US 12,226,859 B2
Universal wireless remote control for welding apparatus in harsh environments
Marc L. Denis, Jena, WI (US); Michael A. Gill, Neenah, WI (US); and Todd G. Batzler, Hortonville, WI (US)
Assigned to Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on Mar. 3, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/190,927.
Application 17/190,927 is a continuation of application No. 16/891,295, filed on Jun. 3, 2020, granted, now 11,612,951.
Application 16/891,295 is a continuation of application No. 15/983,319, filed on May 18, 2018, granted, now 10,710,188, issued on Jul. 14, 2020.
Application 15/983,319 is a continuation of application No. 14/064,690, filed on Oct. 28, 2013, granted, now 9,993,890, issued on Jun. 12, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0245287 A1, Aug. 12, 2021
Int. Cl. B23K 9/10 (2006.01); B23K 9/095 (2006.01); G08C 17/00 (2006.01); H04L 67/125 (2022.01); H04L 69/12 (2022.01); H04M 1/72415 (2021.01)
CPC B23K 9/1087 (2013.01) [B23K 9/095 (2013.01); B23K 9/0953 (2013.01); B23K 9/1043 (2013.01); G08C 17/00 (2013.01); H04L 67/125 (2013.01); H04L 69/12 (2013.01); G08C 2201/20 (2013.01); H04M 1/72415 (2021.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a host having a radio apparatus and a controller, the controller configured to communicate with a welding-type system; and
a terminal device configured to communicate with the host through the radio apparatus, the terminal device comprising an adaptable control interface that includes one or more inputs,
wherein the host is configured to detect whether the terminal device includes software associated with the welding-type system,
wherein the host is configured to wirelessly send a software associated with the welding-type system for the terminal device through the radio apparatus to the terminal device in response to detecting that the terminal device lacks software associated with the welding-type system,
wherein the software is configured to facilitate remote control of the welding-type system by the terminal device via the adaptable control interface, and
wherein the terminal device is configured to adjust the one or more inputs of the adaptable control interface based on the software sent by the host,
wherein the adaptable control interface is operable to receive software for multiple welding-type systems in order to remotely control each of the multiple welding-type systems, and
wherein the adaptable control interface replicates functionality for each of the multiple welding-type systems using the software received at the terminal device for each of the multiple welding-type systems.