Power tool usage auditor
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a housing directly coupled to a power tool over a mechanical interface area, the housing not in contact with a portion of a surface of the power tool;
a sound measuring device coupled to the housing and offset from the portion of the surface of the power tool not mechanically coupled to the housing, the sound measuring device configured to generate an electrical signal indicative of a sound emitted from the portion of the surface of the power tool, wherein the housing provides a direct path enclosed by the housing for sound waves to travel from the power tool to the sound measuring device across the portion of the surface of the power tool not mechanically coupled to the housing;
a processor configured to;
receive the electrical signal; and
generate a signal indicative of actual tool usage based on the electrical signal indicative of the sound emitted from the surface of the power tool; and
a communications device configured to transmit the signal indicative of actual tool usage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for characterizing actual tool usage based on measurements of tool activity are presented herein. In some embodiments, a power tool usage auditor (PTUA) includes a sound measuring device offset from the surface of a power tool. The sound measuring device senses sound waves emitted from the surface of power tool and generates an electrical signal indicative of the sound emitted from the surface of the power tool. In some other embodiments, a PTUA includes a magnetic field measuring device that senses changes in magnetic field induced by motion generated by the power tool. A processor is configured to receive electrical signals indicative of tool activity and generate a signal indicative of actual tool usage. Furthermore, methods and systems for communicating an indication of actual tool usage to a user or another computing system without interfering with the operation of the tool are also presented.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a housing directly coupled to a power tool over a mechanical interface area, the housing not in contact with a portion of a surface of the power tool; a sound measuring device coupled to the housing and offset from the portion of the surface of the power tool not mechanically coupled to the housing, the sound measuring device configured to generate an electrical signal indicative of a sound emitted from the portion of the surface of the power tool, wherein the housing provides a direct path enclosed by the housing for sound waves to travel from the power tool to the sound measuring device across the portion of the surface of the power tool not mechanically coupled to the housing; a processor configured to; receive the electrical signal; and generate a signal indicative of actual tool usage based on the electrical signal indicative of the sound emitted from the surface of the power tool; and
a communications device configured to transmit the signal indicative of actual tool usage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method comprising:
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receiving an electrical signal from a sound measuring device mounted to a housing, the electrical signal indicative of a sound emitted from a portion of a surface of a power tool not in contact with the housing, the housing directly coupled to the power tool over a mechanical interface area, wherein the sound measuring device is offset from the portion of the surface of the power tool not in contact with the housing, and wherein the housing provides a direct path enclosed by the housing for sound waves to travel from the power tool to the sound measuring device across the portion of the surface of the power tool not mechanically coupled to the housing; determining a signal indicative of actual tool usage based on the electrical signal; and transmitting the signal indicative of actual tool usage to a computing system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification