Industrial power tool identification

Abstract

An industrial power tool system may include a first industrial power tool which may have a first indicator, a second industrial power tool which may have a second indicator, and a controller which may have a first tool port, a second tool port, a display which may be configured to display information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools, and processing circuitry which may be configured to interface with the display to provide the information. The display may have a third indicator associated with the first industrial power tool and a fourth indicator associated with the second industrial power tool. A first color may be displayed on the first indicator and the third indicator. A second color may be displayed on the second indicator and the fourth indicator, the first and second colors may be different from each other.

Description

[0001] INDUSTRIAL POWER TOOL IDENTIFICATION

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Example embodiments generally relate to electric industrial power tools and, in particular, relate to controllers for such power tools having the ability to support multiple tools and indicate relationships therebetween, and other useful information, to operators efficiently for improved utility and versatility.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Electric industrial power tools are commonly used in manufacturing activities, such as those having assembly lines, along with other industries and trades that require a number of tools to be in use at any given time. Various types of electric industrial power tools may be used in these settings to join objects together for assembly, such as different types of drivers for driving or tightening fasteners into the objects. Any given manufacturing / assembly line may utilize a number of tools to perform a variety of different jobs along the line. As such, each tool of the variety of different tools may be calibrated for the specific function it is intended to perform on the assembly line.

[0006] The electric industrial power tools can come in both wired and wireless variants, and may, in some cases, be individually monitored and programmed. However, some operators prefer (and some professional operators require) more performance and control options than those that would typically be provided by individual control of the electric industrial power tools. Accordingly, each of the electric industrial power tools may be a part of a larger tool network operably coupled to a controller making it easier for the operator to monitor the individual electric industrial power tools from the controller. Moreover, some controllers can support multiple electric industrial power tools with or without the addition of accessories. In this regard, the controller may include multiple connection ports to which each respective tool can be connected.

[0007] When a number of these tools end up operably coupled to the same controller (along with their respective cords), it can be difficult to determine or remember which tool is connected to which port and, if applicable, which display details correspond to which tool as well. If the tools have different settings used for different parts of a single job, the confusion can slow progress or even lead to mistakes and the need for rework. Thus, it may be desirable to provide an improved controller that can, for example, enable the operator to know which tool goes with which details on the display in a very intuitive way. With merely a quick glance, the operator may be assured as to exactly which tool goes with which details on the display (and corresponding port, if applicable) so that confusion and mistakes may be avoided. Moreover, the operator does not need to follow (or untangle) cords to determine which tool is connected to which port.

[0008] BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

[0009] Some example embodiments may provide for an industrial power tool system. The industrial power tool system may include a first industrial power tool which may have a motor, a driving portion coupled to the motor and may be configured to rotate a fastener, a torque sensor which may be configured to sense a torque applied to the fastener, a communication device, and a first indicator, a second industrial power tool which may have a motor, a driving portion coupled to the motor and may be configured to rotate a fastener, a torque sensor may be configured to sense a torque applied to the fastener, a communication device, and a second indicator, and a controller which may have a first tool port configured to interface with the first industrial power tool, a second tool port configured to interface with the second industrial power tool, a display which may be configured to display information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools, and processing circuitry which may be configured to interface with the display to provide the information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools. The first and second industrial power tools may communicate torque values sensed by their respective torque sensors with the controller. The display may have a third indicator associated with the first industrial power tool and a fourth indicator associated with the second industrial power tool. A first color may be displayed on the first indicator and the third indicator. A second color may be displayed on the second indicator and the fourth indicator, the first and second colors may be different from each other.

[0010] Some example embodiments may provide for an industrial power tool controller. The controller may include a first tool port which may be configured to interface with a first industrial power tool that may include a motor, a driving portion coupled to the motor and may be configured to rotate a fastener, a torque sensor may be configured to sense a torque applied to the fastener, a communication device, and a first indicator, a second tool port that may be configured to interface with a second industrial power tool comprising a motor, a driving portion coupled to the motor and configured to rotate a fastener, a torque sensor configured to sense a torque applied to the fastener, a communication device, and the second indicator, a display that may be configured to display information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools, a third indicator disposed at the display and associated with the first industrial power tool, a fourth indicator disposed at the display and associated with the second industrial power tool, a fifth indicator disposed at the first tool port, a sixth indicator disposed at the second tool port, and processing circuitry configured to interface with the display to provide the information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools. The first, third and fifth indicators may be configured to each generate a first color, and the second, fourth and sixth indicators may be configured to each generate a second color, the first and second colors being different from each other.

[0011] Some example embodiments may provide for a method of identifying tools operably coupled to an industrial power tool controller. The controller may include a first tool port configured to interface with a first industrial power tool comprising a motor, a driving portion coupled to the motor and configured to rotate a fastener, a torque sensor configured to sense a torque applied to the fastener, a communication device, and a first indicator, a second tool port configured to interface with a second industrial power tool comprising a motor, a driving portion coupled to the motor and configured to rotate a fastener, a torque sensor configured to sense a torque applied to the fastener, a communication device, and a second indicator, and a display configured to display information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools. The method may include the steps of receiving an indication of connection of the first tool to the first tool port, receiving an indication of connection of the second tool to the second tool port, causing generation of a first color of light at the first indicator and at a third indicator disposed at the display, and causing generation of a second color of light at the second indicator and at a fourth indicator disposed at the display. The first and second colors of light may be different from each other.

[0012] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0013] Having thus described some example embodiments in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a tool correlation system according to an example embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a one example implementation of a tool controller of the tool correlation system of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the tool controller and display in accordance with an example embodiment; FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the tool controller and tool ports in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a close up view of the display of the tool controller in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of power tools operably coupled to the tool controller in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates an isolated block diagram of a power tool having the integrated tool display in accordance with an example embodiment; and

[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a method in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other.

[0023] As indicated above, some example embodiments may relate to the provision of an industrial power tool controller that includes features that make it easy to detect correspondence between individual power tools and the ports and display details associated with each one. In some cases, the use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light sources may be employed to assist in this regard. However, other strategies and features are also contemplated as described in greater detail below.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a tool correlation system 100 according to an example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the tool correlation system 100 of an example embodiment may include an industrial power tool controller 110 and multiple industrial power tools (e.g., first industrial power tool 120 and second industrial power tool 130). As used herein, the phrase “industrial power tool” may be used to refer to any tool that utilizes moving components powered by a power source (i.e. electricity, pneumatics, internal combustion, etc.) to complete the task that the tool may be selected to complete. The term “industrial” may refer to the setting in which the power tool may be used, which in this case, may be an assembly line or other types of industrial manufacturing settings. Hereinafter the first and second industrial power tools (120, 130) may be referred to as just the first tool 120 and the second tool 130, respectively, for convenience sake. As such, the terms “first tool 120” and “second tool 130” should be understood to refer to the first industrial power tool 120 and second industrial power tool 130, respectively.

[0025] In this regard, an example of an industrial power tool that may be used with the tool correlation system 100 may be a nutrunner. The nutrunner of some example embodiments may be wireless, and as such the nutmnner may include a motor, a rotating end effector, a local power source (e.g. a battery), an applied torque sensor, and a wireless communications module. The nutrunner may perform its intended function by using power from the power source to operate the motor, which may rotate the end effector. The end effector may accordingly apply torque to a fastener as desired by an operator of the nutrunner. The tool controller 110 may communicate with the nutrunner via the wireless communications module to monitor and coordinate the operation of the nutrunner. For example, the controller 110 may monitor data recorded by the applied torque sensor to ensure the nutrunner is operating as intended. If the nutrunner is found to not be operating as intended, the controller 110 may indicate a fault code to the operator, and using the tool correlation system 100 described herein, the operator may efficiently identify the particular tool experiencing the fault.

[0026] In an example embodiment, the tool correlation system 100 may include more than just the first tool 120 and the second tool 130. In fact, in some cases, the tool correlation system 100 may include up to 16 tools operably coupled to a single controller 110. In some example embodiments, the multiple power tools may include various types of drivers (e.g. drills, nutrunners, impact guns, torque wrenches, etc.) which may be configured to drive fasteners to various predetermined torque limits, depending on the intended function of the particular tool in question. The tool correlation system 100 may also include one or more accessories such as, for example, a vacuum tool and / or a blower tool in some cases. Each of the tools and accessories may be operably coupled to the tool controller 110 by a corresponding port (e.g., first tool port 160 and second tool port 162) and a corresponding connection means (e.g., first connection means 170 and second connection means 172). First tool port 160 and second tool port 162 in an example embodiment may be the same or different physical ports, such as a USB port, a parallel port, a serial port, or other physical ports. First tool port 160 and second tool port 162 in an example embodiment may be electronic ports, such as different frequencies or channels in one or more communication devices. First tool port 160 and second tool port 162 in an example embodiment may be virtual ports, meaning the first tool port 160 uses a portion of an electronic (e.g. controller, memory, display) resource and the second tool port 162 uses a different portion of an electronic (e.g. controller, memory, display) resource. In an example embodiment, the first and second tools (120, 130) may interface with the first and second tool ports (160, 162) via physical cords. In some other cases, the first tool 120, the second tool 130, and any accessories may be wirelessly operably coupled to the controller 110, perhaps via an access point / router. In this regard, the first and second tools (120, 130) may interface with the first and second tool ports (160, 162) via wireless communication (e g. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.). Thus, the first and second connection means (170, 172) may be wired or wireless. In some cases where the tool correlation system 100 may include up to 16 tools operably coupled to a single controller 110, the tool correlation system 100 may include some tools physically operably coupled to the controller 110 via cords operably coupled to tool ports (160, 162) and the tool correlation system 100 may simultaneously include other tools wirelessly operably coupled to the controller 110 as well. For example, the controller 110 may be operably coupled to one tool (e.g. the first tool 120) via a cord plugged into the first tool port 160, and may simultaneously be operably coupled to 15 other tools wirelessly as well. Thus, it should be appreciated that for the purpose of being concise, example embodiments described herein may only mention or illustrate the tool correlation system 100 as including the first and second tools (120, 130), but it should be appreciated that more tools may be included in some example embodiments. In such cases, the functions of the tool correlation system 100 described herein may be extrapolated and applied to each of the tools of the system 100.

