System and method for exchanging data between control or evaluation apparatuses and data-producing devices, more particularly tools, network-capable module and tool having a network-capable module

{
  "publication_number": "US2022255770A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "System and method for exchanging data between control or evaluation apparatuses and data-producing devices, more particularly tools, network-capable module and tool having a network-capable module",
  "abstract": "A system for exchanging data between control or evaluation apparatuses and data- producing devices, such as tools, testing installations, calibrating installations or appliances for automatic identification is proposed, wherein the system comprises a control or evaluation apparatus and at least one network-capable module which can be connected or is connected to a data-producing device, wherein the control or evaluation apparatus and the network-capable module are designed to exchange data via a wireless data link, wherein, in a first operating mode, a communication protocol provided for exchanging data between the control or evaluation apparatus and the data-producing device is tunneled via the wireless data link.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A system for exchanging data between control or evaluation apparatuses and data-producing devices, such as tools, testing installations, calibrating installations or appliances for automatic identification, comprising a control or evaluation apparatus and at least one network-capable module which can be connected or is connected to a data-producing device, wherein the control or evaluation apparatus and the network-capable module are designed to exchange data via a wireless data link, characterized in that, in a first operating mode, a communication protocol provided for exchanging data between the control or evaluation apparatus and the data-producing device is tunneled via the wireless data link. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the data-producing device is a torque wrench, a torque screwdriver, a testing installation or a calibrating installation. 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the wireless data link uses the Internet Protocol(TCP/IP), and/or that the network-capable module can be connected or is connected to the data-producing device via a USB connection. 4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that in a second operating mode, the network-capable module generates a hotspot, in particular a WLAN hotspot. 5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one further device, in particular a further network-capable module, a mobile terminal or a computing unit, in particular a laptop, can be integrated or is integrated into the system via the hotspot. 6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the network-capable module is assigned a unique address, in particular a unique IP address, statically or dynamically, preferably via DHCP. 7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the data-producing device is connected to the Internet via the wireless data link, and/or that the data-producing device is connected to an Internet of Things via the wireless data link, wherein preferably the network-capable module identifies the data-producing device with respect to the Internet of Things. 8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control or evaluation apparatus is designed to execute client software and/or that the control or evaluation apparatus is designed to recognize network-capable modules connected via the wireless data link. 9. A network-capable module for a system according to claim 8. 10. The network-capable module according to claim 9, characterized in that the module comprises a printed circuit board, wherein at least one CPU, one WLAN chip and one WLAN antenna are arranged on the printed circuit board. 11. The network-capable module according to claim 10, characterized in that the printed circuit board comprises a USB interface. 12. The network-capable module according to claim 9, characterized in that the module has an energy storage, in particular a battery or an accumulator, or a connection for an external power supply, in particular by a data-producing device, or for a power supply unit. 13. The network-capable module according to claim 9, characterized in that the module has a switch for switching on, and/or that the module is triggered by a data-producing device connected to the module. 14. A tool with a network-capable module according to claim 9. 15. A method for exchanging data between control or evaluation apparatuses and data-producing devices, such as tools, testing installations, calibrating installations or appliances for automatic identification, wherein at least one network-capable module is connected to a data-producing device, wherein a wireless data link is established between the network-capable module and a control or evaluation apparatus, characterized in that, in a first operating mode, a communication protocol provided for communication between the control or evaluation apparatus and the data-producing device is tunneled via the wireless data link."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a system for exchanging data between control and evaluation apparatuses and data-producing devices such as tools, testing installations, calibrating installations or appliances for automatic identification, comprising a control or evaluation apparatus and at least one network-capable module which can be connected or is connected to a data-producing device. The present invention further relates to a network-capable module, a tool having a network-capable module, and a method for exchanging data between a control or evaluation apparatus and data-producing devices.\n\nData-producing devices, such as tools, in particular torque wrenches, torque screwdrivers, testing or calibrating installations, but also RFID reading stations or barcode scanners, often communicate with control or evaluation apparatuses in an industrial environment in a wired manner via proprietary and individual protocol structures or communication protocols.\n\nEP 1 902 817 A2 discloses a wireless power tool, wherein the wireless power tool comprises a wireless transmission apparatus for transmitting data, parameters or the like between the power tool and a higher-level control unit. The transmission apparatus has a module adapter detachably arranged on the power tool and a replaceable radio module. The module adapter is used to arrange various replaceable radio modules. The radio module can be a WLAN module.\n\nFrom DE 10 2011 108 963 A1, an industrial and electrically driven tool with two independent radio modules is known, so that a redundant communication link can be established with a controller.",
  "cpc": [
    "H04L 12/4633",
    "G05B 15/02",
    "G05B 19/4185",
    "G05B 2219/15117",
    "G05B 2219/25274",
    "G05B 2219/25454",
    "G05B 2219/31369",
    "G05B 2219/33192",
    "G05B 2219/50168",
    "G16Y 40/30",
    "H04L 61/5007",
    "H04L 67/565",
    "H04W 76/10"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G05B 19/418",
    "H04L 12/46",
    "H04L 61/5007",
    "H04W 76/10"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Stahlwille Eduard Wille GmbH and Co KG"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "David Schoenen",
    "Timo Schmidt"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2020-02-21",
  "publication_date": "2022-08-11",
  "priority_date": "2019-02-28",
  "application_number": "US-202017434310-A",
  "family_id": "69650618",
  "cited_by_count": 1,
  "citations": [
    "US20180133873A1",
    "US20200244297A1"
  ]
}