Identifying power tool devices based on sound generated by electronic components of the power tool devices
A power tool device ( 102 ) is controlled to emit sounds that can identify the power tool device and/or be used to encode data for acoustic data transmission. Modulating the switching frequency of electronic components ( 370 ) (e.g., transistors, semiconductor switched devices) of the power tool device ( 102 ) can create an acoustic signature detectable by a microphone-equipped device ( 104 ), such as a cell phone, tablet, security camera, or the like. In this way, power tool identification and/or acoustic data transmission can be realized with existing power tool device circuitry and hardware components.
1 . A method for identifying a power tool device, the method comprising:
modulating a first switching frequency generated by an electronic component of the power tool device, thereby generating an acoustic signature;
receiving, by an external device, acoustic signal data by detecting the acoustic signature generated by modulating the first switching frequency generated by the electronic component of the power tool device; and
processing the received acoustic signal data by a processor of the external device to determine the acoustic signature, thereby identifying the power tool device by its acoustic signature,
wherein the power tool emits a second switching frequency during operation.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the power tool device comprises a power tool.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the power tool device comprises a power tool battery charger.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic component comprises at least one field-effect transistor (FET).
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the FET is a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET).
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the external device comprises a microphone.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the microphone is coupled to a mobile device.
8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the microphone is coupled to a security camera.
9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the microphone is coupled to another power tool device.
10 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the microphone is coupled to at least one of a network hub or a gateway device.
11 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the electronic component has a primary function that is different from acoustic data transmission.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic component of the power tool device emits the acoustic signature.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second switching frequency corresponds to a performance of the power tool device.
14 . A method for transmitting data using a power tool device, the method comprising:
transmitting data stored in a memory of the power tool device as acoustic signal data by modulating a first switching frequency generated by an electronic component of the power tool device, thereby generating an acoustic signature;
receiving, by an external device, the acoustic signal data by detecting the acoustic signature generated by modulating the first switching frequency generated by the electronic component of the power tool device; and
storing the received acoustic signal data in a memory of the external device,
wherein the power tool emits a second switching frequency during operation.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein transmitting the data stored in the memory of the power tool device as acoustic signal data comprises:
accessing the data from the memory of the power tool device;
encoding the data using an electronic processor of the power tool device, generating encoded data that include control parameters for modulating the first switching frequency generated by the electronic component; and
transmitting the acoustic signal data using the electronic processor to modulate the first switching frequency generated by the electronic component based on the control parameters in the encoded data, thereby causing the electronic component to emit the acoustic signature.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein encoding the data using the electronic processor comprises encoding the data using a binary encoding.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the control parameters indicate an analog modulation of the first switching frequency.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the control parameters indicate a digital modulation of the first switching frequency.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the control parameters indicate modulating an amplitude of the acoustic signature generated by the electronic component.
20 . A power tool device comprising:
a housing;
an electronic component housed within the housing;
an electronic processor coupled to the electronic component, the electronic processor being configured to control the electronic component to modulate a first switching frequency of the electronic component, such that in response to modulating the electronic component a sound having an acoustic signature based on the modulation of the first switching frequency is emitted,
wherein the power tool device emits a second switching frequency during operation.
21 . The power tool device of claim 20 , wherein the electronic component is a bridge for controlling operation of a motor.
22 . The power tool device of claim 20 , wherein the electronic component comprises at least one field effect transistor (FET).
23 . The power tool device of claim 22 , wherein the at least one FET comprises a metal-oxide-semiconductor FET.
24 . The power tool device of claim 20 , wherein the electronic component emits the sound.