Wireless tracking of power tools and related devices
First Claim
1. A gateway device comprising:
- a power interface configured to selectively engage a power source interface of at least one selected from the group of a power tool battery, a power tool battery charger, and a worksite audio device;
a wireless network module configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless network having at least one power tool device;
a cellular module configured to wirelessly communicate with a cellular network;
a translation module coupled to the wireless network module and the cellular module and configured to providetranslated communications received from the wireless network via the wireless network module to the cellular module for output to the cellular network, andtranslated communications received from the cellular network via the cellular module to the wireless network module for output to the wireless network; and
a housing including the power interface, the wireless network module, the cellular module, and the translation module.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for wirelessly tracking power tools and related devices to aid with inventory management and to help minimize, prevent, and recover misplaced or stolen tools throughout the job site. The tools and/or batteries include wireless transmitting capabilities (e.g., an ISM unit) to transmit data to a fob, puck repeater, and/or gateway over an ISM network. The gateway is operable to translate and output the ISM communications over a cellular network to a remote monitoring unit, such as a personal computer or smart phone. Additionally, the gateway is further operable to translate and output cellular communications from the remote monitoring unit to ISM communications over the ISM network. A wireless tethering system and method is also disclosed whereby an ISM battery places a power tool in a lock-out or limp mode after the ISM battery remains outside of ISM communications for a prolonged period of time.
335 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A gateway device comprising:
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a power interface configured to selectively engage a power source interface of at least one selected from the group of a power tool battery, a power tool battery charger, and a worksite audio device; a wireless network module configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless network having at least one power tool device; a cellular module configured to wirelessly communicate with a cellular network; a translation module coupled to the wireless network module and the cellular module and configured to provide translated communications received from the wireless network via the wireless network module to the cellular module for output to the cellular network, and translated communications received from the cellular network via the cellular module to the wireless network module for output to the wireless network; and a housing including the power interface, the wireless network module, the cellular module, and the translation module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of operating a gateway device including a power interface, a wireless network module, a cellular module, and a translation module coupled to the wireless network module and the cellular module, the method comprising:
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selectively engaging the power interface with a power source interface of at least one selected from the group of a power tool battery, a power tool battery charger, and a worksite audio device; wirelessly communicating, via the wireless network module, with a wireless network having at least one power tool device; wirelessly communicating, via the cellular module, with a cellular network; translating, by the translation module, wireless communications received from the wireless network via the wireless network module and providing the translated wireless communications to the cellular module for output to the cellular network; and translating, by the translation module, cellular communications received from the cellular network via the cellular module and providing the translated cellular communications to the wireless network module for output to the wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification