Power tool battery identification with machine learning

Abstract

A power tool device includes a pack interface and an electronic controller. The pack interface is configured to receive a plurality of types of power tool battery packs, each different type of power tool battery pack corresponding to a different output capacity. A sensor is configured to sense an electrical characteristic corresponding to a power tool battery coupled to the pack interface. The electronic controller controls the power tool battery pack to discharge current; captures an electrical signature based on an output of the sensor when the power tool battery pack is controlled to discharge current; and generates, based on processing the electrical signature using a trained machine learning model, a battery pack type identifier for the power tool battery pack that identifies a type of power tool battery pack.

Description

POWER TOOL BATTERY IDENTIFICATION WITH MACHINE LEARNINGRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 626,404, filed on January 29, 2024, titled “POWER TOOL BATTERY IDENTIFICATION WITH MACHINE LEARNING,”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Power tools can be used for a variety of purposes such as cutting, drilling, driving, sanding, shaping, grinding, polishing, painting, heating, lighting, cleaning, gardening, and construction, among other uses. Battery-powered power tools may selectively couple to a power tool battery pack to provide power for operating such power tools.SUMMARY

[0003] Some embodiments of the disclosure provide a power tool system comprising: a power tool device, a sensor, and an electronic controller of the power tool device. The power tool device includes a pack interface. The pack interface is configured to receive a plurality’ of ty pes of power tool battery packs having a corresponding tool interface, each different t pe of power tool battery pack of the plurality of types of power tool battery packs corresponding to a different output capacity. The sensor is configured to sense an electrical characteristic corresponding to a po ver tool battery coupled to the pack interface. The electronic controller of the power tool device includes an electronic processor and a memory. The electronic controller is configured to: control the power tool battery pack to discharge current; capture an electrical signature based on an output of the sensor yvhen the power tool battery’ pack is controlled to discharge current; and generate, based on processing the electrical signature using a trained machine learning model, a battery’ pack type identifier for the power tool battery pack, wherein the battery pack type identifier identifies a first type of power tool battery pack selected from the plurality of types of power tool battery packs.

[0004] Some embodiments of the disclosure provide a method of identifying a power tool battery pack. The method includes controlling, by an electronic controller, a power tool battery pack to discharge current yvhen the power tool battery pack is coupled to a pack interface of a power tool device; capturing an electrical signature for the power tool battery pack based on an output of a sensor when the power tool battery’ pack is controlled to discharge current, the sensor configured to sense an electrical characteristic corresponding to the poyver tool battery coupled to the pack interface; and generating, by processing the electrical signature using atrained machine learning model, a batery pack type identifier for the power tool batery pack, wherein the batery pack type identifier identifies a first type of power tool batery pack selected from a plurality of types of power tool batery7packs that are configured to be received by the pack interface, each different type of power tool batery pack of the plurality of types of power tool batery packs corresponding to a different output capacity.

[0005] Some embodiments of the disclosure provide a nontransitory compute readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by processing system, cause the processing system to: control a power tool batery pack to discharge current when the power tool batery pack is coupled to a pack interface of a power tool device; capture an electrical signature for the power tool batery pack based on an output of a sensor when the power tool batery pack is controlled to discharge current, the sensor configured to sense an electrical characteristic corresponding to the power tool batery coupled to the pack interface; and generate, by processing the electrical signature using a trained machine learning model, a battery pack type identifier for the power tool batery pack, wherein the batery pack type identifier identifies a first type of power tool batery pack selected from a plurality of types of power tool battery packs that are configured to be received by the pack interface, each different type of power tool batery pack of the plurality of types of power tool batery packs corresponding to a different output capacity’.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, sen e to explain principles of the embodiments:

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a power tool system according to some embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates examples of power tool devices according to some embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates examples of power tool battery packs according to some embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates an example block diagram of the power tool system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates example block diagram of a motorized power tool, a nonmotorized power tool, and a charger according to some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates another example diagram of a motorized power tool according to some embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates another example diagram of a charger according to some embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process for implementing a machine learning (ML) modelbased battery type identification on a power tool device according to some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process for identifying a battery pack ty pe according to some embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 10 illustrates data curves corresponding to a battery pack output that may be captured by an electronic controller according to some embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process for detecting a counterfeit battery pack coupled to a power tool device according to some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Power tool devices (e.g., a power tool or power tool battery pack charger) may be configured to receive various types of a power tool battery packs. The various ty pes of power tool battery' packs may have a similar footprint (e.g.. electro-mechanical interface), but may- have different output capacities. For example, battery packs having different output capacities may have a different maximum, minimum, or nominal output current (amperes), a different maximum, minimum, or nominal output voltage (volts), a different maximum, minimum, or nominal output power (watts), a different output duration limit at certain current levels, a different ampere-hour capacity, and / or a different watt-capacity. In some examples, power tool devices may be able to perform, or it may be desirable for power tool devices to perform, additional or reduced functionality depending on the output capacity' of the particular power tool battery' pack. For example, it may be desirable to prevent an increased discharge mode of the power tool (e.g., an operation that uses a level of current from the battery' pack above a high current threshold or above a current threshold for more than a certain duration) when the power tool is coupled to a first battery pack with a first (low) output capacity and enable this increased discharge mode of the power tool when the power tool is coupled to a second battery pack with a second (high) output capacity' that is higher than the first output capacity'. Similarly, it may be desirable to prevent an increased charge mode of a power tool battery pack charger (e.g., an operation that supplies a level current to the battery pack above a high charge cunent threshold or above a current threshold for more than a certain duration) when the power tool is coupled to a first battery' pack with a first (low) output capacity' and enable this increased charge mode when the charger is coupled to a second battery pack with a second (high) output capacity' that is higher than the first output capacity.

[0019] Additionally, power tool battery packs and power tool devices may be designed by a manufacturer to provide, in combination, improved or optimal operation of both packs and devices and improved or optimal user experience. In some cases, third party manufacturers may attempt to replicate, without authorization, a power tool battery pack of the original manufacturer to operate with power tool devices of the original manufacture. Such unauthorized power tool battery’ packs manufactured by third party’ manufacturers may be referred to as counterfeit battery packs. Counterfeit battery packs may provide sub-optimal performance when coupled to a power tool device of the original manufacturer. In some instances, the sub-optimal performance results from the counterfeit battery' packs having a lower output capacity than the power tool battery' pack of the original manufacturer. For example, a counterfeit battery pack may purport to be a battery pack of a first type having a first output capacity, but, in reality, may have a lower output capacity than the first type of battery’ pack.

[0020] In some instances, power tool battery packs are configured to identify itself to a power tool device. For example, a power tool battery pack may transmit a communication to the power tool device including a battery pack identifier or type. Some counterfeit battery packs may mimic this communication and falsely’ indicate to the power tool device that the power tool battery’ pack is of a particular ty pe.