[0027] The tool controller 110 may include processing circuitry 180 that may be configured to control various aspects of the first and second tools (120, 130) as will be described herein. The controller 110 may also be operably coupled to a power supply 182. In some cases the first and second tools (120, 130) may be powered by the power supply 182, but in other cases the first and second tools (120, 130) may be powered by other sources as well. The processing circuitry 180 may take the form of a central processing unit (CPU) or other controller in some cases. The processing circuitry 180 may be configured to perform data processing, control function execution and / or other processing and management services for the tool controller 110 according to an example embodiment. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 180 may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the processing circuitry 180 may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and / or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 180 may include one or more instances of a processor and memory that may be in communication with or otherwise control various components to which the processing circuitry 180 is operably coupled.

[0028] The tool controller 110 may also include a user interface, which may be embodied as, or include, a display 184. In some cases, the display 184 could be a touch screen display through which commands or inputs may be provided to the processing circuitry 180. Otherwise, separate controls may be provided for interfacing with the display 184 including buttons, dials, keys, and / or the like. In some cases, the display 184 may include or otherwise be configured to show separate data or details corresponding / relating to each respective one of the tools and / or accessories. The information may include, for example, respective names of the first and second tools (120, 130), respective model numbers of the first and second tools (120, 130), respective IP addresses of the first and second tools (120, 130) where applicable, current status information (e.g., on / off, fault, standby mode), and / or the like. In some example embodiments, the controller 110 may not include the display 184 disposed at the controller 110 itself. In such cases, the functions of the display 184 described herein may be carried out via a personal electronic device of the operator, such as for example, a personal computer (e.g. laptop or desktop computer), a personal tablet device, a smartphone, etc.

[0029] As mentioned above, a variety of tools may be operably coupled to the tool controller 110, and the tools may often include drivers of various types. The drivers may be configured or calibrated to perform particular functions of the manufacturing process. For instance, in an example embodiment, the tool controller 110 may be used to control a network of tools on an assembly line. Thus, each of the first tool 120, second tool 130, and so on, may be used for performing different functions from each other in a repeated manner. In this regard, for example, the first tool 120 may be calibrated and programmed to drive a first type of fastener to a first torque limit while the second tool 130 may be calibrated and programmed to drive a second type of fastener to a second torque limit different from the first torque limit. Although functionally similar, the first tool 120 and the second tool 130 may therefore have either the same or different characteristics or components, and otherwise be of the same or different types of tools. In some cases, the tool bodies of the first and second tools 120 and 130 may be the same, but the tools themselves may be calibrated to perform differently from each other. Thus, in many cases, such as the example depicted herein, the tools may be visually identical. In some other example embodiments, the first and second tools (120, 130) may be different types of tools (e.g. the first tool 120 may be a driver and the second tool 130 may be a cutting tool). In such cases, the first and second tools (120, 130) may, in some cases, be visually different and distinguishable from each other. Even in the case where the first and second tools (120, 130) are visually distinguishable from each other, in cases where the first and second tools (120, 130) are wired to the controller and share the same work space, the first connection means 170 and the second connection means 172 may become at least visually entangled so that it is hard to know which tool is connected to which port. This may also make it difficult to appreciate which display details correlate to which tool and port as well. Thus, there may be a desire to reduce confusion when identifying tools in the tool correlation system 100.

[0030] In order to eliminate any ambiguity relative to matching of tools and accessories to respective ports and display details, some example embodiments may employ indicia elements at the display 184, the ports and the tools / accessories. The indicia elements may unambiguously and very quickly (i.e., at a glance) enable the operator to determine correspondence between tools / accessories and respective ports. In this regard, for example, the first tool 120 may include an indicator 190 disposed at a portion thereof. The indicator 190 of the first tool 120 may, for example, include a light (or light ring) disposed at the tool body thereof. The indicator 1 0 may include one or more LEDs capable of generating different colors in fixed (e.g., one solid selected color) or dynamic (e.g., cyclic blinking or patterned blinking) display style. Accordingly, in some cases, the color may be selected to merely identify the device, and the display style may be used to indicate information about device status. For example, the indicator 190 may have a blue color to identify blue as the color associated with the first tool 120, and various display styles can be employed to provide information about the status of the first tool 120. In this regard, again by way of example, if the color blue is solidly displayed, the first tool 120 may be assumed to be in a ready -to- operate state. Meanwhile, the color blue may blink at a slow pace to indicate other statuses, such as a standby mode or to indicate that the first tool 120 is being reprogrammed, perhaps.

