Abstract:
A power tool and method for recording and playing back a motor parameter. The power tool includes a housing, a motor, a trigger, and a controller. The trigger outputs an activation signal based on a user input. The controller receives a user mode selection signal indicating a selected mode. The controller enters the recording mode when the user mode selection indicates the recording mode, and records a motor parameter to generate a recorded motor parameter. The recorded motor parameter covers a first time period in which motor is operating in response to depression of the trigger, a second time period in which motor is inactive in response to release of the trigger, and a third time period in which motor is operating in response to another depression of the trigger. In the playback mode, the controller operates the motor based on the recorded motor parameter upon receiving the activation signal.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/213,098, filed Mar. 14, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/788,510, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to power tools, such as power drills or impact drivers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one embodiment, the invention provides a power tool including a tool housing defining a cavity, a motor positioned within the cavity, a trigger, a mode selector switch, and a controller. The trigger is coupled to the tool housing and configured to output an activation signal based on a user input. The mode selector switch is configured to receive a user mode selection, which indicates an operating mode selected from the group of a recording mode, a normal operating mode, and a playback mode. The controller is coupled to the trigger, the mode selector switch, and the motor. The controller is configured to receive a mode selection signal from the mode selector switch that is indicative of the user mode selection for the power tool. The controller is further configured to enter the recording mode when the user mode selection indicates the recording mode, and to record a motor parameter while the power tool is in the recording mode and the motor is operating to generate a recorded motor parameter. The controller is further configured to enter the playback mode when the user mode selection indicates the playback mode, and to operate the motor based on the recorded motor parameter upon receiving the activation signal from the trigger while the power tool is in the playback mode. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of operating a power tool including a motor, a mode selector switch, a trigger, and a controller. The method includes receiving, by the mode selector switch, a user mode selection indicating an operating mode for the power tool. The operating mode is selected from the group of a recording mode, a playback mode, and a normal operating mode. The method further includes entering, by the controller, the recording mode when the user mode selection indicates the recording mode, and recording, by the controller, a motor parameter while the power tool is in the recording mode and the motor is operating to generate a recorded motor parameter. The method further includes entering, by the controller, the playback mode when the user mode selection indicates the playback mode, and receiving, by the controller, an activation signal from the trigger. The method further includes executing, by the controller, the recorded motor parameter to operate the motor based on the recorded motor parameter upon receipt of the activation signal while the power tool is in the playback mode. 
         [0005]    Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tool according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the tool shown in  FIG. 1  with a portion of a tool housing removed. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrates a direction switch of the tool shown in  FIG. 1  in a FORWARD position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates the direction switch of the tool shown in  FIG. 1  in a REVERSE position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates the direction switch of the tool shown in  FIG. 1  in a NEUTRAL position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  illustrates a speed selector switch of the tool shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  illustrates a block diagram of the speed selector switch shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is an electrical schematic diagram of the tool shown in  FIG. 1 , and including a controller. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is an operational schematic diagram of the tool shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is an operational schematic diagram of the tool shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  an operational schematic diagram of the tool shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  an operational schematic diagram of the tool shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  an operational schematic diagram of the tool shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  an operational schematic diagram of the tool shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the tool shown in  FIG. 1  with the tool housing removed. 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the tool shown in  FIG. 1  with a motor and a portion of the tool housing removed. 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a tool according to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  is a side view of the tool shown in  FIG. 17 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, the invention provides a power tool that includes a tool housing defining a cavity and a pocket formed in a wall of the tool housing. A motor is positioned within the cavity, and a trigger mechanism is moveably coupled to the tool housing. A mode selector switch is positioned within the pocket, the mode selector switch including a plurality of speed indicators and a push-button operable to receive a user mode selection. The mode selector switch is operable to allow the power tool to be operated in one of a recording mode, a playback mode, and a normal operating mode based on the user mode selection, and the speed indicators indicate the user mode selection. The power tool further includes a controller operable to receive the user mode signal from the speed selector switch, the user mode signal indicative of a selected user mode, receive an activation signal from the trigger switch, record operation of a motor or other parameter during the recording mode upon receiving the activation signal, operate the motor during the playback mode based on the recorded motor operation upon receiving the activation signal, or operate the motor according to the activation signal during the normal operating mode. While the embodiments described hereinbelow refer to motor parameter recording, embodiments of the invention contemplate the recording and playback of other operating parameters as well that result from activation of the trigger, and references to “motor parameter” are not intended to be limiting to only parameters directly related to operation of the motor. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a power tool including a tool housing defining a cavity, a motor positioned within the cavity, and a trigger mechanism moveably coupled to the tool housing. A usage mode selector switch is coupled to the tool housing, and the tool includes a plurality of usage mode indicators. The usage mode selector switch is operable to receive a usage mode selection selecting one of a recording mode, a playback mode, and a normal use mode. The usage mode selector switch is operable to output a usage mode signal based on the usage mode selection, and the usage mode indicators indicate the usage mode selection. The power tool also includes a controller operable to receive the usage mode signal from the usage mode selector switch, the usage mode signal indicative of a selected usage mode. The controller receives an activation signal from the trigger switch, records an operation of the motor during the recording mode upon receiving the activation signal, plays back a recorded operation of the motor during the playback mode upon receiving the activation signal, and operates the motor according to the activation signal during the normal use mode. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a power tool  100  (e.g., a power drill, an impact driver, a power saw, an angle driver, etc.). The tool  100  includes a tool housing  105  defining a body portion  110  and a handle  115 . The body portion  110  of the tool housing  105  includes a top surface  120 , a bottom surface  125 , side surfaces  130 ,  135 , a front surface  140 , and a rear surface  145 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the tool  100  with a portion of the tool housing  105  removed. The tool housing  105  further includes a wall  150  defining an exterior surface  155  and an interior surface  160  of the housing  105 . The interior surface  160  defines a cavity  162  within the body portion  110 . 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, a user mode selector switch  165  is disposed between the exterior surface  155  and the interior surface  160  of the wall  150  and within a pocket  170  defined by the wall  150 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pocket  170  is located proximately to the cavity  162 , and the user mode selector switch  165  is accessible from the top surface  120  of the housing  105 . In other embodiments, the user mode selector switch  165  is accessible via another surface of the housing, such as one of the side surfaces  130 ,  135  or the rear surface  145 . A printed circuit board (PCB)  175  and a motor  180  are located within the cavity  162  of the body portion  110 . The motor  180  is coupled to the interior surface  160  via a motor mount  185 . 
         [0029]    In the illustrated embodiment, the handle  115  extends downwardly from the bottom surface  125  of the body portion  110  such that the tool  100  has a pistol-style grip. A battery receptacle  190  is located at a distal end of the handle  115 , and a trigger mechanism  195  is positioned on the handle  115  proximate the body portion  110 . In an alternative embodiment, the user mode selector switch  165  may be accessible via a surface of the handle  115  such as a position below trigger mechanism  195  and adjacent to the battery receptacle  190 . 
         [0030]    The PCB  175  is electrically coupled to the motor  180  and includes electrical and electronic components that are operable to control the tool  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the PCB  175  includes a controller  200  ( FIG. 8 ) for controlling operation of the tool  100 . 
         [0031]    The motor  180  is a multi-speed, brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor. As is commonly known, BLDC motors include a stator, a permanent magnet rotor, and an electronic commutator. The electronic commutator typically includes, among other things, a programmable device (e.g., a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, or a similar controller) having a processor and a memory. The programmable device of the BLDC motor uses software stored in the memory to control the electric commutator. The electric commutator then provides the appropriate electrical energy to the stator in order to rotate the permanent magnet rotor at a desired speed. In some embodiments, the controller  200  acts as the programmable device of the motor  180 . In other embodiments, the programmable device is separate from the controller  200 . In other embodiments of the motor  180 , the motor  180  can be a variety of other types of multi-speed or variable-speed motors, including but not limited to, a brush direct-current motor, a stepper motor, a synchronous motor, an induction motor, a vector-driven motor, a switched reluctance motor, and other DC or AC motors. The motor  180  is used to drive a working element  205  ( FIG. 2 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the working element  205  is located on the front surface  140  of the body portion  110 . In the illustrated embodiment the working element  205  is a drill chuck, but other types of tools, such as angle grinders, saws, etc., will use different working elements. 
         [0032]    The battery receptacle  190  receives a battery  210  ( FIG. 8 ), which provides power to the tool  100 . In some embodiments, the battery  210  is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. In other embodiments, the battery  210  may have a chemistry other than lithium-ion such as, for example, nickel cadmium, nickel metal-hydride, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the battery  210  may be a non-rechargeable battery. In some embodiments, the battery  210  is a power tool battery including a pack housing containing one or more battery cells and a latching mechanism for selectively securing the battery  210  to the battery receptacle  190 . In another embodiment, the battery  210  is mounted externally to the handle  115 . In another embodiment, the battery  210  is mounted below the handle  115 . In another embodiment, an electrical cord provides power to the tool  100 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-6 , the trigger mechanism  195  includes a trigger  215 , a direction switch  220 , and an electrical switch  225 . In the illustrated embodiment, the trigger  215  extends partially down a length of the handle  115 ; however, in other embodiments the trigger  215  extends down the entire length of the handle  115  or may be positioned elsewhere on the tool  100 . The trigger  215  is moveably coupled to the handle  115  such that the trigger  215  moves with respect to the tool housing  105 . The trigger  215  includes an interior portion  230  and an exterior portion  235 , which is accessible to the user. The interior portion  230  is coupled to a push rod  240 , which is engageable with the electrical switch  225 . The exterior portion  235  of the trigger  215  moves in a first direction  245  towards the handle  115 , when the trigger  215  is depressed by the user. The exterior portion  235  moves in a second direction  250 , away from the handle  115 , when the trigger  215  is released by the user. When the trigger  215  is depressed by the user, the push rod  240  activates the electrical switch  225 , and when the trigger  215  is released by the user, the electrical switch  225  is deactivated. 
         [0034]    In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical switch  225  is a push-button electrical switch positioned within the handle  115 . The electrical switch  225  includes a push button  255  and electrical contacts. When the push button  255  is activated, such as by the push rod  240 , the electrical contacts are in a CLOSED position. When the electrical contacts are in the CLOSED position, electrical current is supplied from the battery to the motor  180 , via the controller  200 . When the push button  255  is not activated, the electrical contacts are in the OPEN position. When the electrical contacts are in the OPEN position, electrical current is not supplied from the battery to the motor  180 . Although the electrical switch  225  is illustrated as a push-button electrical switch with contacts, other types of electrical switches may be used with the tool  100 . 
         [0035]    The direction switch  220  is located above the trigger  215  and below the body portion  110  of the tool  100 . The direction switch  220  is slidingly coupled to the handle  115 . As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the direction switch  220  includes a first side  260  and a second side  265 . The direction switch  220  controls the directional mode of operation of the motor  180  (e.g., FORWARD, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL) by sending a signal, based on the position of the direction switch  220 , to the controller  200 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the first side  260  of the direction switch  220  is fully depressed, the direction switch  220  is in a first position. When the direction switch  220  is in the first position, the mode of operation for motor  180  is in the FORWARD direction. As shown in  FIG. 4 , when the second side  265  of the direction switch  220  is fully depressed, the direction switch  220  is in a second position, the second position being opposite the first position. When the direction switch  220  is in the second position, the mode of operation of the motor  180  is in the REVERSE direction. As shown in  FIG. 5 , when the direction switch  220  is in a third position, neither the first side  260  or second side  265  is fully depressed, and the mode of operation of the motor  180  is NEUTRAL. 
         [0036]    As discussed above, the tool  100  includes the user mode selector switch  165 , as shown in more detail in  FIGS. 6 and 7  according to one embodiment. The user mode selector switch  165  is a multi-layer electrical switch including a label layer  270 , a push-button  275 , a printed circuit board layer  280 , and light-emitting diodes (LEDs)  285 ,  290 . The label layer  270  includes mode indicators  295 ,  300 . Mode indicator  295  indicates to the operator, for example, that a recording mode is selected, and mode indicator  300  indicates to the operator, for example, that a playback mode is selected. When both indicators  295  and  300  are off, the normal use mode of the tool is selected. The push-button  275  is an electrical push-button, and in the illustrated embodiment, the push-button  275  is a low-profile pop-switch. In some embodiments, the printed circuit board layer  280  includes a controller having a similar construction as controller  200 . 
