# US 12,759,129 B2 · Systems and methods for wireless communication with a stored power tool > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,759,129 B2 - Document ID: US12759129B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/690,148 - Filed: 2022-09-09 - Published: 2025-01-02 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2021-09-10 - Assignees: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation - Applicants: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation - Inventors: Anthony M. Davis; Jeremy R. Ebner; Jonathan Abbott - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12759129B2 ## CPC - B25F 5/029: {with storage compartments (B25F5/027 takes precedence; handles with provisions for storing tool elements B25C1/08)} - H04B 5/263: {Multiple coils at either side} - H04B 5/266: {One coil at each side, e.g. with primary and secondary coils} - B25F: COMBINATION OR MULTI-PURPOSE TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DETAILS OR COMPONENTS OF PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS NOT PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE OPERATIONS PERFORMED AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR {(machines or arrangements of machines for performing specified combinations of different metal-working operations not covered by a single other subclass B23P23/00 and subgroups)} - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract A system and method for wirelessly communicating with a stored power tool is provided. In some embodiments, a system comprises a power source interface configured to selectively electrically couple to a power source; a transceiver; an antenna; a processor electrically coupled to the power source, the transceiver, and the antenna, wherein the processor is configured to: establish a first communication link with an external device; receive an indication that communications with the power tool are to be carried out; and in response to the indication that communications with the power tool are to be carried out, establish a wireless second communication link with the power tool using the transceiver and antenna. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for wirelessly communicating with a tool, the system comprising: a tool storage system configured to store the tool; a wireless communication device coupled to the tool storage system, the wireless communication device comprising: a power source interface configured to selectively electrically couple to a power source; a transceiver; an antenna wherein the antenna inductively couples to an antenna electrically coupled to the tool such that the system provides power to the tool; a processor electrically coupled to the power source, the transceiver, and the antenna, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to: establish a first communication link with an external device; receive an indication that communications with the tool are to be carried out; and in response to the indication that communications with the tool are to be carried out, establish a wireless second communication link with the tool using the transceiver and antenna. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the tool storage system comprises: a tool box including a base defining a volume and a lid, wherein the tool box supports the power source interface, the transceiver, the antenna, and the processor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the antenna is one of a plurality of antennas arranged into a pattern in the tool box, and wherein the wireless communication device is configured to communicate with the tool using each of the plurality of antennas. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of antennas are integrated into a mat that is supported by the tool box within the volume. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the antenna is one of a plurality of antennas arranged into a pattern in the tool box, and wherein the wireless communication device is configured to establish the wireless second communication link with the tool using a first antenna of the plurality of antennas and is configured to establish a wireless third communication link with another tool stored in the tool box using a second antenna of the plurality of antennas. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second communication link comprises a near-field communication (NFC) link. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first communication link comprises a Bluetooth link, a Wi-Fi link, or a cellular link. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is further configured to establish the first communication link using the antenna. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is further configured to: receive, via the second communication link using the transceiver and the antenna, data from the tool; and transmit, via the first communication link, the data to the external device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the data comprises tool operation data associated with the tool. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is further configured to: receive data, via the first communication link, from the external device; and transmit, via the second communication link using the transceiver and the antenna, the data to the tool. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the data comprises a firmware update or software update to be installed by the tool. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises at least one selected from the group of a battery, a power line, the external device providing power wirelessly, or the tool providing power wirelessly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the tool comprises one or more of a motorized power tool, a non-motorized power tool, or a hand tool. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is further configured to: establish a wireless third communication link with another tool using the transceiver and antenna. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the power provided to the tool is used to charge a main power source of the tool. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the power provided to the tool is used to charge an alternate power source of the tool. ### Claim 18 A method for wirelessly communicating with a tool, comprising: establishing, by a wireless communication device coupled to a tool storage system storing the tool, a first communication link with an external device; receiving, by the wireless communication device, an indication that communications with the power tool are to be carried out; in response to the indication that communications with the power tool are to be carried out, establishing, by the wireless communication device, a wireless second communication link with the power tool using a transceiver and antenna of the wireless communication device; and providing power, by the wireless communication device, to the tool via inductive coupling. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the tool storage system comprises a tool box including a base defining a volume and a lid, the method further comprising: receiving, in the volume by the tool box, the tool; and supporting, by the tool box, the wireless communication device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the antenna is one of a plurality of antennas arranged into a pattern in the tool box, and wherein the wireless communication device is configured to communicate with the tool using each of the plurality of antennas. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising: supporting, by the tool box within the volume, a mat that is integrated with the plurality of antennas. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the antenna is a first antenna of a plurality of antennas, the method further comprising: receiving, by the tool box, a second tool; and establishing, by the wireless communication device, a wireless third communication link with the second tool using a second antenna of the plurality of antennas. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising: inductively coupling, by the antenna, to an antenna electrically coupled to the tool; and providing power, by the wireless communication device, to the tool via the inductive coupling. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein power is provided to the tool with the transceiver and antenna, and wherein power is provided to a controller of the tool.