[0031] In other examples, certain specific colors (e.g., yellow and red) may be reserved for and / or used to indicate very specific conditions. For example, yellow may indicate standby mode, and red may indicate a fault. In such examples, only colors other than red and yellow may be used to distinguish tools that are ready for operation, and the certain reserved colors may only be used to indicate specific modes or states, particularly those that may require immediate user attention or care. However, it should be appreciated that by having the option to select different colors and display styles, a host of different types of information can be communicated via the indicator 190 in addition to the correlation function that enables quick correlation between devices, ports, and display details. The processing circuitry 180 may communicate with the first tool 120 to direct the color to be displayed at the indicator 190 and, if desired, also the display style.

[0032] In order to provide the correlation function between tools and ports for embodiments of the tool correlation system 100 having a physical operable coupling between the first and second tools (120, 130) and the controller 110, the first tool port 160 may also include an indicator 191. The processing circuitry 180 may also communicate with the first tool port 160 and / or the indicator 191 to correlate color selection (and display style) with the first tool 120 and the indicator 190. Thus, the indicators 190 and 191 may share the same display color and display style based on instructions from the processing circuitry 180, or based on information provided therefrom, that may then be used to drive preconfigured settings for display of color (i.e., color selection) and display style. In some cases, the processing circuitry 180 may also be configured to interface with the display 184 to ensure that the display details correlate to the indicators 190 and 191. For example, if blue is the color selected for the first tool 120 and the tool is steady state and ready for operation, the indicator 190 at the first tool 120 may be solid blue. The indicator 191 at the first tool port 160 may also be solid blue, and a first visual indicia 192 in the form of a solid blue indicator or cue may also be provided on the display for the details / information relating to the first tool 120. Accordingly, just by quickly taking a glance, the operator can see the solid blue indicators 190 and 191 along with the blue visual indicia 192 on the display to correlate the tool, port and display details that are associated with the first tool 120.

[0033] The second tool 130 may include an indicator 193 that can be correlated to the second tool port 162 in the same manner described above. In this regard, the second tool port 162 may include an indicator 194. The processing circuitry 180 may communicate with the second tool port 162 and / or the indicator 194 to correlate color selection (and display style) with the second tool 130 and the indicator 193. Thus, the indicators 193 and 194 may share the same display color and display style as also described above. Additionally, the display may further include a second visual indicia 195 that is also correlated to the indicators 193 and 194 of the second tool 130 and the second tool port 162, respectively. For example, if green is the color selected for the second tool 130 and the tool is steady state and ready for operation, the indicator 193 at the second tool 130 may be solid green. The indicator 194 at the second tool port 162 may also be solid green, and visual indicia 195 in the form of a solid green indicator or cue may also be provided on the display for the details / information relating to the second tool 130. Again, the operator can quickly see the solid green indicators 193 and 194 along with the green visual indicia 195 to correlate the tool, port and display portions that are associated with the second tool 130.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a tool controller 200 that may be an example of the tool controller 110 described in reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a front view of the controller 200 and the display 184, and FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the controller 200 with more detail on some of the ports of the tool controller 200. The tool controller 200 of some embodiments may include the first tool port 210 and second tool port 212 (which correspond to first and second tool ports 160 and 162, respectively, from FIG. 1). The first tool 120 may be operably coupled to the first tool port 210 via a plug and cord (e.g., the first connection means 170), and the second tool 130 can be operably coupled to the second tool port 212 via a plug and cord (e.g., the second connection means 172). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the controller 200 may include various other receptacles and ports for additional device connectivity capabilities, such as Ethernet ports 213, USB ports 214, a power supply port 215, RS232 connectors 216, and 24 volt I / O interfaces 217 as well.

[0035] In this example, a first ring indicator 220 is provided to extend around a periphery of the first tool port 210. The first ring indicator 220 is an example of the indicator 191 of FIG. 1. The first ring indicator 220 may be annular in shape, and may extend around all outer edges of the first tool port 210 so that the first ring indicator 220 may be visible even when a plug or connector is inserted therein. The first ring indicator 220 may be embodied as an assembly of LED lights that may be provided behind an annular lens that evenly distributes the light that passes therethrough. The first ring indicator 220 may have a fixed or selectable (e.g., via the processing circuitry 180) color association to determine the color that is displayed by the first ring indicator 220 when a tool is operably coupled the corresponding port (e.g., the first tool port 210).

[0036] A second ring indicator 222 is provided to extend around a periphery of the second tool port 212. The second ring indicator 222 is an example of the indicator 194 of FIG. 1. The second ring indicator 222 may be annular in shape, and may extend around all outer edges of the second tool port 212 so that the second ring indicator 222 may also be visible even when a plug or connector is inserted therein. The second ring indicator 222 may be embodied as an assembly of LED lights that may be provided behind an annular lens that evenly distributes the light that passes therethrough. The second ring indicator 222 may also have a fixed or selectable color association to determine the color that is displayed by the second ring indicator 222 when a tool is operably coupled to the corresponding port (e.g., the second tool port 212). In this regard, if it is assumed that the cords overlap each other to the point that the cords would be difficult to trace from tool to port, then example embodiments may enable the operator to still quite easily and quickly determine which tool correlates to which port.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and described above, the display 184 may display information relating to one or both of the first and second tools (120, 130). The information relating to one or both of the first and second tools (120, 130) may include respective names of the first and second tools (120, 130), respective model numbers of the first and second tools (120, 130), a status of respective ones of the first and second tools (120, 130), and / or the like. The display 184 may include the first visual indicia 192 associated with the first tool 120 and the second visual indicia 195 associated with the second tool 130. As mentioned above, the first and second visual indicia (192, 195) may be correlated to the indicators (190, 191, 193 and 194) of the first tool 120, first tool port 160, second tool 130 and the second tool port 162, respectively. In some cases, the controller 200 may determine and / or assign the color to the respective indicators (190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195). Also shown in FIG. 6, the first and second connection means (170, 172) are depicted in dashed lines. This is to signify that the first and second connection means (170, 172) may be wired or wireless.

[0038] In some cases, the indicator 190 may be a first indicator 230, the indicator 193 may be a second indicator 240, the first visual indicia 192 may be a third indicator 250, and the second visual indicia 195 may be a fourth indicator 260. Thus, the first indicator 230 may generate a first color that may also be generated at the third indicator 250 disposed at the display 184, and the second indicator 240 may generate a second color that may also be generated at the fourth indicator 260 disposed at the display 184. In some cases, the first and second colors may be different from each other. In an example embodiment, the first and second colors may be selectable by an operator interfacing with the display 184. In some other cases, the first and second colors may be fixed color options assigned by the processing circuitry 180 and may not be selectable by the operator. As such, the first and second indicators (230, 240) may be embodied in different ways that may each serve to identify the first and second tools (120, 130), accordingly.

[0039] In one such embodiment, the third indicator 250 may include a first colored option selector 251 for selecting the first color from a first list 270 of color options, and the fourth indicator 260 may include a second colored option selector 261 for selecting the second color from a second list 280 of color options. In some cases, the second list 280 may exclude the first color so as to not have conflict between identifying the first tool 120 and the second tool 130. In this regard, the operator may select the third indicator 250 on the display, which may be disposed proximate to the display details related to the first tool 120 in some cases. Responsive to selecting the third indicator 250, the first list 270 may appear having a plurality of color options from which the operator may select the first color. Responsive to selecting the first color, the first list 270 may close and the first color may appear at the third indicator 250 and the first indicator 230. The second color may be selected by the operator from the second list 280 in a similar manner, and may thus appear at the fourth and second indicators (260, 240) responsive to being selected.

[0040] In a different embodiment of the controller 200, the third indicator 250 may be embodied as a first font color 252 matching the first color, and the fourth indicator 260 may be embodied as a second font color 262 matching the second color. In this regard, the information about the first tool 120 and the second tool 130 may be displayed via text written in a certain font. Thus, the font via which the display 184 may display information relating to the first tool 120 may accordingly be colored in the first font color 252 to match the first color, and the font via which the display 184 may display information about the second tool 130 may be colored in the second font color 262 to match the second color. The information about each tool may include, for example, respective names of the first and second tools (120, 130), respective model numbers of the first and second tools (120, 130), respective IP addresses of the first and second tools (120, 130) where applicable, current status information (e.g., on / off, fault, standby mode), and / or the like.

[0041] In yet another embodiment of the controller, the third indicator 250 may include a first colored banner 290 matching the first color, and the fourth indicator 260 may include a second banner 300 matching the second color. The first and second colored banners (290, 300) may refer to the portions of the display 184 behind the font described above which may be used to display information about the first and second tools (120, 130), respectively. In this regard, rather than change the color of the font itself, the first and second colored banners (290, 300) may change the color of the background behind the font. In such cases, the first and second colored banners (290, 300) may make it easier for the operator to distinguish the first tool 120 from the second tool 130 in a quick glance at the display 184. In an example embodiment, some or all of the above examples may be combined with individual ones, or all, of the other examples. For instance, in some cases the display 184 may feature the first colored banner 290 in addition to the first colored option selector 251 and / or in addition to the first colored font 252.

