Methods, Systems, and Devices for Determining a Presence of a Motor-Driven Tool Inside a Tool Position Region and/or a Tool Position of the Tool

Abstract

A method determines a presence of a motor-driven tool inside a tool position region and/or a tool position of the tool. A transmitter is mechanically connected to the tool, wherein the transmitter wirelessly transmits a signal. The transmitted signal is attenuated by the tool and has an item of transmitter information for taking the attenuation into account. The method has the steps of: capturing a respective reception signal strength value of the transmitted signal at receivers, wherein the receivers are arranged at different receiver positions; and determining the presence of the tool inside the tool position region and/or the tool position of the tool on the basis of the captured reception signal strength values and the received transmitter information for taking the attenuation into account.

Claims

1. A method for determining a presence of a motor-driven tool inside a tool position region and/or a tool position of the tool, wherein a transmitter is mechanically connected to the tool, wherein the transmitter wirelessly transmits a signal, wherein the transmitted signal is attenuated by the tool and has an item of transmitter information for taking the attenuation into account, the method comprising the steps of: a) capturing a respective reception signal strength value of the transmitted signal at receivers, wherein the receivers are arranged at different receiver positions; and b) determining the presence of the tool inside the tool position region and/or the tool position of the tool on the basis of the captured reception signal strength values and the received transmitter information for taking the attenuation into account.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tool has a drive motor system, and wherein the transmitted signal is attenuated by the drive motor system.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitted signal is a radio signal, and/or wherein the transmitted signal is attenuated anisotropically by the tool.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein step a) comprises: capturing a respective reception signal strength value of the transmitted signal at at least four receivers, and wherein the at least four receivers are arranged at at least four different receiver positions.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter information has at least one attenuation value of the attenuation, and wherein step b) comprises: determining the presence of the tool inside the tool position region and/or the tool position of the tool on the basis of the at least one received attenuation value of the attenuation.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the transmitter information has an identifier of the transmitter and/or of the tool, wherein an item of attenuation information based on the at least one attenuation value of the attenuation, is assigned to the identifier, and wherein step b) comprises: ascertaining the attenuation information based on the attenuation on the basis of the received identifier, and determining the presence of the tool inside the tool position region and/or the tool position of the tool on the basis of the at least one ascertained attenuation value of the attenuation.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the method has the step of: predefining at least one attenuation value of the attenuation and the different receiver positions of the receivers, and wherein step b) comprises: calculating the tool position of the tool on the basis of the captured reception signal strength values, the at least one predefined attenuation value of the attenuation and the predefined different receiver positions of the receivers.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the method has the step of: predefining respectively assigned comparison reception signal strength values for different possible tool positions including different possible tool orientations, of the tool inside the tool position region, and/or wherein the transmitter information respectively has the assigned comparison reception signal strength values for the different possible tool positions including the different possible tool orientations, of the tool inside the tool position region, and wherein step b) comprises: comparing the captured reception signal strength values with the comparison reception signal strength values, and determining the presence of the tool inside the tool position region and/or the tool position of the tool on the basis of a result of the comparison.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the method has the step of: predefining at least one attenuation value of the attenuation and the different receiver positions of the receivers, and wherein the method has the step of: respectively calculating the comparison reception signal strength values for the different possible tool positions including the different possible tool orientations, of the tool inside the position region, on the basis of the at least one predefined attenuation value of the attenuation and the predefined different receiver positions of the receivers.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitted signal is attenuated by a further tool and has the transmitter information for taking into account the attenuation caused by the tool, wherein a further transmitter is mechanically connected to the further tool, wherein the further transmitter wirelessly transmits a further signal, wherein the transmitted further signal is attenuated by the further tool and the tool and has a further item of transmitter information for taking into account the attenuation caused by the further tool, wherein the method has the step of: capturing a respective further reception signal strength value of the transmitted further signal at the receivers, and wherein step b) comprises: determining the tool position of the tool on the basis of the captured reception signal strength values and the received transmitter information for taking into account the attenuation caused by the tool, and determining a further tool position of the further tool on the basis of the captured further reception signal strength values and the received further transmitter information for taking into account the attenuation caused by the further tool; respectively determining a degree of positioning accuracy for the determined tool position of the tool and for the determined further tool position of the further tool; maintaining, for the one tool with a higher degree of positioning accuracy, the determined presence of the one tool inside the tool position region and/or the determined one tool position of the one tool; and determining, for the other tool with a lower degree of positioning accuracy, the presence of the other tool inside the tool position region and/or the other tool position of the other tool taking into account the attenuation caused by the one tool at the determined one tool position.

11. A method for a method to determine a presence of a motor-driven tool inside a tool position region and/or a tool position of the tool, wherein a transmitter is mechanically connected to the tool, wherein the transmitter wirelessly transmits a signal, wherein the transmitted signal is attenuated by the tool and has an item of transmitter information for taking the attenuation into account, according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of: providing at least an item of attenuation information based on at least an attenuation value of the attenuation, wherein the attenuation information is assigned an identifier of the transmitter and/or the tool, or an item of identifier information corresponding to the identifier, wherein the transmitter information has the identifier or the identifier information.

12. A system for determining a presence of a motor-driven tool inside a tool position region and/or a tool position of the tool, wherein a transmitter is mechanically connected to the tool, wherein the transmitter wirelessly transmits a signal, wherein the transmitted signal is attenuated by the tool and has an item of transmitter information for taking the attenuation into account, the system comprising: receivers, wherein the receivers are each designed to wirelessly receive the transmitted signal and to be arranged at different receiver positions; a capture device, wherein the capture device is designed to capture a respective reception signal strength value of the transmitted signal at the receivers; and a determination device, wherein the determination device is designed to determine the presence of the tool inside the tool position region and/or the tool position of the tool on the basis of the captured reception signal strength values and the received transmitter information for taking the attenuation into account.

13. The system according to claim 12, further comprising: the tool; and the transmitter, wherein the transmitter is designed to wirelessly transmit the signal, and wherein the tool and the transmitter are designed to be mechanically connected to one another.

14. A motor-driven tool and transmitter, comprising: a mechanical connection of the tool and the transmitter to one another, wherein the transmitter is designed to wirelessly transmit a signal, wherein the transmitted signal is attenuated by the tool and has an item of transmitter information for taking the attenuation into account, and wherein the transmitter information has at least one attenuation value of the attenuation and/or respectively assigned comparison reception signal strength values for different possible tool positions including different possible tool orientations, of the tool inside a tool position region.

15. A device for a system to determine a presence of a motor-driven tool inside a tool position region and/or a tool position of the tool, wherein a transmitter is mechanically connected to the tool, wherein the transmitter wirelessly transmits a signal, wherein the transmitted signal is attenuated by the tool and has an item of transmitter information for taking the attenuation into account, according to claim 12, the device comprising: a provisioning device, wherein the provisioning device is designed for providing at least an attenuation information based on the attenuation, wherein the attenuation information is assigned an identifier of the transmitter and/or the tool or an item of identifier information corresponding to the identifier, and wherein the transmitter information has the identifier or the identifier information.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system, an exemplary motor-driven tool and transmitter according to the invention, and an exemplary method according to the invention.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows the tool and the transmitter from FIG. 1 and the method from FIG. 1.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows the method from FIG. 1, an exemplary method according to the invention, in particular of the method, and an exemplary device according to the invention, in particular of the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a system 10 for determining a presence of a motor-driven tool 1 inside a tool position region POB and/or a tool position PO1 of the tool 1. A transmitter 2 is mechanically connected to the tool 1. The transmitter 2 wirelessly transmits a signal SI, in particular by means of an antenna of the transmitter 2. The transmitted signal SI is attenuated by the tool 1 and has an item of transmitter information SInfo for taking the attenuation into account. The system has receivers 3a, 3b, 3c, d, a capture device 5 and a determination device 6. The receivers 3a-d are each designed to wirelessly receive the transmitted signal SI, in particular in each case by means of an antenna of the receiver 3a-d, and to be arranged at different receiver positions PO3a, PO3b, PO3c, PO3d. The capture device 5 is designed to capture a respective reception signal strength value SIWa, SIWb, SIWc, SIWd of the transmitted signal SI at the receivers 3a-d. The determination device 6 is designed to determine the presence of the tool 1 inside the tool position region POB and/or the tool position PO1 of the tool 1 on the basis of the captured reception signal strength values SIWa-d and the received transmitter information SInfo for taking the attenuation into account.

[0042] In detail, the system 10 has the tool 1 and the transmitter 2. The transmitter 2 is designed to wirelessly transmit the signal SI. The tool 1 and the transmitter 2 are designed to be mechanically connected to one another.

[0043] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a method for determining the presence of the motor-driven tool 1 inside the tool position region POB and/or the tool position PO1 of the tool 1. The method has the steps of: a) capturing a respective reception signal strength value SIWa-d of the transmitted signal at receivers 3a-d, in particular by means of the capture device 5. The receivers 3a-d are arranged at the different receiver positions PO3a-d; b) determining the presence of the tool 1 inside the tool position region POB and/or the tool position PO1 of the tool 1 on the basis of the captured reception signal strength values SIWa-d and the received transmitter information SInfo for taking the attenuation into account, in particular by means of the determination device 6.

[0044] In detail, the method has the step of: transmitting the signal SI, in particular by means of the transmitter 2.

[0045] The method also has the step of: respectively receiving the transmitted signal SI, if not completely attenuated, by means of the receivers 3a-d.

[0046] The method also has the step of: outputting an item of user-perceptible information BInfo relating to the, in particular determined, presence of the tool 1 inside the tool position region POB and/or the, in particular determined, tool position PO1 of the tool 1, in particular by means of an output device 20 of the system 10.

[0047] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the tool position region POB is an area, in particular a two-dimensional, in particular rectangular, area and is confined.

[0048] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the tool 1 is a saw 1″. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the tool may be a pole pruner, a brush cutter, hedge shears, a hedge cutter, a blower, a leaf blower, branch shears, an angle grinder, a sweeper, a sweeper roller, a sweeper brush, a lawnmower, in particular a robotic lawnmower, a ride-on lawnmower or a lawnmower tractor, a scarifier, grass shears, a shredder, a stonecutter, a high-pressure cleaner or a spreading and/or spraying device.

[0049] The tool also has a drive motor system 4. The transmitted signal SI is attenuated by the drive motor system 4.

[0050] Furthermore, the, in particular transmitted, signal SI is a radio signal FS.

[0051] In addition, the transmitted signal SI is attenuated anisotropically by the tool 1.

[0052] Step a) also comprises: capturing a respective reception signal strength value SIWa-d of the transmitted signal SI at at least four receivers 3a-d. The at least four receivers 3a-d are arranged at at least four different receiver positions PO3a-d.

[0053] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the system 10 has precisely four receivers 3a-d. The four receivers 3a-d are arranged at four different receiver positions PO3a-d. In particular, the four receivers 3a-d are arranged at the four corners of the tool position region POB.

[0054] In addition, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the tool position PO1 of the tool 1 is determined in two dimensions x, y, in particular defined by a plane of the tool position region POB.

[0055] In alternative exemplary embodiments, step a) may comprise: capturing a respective reception signal strength value of the transmitted signal at more than four receivers. The more than four receivers may be arranged at more than four different receiver positions.

[0056] Additionally or alternatively, the tool position of the tool may be determined in three dimensions in alternative exemplary embodiments.

[0057] Furthermore, the transmitter information SInfo has at least one attenuation value DW of the attenuation. Step b) comprises: determining the presence of the tool 1 inside the tool position region POB and/or the tool position PO1 of the tool 1 on the basis of the at least one received attenuation value DW of the attenuation.

[0058] In addition, the transmitter information SInfo has an identifier ID of the transmitter 2 and/or of the tool 1. An item of attenuation information DInfo based on the attenuation is assigned to the identifier ID. Step b) comprises: ascertaining the attenuation information DInfo based on the attenuation on the basis of the received identifier ID, and determining the presence of the tool 1 inside the tool position region POB and/or the tool position PO1 of the tool 1 on the basis of the ascertained attenuation information DInfo.

[0059] The method also has the step of: predefining the at least one attenuation value DW of the attenuation and the different receiver positions PO3a-d of the receivers 3a-d.

[0060] Step b) comprises: calculating the tool position PO1 of the tool 1 on the basis of the captured reception signal strength values SIWa-d, the at least one predefined attenuation value DW of the attenuation and the predefined different receiver positions PO3a-d of the receivers 3a-d.

[0061] The method also has the step of: predefining respectively assigned comparison reception signal strength values VSIWa, VSIWb, VSIWc, VSIWd for different possible tool positions PPO1, and in particular different possible tool orientations PAR1, of the tool 1, in particular inside the tool position region POB. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter information SInfo respectively has the assigned comparison reception signal strength values VSIWa-d for the different possible tool positions PPO1, and in particular the different possible tool orientations PAR1, of the tool 1, in particular inside the tool position region POB. Step b) comprises: comparing the captured reception signal strength values SIWa-d with the comparison reception signal strength values VSIWa-d, and determining the presence of the tool 1 inside the tool position region POB and/or the tool position PO1 of the tool 1 on the basis of a result of the comparison.

[0062] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the attenuation information has the at least one attenuation value DW and/or respectively has the assigned comparison reception signal strength values VSIWa-d for the different possible tool positions PPO1, and in particular the different possible tool orientations PAR1, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0063] In detail, the method has the step of: respectively calculating the comparison reception signal strength values VSIWa-d for the different possible tool positions PPO1, and in particular the different possible tool orientations PAR1, of the tool 1, in particular inside the tool position region POB, on the basis of the at least one predefined attenuation value DW of the attenuation and the predefined different receiver positions PO3a-d of the receivers 3a-d.

[0064] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the reception signal strength values SIWa-d are 14, 16, 5 and 5, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0065] Furthermore, respectively assigned comparison reception signal strength values VSIWa, VSIWb, VSIWc, VSIWd are predefined, in particular calculated, for 10×10=100 different possible tool positions PPO1, in particular tool positions arranged in the form of a grid or divided into sectors, and in particular six different possible tool orientations PAR1 in each case, equal to 600 different possibilities for the tool 1, in particular inside the tool position region POB.

[0066] In addition, the comparison reception signal strength values VSIWa-d 14, 16, 5 and 5 are closest to the captured reception signal strength values SIWa-d 14, 16, 5 and 5.

[0067] The comparison reception signal strength values VSIWa-d 14, 16, 5 and 5 are therefore selected, and on the basis thereof, the assigned tool position PPO1 is selected, in particular is determined as the tool position PO1.

[0068] Therefore, the presence of the tool 1 inside the tool position region POB and/or the tool position PO1 of the tool 1 is/are determined on the basis of the captured reception signal strength values SIWa-d and the received transmitter information SInfo for taking the attenuation into account.

[0069] In alternative exemplary embodiments, the transmitter information may have, in particular either, the at least one attenuation value or the identifier, or respectively the assigned comparison reception signal strength values for the different possible tool positions of the tool. Additionally or alternatively, in alternative exemplary embodiments, step b) may comprise: in particular either determining the presence of the tool inside the tool position region and/or the tool position of the tool on the basis of the at least one received attenuation value of the attenuation or ascertaining the attenuation information based on the attenuation on the basis of the received identifier and determining the presence of the tool inside the tool position region and/or the tool position of the tool on the basis of the ascertained attenuation information, or calculating the tool position of the tool on the basis of the captured reception signal strength values, the at least one predefined attenuation value of the attenuation and the predefined different receiver positions of the receivers, or comparing the captured reception signal strength values with the comparison reception signal strength values and determining the presence of the tool inside the tool position region and/or the tool position of the tool on the basis of a result of the comparison.

[0070] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the operation of outputting the user-perceptible information BInfo comprises displaying, in particular projecting and/or showing, an image BI1 of the tool 1 inside the tool position region POB and/or at the tool position PO1 of the tool 1, in particular by means of the output device 20 in the form of a display 20′, in particular a projector 20″.

[0071] This enables visual inspection.

[0072] In alternative exemplary embodiments, the image could be shown on a screen, in particular of a mobile terminal, in particular of a smartphone or a tablet, by means of augmented reality.

[0073] In detail, the image BI1 of the tool 1 is assigned to the identifier ID.

[0074] In addition, the transmitted signal SI is attenuated by a further tool 1′ and has the transmitter information SInfo for taking into account the attenuation caused by the tool 1, as shown in FIG. 1. A further transmitter 2′ is mechanically connected to the further tool 1′. The further transmitter 2′ wirelessly transmits a further signal SI′. The transmitted further signal SI′ is attenuated by the further tool 1′ and the tool 1 and has a further item of transmitter information SInfo′ for taking into account the attenuation caused by the further tool 1′. The method has the step of: capturing a respective further reception signal strength value SIW′ a, SIW′b, SIW′ c, SIW′d of the transmitted further signal SI′ at the receivers 3a-d. Step b) comprises: determining the tool position PO1 of the tool 1 on the basis of the captured reception signal strength values SIWa-d and the received transmitter information SInfo for taking into account the attenuation caused by the tool 1, and determining a further tool position PO1′ of the further tool 1′ on the basis of the captured further reception signal strength values SIW′a-d and the received further transmitter information SInfo′ for taking into account the attenuation caused by the further tool 1′, in particular as described above; respectively determining a degree of positioning accuracy POA1, POA1′ for the determined tool position PO1 of the tool 1 and for the determined further tool position PO1′ of the further tool 1′; maintaining, for the one tool 1 with a higher degree of positioning accuracy POA1, the determined presence of the one tool 1 inside the tool position region POB and/or the determined one tool position PO1 of the one tool 1; determining, for the other tool 1′ with a lower degree of positioning accuracy POA1′, the presence of the other tool 1′ inside the tool position region POB and/or the other tool position PO1′ of the other tool 1′ taking into account the attenuation caused by the one tool 1 at the determined one tool position PO1.

[0075] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the degree of positioning accuracy POA1 for the determined tool position PO1 of the tool 1 is higher than the degree of positioning accuracy POA1′ for the determined further tool position PO1′ of the further tool 1′.

[0076] Therefore, the determined presence of the tool 1 inside the tool position region POB and/or the determined tool position PO1 of the one tool 1 is/are maintained for the tool 1 with the higher degree of positioning accuracy POA1. Furthermore, the presence of the further tool 1′ inside the tool position region POB and/or the further tool position PO1′ of the further tool 1′ is/are therefore determined for the further tool 1′ with the lower degree of positioning accuracy POA1′ by taking into account the attenuation caused by the tool 1 at the determined tool position PO1.

[0077] Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows a device 50 for the system 10 to determine the presence of the motor-driven tool 1 inside the tool position region POB and/or the tool position PO1 of the tool 1. The device 50 has a provisioning device 51. The provisioning device 51 is designed for providing at least the attenuation information DInfo based on the attenuation, in particular at least of the attenuation value DW of the attenuation. In particular the attenuation information DInfo is assigned the identifier ID of the transmitter 2 and/or of the tool 1, or an item of identifier information corresponding to the identifier. In particular the transmitter information SInfo includes the identifier ID or the identifier information.

[0078] In detail, the system 10 or the determination device 6 has the device 50 and/or the provisioning device 51.

[0079] FIG. 3 shows a method for the method to determine the presence of the motor-driven tool 1 inside the tool position region POB and/or the tool position PO1 of the tool 1. The method has the step of: providing at least the attenuation information DInfo based on the attenuation, in particular at least of the attenuation value DW of the attenuation, in particular by means of the provisioning device 51 of the device 50.

[0080] In detail, the step b) includes the providing.

[0081] In the exemplary embodiment as illustrated, the device 50 has a transmitting device 52 for transmitting the attenuation information DInfo to the determination device 6 and/or the identifier ID or the identifier information from at least one of the receivers 3a-d and/or the capture device 5.

[0082] As the exemplary embodiments shown and explained above make clear, the invention provides an advantageous method for determining a presence of a motor-driven tool inside a tool position region and/or a tool position of the tool, an advantageous method for a method to determine a presence of a motor-driven tool inside a tool position region and/or a tool position of the tool, an advantageous system for determining a presence of a motor-driven tool inside a tool position region and/or a tool position of the tool, an advantageous motor-driven tool and an advantageous transmitter, and an advantageous device for a system to determine a presence of a motor-driven tool inside a tool position region and/or a tool position of the tool, which each have an improved property, in particular enable a high degree of accuracy.

[0083] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.