Abstract: The present invention is directed to a battery charger for charging a battery pack. The battery charger includes a plurality of components including a power supply. The battery charger also includes a temperature sensor that senses the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery charger components, for example a transformer. The battery charger power supply is adjusted based on the temperature of the at least one of the plurality of battery charger components.

Abstract: An area light is provided including a housing defining a central axis having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a side portion; a cover mounted on the first end of the housing; a light module disposed on the first end of the housing, the light module comprising a heat sink and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) to emit light through the cover and in a direction that extends 360 degrees around the center axis; and a battery receptacle disposed on the side portion of the housing to receive a removable battery pack and supply electric power form the removable battery pack to the at least one LED. At least one hook is provided on or adjacent the first end of the housing.

Abstract: A battery pack and charger platform including a voltage coupling circuit comprising an input that receives an input voltage and an output that sends an output voltage, a voltage monitoring circuit having an input coupled to the voltage coupling circuit output and an output, and a power source having an input coupled to the voltage monitoring circuit output, the power source input receives an input voltage representative of a charge instruction.

Abstract: A system including a carrier having a plurality of receptacles configured to receive rechargeable, removable battery packs, an AC power input connector for connecting to an AC power supply, a power output connector, a discharge/charge mode switch for switching between (1) a charging mode of operation that charges the battery packs using electrical power input through at least one of the power input connectors and (2) a discharging mode of operation that outputs electrical power from the battery packs through the power output connector, the charge/discharge control module controlling a plurality of charging switches to provide a charging current to the battery packs and an inverter electrically connected to the power output connector for providing an AC output signal at the power output connector.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus is provided including a housing, at least one battery receptacle for receiving at least one removable battery pack, an inverter that converts a direct-current (DC) signal from the at least one battery pack to an alternating-current (AC) signal, and a controller that applies a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal to the inverter to shape the AC signal with a lower harmonic distortion relative to a square wave. For each full cycle of the AC signal, the controller sets the duty cycle to approximately 100% within a first period corresponding to a peak area of the AC signal, to less than approximately 100% but greater than approximately 0% within a second period in which the AC signal transitions from the peak to a zero-cross following the first period, and to 0% within a third period corresponding to the zero-cross of the AC signal following the second period.

Abstract: A light apparatus is provided including a housing, a light module, a wireless communication unit configured to communicate wirelessly with a communication device, and a controller disposed in the housing and in communication with the wireless communication unit. The controller receives a control signal associated with at least one of a luminance intensity or lighting direction of the light module from the communication device via the wireless communication unit and controls the luminance intensity or lighting direction of the lighting module according to the control signal.

Abstract: A battery pack and charger platform including a voltage coupling circuit comprising an input that receives an input voltage and an output that sends an output voltage, a voltage monitoring circuit having an input coupled to the voltage coupling circuit output and an output, and a power source having an input coupled to the voltage monitoring circuit output, the power source input receives an input voltage representative of a charge instruction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable power supply system. The system is capable of converting DC power from one or more removable, rechargeable battery packs to AC power for corded power tools and appliance. The system is also capable of receiving AC power from an AC power supply and converting the AC power to DC power and using the DC power to charge the removable, rechargeable battery packs. The system includes a heat sink to assist in dissipating heat generated by various electronic components in the system. The heat sink also serves as a structural element to provide structural support to a housing of the system.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a battery pack that is operably coupled to a battery charger. The method comprises: measuring voltage at a plurality of designated terminals of a first battery pack while the battery pack is coupled to the battery charger; determining how many of the designated terminals are connected to a reference voltage, such as battery positive; and identifying an attribute of the battery pack based on how many of the designated terminals are connected to the reference voltage.

Abstract: A laser device operating system includes a laser device generating a laser beam when receiving a remote control unit command signal. The remote control unit operates in a public or private mode. In public mode the remote control unit generates a command signal transmitted to the laser device. In private mode the remote control unit generates a unique identifier prepended to the command signal. The laser device operates in a laser device public or private mode. In public mode the laser device responds to the remote control unit command signal or the command signal if transmitted by a second remote control unit. In private mode the laser device operates only upon receipt of the command signal and unique identifier, preventing laser device operation by the second remote control unit if the second unit does not include the unique identifier with the command signal.

