Operating tool and/or measuring device with sim card

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a communication device (36, 72, 74, 78) for an operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or for a measuring device to transmit data between the operating tool (10, 68, 70) and the measuring device and a data processing system (62, 66). The communication device (36, 72, 74, 78) comprises an authentication module (42) for authentication of the operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or of the measuring device when transmitting data. A transmission module (38) transfers the data over a mobile network (40) via Internet connections. The invention further relates to an operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device with means (76) for generating user data and/or usage data with a communication device (36, 72, 74, 78) for exchanging data between the operating tool and/or measuring device and a data processing system (62, 66).

Claims

1.-12. (canceled)

13. A communication device (36, 72, 74, 78) for an operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or for a measuring device to transmit data between the operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or the measuring device and a data processing system (62, 66), wherein an authentication module (42) is provided for authentication of the operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or the measuring device during data transmission and wherein a transmission module (38) is provided for transmission of the data over a mobile network (40) and/or a transmission module (44) is provided for transmission of the data over Internet connections, and wherein a GPS receiver (39) is provided for satellite-based position determination for generating position data.

14. The communication device (36, 72, 74, 78) for an operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device according to claim 13, wherein the communication device (36, 72, 74, 78) is formed as a separate unit which can be mounted on and removed from the operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device.

15. The communication device (36, 72, 74, 78) for an operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device according to claim 13, wherein the device is provided with a power supply (35, 73).

16. The communication device (36, 72, 74, 78) for an operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device according to claim 13, wherein the operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device is provided with means (76) to generate user and/or usage data to be transmitted.

17. The communication device (36, 72, 74, 78) for an operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device according to claim 13, wherein the operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device is designed so that it can be controlled and/or adjusted and/or calibrated via the communication device (36, 72, 74, 78).

18. The communication device (36, 72, 74, 78) for an operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device according to claim 13, wherein said device is provided with and encryption system (80) to encrypt the data transmitted.

19. The communication device (36, 72, 74, 78) for an operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device according to claim 13, wherein the operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device is formed as a torque measurement tool (12).

20. An operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or a measuring device with means (76) for generating user data and/or usage data and with a communication device (36, 72, 74, 78) for exchanging data between the operating tool and/or the measuring device and a data processing system (62, 66), wherein an authentication module (42) is provided for authentication of the operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device when transmitting data, and wherein a transmission module is provided to transfer the data over a mobile network (40), and wherein the communication device (36, 72, 74, 78) is provided with a GPS receiver (39) for satellite-based position determination for generating position data.

21. The operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device according to claim 20, wherein the operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device and the communication device (36, 72, 74, 78) are formed as separate units.

22. The operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device according to claim 20, wherein the communication device (36, 72, 74, 78) is formed as a separate unit which can be mounted on and removed from the operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device.

23. The operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device according to claim 20, wherein the operating tool and/or measuring device is designed so that it can be controlled and/or adjusted and/or calibrated via the communication device (36, 72, 74, 78).

24. The operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device according to claim 20, wherein the operating tool (10, 68, 70) and/or measuring device is formed as a torque measurement tool (12).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is a diagram of torque measurement tools with a communication device that is integrated into the housing and are located in a mobile network and in a WLAN.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a torque measurement tool with a communication device that is integrated into the housing.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a torque measurement tool with a communication device that is docked on the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In FIG. 1, number 10 designates an operating tool and/or measuring device. This figure simultaneously shows three different application scenarios. The operating tool 10 and/or measuring device is a torque wrench 12 for tightening threaded connections and for measuring the particular torque with which the bolt or screw is tightened.

[0032] The torque wrench 12 comprises a shaft portion 14, a handle portion 16, and an attachment 18 to transfer a torque. The attachment 18 is provided with an insertion shaft 20, which is inserted in a recess 22 on the front end 24 of the shaft portion 14.

[0033] In the handle portion 16 there is a display 26 from which a user can read the torque values or other settings. Corresponding adjustments can be made by means of an operating panel 28. The shaft portion 14 and the handle portion 16 form a housing 30. A lever arrangement 32 to transfer the torque is indicated in the housing 30. The torque wrench 12 breaks away upon reaching a torque and thereby indicates that a desired torque has been reached. The breakaway can be triggered mechanically or electronically. A user can make fine adjustments if necessary using an adjustment knob 34.

[0034] A separate power supply 35 supplies a communication device 36. In the present exemplary embodiment, the communication device 36 is integrated into the housing 30. The communication device 36 can also be formed as a separate unit in a separate housing which can be removably fastened to the torque wrench 12. To prevent the communication device 36 from being removed, a lockable or closable mechanism for the communication device 36 can be provided. The communication device 36 further comprises a transmission module 38 for a cellular mobile network 40, a GPS receiver 39, an authentication module 42, and a WiFi transmission module 44 for a WLAN connection 46. The mobile network 40 is shown symbolically as a cloud 48 with a cell tower 50. A skilled person is familiar with how a cellular network with mobile network cells, for example based on the 2G, 3G, or even 4G standard, functions. By means of the authentication module 42, it is possible for the operating tool 10 to authenticate itself as a mobile device in the mobile network 40. This allows the operating tool 10 to be uniquely identified by others. The GPS receiver 39 continuously supplies position data so that the position of the torque wrench 12, and therefore the corresponding location of use, can be determined. Using the usage and location data, it is possible to precisely document the use of the tool.

[0035] With the WiFi transmission module 44 the communication device 36 can also be integrated into a local area network 52 for connection to a WLAN 46. The local area network 52 is also shown symbolically as a cloud 54. In this case as well, the authentication module 42 helps to identify and designate the operating tool 10. Via the WLAN connection 46, the operating tool 10 can establish a connection for exchanging data over the Internet provided that the local area network 52 is connected to the Internet, for example via a suitable router.

[0036] The authentication module 42 in the present exemplary embodiment comprises a SIM card 56, which is inserted in a special card slot 58. The SIM card 56 can be read by the authentication module 42 to authenticate the operating tool 10. Instead of using the SIM card 56 inserted in the card slot 58, it is also possible to use an identification chip that is permanently soldered in the communication device 36. Said chip would make manipulations during authentication more difficult.

[0037] Over the local area network 52, a user company 60 for example, which is shown here symbolically as a computer 62, can access the operating tool 10 via the communication device 36. This allows data to be exchanged and adjustments to be made from a remote location.

[0038] A manufacturer 64, shown in the diagram as a data processing system 66, of an operating tool 10 can access the operating tool 10 directly over the mobile network 40. As a result of this, the manufacturer 64 has the ability to service the operating tool 10 and also shut it down, if necessary, in the event that a defect is detected, for example. The manufacturer 64 also has the ability to provide the user with assistance while performing his or her tasks. The display 26 can also be used for this purpose to provide the user with information. Via connection 65, e.g. via a landline or cable, the user 60 and manufacturer 64 can exchange data when needed.

[0039] This figure also shows two additional operating tools 68 and 70. The operating tool 68 has a communication device 72, which is only able to establish a WLAN connection 46 with the local area network 52. A separate power supply 73 supplies the communication device 72 with power. The power supply 73 is independent of the operating tool 68. If desired, though, the power source, like the one used for operating tool 70, can be used to design the communication device 72 to be more compact, if this is necessary. For this reason, the communication device 72 only contains one WiFi transmission module 44. The operating tool 70 contains a communication device 74 that can only establish a connection via the mobile network 40. These two additional variants are intended to demonstrate that this embodiment can also be used for different applications or be subject to different restrictions.

[0040] Via the authentication module 42, it is possible in all cases to uniquely identify the operating tools 10, 68, and 70 not only in the mobile network 40 or in the local area network 52. Anyone who has access to the operating tools 10, 68, or 70 can uniquely identify themselves via the authentication module 42. Measured torque values and/or status values and/or position data of the torque wrench 12 and/or other user or usage data are generated with means 76 and can then be transmitted. The data transmitted can be unambiguously associated with the torque wrench 12 in the data processing system 66 and/or in the computer 62. This allows detailed documentation of the use of the operating tool to be created. To enable the data to be transmitted confidentially, an encryption system 80 is provided. The encryption system 80 encodes and decodes the data to be sent and received, respectively.

[0041] In FIG. 2 the operating tool 10 is shown in which the communication device 36 is integrated into the housing 30. In this figure, the operating tool 10 corresponds to a torque wrench 12 according to FIG. 1. Matching parts in the two figures are assigned the same reference number. Torque wrench 12 in this case also comprises a shaft portion 14 and a handle portion 16. The attachment 18 is not shown in this figure. Because the communication device 36 is integrated into the housing 30 of torque wrench 10, it is possible to manufacture an especially compact operating tool 10. As a result of this, it is less susceptible to unwanted external mechanical or chemical influences.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows the operating tool 10 with a dockable communication device 78. The operating tool 10 is a torque wrench 12 again whose method of operation corresponds to the method of operation of the operating tools in the previous figures. In contrast to the previous figures, though, the communication device 78 is arranged in the housing 30, but is docked to the outside of the shaft portion 14. As a result of this, it is also possible to equip an older torque wrench 12 in particular with a communication device 78. In this preferred embodiment, the communication device 78 can be mounted and locked on the operating tool 10 if necessary using a suitable locking mechanism so that users cannot remove it.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0043] 10 Operating tool

[0044] 12 Torque wrench

[0045] 14 Shaft portion

[0046] 16 Handle portion

[0047] 18 Attachment

[0048] 20 Insertion shaft

[0049] 22 Recess

[0050] 24 Front end

[0051] 26 Display

[0052] 28 Operating panel

[0053] 30 Housing

[0054] 32 Lever arrangement

[0055] 34 Adjustment knob

[0056] 35 Power supply

[0057] 36 Communication device

[0058] 38 Transmission module

[0059] 39 GPS receiver

[0060] 40 Cellular mobile network

[0061] 42 Authentication module

[0062] 44 WiFi transmission module

[0063] 46 WLAN connection

[0064] 48 Cloud of the mobile network

[0065] 50 Cell tower

[0066] 52 Local area network

[0067] 54 Cloud of the local area network

[0068] 56 SIM card

[0069] 58 Card slot

[0070] 60 User company

[0071] 62 Computer

[0072] 64 Manufacturer

[0073] 65 Connection

[0074] 66 Data processing system

[0075] 68 Operating tool

[0076] 70 Operating tool

[0077] 72 Communication device

[0078] 73 Power supply

[0079] 74 Communication device

[0080] 76 Means of generating user data or usage data

[0081] 78 Dockable communication device

[0082] 80 Encryption system