         [0037]    According to another embodiment, the user mode selector switch  165  is positioned below trigger mechanism  195  and adjacent to the battery receptacle  190  (an example of which is shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 ). A plurality of mode indicators  301 ,  302 , and  303 , indicate to the operator the recording, playback, and normal user modes of the tool  100 . The user mode selector switch  165  may be a multi-layer electrical switch such as that described above. Alternatively, tool  100  may have a single indicator, such as indicator  301 , to indicate the recording, playback, and normal user modes. The indicator may indicate the recording mode, for example, using a blinking indicator signal. The playback mode may be indicated, for example, by a constant-on indicator signal. When the indicator  301  is off, the normal user mode may be indicated. One skilled in the art will recognize that the number of indicators and the manner of their visual display according to other embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0038]    In operation, the user mode selector switch  165  controls the operating mode of the motor  180 , via the controller  200 , allowing the operator to choose between the recording, playback, and normal user modes. When the push-button  275  is pressed, the user modes are selected. The LEDs  285 ,  290  illuminate the mode indicators  295 ,  300 , or indicators  301 - 303  are illuminated, to indicate to the operator the currently selected operating mode of the motor  180 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is an electrical schematic of the tool  100  including the controller  200 . The controller  200  is electrically and/or communicatively connected to a variety of modules or components of the tool  100 . For example, the controller  200  is electrically connected to the battery  210 , the motor  180 , the user mode selector switch  165 , components of the trigger mechanism  195  (i.e., the electrical switch  225  and the direction switch  220 ), as well as other components of the tool  100 . The controller  200  includes combinations of hardware and software that are operable to, among other things, control the operation of the tool  100 . In some embodiments, the controller  200  includes electrical and electronic components that provide power, operational control, and protection to the components and modules within the controller  200  and tool  100 . For example, the controller  200  includes, among other things, a processor  202  (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or another suitable programmable device) and a memory  203 . 
         [0040]    The memory  203  includes, for example, a program storage and a data storage. The program storage and the data storage can include combinations of different types of memory, such as read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”) (e.g., dynamic RAM [“DRAM”], synchronous DRAM [“SDRAM”], etc.), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), flash memory, a hard disk, an SD card, or other suitable magnetic, optical, physical, or electronic memory devices. The processor  202  is connected to the memory  203  and executes software instructions that are capable of being stored in a RAM of the memory  203  (e.g., during execution), a ROM of the memory  203  (e.g., on a generally permanent basis), or another non-transitory computer readable medium such as another memory or a disc. Software included in the implementation of the tool  100  can be stored in the memory  203  of the controller  200 . The software includes, for example, firmware, one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or more program modules, and other executable instructions. The controller  200  is configured to retrieve from memory and execute, among other things, instructions related to the control processes and method described herein. In other embodiments, the controller  200  includes additional, fewer, or different components. 
         [0041]    The controller  200  is electrically coupled to the user mode selector switch  165 , the motor  180 , the electrical switch  225  and the direction switch  220  of the trigger mechanism  195 , and the battery  210 , through the battery receptacle  190 . The controller  200  receives signals from the electrical components of the tool  100  and controls operation of the tool  100  according to the received signals. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment of operation, a user selects an operating mode using the user mode selector switch  165 . The user mode selector switch  165  sends a first mode signal, a second mode signal, or a third mode signal to the controller  200 . The user then selects a FORWARD direction, a REVERSE direction, or NEUTRAL using the direction switch  220 . The direction switch  220  sends a direction signal to the controller  200 . Once the user activates the trigger mechanism  195 , the electrical switch  225  of the trigger mechanism  195  sends an activation signal to the controller  200 . The controller operates the motor  180  upon receiving the activation signal according to the user mode that is selected. 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  illustrates a pulse diagram  400  for an operation of the controller  200  during a recording mode according to an embodiment of the invention. The controller  200  receives a user mode signal from the user mode selector switch  165  and begins the recording mode at  405 . According to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the recording mode comprises a timed mode in which data from the desired motor parameter is measured and recorded from the start of the record mode until the end of the record mode, which may be a specific time period  410  or may be ended by the user changing the user mode to the playback mode or to the normal use mode. In the timed mode, data for the desired motor parameter is measured whether or not there is an activation signal from the trigger mechanism  195 . Accordingly, during periods in which there is no trigger activation that causes activation of the motor, the data for the desired recorded motor parameter is measured and recorded even if the measured data results in values that do not cause activation of the motor. 
         [0044]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the start of record mode  405  begins recording the usage of the motor parameter prior to receiving an activation signal from the trigger assembly. When the trigger assembly is activated at  412 , the motor parameter signal  415  that is changed thereby is measured and recorded during the recording of the usage. The resulting recorded motor parameter signal  420  is stored and used during playback as described herein below. The recorded motor parameter signal  420  may be stored in its entirety including the blank or null portions for which no motor control parameter was manipulated or recorded during the record mode or maybe truncated to the portion  425  for which the motor control parameter signals  415  were recorded during the record mode. The truncation may occur after recording for storage and later playback or may be truncated during the playback mode. 
         [0045]    According to embodiments of the invention, the motor parameter signals  415  that are measured and recorded during the record mode may include PWM duty cycle (amount of trigger pull), the speed of the motor, the torque of the motor, the power to the motor, the number of impact “blows”, and other motor parameters. 
         [0046]      FIG. 10  illustrates a pulse diagram  430  for an operation of the controller  200  during a recording mode according to another embodiment of the invention. The controller  200  receives a user mode signal from the user mode selector switch  165  to begin the recording mode at  405 , but does not begin recording the usage of the motor parameter signal  415  until activation of the trigger begins at  412 . According to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the recording mode comprises a timed mode in which data from the motor parameter signal  415  is measured and recorded from the start of the trigger activation at  412  until the end of the record mode  405 , which may be a specific time period  410  or may be ended by the user changing the user mode to the playback mode or to the normal use mode. In this mode, data for the motor parameter signal  415  is measured beginning from when the trigger is first activated at  412  and continues whether or not there is an activation signal from the trigger mechanism  195  until the end of the recording mode  405  (e.g., the end of the time period  410 ). Accordingly, during periods in which there is no trigger activation (e.g., time period  435 ) that causes activation of the motor once recording has begun, the data for the desired recorded motor parameter is measured and recorded even if the measured data results in values that do not cause activation of the motor. 
         [0047]    As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the start of record mode  405  begins recording the usage of the motor parameter signal  415  at the first activation of the trigger assembly at  412 . When the trigger assembly is activated, the motor parameter signal  415  that is changed thereby is measured and recorded during the recording of the usage. Since recording continues after the first trigger activation at  412  even when there is no activation of the trigger (e.g., during period  435 ), subsequent trigger activation pulses  440  and  445  are also recorded, which may occur through a user&#39;s preference of pulsing an impact tool, for example, after seating a fastener. The resulting recorded motor parameter signal  420  is stored and used during playback as described herein below. The recorded motor parameter signal  420  may be stored in its entirety including the blank or null portions for which no motor control parameter was manipulated or recorded during the record mode or maybe truncated to the portion  425  for which motor control parameter signals  415  were recorded during the record mode  405 . The truncation may occur after recording for storage and later playback or may be truncated during the playback mode. 
         [0048]      FIG. 11  illustrates a pulse diagram  450  for an operation of the controller  200  during a recording mode according to another embodiment of the invention. The controller  200  receives a user mode signal from the user mode selector switch  165  to begin the recording mode at  405 , but does not begin recording the usage of the motor parameter signal  415  until activation of the trigger begins at  412 . According to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the recording mode comprises a trigger-recording mode in which data from the motor parameter signal  415  is measured and recorded from the start of the trigger activation at  412  until the end of the single trigger activation event at  452 . In this mode, data for the motor parameter signal  415  is measured beginning from when the trigger is first activated at  412  and terminates when the activation signal from the trigger mechanism  195  is first ended at  452 . Accordingly, the data for the motor parameter signal  415  is measured and recorded only during the first, single trigger activation signal. 
         [0049]    As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the start of record mode  405  begins recording the usage of the motor parameter signal  415  at the first activation of the trigger assembly at  412 . When the trigger assembly is activated at  412 , the motor parameter signal  415  that is changed thereby is measured and recorded during the recording of the usage. Since recording stops after the first trigger activation, subsequent trigger activation pulses are not recorded. The resulting recorded motor parameter signal  420  is stored and used during playback as described herein below. 
         [0050]    According to an embodiment of invention, the playback mode of the tool may be automatically set and entered into at the end of the recording modes  405  illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 12  illustrates a pulse diagram  460  for an operation of the controller  200  during a playback mode according to another embodiment of the invention. As an example, the recorded motor parameter signal  420  of  FIG. 10  is used for the pulse diagram  460  of  FIG. 12 . The controller  200  receives a user mode signal from the user mode selector switch  165  to begin the playback mode  465  but does not begin executing the recorded motor parameter signal  420  until activation of the trigger begins at  470 . 
         [0052]    As illustrated, activation of the trigger at  470  begins execution (or playback) of the recorded motor parameter signal  420  according to what was recorded and stored during the recording mode  405  of pulse diagram  430 . While the trigger activation pulse  470  does not match the executed recorded motor parameter signal  420 , execution of the recorded motor parameter signal  420  allows for repeatability of the recorded parameter even when the trigger activation signal  470  does not match. Accordingly, a different trigger activation signal profile nevertheless causes the recorded motor parameter signal  420  to be executed. In this manner, the recorded motor parameter signal  420  may be reliably repeated for tasks such as motor line assembly scenarios or other such tasks where predictability of tool use is desired. As illustrated, when the recording time period  410  is ended, the executed recorded motor parameter signal  420  is also ended, and even though trigger activation signal  470  illustrates that the trigger mechanism  195  is still being activated, the tool motor is not activated since the recorded motor parameter signal  420  has ended. The recorded motor parameter signal  420  is not executed again until re-activation of the trigger mechanism  195  a subsequent time during playback mode  465  in one embodiment. 
         [0053]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the recorded motor parameter signal  420  is repeatedly executed as long as the trigger mechanism  195  is activated. In this manner, for example, a recorded parameter signal (e.g., the recorded motor parameter signal  420 ) that oscillates the motor parameter between two or more values may continue to oscillate the motor parameter for a longer duration of the trigger activation. As such, a short recorded signal may be extended and be executed many times repeatedly during a long trigger activation time. 
         [0054]      FIG. 13  illustrates a pulse diagram  480  for an operation of the controller  200  during a playback mode according to another embodiment of the invention. As an example, the recorded motor parameter signal  420  of  FIG. 10  is used for the pulse diagram  480  of  FIG. 13 . The controller  200  receives a user mode signal from the user mode selector switch  165  to begin the playback mode  465  but does not begin executing the recorded motor parameter signal  420  until activation of the trigger begins at  470 . 
         [0055]    As illustrated, however, at the end of a first trigger activation time  485  that may be caused, for example, by the user releasing the trigger mechanism  195 , playback of the recorded motor parameter signal  420  is halted when the trigger mechanism  195  is released. When the trigger mechanism  195  is re-activated during a subsequent trigger activation signal  490 , the recorded motor parameter signal  420  is played back from the beginning during a second trigger activation time  495  even though it was halted during the previous execution. In this manner, playback of the recorded motor parameter signal  420  is re-initiated from the beginning each time the trigger mechanism  195  is re-activated. 
         [0056]      FIG. 14  illustrates a pulse diagram  500  for an operation of the controller  200  during a playback mode according to another embodiment of the invention. As an example, the recorded parameter signal  420  of  FIG. 11  is used for the pulse diagram  500  of  FIG. 14 . The controller  200  receives a user mode signal from the user mode selector switch  165  to begin the playback mode  465  but does not begin executing the recorded motor parameter signal  420  until activation of the trigger begins at  510 . A direction signal from the direction switch  220  illustrates that the tool is in a forward mode direction  505  at the beginning of the playback mode  465 . 
