Controller with information conveying backlight module and cable for connecting the controller to an automated tool

Abstract

A controller that controls an automated tool that comprises a monochromatic display, a backlighting module, and a processor. The monochromatic display comprises a plurality of pixels that are selectively activated and deactivated to convey information to a user. The backlighting module provides a backlight for the display, wherein the backlighting module is capable of controllably changing the color of the backlight. The processor that controls the display to selectively activate and deactivate the plurality of pixels to convey information about the automated tool, and wherein the processor controls the backlighting module such that the backlight provided by the backlighting module conveys information about the automated tool.

1 . A controller that controls an automated tool, the controller comprising: 
 a monochromatic display that comprises a plurality of pixels that are selectively activated and deactivated to convey information to a user;    a backlighting module that provides a backlight for the display, wherein the backlighting module is capable of controllably changing the color of the backlight; and    a processor that controls the display to selectively activate and deactivate the plurality of pixels to convey information about the automated tool, and wherein the processor controls the backlighting module such that the backlight provided by the backlighting module conveys information about the automated tool.    
   
   
       2 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the information conveyed by the plurality of pixels of the display is different from the information conveyed by the color of the backlight provided by the backlighting module.  
   
   
       3 . The controller of  claim 2 , wherein information conveyed by the plurality of pixels of the display comprises primary tool information and the information conveyed by the color of the backlight provided by the backlighting module comprises secondary tool information.  
   
   
       4 . The controller of  claim 3 , wherein primary tool information comprises one or more of a current tool speed, a current applied torque, a peak torque value, an angle of rotation, a snug torque value, or a number of completed fastening operations.  
   
   
       5 . The controller of  claim 3 , wherein the secondary tool information comprises one or more of an operational condition, a statistical control warning, a diagnostic warning, or a current operating status.  
   
   
       6 . The controller of  claim 5 , wherein an operation error comprises a high torque condition, a low torque condition, a good torque condition, a high angle of rotation condition, or a low angle of rotation condition.  
   
   
       7 . The controller of  claim 5 , wherein a diagnostic warning comprises a current condition of the automated tool or a suggested preventive maintenance.  
   
   
       8 . The controller of  claim 5 , wherein a current operating status comprises a standby condition, a currently operating condition, or a non-standby condition.  
   
   
       9 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the backlighting module alternately changes the color of the backlight provided to the display from one color to another in a blinking fashion to convey information about the automated tool.  
   
   
       10 . The controller of  claim 9 , wherein the frequency of the alternation between the colors of the backlight convey information about the automated tool.  
   
   
       11 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the information conveyed by the color of the backlight is determined based on a user selectable setting.  
   
   
       12 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the backlighting module comprises a plurality of groups of light emitting sources that provide the backlight for the display, wherein each of the groups of light emitting sources comprises one or more light emitting sources that emit light of substantially the same color, and wherein each of the groups of light emitting sources emit a color of light that is unique to that group of light emitting sources.  
   
   
       13 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the processor receives one or more signals associated with aspects of the automated tool from one or more sensors that monitor the aspects of the automated tool, the signals being generated by one or more sensors that monitor the aspects of the automated tool, and wherein the processor determines the information conveyed by one or both of the backlight color and the plurality of pixels based on the received signals.  
   
   
       14 . A system comprising: 
 a connector that comprises a connection interface on a first side, wherein the connection interface comprises a first primary mating element, a second primary mating element, a third primary mating element, a first secondary mating element, a second secondary mating element, a third secondary mating element, a fourth secondary mating element, a fifth secondary mating element, a sixth secondary mating element, and a seventh secondary mating element; and    an automated tool the comprises a tool interface adapted to interface with the connection interface to removably connect the automated tool with the connector such that: 
 the automated tool receives three-phase AC power over the first primary mating element, the second primary mating element, and the third primary mating element,  
 the automated tool transmits a signal related to a rotary position of a motor rotor associated with the automated tool over the first secondary mating element and the third secondary mating element,  
 the automated tool receives a common return for the signals transmitted on the first secondary mating element and the third secondary mating element, the common return being received via the second secondary mating element,  
 the automated tool receives DC power over the fourth secondary mating element, and DC power over the fifth secondary mating element, and  
 the automated tool transmits and receives communications in the form of a CANbus signal carried by the sixth secondary mating element and the seventh secondary mating element.  
   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the automated tool receives a phase T component of the three-phase AC power from the first primary mating element, a phase R component of the three-phase AC power from the second primary mating element, and a phase S component of the three-phase AC power from the third primary mating element.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the automated tool transmits a component of the signal related to the rotary position of the motor rotor associated with the automated tool that indicates the cosine of the rotary position of the motor rotor over the first secondary mating element, and transmits a component of the signal related to the rotary position of the motor rotor associated with the automated tool that indicates the sine of the rotary position of the motor rotor over the third secondary mating element.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the automated tool receives a +12V DC power over the fourth secondary mating element, and receives a 12V DC return over the fifth secondary mating element.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the sixth secondary mating element carries a +CANbus component of the CANbus signal, and the seventh secondary mating element carries a −CANbus component of the CANbus signal.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein coordinates of the positions of the first primary mating element, the second primary mating element, and the third primary mating element on the connection interface with respect to a Cartesian coordinate system originating substantially at the center of the connection interface and having units of inches are approximately (0.000″, 0.010″), (−0.092″, 0.170″), and (0.092″, 0.170″), respectively.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein coordinates of the positions of the first secondary mating element, the second secondary mating element, the third secondary mating element, the fourth secondary mating element, the fifth secondary mating element, the sixth secondary mating element, and the seventh secondary mating element on the connection interface with respect to a Cartesian coordinate system originating substantially at the center of the connection interface and having units of inches are approximately (−0.227″, −0.112″), (−0.253″, −0.013″), (−0.238″, 0.095″), (0.238″, 0.095″), (0.164″, −0.013″), (0.129″, −0.092″), and (0.164″, −0.196″), respectively.