[0042] FIG. 7 depicts an isolated block diagram representation of the first tool 120. In some cases, the second tool 130 may be nearly identical to the first tool 120, with perhaps the only difference being the color displayed on the respective indicator (230, 240) and of course the function the tool may be programmed to perform. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7, in some cases the first and second tools (120, 130) may include a first integrated tool display 310 and a second integrated tool display, respectively. FIG. 7 may only depict the first integrated tool display 310 since only the first tool 120 is shown in FIG. 7. However, the second tool 130 may be nearly identical to the first tool 120 in some cases, and as such, the second integrated tool display may be nearly identical to the first integrated tool display 310 with the exception of the second indicator 240 being displayed in place of the first indicator 230. In this regard, the first and second tools (120, 130) may also include respective separate instances of processing circuitry in some cases, or in other cases, the processing circuitry 180 of the controller 200 may be operably coupled to the first integrated tool display 310 and second integrated tool display accordingly. In an example embodiment, the first integrated tool display 310 and second integrated tool display may include the first and second indicators (230, 240), respectively. In some cases, the first tool 120 may be a driver (e.g. drill, impact gun, etc.). As such, the first tool 120 may include a body 330 having a handle portion 332 and a head portion 334. The handle portion 332 may be operably coupled to the head portion 334 and extend away from the head portion 334 perpendicularly thereto. A driving portion 340 may be operably coupled to the head portion 334 and may be configured to rotate a fastener to drive the fastener accordingly. The first tool 120 may also include a motor 342, the motor being operably coupled to rotate the driving portion 340. In one embodiment the motor 342 is an electric motor, in another embodiment the motor 342 is a pneumatic motor. The first tool 120 may also include a power source 344, the power source 344 being operably coupled to the motor 342 to provide power to the motor 342. In one embodiment the power source 344 is a lithium-ion battery; other types of batteries may also be used in the first tool 120. The first tool 120 may also have a torque sensor 346, the torque sensor 346 being configured to sense and communicate a sensed torque which is being applied to a fastener by the first tool 120. The first tool 120 may also have a communication device 348, the communication device 348 allowing for communication between the first tool 120 and at least the controller 110. In one embodiment the first tool 120 communicates with the controller 110 indirectly, that is, the first tool 120 communicates with the controller 110 via a Wi-Fi network, wireless network, wireless access point or other indirect communication channel. In another embodiment the first tool 120 communicates with the controller 120 directly, such as via a physical cable or wirelessly via radio waves, such as the Bluetooth communication protocol. In one embodiment the torque sensed by the torque sensor 348 is communicated to the controller 110. As may be appreciated by one of skill in the art, other information may be communicated between the first tool 120 and the controller 110, such as a desired torque setting, an error message indicating an error with the first tool 120, an error message indicating an error with a fastening operation, an operator identifier, a fastener identifier, the number of rotations of the driving portion 340 (including partial rotations), whether a desired torque was reached, whether a desired torque was exceeded, and the time it took to tighten a fastener. The first tool 120 may also include an actuator 350 that the operator may actuate to drive the driving portion 340, and thus the fastener, as desired. In some cases, the first integrated tool display 310 may be disposed at the head portion 334 of the body 330. However, in some other cases, the first integrated tool display 310 may be disposed at other portions of the body 330, including the handle portion 332. In any case, the first integrated tool display 310 should be visible by the operator to readily distinguish the first tool 120 from the second tool 130 via the first and second indicators (230, 240). In an example embodiment, the first integrated tool display 310 and second integrated tool display may include information related to the respective tool it is displayed on as well. In this regard, the first integrated tool display 310 and second integrated tool display may include the tool name, tool model number, respective IP addresses of the first and second tools (120, 130) where applicable, and / or a status of the tool, in addition to displaying the first and second indicators (230, 240), respectively.

[0043] In some cases, a tool correlation system 100 may be provided. The tool correlation system may function to reduce operator confusion when identifying which tools in the tool correlation system 100 are connected to the controller 200 and in what manner. The tool correlation system 100 may include the first indicator 230, the second indicator 240, the third indicator 250, the fourth indicator 260, a fifth indicator 191 disposed at the first tool port 210, and a sixth indicator 194 disposed at the second tool port 212. The first, third and fifth indicators (230, 250, 191) may be configured to each generate a first color, and the second, fourth and sixth indicators (240, 260, 194) may be configured to each generate a second color. The first and second colors may be different from each other.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a method of identifying tools operably coupled to an industrial power tool controller. In the context of FIG. 8, it should be understood that the tool controller 200 may include a first tool port 210 configured to interface with the first industrial power tool 120 comprising a motor 342, a driving portion 340 coupled to the motor and configured to rotate a fastener, a torque sensor 346 configured to sense a torque applied to the fastener, a communication device 348, and a first indicator 230. The tool controller 200 may further include a second tool port 212 configured to interface with a second industrial power tool 130 comprising a motor, a driving portion coupled to the motor and configured to rotate a fastener, a torque sensor configured to sense a torque applied to the fastener, a communication device, and a second indicator 240. The tool controller 200 may further include a display 184 to display information relating to one or both of the first and second tools (120, 130), as described above. The method may include receiving an indication of connection of the first tool 120 to the first tool port 210 at operation 800, and receiving an indication of connection of the second tool 130 to the second tool port 212 at operation 810. The method may further include causing generation of a first color of light at the first indicator 230 disposed at the first tool 120 and at a third indicator 250 disposed at the display 184 at operation 820, and causing generation of a second color of light at the second indicator 240 disposed at the second tool 130 and at a fourth indicator 260 disposed at the display 184 at operation 830. The first and second colors of light may be different from each other. In some cases, the operations 800 to 830 may follow an initial operation of receiving input from an operator of the tool controller to select the first color of light and the second color of light. It should also be appreciated that, in some cases, the method described above could be practiced with respect to just one port and one tool (i.e., just operations 800 and 820). In such a context, the light colors could (instead of differentiating tools and devices) provide information about device status (as described above). Thus, for example, an additional operation of selecting the first color or applying a display style based on status of the tool may be applicable. The status information associated with the single tool would therefore be intuitively determinable at a glance as well.

[0045] It should be noted that the system and method disclosed herein may also be applied to a single controller 200 that may be used to control single tools. There may be no requirement for the tool correlation system 100 to include more than one tool in order to use the improvements described herein. In any case, the use of the improvements described herein may increase the ease with which an operator on an assembly line may identify the tools on the assembly line. This may also reduce the likelihood of committing mistakes such as unknowingly programming the incorrect tool, which thereby may eliminate potentially costly rework or scrap.

[0046] Some example embodiments may provide for an industrial power tool system. The industrial power tool system may include a first industrial power tool which may have a motor, a driving portion coupled to the motor and may be configured to rotate a fastener, a torque sensor which may be configured to sense a torque applied to the fastener, a communication device, and a first indicator, a second industrial power tool which may have a motor, a driving portion coupled to the motor and may be configured to rotate a fastener, a torque sensor may be configured to sense a torque applied to the fastener, a communication device, and a second indicator, and a controller which may have a first tool port configured to interface with the first industrial power tool, a second tool port configured to interface with the second industrial power tool, a display which may be configured to display information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools, and processing circuitry which may be configured to interface with the display to provide the information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools. The first and second industrial power tools may communicate torque values sensed by their respective torque sensors with the controller. The display may have a third indicator associated with the first industrial power tool and a fourth indicator associated with the second industrial power tool. A first color may be displayed on the first indicator and the third indicator. A second color may be displayed on the second indicator and the fourth indicator, the first and second colors may be different from each other.

[0047] The system of some embodiments may include additional, optional features, and / or the features described above may be modified or augmented. Some examples of modifications, optional features and augmentations are described below. It should be appreciated that the modifications, optional features and augmentations listed below may each be added alone, or they may be added cumulatively in any desirable combination. For example, in some embodiments, the first and second colors may be selectable by an operator interfacing with the display. In some cases, the information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools may include respective names of the first and second industrial power tools, respective model numbers of the first and second industrial power tools, and a status of respective ones of the first and second industrial power tools. In an example embodiment, the third indicator may include a first colored option selector for selecting the first color from a first list of color options, and the fourth indicator may include a second colored option selector for selecting the second color from a second list of color options that excludes the first color. In some cases, the first and second colors may be fixed color options assigned by the processing circuitry. In an example embodiment, the first industrial power tool may further include a battery configured to power the motor. In some cases, the communication device of the first industrial power tool may communicate using radio waves. In an example embodiment, the communication device of the first industrial power tool may communicate with the controller indirectly via a wireless network. In some cases, the communication of an error from the first industrial power tool may cause the displayed color on the first indicator and the third indicator to change. In an example embodiment, the first and second industrial power tools may include first and second integrated tool displays, respectively. In some cases, the first and second integrated tool displays may include the first and second indicators, respectively.

[0048] Some example embodiments may provide for an industrial power tool controller. The controller may include a first tool port which may be configured to interface with a first industrial power tool that may include a motor, a driving portion coupled to the motor and may be configured to rotate a fastener, a torque sensor may be configured to sense a torque applied to the fastener, a communication device, and a first indicator, a second tool port that may be configured to interface with a second industrial power tool comprising a motor, a driving portion coupled to the motor and configured to rotate a fastener, a torque sensor configured to sense a torque applied to the fastener, a communication device, and the second indicator, a display that may be configured to display information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools, a third indicator disposed at the display and associated with the first industrial power tool, a fourth indicator disposed at the display and associated with the second industrial power tool, a fifth indicator disposed at the first tool port, a sixth indicator disposed at the second tool port, and processing circuitry configured to interface with the display to provide the information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools. The first, third and fifth indicators may be configured to each generate a first color, and the second, fourth and sixth indicators may be configured to each generate a second color, the first and second colors being different from each other.

[0049] Some example embodiments may provide for a method of identifying tools operably coupled to an industrial power tool controller. The controller may include a first tool port configured to interface with a first industrial power tool comprising a motor, a driving portion coupled to the motor and configured to rotate a fastener, a torque sensor configured to sense a torque applied to the fastener, a communication device, and a first indicator, a second tool port configured to interface with a second industrial power tool comprising a motor, a driving portion coupled to the motor and configured to rotate a fastener, a torque sensor configured to sense a torque applied to the fastener, a communication device, and a second indicator, and a display configured to display information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools. The method may include the steps of receiving an indication of connection of the first tool to the first tool port, receiving an indication of connection of the second tool to the second tool port, causing generation of a first color of light at the first indicator and at a third indicator disposed at the display, and causing generation of a second color of light at the second indicator and at a fourth indicator disposed at the display. The first and second colors of light may be different from each other.

