Abstract: One power tool includes a housing including a compartment for receiving another device. The power tool further includes a wireless communication device including a wireless communication controller including a transceiver. The wireless communication device is configured to be received in the compartment. The power tool further includes a motor within the housing, and the motor is configured to drive an output drive device. The power tool further includes a controller within the housing and having an electronic processor, a memory, and a data connection. The data connection is configured to couple the electronic processor to the wireless communication device when the wireless communication device is inserted into the compartment. The controller is configured to control operation of the motor, and communicate with an external device via the data connection and the wireless communication controller.

Abstract: A power tool including a sensor attachment, a housing, a motor, and a power tool controller. The power tool controller is operable or configured to control power provided to the motor. The sensor attachment is coupled to the power tool's housing and includes a first non-contact sensor and a sensor controller. The sensor controller receives signals from the first non-contact sensor related to distance to a work surface and determines a fastener depth based on the signals from the first non-contact sensor. If the fastener depth is greater than or equal to a desired fastener depth, the sensor controller generates and sends a control signal to the power tool controller. In response, the power tool controller turns off or cuts power to the motor.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an electrical circuit coupled to an alternator. The electrical circuit includes a rotor and stator coils. The electrical circuit is configured to receive, at a point when an engine is operating, an electrical current that is induced in the stator coils by rotation of the rotor and charge a battery pack with the electrical current and inhibit generation of a spark by the engine while the alternator is powered by the battery pack until a speed of the alternator is greater than a threshold. The electrical circuit is further configured to power the alternator, at a point when the engine is not operating, with electrical current supplied by the battery pack coupled to a battery connector to start the engine.

Abstract: One power tool includes a housing including a compartment for receiving another device. The power tool further includes a wireless communication device including a wireless communication controller including a transceiver. The wireless communication device is configured to be received in the compartment. The power tool further includes a motor within the housing, and the motor is configured to drive an output drive device. The power tool further includes a controller within the housing and having an electronic processor, a memory, and a data connection. The data connection is configured to couple the electronic processor to the wireless communication device when the wireless communication device is inserted into the compartment. The controller is configured to control operation of the motor, and communicate with an external device via the data connection and the wireless communication controller.

Abstract: A wireless transmission system logs and communicates a location of an object. The wireless transmission system includes a wireless antenna configured to transmit a first beacon signal and a second advertising beacon signal. The system also includes a processor and a memory that stores instructions executable by the processor. The instructions cause the wireless antenna to repeatedly transmit the first beacon signal through a first number of transmission repetitions spaced at a first repeat interval. After completing the first number of transmission repetitions, the wireless antenna withholds transmission during a transition interval. After the transition interval, the wireless antenna repeatedly transmits the second advertising beacon signal through a second number of transmission repetitions at a second repeat interval. The wireless antenna, memory, and processor may be integrated in to a mountable housing and attached to an object or integrated with the tool.

Abstract: A power tool including a sensor attachment, a housing, a motor, and a power tool controller. The power tool controller is operable or configured to control power provided to the motor. The sensor attachment is coupled to the power tool's housing and includes a first non-contact sensor and a sensor controller. The sensor controller receives signals from the first non-contact sensor related to distance to a work surface and determines a fastener depth based on the signals from the first non-contact sensor. If the fastener depth is greater than or equal to a desired fastener depth, the sensor controller generates and sends a control signal to the power tool controller. In response, the power tool controller turns off or cuts power to the motor.

Abstract: A wireless transmission system logs and communicates a location of an object. The wireless transmission system includes a wireless antenna configured to transmit a first beacon signal and a second advertising beacon signal. The system also includes a processor and a memory that stores instructions executable by the processor. The instructions cause the wireless antenna to repeatedly transmit the first beacon signal through a first number of transmission repetitions spaced at a first repeat interval. After completing the first number of transmission repetitions, the wireless antenna withholds transmission during a transition interval. After the transition interval, the wireless antenna repeatedly transmits the second advertising beacon signal through a second number of transmission repetitions at a second repeat interval. The wireless antenna, memory, and processor may be integrated in to a mountable housing and attached to an object or integrated with the tool.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a power tool in control of a vacuum. In response to activation input, the power tool controls a motor for driving power tool operation and wirelessly transmits a control signal to a vacuum. In response to receiving the control signal, the vacuum controls a motor for driving operation of the vacuum. The power tool, the vacuum, or both include a wireless communication pairing butting for paring the power tool and the vacuum. The power tool and/or the vacuum may be cordless and powered by a battery pack.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an electrical circuit coupled to an alternator. The electrical circuit includes a rotor and stator coils. The electrical circuit is configured to receive, at a point when an engine is operating, an electrical current that is induced in the stator coils by rotation of the rotor and charge a battery pack with the electrical current and inhibit generation of a spark by the engine while the alternator is powered by the battery pack until a speed of the alternator is greater than a threshold. The electrical circuit is further configured to power the alternator, at a point when the engine is not operating, with electrical current supplied by the battery pack coupled to a battery connector to start the engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a power tool in control of a vacuum. In response to activation input, the power tool controls a motor for driving power tool operation and wirelessly transmits a control signal to a vacuum. In response to receiving the control signal, the vacuum controls a motor for driving operation of the vacuum. The power tool, the vacuum, or both include a wireless communication pairing butting for paring the power tool and the vacuum. The power tool and/or the vacuum may be cordless and powered by a battery pack.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an electrical circuit coupled to an alternator. The electrical circuit includes a rotor and stator coils. The electrical circuit is configured to receive, at a point when an engine is operating, an electrical current that is induced in the stator coils by rotation of the rotor and charge a battery pack with the electrical current and inhibit generation of a spark by the engine while the alternator is powered by the battery pack until a speed of the alternator is greater than a threshold. The electrical circuit is further configured to power the alternator, at a point when the engine is not operating, with electrical current supplied by the battery pack coupled to a battery connector to start the engine.