[0021] Provided herein are techniques for enabling a power tool device (e.g., a power tool or power tool battery pack charger) that selectively receives a power tool battery pack to detect a type of the power tool battery pack that is coupled thereto using a machine learning function. The power tool device can control operation of the power tool device based on the determined ty pe of power tool battery pack. For example, in response to determining that the power tool battery pack has a higher or elevated output capacity, the power tool device may enable an increased discharge mode (in the case of a power tool) or an increased charge mode (in the case of a power tool battery’ pack charger). Similarly, in response to determining that the power tool battery pack has a standard or non-elevated output capacity7, the power tool device may disable or prohibit an increased discharge mode (in the case of a power tool) or an increased charge mode (in the case of a power tool battery pack charger). Thus, in response to determining the battery pack ty pe (and, thus, the output capacity of the battery' pack), the power tool device may select a particular run profde (e.g., including discharge and / or charge modes) based on the determination. Additionally or alternatively, the power tool device may, based on the determined type of power tool battery pack, determine that the battery pack is counterfeit. Accordingly, as another example of controlling operation of the power tool device based onthe determined type, in response to determining that the power tool battery' pack is a counterfeit battery pack, the power tool device may disable operation of the power tool device. Similarly, in response to determining that the power tool battery pack is not a counterfeit battery pack, the power tool device may enable operation of the power tool device. In some examples, the techniques provided herein enable battery' pack type determination by tools without design modifications to the battery packs, thus enabling the techniques to work with newly manufactured battery’ packs and older battery packs already in use in the field.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a power tool system 100. The power tool system 100 includes a power tool device 102 and a power tool battery’ pack 104. The power tool battery pack 104 is selectively coupled to the power tool device 102. Accordingly, the power tool battery pack 104 may be removed (e.g., and coupled to another power tool device) and another power tool battery pack may be coupled to the power tool device 102. The power tool device 102 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a motorized power drill-driver. The power tool device 102 includes a housing 106 with main body 108, a handle 110, an actuator (e.g., trigger) 112, a motor-driven element (e.g., chuck) 114, and a pack interface 116. The main body 108 houses a motor (not shown in FIG. 1). The handle 1 10 enables a user to grip the power tool device 102. The actuator 112 is manipulatable and configured to be pulled or depressed to control operation of the power tool device 102. The motor-driven element 114 is configured to receive and secure a driving or drilling bit, and to be rotated by operation of the motor in the main body 108 to perform a drilling or driving operation. The pack interface 116 is an electro-mechanical interface for selectively receiving and coupling to a power tool battery pack, such as, e.g., the power tool battery pack 104. The pack interface 116 may include rails (no shown) for mechanically receiving and guiding the power tool battery' pack 104 and terminals (not shown) for electrically coupling to the power tool battery pack 104.

[0023] The power tool battery pack 104 (herein, battery pack 104) includes a housing 118, latching members 120, and a fuel gauge 122. The housing 118 houses one or more battery' cells and electronics (not shown in FIG. 1). The latching members 120 enable the secure latching of the battery pack 104 to the power tool device 102 (and, in particular, to the pack interface 116). By depressing the latching members 120, a user may detach the battery pack 104 from the power tool device 102. Although the battery7pack 104 and pack interface 116 are illustrated as having a sliding-ty pe engagement, in other examples, the battery' pack 104 and pack interface 116 have another form factor, such as a stem-type battery pack that has an elongated stem that is inserted within a cavity of the pack interface 116.

[0024] Although the power tool device 102 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a motorized power drill-driver, in some examples, the power tool device 102 is a motorized power tool of another type, is anon-motorized power tool, oris apowertool battery pack charger (e.g., see discussion with respect to FIG. 2). Additionally, although the battery pack 104 is illustrated as a first type of batten' pack, in other examples, the battery pack 104 is of another type with a different output capacity (e.g.. see discussion with respect to FIG. 3).

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates other examples of the power tool device 102. For example. FIG. 2 illustrates a grinder 102a, a work light 102b, and a power tool battery pack charger 102c, each of which is an example of the power tool device 102. The grinder 102a is another example of a motorized power tool and includes a housing 206a with a main body 208a, a handle 210a, an actuator 212a, a motor-driven element 214a, and a pack interface 216a. The housing 206a, main body 208a, handle 210a, actuator 212a, motor-driven element 214a, and pack interface 216a are additional examples of the housing 106, main body 108, handle 110, actuator 112, motor-driven element 114, and pack interface 116, respectively. Other examples of a motorized power tool include drills, hammer drills, reciprocating saws, circular saws, drivers, impact drivers, drain snakes, power ratchets, miter saws, die grinders, mixers, grinders, sanders, nailers, table saws, worksite fans, dust extractors, and the like.

[0026] The work light 102b is an example of a nonmotorized power tool and includes a housing 206b with a main body 208b, an actuator 212b, a pack interface 216b, and a power- driven output element 230. The housing 206b, main body 208b, actuator 212b, and pack interface 216b are additional examples of the housing 106, main body 108, actuator 1 12, and pack interface 116, respectively. The power-driven output element 230 includes a lighting element for producing light for a work area using power discharged by and received from a power tool battery pack coupled to the pack interface 216 (e.g., the battery pack 104). Other examples of a nonmotorized power tool include worksite radios, other worksite lights, and test and measurement devices (for example, distance measurers, infrared thermometers, borescope cameras, or stud finders).

[0027] The charger 102c is an example of a power tool battery pack charger and includes a housing 206c with two pack interfaces 216c. The housing 206c and each pack interface 216c are additional examples of the housing 106 and pack interface 116, respectively. In other examples, the charger 102c includes a different number of pack interfaces 216 than illustrated, such as, for example, a single pack interface 216 or three or more pack interfaces 216. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the charger 102c includes pack interfaces having a different electro-mechanical interface, e.g., a stem-type interface. The charger 102cis configured to selectively receive and couple to a power tool batery pack (e.g., the batery pack 104) at each pack interface 216 and to charge the power tool battery pack(s) using power received via an external power supply (see, e.g., cord 232).

[0028] The discussion of the power tool device 102 herein similarly applies to the power tool devices 102a, 102b, 102c unless otherwise noted.

[0029] As illustrated and discussed, each of the power tool devices 102. 102a, 102b, and 102c is configured to selectively receive and be coupled to the battery pack 104, and other batery packs having a similar electro-mechanical interface, via the pack interface 1 16, 216a- c. For example, with reference to FIG. 3, additional battery packs 304a, 304b, 304c, 304d, and 304e are illustrated, each of which has a similar electro-mechanical interface as the batery pack 104.

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates other examples of the batery pack 104. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates a first power battery pack 304a, a second powder tool batery pack 304b, a third powder tool batery pack 304c, a fourth power tool batery pack 304d, and a first power tool baterypack 304e, each of which is an example of the batery pack 104. Each of the batery packs 304a-e may have the same electro-mechanical interface as the batery pack 104 such that each is configured to be received in the pack interfaces 116, 216a-c of the power tool devices 102, 102a-c. However, each of the batery7packs 304a-e may have or be associated with a different output capacity and, accordingly, may be a different type of battery pack from one another. For example, the battery pack 304a may be of a first type, the batery pack 304b may be of a second ty pe, the batery pack 304c may' be of a third type, the batery pack 304d may be of a fourth ty pe, and the batery' pack 304e may be of a fifth (counterfeit) type. As used herein, the output capacity- of a pack may refer to a maximum, minimum, and / or nominal output current (amperes), a maximum, minimum, and / or nominal output voltage (volts), a maximum, minimum, and / or nominal output power (wats), output duration limits at certain current levels, a ampere-hour capacity-, a wat-capacity, and / or a combination thereof. Additionally- or alternatively, the output capacity- for a particular battery- pack ty pe may be described in terms of a particular combination of a number of cells (e.g.. 5, 10, or 15 cells), a particular cell type (e.g.. cylindrical roll type 1. cylindrical roll type 2. prismatic, pouch), demand level category (standard or high demand as categorized by a manufacturer), and / or output level (e.g., standard or high output level as categorized by a manufacturer), among other characteristics.

[0031] In some examples, each of the batery packs 304a-e is configured to provide a similar nominal output voltage (e.g.. 18 volts, 20 volts, a voltage between 16-24 volts. 12 volts, a voltage between 10 volts and 14 volts, 54 volts, 60 volts, 72 volts, 108 volts, 120 volts, avoltage between 50-80 volts, a voltage between 54-74 volts, etc.) or similar nominal output voltages (e.g., in the case where a pack may be configurable to provide different nominal output voltages depending on a mode of operation).

[0032] Each battery pack 304a-e has a housing 118 that houses one or more battery cells. The one or more battery cells may be of various chemistries (e.g., lithium-ion (Li-Ion), nickel cadmium (Ni-Cad), etc.), and / or may be of various forms (e.g., cylindrical, pouch, prismatic, etc.). In some examples, the first battery pack 304a has a first quantity of battery cells of a first voltage, the second battery pack 304b has a second quantity of batten cells (greater than the first quantity), and the third and fourth battery7pack 304c, 304d have a third quantity of battery7cells (greater than the second quantity). In some examples, by increasing the quantity of battery cells, the ampere-hour capacity of the battery pack increases. In some examples, one or more of the battery7packs has a higher output capacity than another pack because the battery pack has increased heat dissipating capabilities, thus increasing the maximum rated current of the battery pack or operation time at increased current levels. In some examples, one or more of the battery packs has a higher output capacity than another pack because the form or chemistry of the cell of the battery pack provides an increased maximum rated current of the battery pack or operation time at increased current levels, and / or an increased ampere-hour capacity of the battery7pack.

[0033] Each battery pack 304a-e includes a power tool device interface 317 configured to selectively engage and mate with the pack interfaces 116, 216a-c. The device interface 317 can include one or more power terminals and, in some cases, one or more communication terminals that interface with respective powder terminals, communication terminals, etc., of pack interfaces 116, 216a-c. Although some variations may be present, the device interface 317 may be substantively the same for each of the plurality of battery packs 304a-e (and each of the ty pes of the battery7pack 104) such that each may engage with the pack interfaces 116, 216a- c. Accordingly, the plurality of battery7packs 104, 304a-e may have a device interface (device interface 317) that corresponds to the pack interfaces 116, 216a-c.

[0034] In some examples, each of the battery packs 304a-d may be a battery pack manufactured by Milwaukee Tool for the M18™ cordless tool system. In other examples, the battery pack 104 of FIG. 1 (and other packs interchangeable with the power tool device 102) may be battery7packs manufactured by Milwaukee Tool for the Ml 2™ cordless tool system. In other examples, the battery pack 104 of FIG. 1 (and other packs interchangeable with the power tool device 102) may be battery packs manufactured by Milwaukee Tool for the MX FUEL™ cordless equipment system. In still further examples, the systems and technologiesdescribed herein may be used with other power tool platforms (e.g., manufactured by other power tool manufacturers) and, accordingly, the battery’ pack 104 of FIG. 1 (and other packs interchangeable with the power tool device 102) may be battery packs manufactured by other manufacturers.

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the power tool system 100 of FIG. 1 including the power tool device 102 and the battery pack 104. This diagram is similarly applicable to the examples of the power tool device 102 and the battery- pack 104 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0036] The power tool device 102 includes the pack interface 116, an electronic controller 410 yvith an electronic processor 420 and memory- 430, a communication bus 440, electronic components 450, and one or more sensors 455. The electronic processor 420, the memory 430, the electronic components 450, and the sensor(s) 455 may communicate over one or more control and / or data buses (for example, the device communication bus 340). The memory 330 may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), other non-transitory computer-readable media, or a combination thereof. The memory 330 may include instructions 432 for the electronic processor 420 to execute.

[0037] The electronic processor 420 may be configured to communicate with the memory 430 to store data and retrieve stored data. The electronic processor 420 may be configured to receive the instructions 432 and data from the memory- 430 and execute, among other things, the instructions 432. In some examples, through execution of the instructions 432 by the electronic processor 420. the electronic controller 410 may perform one or more of the methods described herein. For example, the instructions 432 may include software executable by the electronic processor 420 to enable the electronic controller 410 to, among other things, implement the various functions of the electronic controller 410 described herein, including the battery pack type identification using a machine learning model. In some examples, the electronic processor 420 includes one or more electronic processors. For example, as illustrated, the electronic processor 420 may include a central processor 462 and a machine learning (ML) processor 464. In other examples, the functions of the processors 462 and 464 are combined into a single processor or further distributed among additional processors. As illustrated, the instructions 432 include a machine learning (ML) model 466. The ML model 466 may be a trained machine learning model (e.g., a decision tree, a scalable distributed gradient-boosted decision tree (GBDT), a neural netyvork, convolutional neural network (CNN), recurrent neural netyvork (RNN)) that is executed by the electronic processor 420. In some examples, the ML model 466. as a trained machine learning model, may be referred to as a classifier that, when executed, receives an input, processes the input to classify the input,and outputs a classification corresponding to the input (e.g., selected from a finite set of potential classifications). Generally, the output classification may be the classification from the set of potential classifications that best corresponds to the input. In some examples, the ML processor 464 may execute the ML model 466 to perform the battery pack determination, as described herein. In other words, the ML processor 464 may serve as a dedicated processor to execute the ML model to determine a type of the battery pack 104 coupled to the power tool device 102. as described herein. In such examples, the central processor 462 may perform other control for the power tool device 102, such as, for example, enabling and disabling a motor, output device, charging circuit, etc.

[0038] The battery pack 104 includes the device interface 317 for selective attachment and detachment from the pack interface 116 of the power tool device 102. as also discussed with respect to FIGS. 1-3. The pack interface 116 may include one or more power terminals and, in some cases, one or more communication terminals that interface with respective power and / or communication terminals of the device interface 317 of the battery7pack 104. The battery pack 104 may include one or more battery7cells 470, as previously discussed. The battery pack 104 may further include a pack electronic controller (pack controller) including a processor and a memory. The pack controller may be configured similarly to the electronic controller 410. The pack controller may be configured to regulate charging and discharging of the battery7cells, and / or to communicate with the electronic controller 410 (e.g., to communicate an identity or pack type to the power tool device 102).

[0039] The sensors 455 may be configured to sense an electrical characteristic of the power tool system 100 (e.g., of the battery pack 104). The sensors 455 may include, for example, one or more voltage sensors, current sensors, or a combination thereof. For example, the sensors 455 may be configured to output an analog or digital signal to the electronic controller 410 indicative of a measured electrical characteristic of the power tool system 100. In some examples, the sensors 455 include a current sensor configured to measure a discharge current provided by the battery pack 104 to the power tool device 102 and output a signal to the electronic controller 410 indicative of the measured discharge current (a measurement signal). Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the sensors 455 include a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage level of the battery pack 104 (e.g., across terminals of the battery7pack 104 or other nodes along a conductive path from the battery pack 104) output a signal to the electronic controller 410 indicative of the measured voltage (a measurement signal). In some examples, the sensor(s) 455 may7be selectively enabled and, when enabled, periodically output measurement signal(s) (e.g., at a sampling rate) to the electronic controller410. In some examples, one or more of the sensor(s) 455 are provided within the battery pack 104 and the measurement signals generated by the sensors 455 are communicated to the electronic controller 410 (via the interfaces 317 and 1 16).

[0040] The electronic components 450 may vary depending on a type of the power tool device 102. FIGs. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate examples of the electronic components 450, identified as electronic components 450a, 450b, and 405c, respectively, that may be implemented depending on the type of the power tool device 102. For example, in FIG. 5A, the electronics components 450a includes a switching circuit 502 and a motor 504. The switching circuit 502 may include a one or more power switching elements (e.g., field effect transistors (FETs), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), or the like), which may be arranged as a switch bridge. The electronic controller 410 may control the switching circuit 502 to provide power from the battery pack 104 to the motor 504 to drive the motor 504. The motor 504 may be a permanent magnet brushless motor, a brushed motor, or another type of motor.

[0041] As another example, the electronic components 450b of FIG. 5B includes a switching circuit 512 and an output circuit 514. The switching circuit 512 may include a one or more power switching elements (e.g., field effect transistors (FETs), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), or the like), which may be arranged as a switch bridge. The electronic controller 410 may control the switching circuit 512 to provide power from the battery pack 104 to the output circuit 514 to drive the output circuit 514. The output circuit 514 may include a power-driven output element, for example, one or more of a work light, a radio circuit, a speaker, a microphone, a sensor circuit, a display, among other elements. For example, with reference to FIG. 2, the output circuit 514 may include the power-driven output element 230.

