Patent Description:
Patent literature <NUM> discloses an electric power tool system including an electric power tool, and a user operation plate that can be attached to or detached from the electric power tool. In the electric power tool system of patent literature <NUM>, the user attaches a user operation plate suited to the work content to the electric power tool and drives a mode switch of the user operation plate to a desired mode. A communication unit of the electric power tool receives mode information that determines driving control of a motor from the user operation plate and outputs the mode information to a microcomputer. The microcomputer subjects the motor to driving control based on the input mode information.

[Patent Literature <NUM>] <CIT>
Document <CIT> describes a hand-held power tool comprising a housing with a handle, a gear arranged in the housing for transmitting a torque generated by a drive motor to a tool holder rotating about an axis of rotation; and a device for power supply, in particular a power supply unit or a battery pack. The housing has an interface, the interface being designed to receive information in the form of a first signal, to convert the first signal into a second signal, and to forward the second signal to a control unit arranged within the housing, the control unit with the connected transmission and is designed to influence manipulated variables of the transmission as a function of the second signal. <CIT> discloses an electric tool according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Document <CIT> describes an operating device for a handheld power tool, with an operator interface, which is provided for at least one operator input from at least one user for controlling the handheld power tool. The operator inter-face is provided to detect the at least one operator input without contact.

According to patent literature <NUM>, the user has to attach the user operation plate to the electric power tool and manipulate the mode switch to change the driving control mode of the motor, and the process requires a certain effort. In the case a need arises to change the driving control mode while the user is working at a high place, for example, it is not preferred to have the user perform a burdensome user operation. Therefore, realization of a scheme that allows the user to set the driving control mode easily is called for. In recent years, there has been mounting interest in traceability of work, and realization of a scheme for efficiently recording results of work in which the electric power tool is used. While there are also other requirements for electric power tools, the inventors have focused on an approach to improve an information input interface as a means to address various requirements.

A purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a technology related to an information input interface that is excellent in usability.

An electric power tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a user operation switch adapted to be manipulated by a user; an output shaft on which a front-end tool is adapted to be mounted; a driving unit that drives the output shaft; and a control unit that controls an operation of the driving unit in accordance with manipulation of the user operation switch. The control unit is adapted to perform a process related to the electric power tool, based on sound input to a microphone.

<FIG> shows an outline of a portable electric power tool according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The electric power tool <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>. Inside the housing <NUM> are provided a driving unit <NUM>, control unit <NUM>, an information output unit <NUM>, a microphone <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a battery <NUM>. The battery <NUM> is provided toward the lower end of the housing <NUM> and supplies electric power to the constituting elements in the electric power tool <NUM>. The lower end of the housing <NUM> may be formed as a battery pack separate from the tool main body and may be detachable from the tool main body.

The information output unit <NUM> is an output interface that outputs information to the user and may include a speaker for outputting information in the form of sound and/or a display that outputs information on a screen. The microphone <NUM> is an input interface that receives a sound signal generated by collecting ambient sound. Some features of the information output unit <NUM> and the microphone <NUM> may be exposed outside the housing <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> is a module for wireless communication with an external device.

The sensor <NUM> includes a motion sensor <NUM> and a touch sensor <NUM>. The motion sensor <NUM> includes a three-axis angular velocity sensor and a three-axis acceleration sensor, and the sensor value of the motion sensor <NUM> is used to detect the orientation and motion of the electric power tool <NUM>. In the case the electric power tool <NUM> is an impact rotary tool, the sensor value of the motion sensor <NUM> may be used to detect a strike by the impact mechanism. The touch sensor <NUM> is a resistive touch sensor or a capacitance type sensor and senses the contact of the user. The touch sensor <NUM> may be provided in the grip of the housing <NUM>, and the sensor value of the touch sensor <NUM> may be used to sense whether user is gripping the electric power tool <NUM>. Further, the touch sensor <NUM> may be provided in the upper part of the housing <NUM>, and the sensor value of the touch sensor <NUM> may be used to detect an instruction by the user.

The driving unit <NUM> includes a motor <NUM> as a driving source and a driving block <NUM> coupled to a motor shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> and drives an output shaft <NUM>. A chuck mechanism <NUM> is coupled to the output shaft <NUM>. A front-end tool such as a driver and a drill is removably attached to the chuck mechanism <NUM>. A driving block <NUM> includes a transmission mechanism for transmitting a rotational output of the motor <NUM> to the front-end tool. More specifically, the driving block <NUM> may include a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational torque of the motor shaft <NUM> to the output shaft <NUM>. The power transmission mechanism may include a planetary gear deceleration mechanism in mesh with a pinion gear attached to the motor shaft <NUM>. In the case the electric power tool <NUM> is a rotary impact tool, the power transmission mechanism includes an impact mechanism for generating an intermittent rotary impact force in the output shaft <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> is implemented by a microcomputer, etc. carried on a control board. The control unit <NUM> has the function for integrated control of the electric power tool <NUM> and performs various processes related to the electric power tool <NUM>. The frontward grip portion of the housing <NUM> is provided with a user operation switch <NUM> that can be manipulated by the user. The user operation switch <NUM> may be a trigger switch that can be pulled for manipulation. The control unit <NUM> controls on and off of the motor <NUM> according to the manipulation of the user operation switch <NUM> and controls the voltage applied to the motor <NUM> to adjust the motor revolution in accordance with a level of manipulation of the user operation switch <NUM>.

In the electric power tool <NUM> according to the embodiment, the microphone <NUM> functions as an information input interface for inputting a sound signal to the control unit <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> makes processes related to the electric power tool <NUM> executable, based on the sound input to the microphone <NUM>. With the microphone <NUM> mounted in the electric power tool <NUM>, the user can control the operation of the electric power tool <NUM> by uttering user operation information instead of manipulating a user operation button.

Before work, the user sets a parameter value for controlling the operation of the motor <NUM> in the electric power tool <NUM> for the purpose of torque management. As the user utters a parameter value that should be set for torque management, the control unit <NUM> can register the parameter value in the memory <NUM> based on the user sound input to the microphone <NUM>.

Operation control of the motor <NUM> for torque management has been practiced in a variety of methods depending on the type of the electric power tool <NUM>. For accurate torque management in rotary impact tools, for example, a tightening torque value is estimated, the seating of a screw member is determined by referring to the estimated tightening torque value, and shut-off control of automatically stopping the rotation of the motor when the number of impacts after the seating has reached a preset impact count is performed. In the case the electric power tool <NUM> is a rotary impact tool, the user sets, before starting to work, "a seating determination level" and "a preset number of torque steps" in the electric power tool <NUM> as parameters for torque management.

The seating determination level is a parameter that defines a torque value for determination of the seating of a screw member. For example, nine options of selection (L1-L9) are made available for the user. In the presence of a high load encountered during the work due to the attachment of paint or the like on a target of work, it is preferred to set a high seating determination level. In the case of a low load encountered during the work, it is preferred to set a low seating determination level.

The preset number of torque steps is a parameter that defines the number of impacts after the seating for stopping the motor <NUM> automatically (shut-off impact count). For example, one of <NUM> selection options (N00-N99) is set by the user. Each preset number of torque steps is associated with the number of shut-off impacts that should occur after the seating. For example, N00 may be associated with <NUM> shut-off impacts, N01 with <NUM>, N02 with <NUM>, and N03 with <NUM>.

The parameter values of the seating determination level and the preset number of torque steps are stored in the master table in the memory <NUM>. The user sets the parameter values in the electric power tool <NUM> by uttering "a seating determination level" and "a preset number of torque steps" for obtaining a target torque value before starting to work. If the target of work is changed during the work, the user sets the parameter values in the electric power tool <NUM> by uttering "a seating determination level" and "a preset number of torque steps" for obtaining a target torque value adapted to the changed target of work. The parameter values thus set are stored in the memory <NUM> and are used for driving control of the motor <NUM> by the control unit <NUM>.

<FIG> shows functional blocks of the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> includes a user operation receiving unit <NUM>, a driving control unit <NUM>, an executed function determination unit <NUM>, a sound processing unit <NUM>, an input receiving unit <NUM>, a parameter processing unit <NUM>, a tool state determination unit <NUM>, a user authentication unit <NUM>, and a work information processing unit <NUM>, to perform various processes related to the electric power tool <NUM>. The sound processing unit <NUM> has the function of processing sound input to the microphone <NUM> and includes a sound analysis unit <NUM> for subjecting input sound to frequency analysis and a sound recognition unit <NUM> for subjecting sound uttered by the user to sound recognition.

The elements depicted in <FIG> as functional blocks for performing various processes are implemented in hardware such as circuit blocks, memories, and other LSIs and in software such as a program loaded into a memory. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the functional blocks may be implemented in a variety of manners by hardware only, software only, or by a combination of hardware and software.

The user operation receiving unit <NUM> receives the user operation in the user operation switch <NUM> and provides the user operation to the driving control unit <NUM>. The driving control unit <NUM> supplies electric power to the motor <NUM> in accordance with the on operation of the user operation switch <NUM> and controls the operation of the driving unit <NUM>. As described above, the user sets a parameter value for torque management in the electric power tool <NUM> according to the embodiment before starting to work. The driving control unit <NUM> controls the rotation of the motor <NUM> in accordance with the parameter value stored in the memory <NUM>.

When the power of the electric power tool <NUM> is on, the microphone <NUM> receives various sound such as the sound uttered by the user and the operating sound generated by the electric power tool <NUM> during the work. The control unit <NUM> makes various processes related to the electric power tool <NUM> executable, based on the sound input to the microphone <NUM>. In the embodiment, the sound recognition unit <NUM> has the function of subjecting the user's utterance to a sound recognition process. The functions in the control unit <NUM> make processes related to the electric power tool <NUM> executable, based on the result of subjecting the sound input to the microphone <NUM> to a sound recognition process by the sound recognition unit <NUM>. In other words, the user can cause the control unit <NUM> to perform various processes by uttering sound to the microphone <NUM>.

The sound recognition unit <NUM> has an important role in implementing sound input by the user but consumes a larger electric power as compared to the other constituting elements. Since the electric power tool <NUM> is driven by the battery <NUM>, wasteful power consumption is not preferable. Further, when the sound recognition function of the sound recognition unit <NUM> is always turned on (activated), the sound recognition unit <NUM> may recognize unrelated sound, and the electric power tool <NUM> may operate falsely based on the recognized sound. In this regard, the executed function determination unit <NUM> monitors the state of the electric power tool <NUM> and determines whether or not to execute the sound recognition function such that the sound recognition function of the sound recognition unit <NUM> is turned on only when necessary.

<FIG> is a flowchart for determination as to whether or not to execute the sound recognition function. The executed function determination unit <NUM> determines whether the user operation switch <NUM> is in the on state (S10). The on state of the user operation switch <NUM> is a state in which the user is manipulating the user operation switch <NUM>. The off state of the user operation switch <NUM> is a state in which the user is not manipulating the user operation switch <NUM>.

When the user operation switch <NUM> is in the on state (Y in S10), the executed function determination unit <NUM> sets the sound recognition function off (S16). When the sound recognition function is set to be off, the sound recognition unit <NUM> does not perform a sound recognition process. When the user operation switch <NUM> is in the on state, the operating sound of the driving unit <NUM> is generated from the electric power tool <NUM>. If the sound recognition unit <NUM> performs a sound recognition process in this situation, however, the likelihood that the user's utterance is recognized falsefully is high. To avoid wasteful power consumption, therefore, the sound recognition unit <NUM> is prohibited from performing a sound recognition process when the user operation switch <NUM> is in the on state.

When the user operation switch <NUM> is in the off state (N in S10), the executed function determination unit <NUM> determines whether the electric power tool <NUM> is gripped by the user (S12). The executed function determination unit <NUM> determines whether the electric power tool <NUM> is gripped by the user by referring to the sensor value of the motion sensor <NUM>. In the case the touch sensor <NUM> is provided in the grip portion, the executed function determination unit <NUM> may determine whether the electric power tool <NUM> is gripped by the user by referring to the sensor value of the touch sensor <NUM>.

When the electric power tool <NUM> is in a state of not being gripped by the user (N in S12), the executed function determination unit <NUM> sets the sound recognition function off (S16). The electric power tool <NUM> according to the embodiment is portable and should be invariably gripped by the user when used. That the electric power tool <NUM> is not gripped by the user means that the electric power tool <NUM> is placed on the floor, a desk, etc. with the power being turned on. It is not known whether the electric power tool <NUM> is scheduled to be used in the future. For this reason, the executed function determination unit <NUM> is configured to set the sound recognition function off when the electric power tool <NUM> is not gripped by the user in order to avoid wasteful power consumption. In other words, the sound recognition unit <NUM> does not perform a sound recognition process when the electric power tool is not gripped by the user.