[0050] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and / or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. An industrial power tool system comprising: a first industrial power tool having a first motor, a first driving portion coupled to the first motor and configured to rotate a first fastener, a first torque sensor configured to sense a first torque applied to the first fastener, a first communication device, and a first indicator; a second industrial power tool having a second motor, a second driving portion coupled to the second motor and configured to rotate a second fastener, a second torque sensor configured to sense a second torque applied to the second fastener, a second communication device, and a second indicator; and a controller having: a first tool port configured to interface with the first industrial power tool; a second tool port configured to interface with the second industrial power tool; a display configured to display information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools; and processing circuitry configured to interface with the display to provide the information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools, wherein the first and second industrial power tools communicate torque values sensed by their respective torque sensors with the controller, wherein the display has a third indicator associated with the first industrial power tool and a fourth indicator associated with the second industrial power tool, wherein a first color is displayed on the first indicator and the third indicator; and wherein a second color is displayed on the second indicator and the fourth indicator, the first and second colors being different from each other.

2. The industrial power tool system of claim 1, wherein the first and second colors are selectable by an operator interfacing with the display.

3. The industrial power tool system of claim 1, wherein the information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools comprises respective names of the first and second industrial power tools, respective model numbers of the first and second industrial power tools, and a status of respective ones of the first and second industrial power tools.

4. The industrial power tool system of claim 1, wherein the third indicator comprises a first colored option selector for selecting the first color from a first list of color options, and the fourth indicator comprises a second colored option selector for selecting the second color from a second list of color options that excludes the first color.

5. The industrial power tool system of claim 1, wherein the first and second colors are fixed color options assigned by the processing circuitry.

6. The industrial power tool system of claim 1, wherein the first industrial power tool further includes a battery configured to power the motor.

7. The industrial power tool system of claim 1, wherein the communication device of the first industrial power tool communicates using radio waves.

8. The industrial power tool system of claim 7, wherein the communication device of the first industrial power tool communicates with the controller indirectly via a wireless network.

9. The industrial power tool system of claim 1, wherein the communication of an error from the first industrial power tool causes the displayed color on the first indicator and the third indicator to change.

10. The industrial power tool system of claim 1, wherein the first and second industrial power tools comprise first and second integrated tool displays, respectively, and wherein the first and second integrated tool displays comprise the first and second indicators, respectively.

11. An industrial power tool controller, the controller comprising: a first tool port configured to interface with a first industrial power tool comprising a first motor, a first driving portion coupled to the first motor and configured to rotate a first fastener, a first torque sensor configured to sense a first torque applied to the first fastener, a first communication device, and a first indicator; a second tool port configured to interface with a second industrial power tool comprising a second motor, a second driving portion coupled to the second motor andconfigured to rotate a second fastener, a second torque sensor configured to sense a second torque applied to the second fastener, a second communication device, and the second indicator; a display configured to display information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools; a third indicator disposed at the display and associated with the first industrial power tool; a fourth indicator disposed at the display and associated with the second industrial power tool; a fifth indicator disposed at the first tool port; a sixth indicator disposed at the second tool port; and processing circuitry configured to interface with the display to provide the information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools, wherein the first, third and fifth indicators are configured to each generate a first color, and the second, fourth and sixth indicators are configured to each generate a second color, the first and second colors being different from each other.

12. The industrial power tool controller of claim 11, wherein the first and second colors are selectable by an operator interfacing with the display.

13. The industrial power tool controller of claim 11, wherein the information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools comprises respective names of the first and second industrial power tools, respective model numbers of the first and second industrial power tools, and a status of respective ones of the first and second industrial power tools.

14. The industrial power tool controller of claim 11, wherein the third indicator comprises a first colored option selector for selecting the first color from a first list of color options, and the fourth indicator comprises a second colored option selector for selecting the second color from a second list of color options that excludes the first color.

15. The industrial power tool controller of claim 11, wherein the first and second colors are fixed color options assigned by the processing circuitry.

16. The industrial power tool controller of claim 11, wherein the first industrial power tool further includes a battery configured to power the motor.

17. The industrial power tool controller of claim 11, wherein the communication of an error from the first industrial power tool causes the displayed color on the first indicator and the third indicator to change.

18. The industrial power tool controller of claim 11, wherein the first and second industrial power tools comprise first and second integrated tool displays, respectively, and wherein the first and second integrated tool displays comprise the first and second indicators, respectively.

19. A method of identifying industrial power tools operably coupled to an industrial power tool controller, the controller comprising: a first tool port configured to interface with a first industrial power tool comprising a first motor, a first driving portion coupled to the first motor and configured to rotate a first fastener, a first torque sensor configured to sense a first torque applied to the first fastener, a first communication device, and a first indicator; a second tool port configured to interface with a second industrial power tool comprising a second motor, a second driving portion coupled to the second motor and configured to rotate a second fastener, a second torque sensor configured to sense a second torque applied to the second fastener, a second communication device, and a second indicator, and a display configured to display information relating to one or both of the first and second industrial power tools, the method comprising: receiving an indication of connection of the first industrial power tool to the first tool port; receiving an indication of connection of the second industrial power tool to the second tool port; causing generation of a first color of light at the first indicator and at a third indicator disposed at the display; and causing generation of a second color of light at the second indicator and at a fourth indicator disposed at the display, wherein the first and second colors of light are different from each other.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving input from an operator of the controller to select the first color of light and the second color of light.

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