[0042] As another example, the electronic components 450c of FIG. 5C includes a charging circuit 522. The charging circuit 522 may include a one or more power switching elements (e.g., field effect transistors (FETs), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), or the like), which may be arranged as a switch bridge. The electronic controller 410 may control the charging circuit 522 to provide power from a power supply 530 to the battery pack 104 to charge the battery pack 104. The charging circuit 522 may include, for example, one or more of a boost converter, a buck converter, or another type of converter for providing charging power to the battery pack 104 at a desired rate and level.

[0043] In some examples, the electronic components 450, 450a, 450b, 450c may include additional or alternative elements or features as well. For example, additional lighting elements, speakers, user interface components, auxiliary motors, sensors, circuitry, etc. Additionally, although FIGS. 5A and 5B generally illustrate power being discharged from the battery pack,the electronic controller 410 and the components 450a and 450b may further be configured to provide power to the battery pack 104 from the motor 504 or output circuit 514 (e.g., through regenerative braking). Similarly, Additionally, although FIG. 5C generally illustrates power being provided to the battery pack 104 for charging, the electronic controller 410 and the components 450c may further be configured to discharge the battery pack 104.

[0044] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate diagrams of a motorized power tool device 600 and a charger 700, which may be representative of the motorized power tool device 102a and the charger 102c, respectively. The diagrams of FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate locations 602, 702 at which one or more of the sensors (e.g., the sensor(s) 455) may be located to sense electrical characteristic(s) of the power tool system 100 (e.g., of the battery pack 104). For example, with reference to FIG. 6, one or more of the sensor(s) may be located in the battery pack 104, along conductors 604 (e.g., wires) between the battery pack 104 and pack terminals 606 of the pack interface 116, at the pack interface 116, along conductors 607 between the pack terminals 606 and a printed circuit board (PCB) 608 (e.g., having the electronic controller 410 and / or the switching circuit 502 thereon), on the PCB 608, along conductors 610 between the PCB 608 and stator coils 612 of the motor 504, and / or at the stator coils 612. In some examples, the sensor(s) 455 may not be connected to the PCB 608 or other elements 604-612 (e.g., indicated as location 602a). A diagram similar to the diagram of FIG. 6 may apply to the nonmotorized power tool device 102b, except that the stator coils 612 may be replaced with the output circuit 514 (see FIG. 5B).

[0045] As an additional example, with reference to FIG. 7, one or more of the sensor(s) 455 may be located in the battery pack 104, along conductors 704 (e.g., wires) between the battery pack 104 and pack terminals 706 of the pack interface 116, at the pack interface 116, along conductors 707 between the pack terminals 706 and a printed circuit board (PCB) 708 (e.g., having the electronic controller 410 and / or the switching circuit 502 thereon), or on the PCB 708. In some examples, the sensor(s) 455 may not be connected to the PCB 708 or other elements 704-708 (e.g., indicated as location 702a).

[0046] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process 800 for implementing a machine learning (ML) model-based battery type identification on a power tool device. The process 800 may be used to generate and execute a ML model, for example, the ML model 466 on the power tool device 102. In some examples, the process 800 can be performed by a computing device (e.g., a server, desktop personal computer, laptop, tablet, a collection of servers (e.g., the cloud), other distributed processing systems, etc.) having an electronic processor and memory storing instructions executable by the electronic processor, in combination with a power tool device,such as, for example, the power tool device 102. In other examples, the process 800 may be implemented by another computing device and / or power tool device. Although the blocks of process 800 are illustrated in a particular order, in some examples, one or more of the blocks of process 800 are executed in parallel, in a different order, or bypassed.

[0047] In block 810, an ML model is trained based on a training data set. The ML model may be the ML model 466. The training data set may include a set of electrical signatures for a plurality of types of battery packs configured to operate with the power tool device 102 (e.g., similar to the battery pack 104, 304a-d). The training data set may include, for each electrical signature, a corresponding ground truth (e.g., an identity or type of battery pack that generated the electrical signature), which may be input into the ML model along with the electrical signature during training. The electrical signatures may be obtained for a plurality of power tool battery packs by executing block 910 and 920, described below with respect to FIG. 9, for this plurality of power tool battery packs in a controlled setting where the pack types and identifies are known. The plurality of battery packs used for generating the training data may include a variety of instances for each particular type of battery pack in combination with a variety of different power tool devices, where the instances of a particular type of battery pack and / or power tool may be of varying ages, usage histories, pack temperature, tool temperature, corrosion levels on battery or tool terminals, debris in battery terminals, damage levels of tools, etc. For example, an electrical signature of a first battery pack type may vary between its first use and a use two years later. As another example, an electrical signature of a first battery pack type may vary between use with a first tool and a second tool (e.g., of a different age, type, damage level, temperature, etc.). By including electrical signatures in the training data generated using such a variety of battery packs and power tool devices, the ML model may be trained to properly identify battery pack types despite differences that may exist in the field for battery packs, even of the same type, depending on these various factors. In some examples, the set of electrical signatures and corresponding ground truths that make up the training data may number in the hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or more.

[0048] In block 820, the trained ML model may be deployed to the power tool device 102. For example, the ML model 466 may be stored in the memory 430 of the power tool device 102.

[0049] In block 830, the deployed and trained ML model may be executed on a power tool device. For example, the electronic processor 420 may execute the ML model 466 to perform battery type determination for the battery pack 104 coupled to the power tool device 102 by providing an electrical signature for the battery pack 104, captured by the sensor(s) 455, to theML model 466 during execution. In some examples, block 830 may be implemented as part of executing process 900 of FIG. 9, described in further detail below.

[0050] In some examples, the ML model 466 may be executed by an electronic processor external to the power tool device 102, but in communication with the power tool device 102 (e.g., an electronic processor on one or more servers (e.g., in the “cloud”), on a wireless mobile device (e.g., a smart phone), on a tablet, on a laptop, or on another computing device. Accordingly, in such examples, the power tool device 102 may capture the electrical signature for the battery pack 104 using the sensor(s) 455, transmit the electrical signature to the external electronic processor (e.g., wirelessly via a wireless protocol), where the external electronic processor then executes the ML model 466 to process the received electrical signature and identify the type of the battery pack 104. The external electronic processor may then transmit back to the power tool device the type of the battery pack 104 determined based on the output of the ML model 466.

[0051] In some examples, the ML model 466 may continue to be trained (updated) while on the power tool device 102 based on user feedback provided via a user interface on the power tool device 102.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process 900 for identifying a battery pack type. In some examples, the process 900 can be performed by the power tool device 102 (e.g., the electronic controller 410 thereof). In other examples, the process 900 may be implemented by another power tool device. Although the blocks of process 900 are illustrated in a particular order, in some examples, one or more of the blocks of process 900 are executed in parallel, in a different order, or bypassed.

[0053] In block 910, an electronic controller controls a power tool battery pack to discharge current when the power tool battery pack is coupled to a pack interface of a power tool device. For example, with reference to FIG. 1, the power tool battery pack 104 may be controlled to discharge current by the power tool device 102 in response to receipt of an actuation by the actuator 112. In some examples, the power tool battery pack 104 may be controlled to discharge current in response to being coupled to the power tool device 102 (e.g., based on a command from the power tool device 102). In some examples, the power tool battery pack 104 is controlled to discharge current by closing one or more power switching elements including, for example, one or more of (i) a discharge switch in the power tool battery pack 104 configured to make and break a connection between battery cells and battery terminals of the battery pack 104, (ii) a power switching element of a switching circuit of the power tool device 102 (see, e.g., switching circuits 502, 512 of FIG. 5), and / or (iii) a power switching element of a chargingcircuit of the power tool device 102 (see, e.g., the charging circuit 522 of the charger 102c in FIG. 5). In some examples, for motorized power tool devices (e.g., the power tool 102a), the electronic controller 410 may control one or more power switching elements (e.g., of the switching circuit 502) to short the battery terminals of the battery pack through a stator coil of the motor (e.g., of the motor 504). In other examples, a dedicated bypass circuit path may be provided in the power tool device 102 or the battery pack 104 that is connected by a power switching element, which is controlled to selectively short the battery terminals to discharge current in block 910. The path of the current that is discharged (e.g., a dedicated bypass circuit path or the path through the stator coil) may be referred to as a discharge path. A voltage across two points along the discharge path may be referred to as a discharge voltage.

