the machine tool sensor, wherein the sensor can in particular be arranged in a handle of the machine tool. According to the invention, the radiation is preferably infrared radiation. This infrared radiation can be generated by a radiation source, wherein the radiation is directed onto the hand of a machine tool user. There, the radiation can be reflected by the hand, wherein the invention has recognized that this reflection depends on the vein pattern of the hand. As a result, the reflected radiation corresponds to the vein pattern of the hand of the machine tool user, or the reflected radiation represents an image of this vein pattern.According to the invention, it is preferred that the reflected radiation passes through a transparent window on the handle of the machine tool to reach the sensor of the machine tool. According to the invention, it is preferred that the transparent window is arranged on or in a region of the handle of the machine tool. However, the transparent window can also allow the original radiation from the radiation source to pass through to the sensor. The vein pattern of the machine tool user can be determined or derived from the comparison between the unchanged, original radiation and the reflected radiation.

[0020] According to the invention, it is preferred that the vein pattern data acquired by the sensor be compared with a database in order to determine the identity of the machine tool user based on the vein pattern and / or to assign vibration exposure to the user. The database can be stored locally on the machine tool, on an external device, on a server, or in a cloud, without being limited thereto.

[0021] The irradiation of the hand of the machine tool user and the evaluation of the reflected radiation to determine the user's hand vein pattern can preferably be carried out continuously in the context of the invention. However, it can also be preferred within the meaning of the invention for the irradiation of the hand of the machine tool user and the evaluation of the reflected radiation to take place at regular intervals. Such regular intervals can, for example, be in a range from 0.01 to 1 Hertz (Hz). For example, the irradiation of the hand of the machine tool user and the evaluation of the reflected radiation to determine the user's hand vein pattern can be carried out at the beginning of the work process with the machine tool.The irradiation of the hand of the machine tool user and the evaluation of the reflected radiation to determine the user's hand vein pattern can preferably be referred to as a "request" within the meaning of the invention. Such a request can be made once or repeatedly at the beginning of the work process with the machine tool. If the request is made repeatedly, it can, for example, be at a frequency in the range of 0.1 to 1 Hertz (Hz). During operation of the machine tool, the request can be repeated, for example, at a frequency of approximately 0.01 Hz.

[0022] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, operation of the machine tool can be blocked if the recognized vein pattern does not match at least one member of a group of vein patterns contained in a database. In this case, the machine tool assumes that the machine tool has fallen into unauthorized or "wrong" hands. In this way, the invention and the assignment of a vein pattern to an authorized user of the machine tool can provide effective theft protection. Further advantages emerge from the following description of the figures. The figures, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations. In the figures, identical and similar components are numbered with the same reference numerals.

[0023] They show:

[0024] Fig. 1 View of a preferred embodiment of the proposed method for detecting a vein pattern

[0025] Fig. 2 Detailed view of a handle of a preferred embodiment of the proposed machine tool

[0026] Fig. 3 View of a preferred embodiment of the proposed machine tool

[0027] Implementation examples and figure descriptions:

[0028] Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the proposed method for detecting a vein pattern 16. The radiation 26, 28 used to detect the vein pattern 16 of the hand 18 of a user (20, see Figure 3) can be emitted by a radiation source 36, which is shown schematically in Figure 1. The hand 18 of the user 20 of the machine tool (10, see also Figure 3) can be irradiated with the radiation source 36, wherein the hand 18 of the user 20 reflects this incident radiation 26. The reflected radiation bears the reference numeral 28. The incident radiation 26, which comes from the radiation source 36, and the reflected radiation 28 differ, the difference being attributable to the vein pattern 16 of the hand 18 of the user 20 of the machine tool 10.The veins in the hand 18 of the user 20 reflect the incident radiation 26 in a different way than the surrounding tissue, so that based on the reflected radiation 28, a vein pattern 16 of the user 20 of the machine tool 10 can be determined or derived. This vein pattern 16 is unique, similar to a fingerprint. Therefore, the recognized vein pattern 16 can be used to assign the vein pattern 16 to a specific person, for example, a specific user 20 of the machine tool 10.