When the electric power tool <NUM> is in a state of being gripped by the user (Y in S12), on the other hand, the executed function determination unit <NUM> sets the sound recognition function on (S14). That the electric power tool <NUM> is gripped by the user indicates that it is highly likely that the electric power tool <NUM> is about to be used for work. It is preferred that the sound recognition unit <NUM> subjects the user's utterance to a sound recognition process and provides the result of the sound recognition process as the sound input for the processing functions of the control unit <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the determination steps in S10 and S12, but the executed function determination unit <NUM> may control the operation of the sound recognition unit <NUM> by determining whether to execute the sound recognition function merely by performing one of the determination steps. When the executed function determination unit <NUM> uses only the determination step of S10, the sound recognition unit <NUM> does not perform a sound recognition process when the user operation switch <NUM> is in the on state and performs a sound recognition process when the user operation switch <NUM> is in the off state. For example, the executed function determination unit <NUM> may set the sound recognition function on only during a predetermined period of time (e.g., <NUM> seconds) after the user operation switch <NUM> is turned off. When the executed function determination unit <NUM> uses only the determination step of S12, the sound recognition unit <NUM> does not perform a sound recognition process when the electric power tool <NUM> is in a state of not being gripped by the user and performs a sound recognition process when the electric power tool <NUM> is in state of being gripped by the user. In any case, it is preferred that the executed function determination unit <NUM> restrict the opportunities for unnecessary sound recognition processes by the sound recognition unit <NUM> to suppress wasteful power consumption.

The executed function determination unit <NUM> may determine whether to execute the sound recognition function by employing an additional determination step in addition to the determination step of S12. For example, the executed function determination unit <NUM> may set the sound recognition function on when the electric power tool <NUM> is gripped by the user and when the electric power tool <NUM> is at a predetermined orientation or is caused to make a predetermined motion. The predetermined orientation may be an orientation in which the front-end tool faces upward, and the predetermined motion may be a motion that draws a circle in the air with the electric power tool <NUM>. The predetermined orientation or motion is consciously induced by the user to set the sound recognition function on. The sound recognition unit <NUM> may be configured to perform a sound recognition process when the electric power tool <NUM> is in a predetermined orientation or is caused to make a predetermined motion.

The executed function determination unit <NUM> may set the sound recognition function on only during a predetermined period of time (e.g., <NUM> seconds) after the electric power tool <NUM> is in a predetermined orientation or is caused to make a predetermined motion. The scheme can significantly restrict the time for which the sound recognition function of the sound recognition unit <NUM> is on and contributes to suppression of power consumption.

As discussed above, the executed function determination unit <NUM> manages on and off of the sound recognition function by the sound recognition unit <NUM>. An example will be discussed below in which the processing functions of the control unit <NUM> perform processes related to the electric power tool <NUM>, based on the result of subjecting the sound input to the microphone <NUM> to a sound recognition process by the sound recognition unit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> has various processing functions. Therefore, the user calls a processing function by uttering information identifying the processing function and then utters a content for the processing function to process. When the user sets a parameter value, the user utters a start word for starting the parameter processing unit <NUM> by voicing "Set a parameter". Further, when the user registers a history of work information, the user utters a start word for starting the work information processing unit <NUM> by voicing "Register work information". In the embodiment, the user utters information identifying a processing function of the control unit <NUM> to start the associated processing function and then utters the content of the process.

The sound recognition unit <NUM> of the control unit <NUM> converts the utterance of the user into text data by performing the sound recognition process. The input receiving unit <NUM> receives the text data as the sound input by the user. The input receiving unit <NUM> provides the executed function determination unit <NUM> with the text data for the start word received before the processing function is started. The executed function determination unit <NUM> identifies the processing function to start, by referring to the text data for the start word. If the text data reads "Set a parameter", for example, the executed function determination unit <NUM> starts the parameter processing unit <NUM>. If the text data reads "Register work information", the executed function determination unit <NUM> starts the work information processing unit <NUM>. If the text data reads "Perform user authentication", the executed function determination unit <NUM> starts the user authentication unit <NUM>. The correspondence between the start word and the processing function started is stored in the memory <NUM>. The executed function determination unit <NUM> refers to the correspondence stored in the memory <NUM> and identifies the processing function executed.

After the processing function corresponding to the start word is started, the input receiving unit <NUM>, when receiving the text data from the sound recognition unit <NUM>, provides the text data to the started processing function. This causes the processing function to receive the sound input by the user and execute the corresponding process. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the processing function processes the sound input of the user while the processing function is started by the start word.

The user sets, in the electric power tool <NUM>, a parameter value for controlling the operation of the driving unit <NUM> for the purpose of torque management. In the case the electric power tool <NUM> is a rotary impact tool, the user sets "a seating determination level" and "a preset number of torque steps". When the user utters a parameter value, the input receiving unit <NUM> receives text data for the parameter value resulting from the sound recognition process by the sound recognition unit <NUM>. The input receiving unit <NUM> provides the text data to the parameter processing unit <NUM>.

The parameter processing unit <NUM> overwrites and updates the parameter value stored in the memory <NUM> with the parameter value provided from the input receiving unit <NUM>. This causes the parameter processing unit <NUM> to set the parameter value provided from the input receiving unit <NUM> as the parameter value for use in driving control of the motor <NUM> by the driving control unit <NUM>.

As described above, the parameter processing unit <NUM> sets the parameter value for torque management, based on the result of a sound recognition process by the sound recognition unit <NUM>. Since the parameter value is reflected in driving control of the motor <NUM>, it may not be appropriate to update the parameter value, depending on the state of the electric power tool <NUM>. To address this, the executed function determination unit <NUM> monitors the state of the electric power tool <NUM> and determines whether or not to execute the parameter setting function by the parameter processing unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart for determination as to whether or not to execute the function of setting a parameter value. <FIG> is a flowchart for determination as to whether or not to execute the sound recognition function. The executed function determination unit <NUM> makes the determination shown in <FIG> as to whether or not to execute the sound recognition function and the determination shown in <FIG> as to whether or not to execute the parameter setting function as separate determination processes. In the embodiment, the executed function determination unit <NUM> makes both the determination as to whether or not to execute the sound recognition function and the determination as to whether or not to execute the parameter setting function. In an alternative example, only one of the determinations may be made.

The executed function determination unit <NUM> determines whether the user operation switch <NUM> is in the on state (S20). When the user operation switch <NUM> is in the on state (Y in S20), the executed function determination unit <NUM> sets the parameter setting function off (S26). When the parameter setting function is set to be off, the parameter processing unit <NUM> does not perform a parameter value setting process. When the user operation switch <NUM> is in the on state, the driving control unit <NUM> is subjecting the motor <NUM> driving control based on the parameter value registered in the memory <NUM>. It is therefore not preferred to change the parameter value in use while the motor <NUM> is being driven. Thus, the parameter processing unit <NUM> is prohibited from performing a parameter value setting process when the user operation switch <NUM> is in the on state.

When the user operation switch <NUM> is in the off state (N in S20), the executed function determination unit <NUM> determines whether the electric power tool <NUM> is gripped by the user (S22). The executed function determination unit <NUM> may determine whether the electric power tool <NUM> is gripped by the user by referring to the sensor value of the motion sensor <NUM> or the sensor value of the touch sensor <NUM>.

When the electric power tool <NUM> is in a state of not being gripped by the user (N in S22), the executed function determination unit <NUM> sets the parameter setting function off (S26). In the embodiment, the user's grip of the electric power tool <NUM> is defined as a condition to change a parameter value in the electric power tool <NUM> by uttered sound. Therefore, the parameter processing unit <NUM> does not perform a parameter value setting process unless the electric power tool <NUM> is gripped by the user.

When the electric power tool <NUM> is in a state of being gripped by the user (Y in S22), on the other hand, the executed function determination unit <NUM> sets the parameter setting function on (S24). That the electric power tool <NUM> is gripped by the user indicates that it is highly likely that the electric power tool <NUM> is about to be used for work. Thus, the parameter processing unit <NUM> registers the parameter value provided from the input receiving unit <NUM> in the memory <NUM> and causes it to be used as the parameter value for subsequent motor driving control. When the user operation switch <NUM> is turned on when the parameter processing unit <NUM> registers the parameter value in the memory <NUM>, the driving unit <NUM> disregards the on operation of the user operation switch <NUM> and prevents the driving unit <NUM> from operating.

<FIG> shows the determination steps in S20 and S22, but the executed function determination unit <NUM> may make a determination as to whether not to execute the parameter setting function and control the operation of the parameter processing unit <NUM> by performing only one of the determination steps. When the executed function determination unit <NUM> uses only the determination step of S20, the parameter processing unit <NUM> does not perform a parameter value setting process when the user operation switch <NUM> is in the on state and performs a parameter value setting process when the user operation switch <NUM> is in the off state. Further, when the executed function determination unit <NUM> uses only the determination step of S22, the parameter processing unit <NUM> does not perform a parameter value setting process when the electric power tool <NUM> is in a state of not gripped by the user and performs a parameter value setting process when the electric power tool <NUM> is in a state of being gripped by the user. Thus, the executed function determination unit <NUM> determines whether or not to execute a parameter setting function by the parameter processing unit <NUM> so that the parameter setting function is performed at a proper point of time.

The user attempting to set a parameter value utters the parameter value, and the parameter processing unit <NUM> sets the parameter value based on the parameter value provided from the input receiving unit <NUM>. It is assumed here that the user utters one of the nine selection options (L1-L9) of the seating determination level and utters one of the <NUM> selection options (N00-N99) of the preset number of torque steps. When the user utters "L5N50", the parameter processing unit <NUM> sets the parameter values in the memory <NUM> based on the sound input of "L5N50".

The user attempting to set a parameter value may utter information related to work, and the parameter processing unit <NUM> may set the parameter value based on the information related to work provided from the input receiving unit <NUM>. In the case the memory <NUM> stores information on a place of work in association with a parameter value suited to the work content, for example, the user utters information on a place of work. In this case, the parameter processing unit <NUM> can retrieve the parameter value associated with the place of work from the memory <NUM> and set the retrieved parameter value. Further, in the case the memory <NUM> stores information such as a thread diameter and a thread length for identifying a target of work in association with a parameter value, the user utters information identifying a target of work. In this case, the parameter processing unit <NUM> can retrieve the parameter value associated with the target of work from the memory <NUM> and set the retrieved parameter value. Thus, when the memory <NUM> registers a parameter value in association with information related to work, the user can set the parameter value suited to the work content in the electric power tool <NUM> by uttering information related to work.

It is preferred that the parameter processing unit <NUM> does not set a parameter value immediately when it is provided by the input receiving unit <NUM> with text data resulting from a voice recognition process. Instead, it is preferred to notify the user of a change in the parameter value via the information output unit <NUM>. The information output unit <NUM> may output information related to the updated parameter value in the form of sound output from the speaker or provide an on-screen output on a display. When notified of information related to the parameter value, the user utters an agreement in the case the user agrees to the parameter value. The parameter processing unit <NUM> retrieves text data indicating the user's agreement from the input receiving unit <NUM>. After retrieving the text data, the parameter processing unit <NUM> changes the parameter value. The indication of the user's agreement may be received by the input receiving unit <NUM> through a predetermined touch operation in the touch sensor <NUM>.

Thus, it is preferred that the parameter processing unit <NUM> notify the user that a parameter value is about to be set via the information output unit <NUM> and set the parameter value after gaining the user's consent. This allows the user to recognize that the parameter value is about to be changed before the parameter value is changed. If the communicated parameter value differs from the uttered parameter value due to misrecognition by the sound recognition unit <NUM>, the user need only utter a correct parameter value again.

To realize traceability of work, the user utters information related to work and causes the memory <NUM> to record the information related to work. When the user utters a place of work as the information related to work, the work information processing unit <NUM> is provided with text data for the place of work from the input receiving unit <NUM> and stores the information indicating the place of work in the memory <NUM>.

The work information processing unit <NUM> retrieves information indicating a result of work from the sensor <NUM>. In this example, the sensor <NUM> includes a torque measurement sensor, and the work information processing unit <NUM> retrieves, as the information indicating the result of work, a tightening torque value of the target of work measured by the torque measurement sensor. The work information processing unit <NUM> retrieves the tightening torque values of all targets of work from the sensor <NUM> and stores the values as the information indicating the result of work in the memory <NUM>. In this process, the work information processing unit <NUM> stores the information indicating the place of work and the information indicating the result of work in association with each other in the memory <NUM> in order to realize traceability of work. The information can be used to determine whether the work at the place of work has been performed properly.

The work information processing unit <NUM> may cause the communication unit <NUM> to transmit the information indicating the place of work and the information indicating the result of work associated with each other to an external server. By aggregating the results of work at the respective places of work in the external server, it is possible to determine whether the work has been performed properly in each place of work.