[0054] In block 910, the electronic controller controlling the power tool battery pack 104 to discharge may include an electronic controller of the power tool device 102 (e.g., the electronic controller 410 of FIG. 4) and / or an electronic controller of the battery pack 104.

[0055] In block 910, the electronic controller may control the power tool battery pack to discharge current multiple times. For example, the electronic controller may control the power tool battery pack to discharge current multiple times in succession separated by a delay interval. For example, the electronic controller may control the power tool battery pack to discharge multiple times (e.g., two, three, four, five, ten, or another number of times) in short bursts (e.g., in 5 microseconds (ps), 10 ps, 20 ps, 30 ps, or another duration) in quick succession (e.g., without delay interval or with a short delay interval of 20 ps, 50 ps, 100 ps, 120 ps, 150 ps, a time period between 50 and 500 ps, etc.). In some examples, the delay interval may be selected to be sufficient for capacitors in the discharge path to stabilize.

[0056] In some examples, for motorized power tools, the battery pack is controlled to discharge current in block 910 such that the motor (e.g., the motor 504) is not rotated. For example, as described above, the electronic controller 410 may control one or more power switching elements to short the battery terminals of the battery pack through a stator coil of the motor, a dedicated bypass circuit path is provided to selectively short the battery terminals, or the discharge pulses even when through the motor windings are of such short duration that insufficient power is provided to rotate the motor. In other examples, for motorized power tools, the battery pack is controlled to discharge current in block 910 such that the motor (e.g., the motor 504) is rotated. For example, the electronic controller 410 may control the power tool device 102 to operate in a normal tool operating mode to rotate the motor, which results in the discharge of current from the battery pack. Controlling the battery pack to discharge in a normal operating mode includes operating the power tool to perform at least one of its normaltool functions (e.g., rotate the motor to rotate a drill chuck, rotate a saw or grinder arbor, or oscillate a saw blade in response to a trigger actuation). Similarly, for nonmotorized power tools, in some examples, the battery pack is controlled to discharge current in block 910 during a normal operating mode of the nonmotorized power tool. In such examples where the motorized or nonmotorized power tools are controlled to operate in a normal tool operating mode, the length or duration of the current discharge may be longer than the previously described pulses, for example, more than one second, more than two seconds, more than five seconds, one to two seconds, one to five seconds, one to ten seconds, one to twenty seconds, five to ten seconds, five to twenty seconds, as long as the trigger remains actuated, or the like.

[0057] In block 920, the electronic controller captures an electrical signature for the power tool battery pack based on an output of a sensor when the power tool battery pack is controlled to discharge current, where the sensor is configured to sense an electrical characteristic corresponding to the power tool battery coupled to the pack interface. For example, the electronic controller (e.g., the electronic controller 410 of the power tool device 102 (see FIG. 4) or an electronic controller of the battery pack 104) may receive one or more respective output signals from the one or more sensors 455 during the discharge of current by the battery pack 104. Each output signal may be representative of a sensed electrical characteristic (e.g., discharge current or discharge voltage) from the discharge path. For example, a current sensor of the sensors 455 may output a current signal indicative of sensed current along the discharge path and a voltage sensor of the sensors 455 may output a voltage signal indicative of the sensed voltage across two points along the discharge path. The electronic controller may record each output signal as a time-series of data points. For example, the time-series of data points may represent a two-dimensional data curve with time on a first axis and amplitude of the sensed electrical characteristic on a second axis). The captured electrical signature of the power tool battery pack may be the data curve or data curves recorded by the electronic controller, or a portion thereof.

[0058] FIG. 10 illustrates two example data curves 1005, 1010 corresponding to a battery pack output that may be captured by an electronic controller executing blocks 910 and 920. The data curve 1005 is voltage curve that includes a time series of data points of voltage measurements. The data curve 1010 is a current curve that includes a time series of data points of current measurements. These data curves 1005, 1010 may result from controlling the battery pack 104 to discharge five times for 20 ps each. The data curves 1005, 1010 may each include a set of five electrical signatures, the first of which are indicated as electrical signatures 1015 and 1020, respectively. The electronic controller (e.g., the electronic controller 410) mayidentify a start of each electrical signature from within the data curve at a point when the current curve exceeds a minimum current threshold (e.g., 4 mA or 5 mA) and may determine an end each electrical signature at a point when the current curve falls back below the minimum current threshold. Time stamps of the start and end of the electrical signature for the current data curve 1005 may also be used as a start and end of the voltage data curve 1010. In some examples, other start and end points may be used to define the electrical signature(s) of the data curve(s). In some examples, the electrical signature includes a multi-pulse data curve (e.g., each of the five pulses of the data curve(s) or another number of pulses), rather than a single pulse.

[0059] Although the data curves 1005 and 1010 in FIG. 10 include captured data resulting from multiple pulses, in some examples of block 920, the captured electrical signature is from a discharge of current from the battery pack over a longer duration (see example durations provided above). For example, the captured electrical signature may be a current and / or voltage curve that includes a time series of data points of current and / or voltage measurements when the power tool is controlled in a normal tool operating mode, as described above (e.g., one that causes the motor to rotate). The captured electrical signal may include the entire data curve of sensor data captured or a subset of the data curve of sensor data captured during such an operation in the normal tool operating mode. For example, the subset may be a selected time window of the data curve (e.g., from 0 to 2 seconds of a 5 second operation, from 1 to 2 seconds of a 5 second operation, etc.) or selected time windows of the data curve (e.g., from 0 to 2 seconds and 8 to 10 seconds of a 10 second operation, from 0 to 2 seconds and 5 to 7 seconds of a 10 second operation, etc.). Although the time window(s) in these example data curve subsets are multiple seconds, in some examples, the data curve subsets are less than one second (e.g., 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 30 ms, 5 ps, 10 ps, 20 ps, 30 ps, or another duration).

[0060] In some examples, an electrical signature may include a concatenation or combination of a portion of a current curve and a portion of a voltage curve captured by executing blocks 910 and 920. For example, the electrical signature 1015 and the electrical signature 1020 may be combined (e.g., concatenated) to form the captured electrical signature of the power tool battery pack referred to in block 920. As another example, the data curve 1005 (e.g., each of the five pulses together) and the data curve 1010 (e.g., each of the five pulses together) may be combined (e.g., concatenated) to form the captured electrical signature of the power tool battery pack referred to in block 920. In some examples, the captured electrical signature may include a different portion and combination of the data curves 1005 and 1010. In some examples, a DC bias (e.g., existing before the start of discharge in block910) may be removed (subtracted) from voltage data curve as part of capturing the electrical signature.

[0061] Accordingly, in some examples, the captured electrical signature of the power tool batteiy pack may be a current curve, a voltage curve, or a combination of a current curve and a voltage curve. In some examples, a combination of a current curve and a voltage curve are selected because they can correlate to an impedance of the battery pack. In examples where the identity of a pack may ultimately determine whether certain features are enabled, particularly features that may be high current demand and correspond to heat generation and may cause an over temperature condition for a counterfeit or lower-capacity battery pack, using a signature correlated to impedance of the battery pack may be effective to determine the battery pack type because impedance may be an effective indicator of whether a battery pack will result in an over-temperature condition.

