US 12,462,625 B2
Anti-theft systems and devices for battery-powered power tools
Anthony M. Davis, Brookfield, WI (US); Chad E. Jones, Jackson, WI (US); and Nicholas S. Oliver, West Allis, WI (US)
Assigned to Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, Brookfield, WI (US)
Filed by MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION, Brookfield, WI (US)
Filed on Aug. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/457,470.
Application 18/457,470 is a continuation of application No. 16/569,726, filed on Sep. 13, 2019, granted, now 11,763,610.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/730,910, filed on Sep. 13, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0410580 A1, Dec. 21, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G07C 9/00 (2020.01); B25F 5/00 (2006.01); G06F 1/26 (2006.01); H04W 4/021 (2018.01); H04W 4/80 (2018.01)
CPC G07C 9/00182 (2013.01) [B25F 5/00 (2013.01); G06F 1/26 (2013.01); G07C 9/00174 (2013.01); H04W 4/021 (2013.01); H04W 4/80 (2018.02)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for unlocking a power tool, the method comprising:
preventing operation of a function of the power tool based on the power tool being in a locked state;
generating, at an unlocking device, an unlock code;
generating, at the unlocking device, an unlock signal based on the unlock code;
transmitting, with the unlocking device, the unlock signal to the power tool in response to an authorized purchase of the power tool being verified;
receiving the unlock signal at the power tool; and
permitting, at the power tool, operation of the function of the power tool based on the received unlock signal by setting a flag or bit in response to receiving the unlock code, wherein an electronic processor of the power tool is configured to, in response to an attempt to operate the power tool, allow power to be provided to one or more power switches of the power tool based on the flag or bit being set.