Abstract: A power tool/battery pack combination includes an electric motor, one or more electrochemical cells, and a capacitive element. The electric motor is connected in series to a first switch. The series combination of the electric motor and the first switch is connected to a first terminal and a second terminal. The one or more electrochemical cells are connected across a third terminal and a fourth terminal. The third terminal and the fourth terminal are coupled respectively to the first terminal and the second terminal. The one or more electrochemical cells supply power to the electric motor via the first switch. The capacitive element includes one or more capacitors. The capacitive element is connected across the third terminal and the fourth terminal. The capacitive element is capable of storing inductive energy generated by the one or more electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A laser device operating system includes a laser device generating a laser beam when receiving a remote control unit command signal. The remote control unit operates in a public or private mode. In public mode the remote control unit generates a command signal transmitted to the laser device. In private mode the remote control unit generates a unique identifier prepended to the command signal. The laser device operates in a laser device public or private mode. In public mode the laser device responds to the remote control unit command signal or the command signal if transmitted by a second remote control unit. In private mode the laser device operates only upon receipt of the command signal and unique identifier, preventing laser device operation by the second remote control unit if the second unit does not include the unique identifier with the command signal.

Abstract: An electronic device with a microphone, a speaker, a processor, and a power tool battery pack connectable to and powering the speaker and the processor. The electronic device has software that can cause the processor to perform operations which can cause the electronic device to operate in first and second modes. While the electronic device is operating in the first mode, the device can generate first audio data representing user speech captured by the microphone which can be analyzed by the electronic device or a remote server. The electronic device can switch from operating in the first mode to operating in a second mode, where the electronic device can receive, second audio data from another electronic device. The electronic device can then output, using the speaker, audible content represented by the second audio data.

Abstract: A power tool/battery pack combination includes an electric motor, one or more electrochemical cells, and a capacitive element. The electric motor is connected in series to a first switch. The series combination of the electric motor and the first switch is connected to a first terminal and a second terminal. The one or more electrochemical cells are connected across a third terminal and a fourth terminal. The third terminal and the fourth terminal are coupled respectively to the first terminal and the second terminal. The one or more electrochemical cells supply power to the electric motor via the first switch. The capacitive element includes one or more capacitors. The capacitive element is connected across the third terminal and the fourth terminal. The capacitive element is capable of storing inductive energy generated by the one or more electrochemical cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a portable power supply system for providing power to corded power tools. The portable power supply is configured to charge a plurality of battery packs in parallel from an external power supply. The portable power supply is also configured to discharge the plurality of battery packs in series to an output connectable to a corded power tool.

Abstract: A light apparatus is provided including a housing, a light module, a wireless communication unit configured to communicate wirelessly with a communication device, and a controller disposed in the housing and in communication with the wireless communication unit. The controller receives a control signal associated with at least one of a luminance intensity or lighting direction of the light module from the communication device via the wireless communication unit and controls the luminance intensity or lighting direction of the lighting module according to the control signal.

Abstract: A system including a carrier having a plurality of receptacles configured to receive rechargeable, removable battery packs, an AC power input connector for connecting to an AC power supply, a power output connector, a discharge/charge mode switch for switching between (1) a charging mode of operation that charges the battery packs using electrical power input through at least one of the power input connectors and (2) a discharging mode of operation that outputs electrical power from the battery packs through the power output connector, the charge/discharge control module controlling a plurality of charging switches to provide a charging current to the battery packs and an inverter electrically connected to the power output connector for providing an AC output signal at the power output connector.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable power supply system. The system is capable of converting DC power from one or more removable, rechargeable battery packs to AC power for corded power tools and appliance. The system is also capable of receiving AC power from an AC power supply and converting the AC power to DC power and using the DC power to charge the removable, rechargeable battery packs. The system includes a heat sink to assist in dissipating heat generated by various electronic components in the system. The heat sink also serves as a structural element to provide structural support to a housing of the system.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a battery pack that is operably coupled to a battery charger. The method comprises: measuring voltage at a plurality of designated terminals of a first battery pack while the battery pack is coupled to the battery charger; determining how many of the designated terminals are connected to a reference voltage, such as battery positive; and identifying an attribute of the battery pack based on how many of the designated terminals are connected to the reference voltage.

Abstract: A battery pack and charger platform including a voltage coupling circuit comprising an input that receives an input voltage and an output that sends an output voltage, a voltage monitoring circuit having an input coupled to the voltage coupling circuit output and an output, and a power source having an input coupled to the voltage monitoring circuit output, the power source input receives an input voltage representative of a charge instruction.