[0062] In block 930, by processing the electrical signature using a trained machine learning model, a batteiy pack type identifier is generated for the power tool battery pack. Here, the battery pack type identifier identifies a first type of power tool battery pack selected from a plurality of types of power tool battery packs that are configured to be received by the pack interface, each different type of power tool battery pack of the plurality of types of power tool batteiy packs corresponding to a different output capacity. For example, the electronic controller 410 may execute the ML model 466 (a trained machine learning model) to process, using the ML model 466, the electrical signature. The ML model 466 may output the battery pack type identifier, corresponding to the battery pack 104, as a result of processing the electrical signature. For example, as noted above, the ML model 466 may be a classifier that outputs a classification based on the input, where the classification is selected from a finite set of possible classifications, and the selected classification is the classification from the set of potential classifications that best corresponds to the input. Accordingly, the ML model 466 may output a battery pack type identifier selected from a finite set of potential battery pack type identifiers of the ML model 466, where the selection is based on the electrical signature provided as input. The selected battery pack type identifier that is output may be selected by the ML model 466 for output because the battery pack type identifier is the battery pack type identifier of the finite set of potential battery pack type identifiers that best corresponds to the electrical signature.

[0063] As described above, the output capacity of a power tool battery pack may be defined or described in several ways. Accordingly, in some examples, the battery pack type identifier identifying a type of power tool battery pack corresponding to an output capacity may indicatea particular model of battery pack (e.g., Ml 8™ REDLITHIUM™ FORGE™ HD 12.0, Ml 8™ REDLITHIUM™ FORGE™ XC 8.0, Ml 8™ REDLITHIUM™ HIGHOUTPUT™ XC 8.0, Ml 8™ REDLITHIUM™ HIGHOUTPUT™ CP 3.0, Ml 8™ Compact REDLITHIUM™ Battery, Ml 8™ REDLITHIUM™ XC3.0, among many other specific types) that has a particular output capacity. In other examples, the battery pack type identifier identifying a type of power tool battery pack corresponding to an output capacity may indicate an output capacity shared by multiple particular models of battery packs. For example, the battery pack type identifier corresponding to an output capacity may indicate that the power tool batteiy pack is a type of pack having a particular output capacity, that the power tool battery pack has at least a particular output capacity, or that the power tool battery pack does not have at least a particular output capacity. For example, the battery pack type identifier may indicate whether the power tool battery pack has a standard output level or a high output level as an output level, whether the power tool battery pack has a standard or high demand as a demand level category, whether the power tool battery pack has a particular number of cells, at least a particular number of cells, or less than a particular number of cells, whether the power tool battery pack has a particular cell type, or a combination of one or more of these characteristics. In some examples, the battery pack type identifier may indicate be a binary classification indicating whether the power tool battery pack has a sufficient output capacity such that the battery pack is permitted to be operated in a certain manner by the power tool device or not permitted to be operated in the certain manner (e.g., whether the power tool battery pack may be used to power the power tool device to operate in an increased discharge mode).

[0064] In some examples, when the electronic controller captures a set of electrical signatures for the battery pack 104 in block 920, in block 930, the set of electrical signatures is processed using the trained machine learning model. In these examples, an initial battery pack type identifier is generated for the power tool battery pack for each electrical signature of the set of electrical signatures, providing a set of initial battery pack identifiers. Then, the most common batteiy pack type identifier of the set of initial battery pack identifiers is selected as the battery pack identifier generated by block 930. For example, if a first three electrical signatures are classified as being of a first battery type (i.e., the ML model 466 outputs a first initial battery pack type identifier for these signatures) and a next two electrical signatures are classified as being of a second battery type (i.e., the ML model 466 outputs a second initial batteiy pack type identifier for these signatures), the electronic controller may output the first initial battery pack type identifier as the battery pack identifier generated in block 930 (because it was output three times and the second initial battery pack type identifier was only output twotimes). In the event of a tie, the electronic controller may implement a tie-breaking rule to select one of the two (tying) initial battery pack type identifiers (e.g., the pack type with the higher output capacity, or the pack type with the lower output capacity) to be output as the battery pack identifier.

[0065] In some examples, the process 900 is executed each time the actuator 112 of the power tool device 102 is actuated. In some examples, the process 900 is executed periodically (e.g., repeated after a predetermined time interval). In some examples, the process 900 is executed in under 10 ms, between 5-10 ms, or another time period.

[0066] In some examples, the electronic controller 410 may output or transmit the battery pack type identifier generated using the process 900. For example, the electronic controller 410 may control a display or lighting element (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED), a speaker, or vibration device to output an indication of the battery pack type identifier, for example, using text-based characters on a display, spoken language via the speaker, or encoded in a particular series of beeps or flashes.

[0067] In some examples, the electronic controller 410 may control an output of the power tool device 102 based on the battery pack type identifier generated using the process 900. For example, the power tool device 102 may have stored thereon (e.g., in the memory 430) different run profiles, where a run profile may include operational parameters and / or different routines or functions (e.g., defined by a set of instruction stored in the memory 430), and where each of the run profiles are associated with one or more particular battery pack type identifiers. In response to determining the battery pack type identifier corresponding to the battery pack 104, the electronic controller 410 may access the run profile (and corresponding operational parameters and / or different routines or functions) associated with the battery pack type identifier (e.g., via a lookup table or other mapping). Then, the electronic controller 410 may control operation of the power tool device 102 using the accessed operational parameters and / or routines or functions. Accordingly, selection of a run profile for a power tool device 102, and use of certain features (e.g., field weakening) or operational settings, may be dependent on the type of the battery pack 104 coupled to the power tool device 102.

[0068] As one example, a power tool device 102 may implement field weakening as a motor control feature dependent on the battery pack type of the battery pack 104. Field weakening is a technique that may be used to increase the rotational speed of a motor. For example, when field weakening is enabled, the power tool device 102 (e.g., the electronic controller 410) can control the application of additional current to the motor (e.g., the stator coils) timed to weaken a magnetic field of the stator, reducing the back electromotive force(EMF) of the motor, thereby enabling the rotor to rotate faster (potentially with a reduced torque level). When enabled, the electronic controller 410 may selectively apply field weakening when the motor of the power tool device is rotating above a certain speed threshold, and not apply field weakening when the motor is below the speed threshold. The electronic controller 410 may also vary' the extent of field weakening employed when above the speed threshold, based on the motor speed. Field weakening motor control may require additional power or cunent relative to motor control that does not include field weakening. Thus, a power tool device 102 implementing field weakening can more quickly discharge a power tool battery pack and increase heat generation from the increased current drawn. The increased heat generation may be more likely to cause an over temperature fault on certain power tool battery packs (e.g.. packs not designed for handling such high current demand). Accordingly, enabling the power tool device 102 to implement field weakening with certain lower output capacity battery packs may lead to reduced performance of the power tool device 102 and user frustration. Thus, in some examples, the electronic controller 410 may enable field weakening based on the type of the battery pack 104, as indicated by the battery pack t pe identifier generated in block 930. For example, certain types of battery packs may be authorized for use with field weakening, while other types of battery packs may not be authorized for use with field weakening. The power tool device 102 may store (e.g., in the memory 430) a table of types of battery packs that are authorized and / or not authorized for field weakening, which the electronic controller 410 may access (e.g., with the battery pack type identifier) to determine whether to enable field weakening based on the battery pack 104 that is coupled to the power tool device 102.

[0069] In some examples, other high current demand features may similarly depend on the type of the battery pack 104 coupled to the power tool device 102. These high current demand features may be considered to demand high current because executing the features results in current draw' above a certain (high) threshold and / or current draw above a threshold for a certain (long) duration. Thus, enabling these high current demand features may enable a power tool device to draw higher current and / or draw current for a longer duration than otherwise permitted. Similarly, disabling these high current demand features may prevent a power tool device from drawing higher current and / or drawing current for a longer duration for certain ty pes of battery' packs (e.g., with output capacities below' a threshold). High current demand features may also be referred to as increased discharge modes.