         [0057]    Similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 12 , at the end of a first trigger activation time  515  that may be caused, for example, by the user releasing the trigger mechanism  195 , playback of the recorded motor parameter signal  420  is halted when the trigger mechanism  195  is released. For example, the user may stop the trigger activation  510  in order to switch the direction switch  220  to the reverse direction mode  520  in order to engage a fastener to back it out of its current position prior to re-engaging the fastener to drive it forward. During the reverse mode  520 , the recorded motor parameter signal  420  is not executed, but instead, the trigger activation signal  525  at a time  530  controls the motor according to a normal operating mode such that the motor parameter signal  535  executed during the reverse mode  520  directly corresponds with the trigger activation signal  525 . While playback mode  465  is illustrated as continuing to be active throughout the direction change into the reverse mode  520 , playback mode  465  may be deactivated as illustrated in phantom at  537  while the reverse mode  520  is engaged. When the forward mode  505  is re-engaged via direction switch  220  and the trigger mechanism  195  is re-activated during a subsequent trigger activation signal  540 , the recorded motor parameter signal  420  is played back from the beginning during a second trigger activation time  545  even though it was halted during the previous execution. In this manner, playback of the recorded motor parameter signal  420  is re-initiated from the beginning each time the trigger mechanism  195  is re-activated. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , in the illustrated embodiment, the user mode selector switch  165  is located within the pocket  170  proximate to the motor  180  and accessible from the top surface  120  of the tool housing  105 . The compact design of the user mode selector switch  165  allows it to be placed in the relatively small space above the motor  180 . Further, the lightweight design of the user mode selector switch  165  adds little weight to the tool  100 . 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 16 , with the motor  180  removed for viewing purposes, wires  550  for the user mode selector switch  165  run along a side of the interior surface  160  of the body portion  110  and electrically couple the user mode selector switch  165  to the PCB  175 . 
         [0060]    The cordless, hand-held power tool illustrated in  FIGS. 17-18  is an impact wrench  600 . The impact wrench  600  includes an upper main body  604 , a handle portion  608 , a battery pack receiving portion  612 , user mode selector switch(es)  165 , mode indicators  301 - 303 , an output drive device or mechanism  616 , a forward/reverse selection button  220 , a trigger  215 , and air vents  628 . The impact wrench  600  also includes a worklight  632 . The battery pack receiving portion  612  receives a portion of a battery pack and includes a terminal assembly including a plurality of terminals. The number of terminals present in the receiving portion  612  can vary based on the type of hand-held power tool. However, as an illustrative example, the receiving portion  612  and the terminal assembly can include a battery positive (“B+”) terminal, a battery negative (“B-”) terminal, a sense or communication terminal, an identification terminal, etc. The outer portions or housing of the impact wrench  600  (e.g., the main body  604  and the handle portion  608 ) are composed of a durable and light-weight plastic material. The drive mechanism  616  is composed of a metal (e.g., steel) as is known in the art. 
         [0061]    The battery positive and battery negative terminals are operable to electrically connect the battery pack to the hand-held power tool and provide operational power (i.e., voltage and current) for the hand-held power tool from the battery pack to the hand-held power tool. The sensor or communication terminal is operable to provide for communication or sensing for the hand-held power tool of the battery pack. For example, the communication can include serial communication or a serial communication link, the transmission or conveyance of information from one of the battery pack or the hand-held power tool to the other of the battery pack or hand-held power tool related to a condition or characteristic of the battery pack or hand-held power tool (e.g., one or more battery cell voltages, one or more battery pack voltages, one or more battery cell temperatures, one or more battery pack temperatures, etc.). 
         [0062]    The identification terminal can be used by the battery pack or the hand-held power tool to identify the other of the battery pack or the hand-held power tool. For example, the hand-held power tool can identify the battery pack as a high capacity battery pack or a normal capacity battery pack, as a lithium-based battery or a nickel-based battery, as a battery pack having a particular voltage (described below), a higher resistance battery pack, a lower resistance battery pack, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the battery pack can identify the hand-held power tool as a hammer drill, a drill/wrench, an impact wrench, an impact wrench, a brushless power tool, a brushed power tool, a higher resistance power tool (e.g., capable of lower power output), a lower resistance power tool (e.g., capable of higher power output), etc. 
         [0063]    One of skill in the art will recognize that embodiments of the invention may be incorporated into tools such as power drills, impact drivers, power saws, angle drivers, and other tools incorporating a user-activated trigger mechanism. One skilled in the art will also recognize that the trigger activation signals, while illustrated as being discrete steps, are merely examples and that other continuous types of trigger activation signals are contemplated herein. 
         [0064]    Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a power tool including a speed selector switch for selecting an operating speed of the power tool. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.