[0029] The reflected radiation 28 is detected with the aid of a sensor 14, which can be arranged, for example, in or on a handle 12 of the machine tool 10. The sensor 14 is preferably configured to detect and compare the radiation 26 originally coming from the radiation source 36 and the reflected radiation 28. Based on this comparison between the incident radiation 26 and the reflected radiation 28, the differences between the incident radiation 26 and the outgoing radiation 28 can be determined, and a vein pattern 16 can be derived based on these differences. The determined vein pattern 16 can be compared with known vein patterns 16' stored in a database 22. The database 22 can be stored in the machine tool 10.However, the database 22 can also be stored on an external device 38 or in a data cloud (not shown) or on a server (not shown). By comparing the recorded vein pattern 16 with the stored vein patterns 16', the identity of the user 20 of the machine tool 10 can be uniquely determined. A communication connection 24 can exist between the machine tool 10 and the database 22, wherein the communication connection 24 can be wireless and / or wired. In other words, data can be exchanged between the machine tool 10 and the database 22 via a wired connection, for example via a cable, or wirelessly, for example via a near field communication or Bluetooth connection.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of a handle 12 of a preferred embodiment of the proposed machine tool 10. Shown is a sensor 14 for detecting the radiation 26, 28 or for determining the vein pattern 16, as well as the transparent window 30 through which the radiation 26, 28 passes to reach the sensor 14. Fig. 2 shows exemplary positions of the sensor 14 and the transparent window 30 on the handle 12 of the machine tool 10. Of course, the sensor 14 and the window 30 can also be provided at other locations on the handle 12 of the machine tool.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the proposed machine tool 10. In particular, the handle 12 of the machine tool 10 and the sensor 14 for detecting the vein pattern 16 can be seen. The machine tool 10 can be a battery-operated machine tool 10 with a battery (see below, without reference numerals) or a mains-operated machine tool 10. The machine tool 10 can have a control device 32 with which the data determined by the sensor 14 can be evaluated. In addition, the machine tool 10 can have a storage device 34 in which the data or the database 22 can be stored. It should be noted that the positions of the control device 32 and the storage device 34 are shown schematically in Figure 3. Of course, the control device 32 and the storage device 34 can be arranged at many other locations on the machine tool 10.The sensor 14 is preferably configured to detect both the incident radiation 26 originating directly from the radiation source 36 and the reflected radiation 28 which is altered by the vein pattern 16 of the hand 18 of the user 20 of the machine tool 10.

[0032] List of reference symbols

[0033] 10 Machine tool

[0034] 12 Machine tool handle 14 Sensor

[0035] 16 vein patterns

[0036] 18 hands

[0037] 20 users

[0038] 22 Database 24 Communication connection

[0039] 26 incident radiation

[0040] 28 reflected radiation

[0041] 30 transparent window

[0042] 32 Control device 34 Storage device

[0043] 36 Radiation source

[0044] 38 external device

Claims

Patent claims 1. Machine tool (10) with at least one handle (12), characterized in that the machine tool (10) comprises a sensor (14) for detecting a vein pattern (16) of a hand (18) of a user (20) of the machine tool (10), wherein the sensor (14) is arranged on or in a region of the handle (12) of the machine tool (10).

2. Machine tool (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the vein pattern (16) of a hand (18) of a user (20) of the machine tool (10) detected by the sensor (14) is compared with vein patterns (16') in a database (22) in order to determine an identity of the user (20) of the machine tool (10) on the basis of the vein pattern (16) and / or to assign a vibration exposure to the user (20).

3. Machine tool (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a communication connection (24) exists between the machine tool (10) and the database (22).

4. Machine tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hand (18) of the user (20) of the machine tool (10) is irradiated with radiation (26) in order to capture an image of the vein pattern (16) of the hand (18) of the user (20) of the machine tool (10) based on reflection (28) of the radiation (26).

5. Machine tool (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the radiation (26, 28) is infrared radiation.

6. Machine tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (12) of the machine tool (10) has a transparent window (30) to allow radiation (26, 28) to pass through to the sensor (14).

7. Machine tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (14) for detecting a vein pattern (16) of a hand (18) of a user (20) of the machine tool (10) is an infrared-sensitive sensor.

8. Machine tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machine tool (10) comprises a control device (32) for evaluating the data acquired by the sensor (14).

9. Machine tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machine tool (10) comprises a storage device (34) for storing the database (22) and / or the data acquired by the sensor (14).

10. A method for detecting a vein pattern (16) of a hand (18) of a user (20) of a machine tool (10), characterized by the following method steps: a) providing a machine tool (10) with at least one handle (12), b) irradiating the hand (18) of a user (20) of the machine tool (10) with radiation (26), wherein the hand (18) of the user (20) reflects (28) the incident radiation (26) according to its vein pattern (16), c) detecting the radiation (28) reflected by the hand (18) of the user (20) of the machine tool (10) with a sensor (14), d) deriving a vein pattern (16) of the hand (18) of the user (20) from the reflected radiation (28), wherein the vein pattern (16) can be uniquely assigned to a user (20) of the machine tool (10). 11 . Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the radiation (26, 28) passes through a transparent window (30) of the machine tool (10) falls to reach the sensor (14).

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the transparent window (30) is arranged on or in a region of the handle (12) of the machine tool (10).

13. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the vein pattern data detected by the sensor (14) are compared with a database (22) in order to determine an identity of the user (20) of the machine tool (10) on the basis of the vein pattern (16) and / or to assign a vibration exposure to the user (20).

14. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that an operation of the machine tool (10) is blocked if the recognized vein pattern (16) does not match at least one member of a group of vein patterns (16') contained in a database (22).

15. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the radiation (26) is generated with a radiation source (36).

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