Abstract: A wireless transmission system logs and communicates a location of an object. The wireless transmission system includes a wireless antenna configured to transmit a first beacon signal and a second advertising beacon signal. The system also includes a processor and a memory that stores instructions executable by the processor. The instructions cause the wireless antenna to repeatedly transmit the first beacon signal through a first number of transmission repetitions spaced at a first repeat interval. After completing the first number of transmission repetitions, the wireless antenna withholds transmission during a transition interval. After the transition interval, the wireless antenna repeatedly transmits the second advertising beacon signal through a second number of transmission repetitions at a second repeat interval. The wireless antenna, memory, and processor may be integrated in to a mountable housing and attached to an object or integrated with the tool.

Abstract: A power tool tracking clip includes a wireless beacon transmitter having a memory that stores an identifier and a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the identifier. A clip body member has a beacon receptacle, and the wireless beacon transmitter is positioned within the beacon receptacle. A first arm member is coupled to a first end of the clip body and has a first inner surface configured to engage a power tool. A second arm member is coupled to a second end of the clip body and has a second inner surface configured to engage the power tool. A mounting feature on the first arm member aligns with a corresponding mounting feature on a corresponding outer wall of the power tool when the power tool tracking clip is mated to the power tool.

Abstract: A battery pack charger configured to heat a power tool battery pack, the battery pack charger comprising a housing, an adapter portion integrated with the housing of the battery pack charger, the adapter portion configured to mechanically and electrically connect to the power tool battery pack, and an inductive heater including a coil portion, the coil portion including a coil housing and one or more inductive coil windings, the inductive heater configured to generate an electromagnetic field to heat the power tool battery pack.

Abstract: A wireless transmission system logs and communicates a location of an object. The wireless transmission system includes a wireless antenna configured to transmit a first beacon signal and a second advertising beacon signal. The system also includes a processor and a memory that stores instructions executable by the processor. The instructions cause the wireless antenna to repeatedly transmit the first beacon signal through a first number of transmission repetitions spaced at a first repeat interval. After completing the first number of transmission repetitions, the wireless antenna withholds transmission during a transition interval. After the transition interval, the wireless antenna repeatedly transmits the second advertising beacon signal through a second number of transmission repetitions at a second repeat interval. The wireless antenna, memory, and processor may be integrated in to a mountable housing and attached to an object or integrated with the tool.

Abstract: An inductive heater assembly that includes an adapter portion and a coil portion. The adapter portion includes a first adapter support portion and a second adapter support portion. The first adapter support portion is configured to mechanically and electrically connect the inductive heater assembly to a power source device. The first adapter support portion includes a first adapter terminal block configured to engage a complementary terminal block of the power source device. The second adapter support portion is configured to mechanically and electrically connect the inductive heater assembly to the power tool battery pack. The second adapter support portion includes a second adapter terminal block configured to engage a complementary terminal block of the power tool battery pack. The coil portion is supported by the adapter portion. The coil portion includes a coil housing and one or more inductive coil windings.

Abstract: One power tool includes a housing including a compartment for receiving another device. The power tool further includes a wireless communication device including a wireless communication controller including a transceiver. The wireless communication device is configured to be received in the compartment. The power tool further includes a motor within the housing, and the motor is configured to drive an output drive device. The power tool further includes a controller within the housing and having an electronic processor, a memory, and a data connection. The data connection is configured to couple the electronic processor to the wireless communication device when the wireless communication device is inserted into the compartment. The controller is configured to control operation of the motor, and communicate with an external device via the data connection and the wireless communication controller.

Abstract: Power tool with irreversably lockable compartment. One power tool includes a housing including a compartment with an irreversible lock. The power tool further includes a wireless communication device including a wireless communication controller including a transceiver. The wireless communication device is configured to be received in the compartment and to engage with the irreversible lock. The power tool further includes a motor within the housing, and the motor is configured to drive an output drive device. The power tool further includes a controller within the housing and having an electronic processor, a memory, and a data connection. The data connection is configured to couple the electronic processor to the wireless communication device when the wireless communication device is inserted into the compartment. The controller is configured to control operation of the motor, and communicate with an external device via the data connection and the wireless communication controller.

Abstract: A power tool including a sensor attachment, a housing, a motor, and a power tool controller. The power tool controller is operable or configured to control power provided to the motor. The sensor attachment is coupled to the power tool's housing and includes a first non-contact sensor and a sensor controller. The sensor controller receives signals from the first non-contact sensor related to distance to a work surface and determines a fastener depth based on the signals from the first non-contact sensor. If the fastener depth is greater than or equal to a desired fastener depth, the sensor controller generates and sends a control signal to the power tool controller. In response, the power tool controller turns off or cuts power to the motor.

Abstract: A power tool including a sensor attachment, a housing, a motor, and a power tool controller. The power tool controller is operable or configured to control power provided to the motor. The sensor attachment is coupled to the power tool's housing and includes a first non-contact sensor and a sensor controller. The sensor controller receives signals from the first non-contact sensor related to distance to a work surface and determines a fastener depth based on the signals from the first non-contact sensor. If the fastener depth is greater than or equal to a desired fastener depth, the sensor controller generates and sends a control signal to the power tool controller. In response, the power tool controller turns off or cuts power to the motor.