Universal protocol for power tools
A method for communicating between motorized power tools includes establishing, using a physical interface of a first power tool, a wireless radio link between the first power tool and a second power tool. The first power tool has a first motor and the second power tool has a second motor. A signal is received over the wireless radio link, via the physical interface, at the first power tool from the second power tool using a first wireless communication protocol. The signal includes an identifier. The second power tool is verified as authorized to send the signal to the first power tool based on the identifier. A tool component of the first power tool is controlled responsive to the signal.
1. A method for communicating between a tool and an external device, the method comprising:
receiving, by the tool, a communication from the external device, the communication including a write command for performing one selected from a group consisting of a firmware installation and a firmware update;
responsive to the communication, placing the tool in a safe mode; and
writing, while the tool is in the safe mode, to a memory of the tool in accordance with the write command.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tool includes one selected from a group consisting of a power tool, a battery pack, a battery charger, test and measurement equipment, a vacuum cleaner, a work site radio, a work light, and outdoor power equipment.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tool is a first tool and wherein the external device is a second tool.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the communication includes receiving the communication over a wireless radio link established between the tool and the external device.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising translating the communication, with a controller of the tool, from a first protocol to a second protocol.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising verifying the external device is authorized to send the communication.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication is a first communication and further comprising:
receiving, by the tool, a second communication, the second communication including a read command for reading performance data from the memory of the tool; and
reading, while the tool is in the safe mode, the performance data from the memory of the tool in accordance with the read command.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the performance data includes usage data of a motor included in the tool.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tool is powered by a first power platform and the external device is powered by a second power platform different from the first power platform.
10. A method for communicating between a tool and an external device, the method comprising:
receiving, by the tool, a communication from the external device, the communication including a read command for reading performance data from a memory of the tool;
responsive to the communication, placing the tool in a safe mode;
reading, while the tool is in the safe mode, the performance data from the memory of the tool in accordance with the read command; and
exiting the safe mode after reading the performance data from the memory.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the tool includes one selected from a group consisting of a power tool, a battery pack, a battery charger, test and measurement equipment, a vacuum cleaner, a work site radio, a work light, and outdoor power equipment.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the tool is a first tool and wherein the external device is a second tool.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein receiving the communication includes receiving the communication over a wireless radio link established between the tool and the external device.
14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising verifying the external device is authorized to send the communication.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the performance data includes usage data of a motor included in the tool.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the tool is powered by a first power platform and the external device is powered by a second power platform different from the first power platform.
17. A system for communicating messages, the system comprising:
a tool powered by a first power platform; and
an external device powered by a second power platform different from the first power platform,
the tool including:
a wireless communication interface configured to receive a communication from the external device using a first protocol, and
a controller coupled to the wireless communication interface, the controller configured to:
receive the communication, the communication including one selected from a group consisting of a write command and a read command,
responsive to the communication, place the tool in a safe mode, and
access, while the tool is in the safe mode, a memory of the tool based on the communication.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the tool includes one selected from a group consisting of a power tool, test and measurement equipment, a vacuum cleaner, a work site radio, a work light, and outdoor power equipment.
19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the write command is for performing one selected from a group consisting of a firmware installation and a firmware update.
20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the controller is further configured to translate the communication from a first protocol to a second protocol.