System and method for identifying a power tool

A system for identifying a type of a power tool, the system comprising:

• a power tool having an electric motor;
• and
• a usage attachment configured to couple to the power tool, the usage module having
• a vibration sensor that generates vibration data when the power tool vibrates,
• a memory that stores the vibration data generated by the vibration sensor, and
• an identification subsystem configured to receive the vibration data and operable to identify the type of the power tool by comparing the vibration data to predetermined vibration data of a known type of power tool.

An attachment for use with different type of power tools, comprising:

• a housing;
• an attachment feature integrated into the housing and operable to couple the attachment to a power tool;
• a sensor that senses a usage characteristic of the power tool and generates usage data for the sensed usage characteristic;
• a memory that stores the usage data generated by the sensor;
• a transmitter operable to transmit the usage data over a wireless data link;
• and
• a controller in data communication with the sensor, the memory and the transmitter, wherein the controller is configured to receive the usage data and operable to identify the type of power tool from the usage data.

A system for identifying a type of a user of a power tool, the system comprising:

• a power tool having an electric motor;
• and
• a usage attachment configured to couple to the power tool and having
• a vibration sensor that captures vibration data when the power tool is being operated,
• a memory that stores the captured vibration data,
• a transmitter that transmits the captured vibration data, and
• a processor connected to the vibration sensor, the memory and the transmitter;
• and
• a computer-implemented identification subsystem that is located remotely from the power tool and the usage module, and is configured to
• receive the vibration data from the usage module,
• determine a time duration during which the power tool is operated by comparing the received vibration data to predetermined vibration data of the power tool,
• identify a type of user of the power tool by comparing the time duration to predetermined time durations of known types of users of the power tool, and
• provide the user with access to an electronic resource based on the identified type of the user.