Wireless Fob Authentication for Secure Power Tool Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power tools lack efficient and secure communication systems for controlling and managing their operations remotely, particularly in environments where multiple devices are used, leading to potential misuse and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A wireless fob that communicates with power tool devices, enabling secure authentication and command transmission to control their operations, including locking/unlocking features and configuration settings, using a wireless transceiver, memory, and an electronic processor to establish and manage communication links with external devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power tools use basic communication systems, then device complexity is reduced, but security and operational control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into multiple functional modules: authentication module for credential verification, control module for operation management, and communication module for data transmission. This segmentation enables comprehensive security functionality while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
An external device acts as an intermediary between the power tool and the user, handling complex authentication and control operations. The external device receives credential information from the power tool, processes authentication, and transmits control commands, thereby enhancing security without significantly increasing the complexity of the power tool itself.
2Productivity
If power tools allow remote control, then operational efficiency is improved, but risk of misuse increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication by verifying credential information before allowing any remote control operations. The external device checks the received credentials against stored authentication data, and only after successful verification does it permit control commands to be executed, thereby preventing misuse before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The power tool provides feedback by transmitting operational status and identification information to the external device. This feedback mechanism allows the external device to monitor tool usage, verify authentication status, and control operations in real-time, reducing misuse risk while maintaining operational efficiency.
3Reliability
If power tools use simple authentication, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unauthorized access is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The power tool autonomously transmits its identification information and credential data to the external device without requiring manual intervention from the user. The tool's processor automatically initiates the authentication sequence, managing the security process independently while keeping the user interface simple and easy to operate.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic processor of a wireless fob is configured to establish a first communication link between the wireless fob and an external device, and receive, over the first communication link, first identification information and credential information of a power tool device from the external device. The electronic processor is further configured to receive, via the wireless transceiver, an identification signal including second identification information from the power tool device. The electronic processor is further configured to identify the power tool device by determining that the first identification information matches with the second identification information. The electronic processor is further configured to transmit the credential information to the power tool device to establish a second communication link between the wireless fob and the power tool device and transmit, over the second communication link, a command to the power tool device to control an operation of the power tool device.