[0070] In some examples, the electronic controller 410 may determine that the battery pack 104 coupled to the power tool device 102 is a counterfeit battery pack (see, e.g., battery pack304e of FIG. 3). In some cases, the electronic controller 410 may disable operation of the power tool device 102. For example, the electronic controller 410 may prevent or restrict operation of amotor of the power tool device 102 (e.g., in the case of a motorized power tool), may prevent or restrict operation of an output circuit of the power tool device 102 (e.g., in the case of a nonmotorized power tool), and / or may prevent or restrict charging of the battery pack 104 (e.g., in the case of a charger).

[0071] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process 1100 for detecting a counterfeit battery pack coupled to a power tool device. In some examples, the process 1 100 can be performed by the power tool device 102 (e.g., the electronic controller 410 thereof). In other examples, the process 1100 may be implemented by another power tool device. Although the blocks of process 1100 are illustrated in a particular order, in some examples, one or more of the blocks of process 1100 are executed in parallel, in a different order, or bypassed.

[0072] In block 1110, an electronic controller receives a communication from a power tool battery pack that indicates a pack identifier for the power tool battery pack, the pack identifier indicative of a purported battery’ pack type of the power tool battery’ pack. For example, the electronic controller 410 of the power tool device 102 may receive a pack identifier communicated by the battery pack 104. The communication may be communicated by the battery’ pack 104 over the battery’ terminals of the tool interface of the battery’ pack 104 and the terminals of the pack interface 116. In some examples, the communication may be transmitted (e.g.. over the terminals) by an electronic controller of the battery pack 104. In other examples, the identifier may be communicated by an identifier circuit of the battery pack 104 (e.g., a resistor of a particular value, sensed by the electronic controller 410, may communicate the purported battery pack type) or an electro-mechanical key that interfaces yvith the interface 116 of the power tool device 102 to communicate the purported battery pack type. For example, the electro-mechanical key may complete a circuit of the interface 116 and / or power tool device 102 to indicate a purported battery pack ty pe. In the case of a counterfeit battery pack, such as may the battery' pack 304e, the counterfeit battery pack may communicate a purported batterypack type to the electronic controller 410 using one of the aforementioned techniques, similar to a non-counterfeit battery pack.

[0073] In block 1120, the electronic controller 410 determines whether the battery pack 104 is a counterfeit battery’ based on whether the purported battery’ pack t pe matches a generated battery pack ty pe identifier. The generated battery' pack identifier may be generated using the process 900 discussed above with respect to FIG. 9. Accordingly, the generated battery pack type identifier may be generated based on a trained machine learning model (e.g.,ML model 466) processing a captured electrical signature that corresponds to the battery pack 104. In response to determining that the purported battery pack type matches the generated battery pack type identifier, the electronic controller 410 determines that the battery pack 104 is not a counterfeit battery pack. In response to determining that the purported battery pack ty pe does not match the generated battery' pack type identifier, the electronic controller 410 determines that the battery pack 104 is a counterfeit battery pack.

[0074] In some examples, to “match,” the purported battery pack type is determined to be the same or identical type of battery pack indicated by the generated battery pack type identifier. In some examples, to “match,” the purported battery' pack type is determined to be sufficiently similar to the type of battery pack indicated by the generated battery' pack type identifier. For example, each potential type of the battery pack 104 may be associated with a list of sufficiently similar types of battery packs (e.g., in a table stored in the memory 430 of the power tool device 102), and, accordingly, when the purported battery' pack ty pe is determined to be one of the sufficiently similar ty pes of battery packs, the purported battery pack type is considered to match the type of battery pack indicated by the generated battery pack type identifier. Accordingly, when two types of battery packs have similar electrical signatures, a false counterfeit detection can be avoided. In some examples, to “match,” each of the purported battery' pack ty pe and the generated battery' pack ty pe identifier is associated with a respective output capacity (e.g., a table in the memory 430 may map the purported type and generated type identifier to respective output capacities), and the electronic controller 410 determines a match when the output capacities are sufficiently similarly (e.g., within a threshold of the relevant unit of measure for the output capacity ).

[0075] In block 1130, the electronic controller 410 controls the power tool device 102 based on the determination of whether the power tool battery is a counterfeit battery. For example, as noted above, the electronic controller 410 may disable operation of the power tool device 102 in response to determining that the power tool device 102 is a counterfeit battery pack. For example, in response to determining that the battery pack 104 is a counterfeit battery pack, the electronic controller 410 may prevent or restrict operation of a motor of the power tool device 102 (e.g., in the case of a motorized power tool), may prevent or restrict operation of an output circuit of the power tool device 102 (e g., in the case of a nonmotorized power tool), and / or may prevent or restrict charging of the battery pack 104 (e.g., in the case of a charger). In some examples, the electronic controller 410 may additionally or alternatively generate a visual, audible, or tactile output to be perceived by a user of the power tool device102 that is indicative of whether the power tool device 102 determines that the battery pack 104 is counterfeit.

[0076] In some examples, the process 1 100 is executed each time the actuator 1 12 of the power tool device 102 is actuated. In some examples, the process 1100 is executed periodically (e.g., repeated after a predetermined time interval).

[0077] It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology' used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,’" “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0078] As used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, discussion of particular directions is provided by example only, with regard to particular embodiments or relevant illustrations. For example, discussion of “top,” “front,” or “back” features is generally intended as a description only of the orientation of such features relative to a reference frame of a particular example or illustration. Correspondingly, for example, a “top” feature may sometimes be disposed below a “bottom” feature (and so on), in some arrangements or embodiments. Further, references to particular rotational or other movements (e.g., counterclockwise rotation) is generally intended as a description only of movement relative a reference frame of a particular example of illustration.

[0079] In some embodiments, including computerized implementations of methods according to the disclosure, can be implemented as a system, method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof to control a processor device (e.g., a serial or parallel processor chip, a single- or multi-core chip, a microprocessor, a field programmable gate array, any variety' of combinations of a control unit, arithmetic logic unit, and processor register, and so on), a computer (e g., a processor device operatively coupled to a memory), or another electronically operated controller to implement aspects detailed herein. Accordingly, for example, embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented as a set of instructions,tangibly embodied on a non-transitoiy computer-readable media, such that a processor device can implement the instructions based upon reading the instructions from the computer-readable media. Some embodiments of the disclosure can include (or utilize) a control device such as an automation device, a computer including various computer hardware, software, firmware, and so on, consistent with the discussion below. As specific examples, a control device can include a processor, a microcontroller, a field-programmable gate array, a programmable logic controller, logic gates etc., and other typical components that are known in the art for implementation of appropriate functionality (e.g., memory, communication systems, power sources, user interfaces and other inputs, etc.). Also, functions performed by multiple components may be consolidated and performed by a single component. Similarly, the functions described herein as being performed by one component may be performed by multiple components in a distributed manner. Additionally, a component described as performing particular functionality may also perform additional functionality not described herein. For example, a device or structure that is “configured’' in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0080] The term “article of manufacture” as used herein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier (e.g., non-transitory signals), or media (e.g., non-transitory media). For example, computer-readable media can include but are not limited to magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips, and so on), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), and so on), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, and so on). Additionally it should be appreciated that a carrier wave can be employed to cany7computer-readable electronic data such as those used in transmitting and receiving electronic mail or in accessing a network such as the Internet or a local area network (LAN). Those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications may be made to these configurations without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed subject matter.

