US 12,262,457 B2
Induction heating systems having close proximity communication devices
Scott Liebert, Freedom, WI (US); and Anthony Salsich, Appleton, WI (US)
Assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Filed by ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on Oct. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/972,770.
Application 17/972,770 is a continuation of application No. 16/297,345, filed on Mar. 8, 2019, granted, now 11,606,845.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/646,615, filed on Mar. 22, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0156874 A1, May 18, 2023
Int. Cl. H05B 6/10 (2006.01); B23K 9/095 (2006.01); B23K 26/34 (2014.01); H04B 5/72 (2024.01); H04W 4/80 (2018.01); H05B 6/06 (2006.01)
CPC H05B 6/101 (2013.01) [B23K 9/095 (2013.01); B23K 26/34 (2013.01); H04B 5/72 (2024.01); H04W 4/80 (2018.02); H05B 6/06 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An induction heating system, comprising:
an induction power source configured to generate induction-type power, and deliver the induction-type power to an induction heating tool configured to use the induction-type power to perform a heating operation;
a communication device associated with the induction power source, the communication device being configured to read data from a memory device attached to the induction heating tool using a close proximity communication protocol when the memory device is in close proximity to the communication device, the data comprising an amount of time the induction heating tool has been in use;
a user interface configured to deliver an alert in response to the amount of time meeting or exceeding a threshold; and
a port of the induction power source, or of a junction box in electrical communication with the induction power source, the port being configured for an electrical connection with the induction heating tool, the induction heating tool configured to receive the induction-type power through the electrical connection with the port, the communication device being positioned proximate the port, and the memory device being attached to the induction heating tool such that the memory device is in close proximity to the communication device when the electrical connection is established between the induction heating tool and the port.