[0081] Certain operations of methods according to the disclosure, or of systems executing those methods, may be represented schematically in the figures or otherwise discussed herein. Unless otherwise specified or limited, representation in the figures of particular operations in particular spatial order may not necessarily require those operations to be executed in a particular sequence corresponding to the particular spatial order. Correspondingly, certain operations represented in the figures, or otherwise disclosed herein, can be executed in different orders than are expressly illustrated or described, as appropriate for particular embodiments of the disclosure. Further, in some embodiments, certain operations can be executed in parallel,including by dedicated parallel processing devices, or separate computing devices configured to interoperate as part of a large system.

[0082] As used herein in the context of computer implementation, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms “component,” “system,” “module,” and the like are intended to encompass part or all of computer-related systems that include hardware, software, a combination of hardware and software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a processor device, a process being executed (or executable) by a processor device, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a computer program, or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computer and the computer can be a component. One or more components (or system, module, and so on) may reside within a process or thread of execution, may be localized on one computer, may be distributed between tw o or more computers or other processor devices, or may be included within another component (or system, module, and so on).

[0083] In some implementations, devices or systems disclosed herein can be utilized or installed using methods embodying aspects of the disclosure. Correspondingly, description herein of particular features, capabilities, or intended purposes of a device or system is generally intended to inherently include disclosure of a method of using such features for the intended purposes, a method of implementing such capabilities, and a method of installing disclosed (or otherwise known) components to support these purposes or capabilities. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated or limited, discussion herein of any method of manufacturing or using a particular device or system, including installing the device or system, is intended to inherently include disclosure, as embodiments of the disclosure, of the utilized features and implemented capabilities of such device or system.

[0084] As used herein, unless otherwise defined or limited, ordinal numbers are used herein for convenience of reference based generally on the order in which particular components are presented for the relevant part of the disclosure. In this regard, for example, designations such as “first,” “second,” etc., generally indicate only the order in which the relevant component is introduced for discussion and generally do not indicate or require a particular spatial arrangement, functional or structural primacy or order.

[0085] As used herein, unless otherwise defined or limited, directional terms are used for convenience of reference for discussion of particular figures or examples. For example, references to downward (or other) directions or top (or other) positions may be used to discuss aspects of a particular example or figure, but do not necessarily require similar orientation or geometry' in all installations or configurations.

[0086] As used herein, unless otherwise defined or limited, the phase "and / or" used with two or more items is intended to cover the items individually and the items together. For example, a device having '‘a and / or b" is intended to cover: a device having a (but not b); a device having b (but not a); and a device having both a and b.

[0087] This discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use embodiments of the disclosure. Various modifications to the illustrated examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to other examples and applications without departing from the principles disclosed herein. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure are not intended to be limited to embodiments show n, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein and the claims below. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A power tool system comprising: a power tool device including a pack interface, the pack interface configured to receive a plurality of types of power tool battery packs having a corresponding tool interface, each different type of power tool battery pack of the plurality of types of power tool battery packs corresponding to a different output capacity; a sensor configured to sense an electrical characteristic corresponding to a pow er tool battery coupled to the pack interface; and an electronic controller of the power tool device, the electronic controller including an electronic processor and a memory, the electronic controller configured to: control the power tool battery pack to discharge current; capture an electrical signature based on an output of the sensor when the power tool battery pack is controlled to discharge current; and generate, based on processing the electrical signature using a trained machine learning model, a battery pack ty pe identifier for the power tool batten pack, wherein the battery pack type identifier identifies a first type of power tool battery pack selected from the plurality of types of power tool battery packs.

2. The power tool system of claim 1, wherein the electronic controller is further configured to: receive a communication from the power tool battery pack that includes a pack identifier for the power tool battery pack, the pack identifier indicative of a purported battery pack type of the power tool battery pack; determine whether the power tool battery is a counterfeit battery based on whether the purported battery pack ty pe matches the battery pack type identifier; and control the power tool device based on the determination of whether the power tool battery is a counterfeit battery.

3. The power tool system of claim 1, wherein the electronic controller is further configured to control an output of the power tool device based on the battery pack type identifier.

4. The power tool system of claim 3. wherein the power tool device is a motorized power tool and comprises an electric motor and a switching circuit, andwherein, to control the output of the power tool device, the electronic controller is configured to: control the switching circuit to apply power from the power tool battery pack to the electric motor to drive the electric motor based on the battery pack identifier.

5. The power tool system of claim 4, wherein, to control the switching circuit based on the battery pack identifier, the electronic controller is configured to enable field weakening based on the battery pack identifier.

6. The power tool system of claim 3, wherein the power tool device is a nonmotorized power tool and comprises an output circuit, and wherein, to control the output of the power tool device, the electronic controller is configured to: control a switching circuit to apply power from the power tool battery pack to the output circuit to enable the output circuit based on the battery pack identifier.

7. The power tool system of claim 3, wherein the power tool device is a power tool battery charger and comprises a charging circuit, and wherein, to control the output of the power tool device, the electronic controller is configured to: control the charging circuit to apply power to the power tool battery pack to charge the power tool battery pack based on the battery pack identifier.

8. The power tool system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is housed within a battery housing of the power tool battery pack or housed within a device housing of the power tool device along with the electronic controller.

9. The power tool system of claim 1. wherein the electronic controller is configured to: perform the control of the power tool battery pack to discharge current responsive to receipt of a trigger pull, and wherein the electrical signature includes a time series of measurements of the electrical characteristic.

10. The power tool system of claim 1, wherein the electrical signature includes a time series of current measurements and a time series of voltage measurements.

11. A method of identifying a power tool battery pack comprising: controlling, by an electronic controller, a power tool batters' pack to discharge current when the power tool battery pack is coupled to a pack interface of a power tool device;capturing an electrical signature for the power tool battery' pack based on an output of a sensor when the power tool battery pack is controlled to discharge current, the sensor configured to sense an electrical characteristic corresponding to the power tool battery coupled to the pack interface; and generating, by processing the electrical signature using a trained machine learning model, a battery pack type identifier for the power tool battery pack, wherein the battery pack type identifier identifies a first type of power tool battery pack selected from a plurality of types of power tool battery packs that are configured to be received by the pack interface, each different type of power tool battery pack of the plurality of types of power tool battery packs corresponding to a different output capacity.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving a communication from the power tool battery’ pack that includes a pack identifier for the power tool battery pack, the pack identifier indicative of a purported battery pack type of the power tool battery pack; determining whether the poyver tool battery is a counterfeit battery' based on yvhether the purported battery pack type matches the battery pack type identifier; and controlling the power tool device based on the determination of whether the poyver tool battery is a counterfeit battery.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: controlling an output of the poyver tool device based on the battery' pack type identifier.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the power tool device is a motorized poyver tool and comprises an electric motor and a switching circuit, and wherein controlling the output of the poyver tool device includes: controlling the syvitching circuit to apply poyver from the power tool battery pack to the electric motor to drive the electric motor based on the battery pack identifier.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein controlling the switching circuit based on the battery pack identifier includes enabling field weakening based on the battery pack identifier.

16. The method of claim 13. wherein the power tool device is a nonmotorized power tool and comprises an output circuit, and yvherein controlling the output of the poyver tool device includes: controlling a switching circuit to apply poyver from the power tool battery pack to the output circuit to enable the output circuit based on the battery pack identifier.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the power tool device is a power tool battery charger and comprises a charging circuit, and wherein controlling the output of the power tool device includes: controlling the charging circuit to apply power to the power tool battery pack to charge the power tool battery pack based on the battery7pack identifier.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein controlling the power tool battery7pack to discharge current includes controlling the power tool battery pack to discharge current multiple times in succession separated by a delay interval, and the electrical signature that is captured includes a multi-pulse data curve from measurements obtained during the discharge of cunent multiple times in succession separated by the delay interval.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising: performing the control of the power tool battery' pack to discharge current responsive to receipt of a trigger pull, and wherein the electrical signature includes a time series of measurements of the electrical characteristic.

20. The method of claim 1 1. wherein the electrical signature includes a concatenation of a time series of current measurements and a time series of voltage measurements.

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