In order to prevent illegitimate use, the electric power tool <NUM> according to the embodiment may include a user authentication function that utilizes the user's utterance. For example, the memory <NUM> registers a password for authentication. The user utters the password set in the electric power tool <NUM>. The user authentication unit <NUM> is provided with text data for the uttered password from the input receiving unit <NUM> and compares the text data with the password registered in the memory <NUM>. If the passwords match, the user authentication unit <NUM> authenticates the uttering user as the legitimate user and enables the user to use the electric power tool <NUM>. If the passwords do not match, on the other hand, it means that the uttering user is not the legitimate user so that the user authentication unit <NUM> does not permit the user to use the tool.

Described above is the operation of the processing function that uses the result of a sound recognition process by the sound recognition unit <NUM>. A description will be given below of the operation of the processing function that uses the result of sound analysis by the sound analysis unit <NUM>.

The electric power tool <NUM> can perform user authentication using the result of sound analysis by the sound analysis unit <NUM>. In this case, the memory <NUM> stores voice print data for the registered user of the electric power tool <NUM>. The sound analysis unit <NUM> subjects the sound of the uttering user to frequency analysis and determines whether the uttering the user is the registered user by comparing the analyzed data with the voice print data for the registered user stored in the memory <NUM>. The user authentication function of the electric power tool <NUM> prevents the unauthenticated user from using the electric power tool <NUM> so that the risk of the electric power tool <NUM> being stolen is reduced.

The electric power tool <NUM> may include a determination function for analyzing the operating sound of the electric power tool <NUM> input to the microphone <NUM> and making its own judgment as to the state of the electric power tool <NUM>. The sound analysis unit <NUM> subjects the operating sound of the electric power tool <NUM> to frequency analysis, and the tool state determination unit <NUM> compares the analyzed frequency characteristic with the reference frequency characteristic of the operating sound of the electric power tool <NUM>. The reference frequency characteristic is a frequency characteristic of the operating sound generated by the electric power tool <NUM> shipped and is registered in the memory <NUM>. When a frequency component not found in the reference frequency characteristic occurs in the analyzed frequency characteristic, the tool state determination unit <NUM> identifies an abnormality or wear of the driving unit <NUM>. When an abnormality or the like is determined to occur, it is preferred that the tool state determination unit <NUM> notify the user via the information output unit <NUM>.

When the user operation switch <NUM> is in the on state, the tool state determination unit <NUM> performs a state determination function based on the operating sound. When the user operation switch <NUM> is in the off state, the tool state determination unit <NUM> does not perform a state determination function. When an abnormality or the like is determined to occur, the tool state determination unit <NUM> may cause the communication unit <NUM> to notify an external server of the occurrence of an abnormality or the like.

Described above is an explanation based on an exemplary embodiment. The embodiment is intended to be illustrative only and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications to constituting elements and processes could be developed and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment, it has been described that the electric power tool <NUM> includes the microphone <NUM> and the sound processing unit <NUM>. In a variation, the microphone <NUM> may be provided in a further terminal device having a communication function, and the terminal device may transmit a sound signal collected by the microphone <NUM> to the electric power tool <NUM>. Further, the terminal device may further include the function of the sound processing unit <NUM> and transmit the result of processing the sound signal collected by the microphone <NUM> to the electric power tool <NUM>. This allows the control unit <NUM> in the electric power tool <NUM> to perform a process related to the electric power tool <NUM>, based on the sound input to the microphone <NUM> provided in the further terminal device. The terminal device may be a portable terminal device such as a smartphone and a tablet having a microphone and a wireless communication module.

In the embodiment, it is described that, as the user utters a start word to start a processing function, the executed function determination unit <NUM> starts the associated processing function. In a variation, the sound processing unit <NUM> may have a natural language processing function, and the natural language processing function may subject the user's utterance to linguistic analysis to identify the processing function to start. In this case, the user may not utter a start word to start a particular processing function. The executed function determination unit <NUM> starts the processing function in accordance with the content of user's utterance. For example, when the user utters "L5N50", the natural language processing function identifies that the utterance relates to a parameter, and the executed function determination unit <NUM> may start the parameter processing unit <NUM>.

One embodiment of the present invention is summarized below. An electric power tool (<NUM>) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a user operation switch (<NUM>) adapted to be manipulated by a user; an output shaft (<NUM>) on which a front-end tool is adapted to be mounted; a driving unit (<NUM>) that drives the output shaft (<NUM>); and a control unit (<NUM>) that controls an operation of the driving unit (<NUM>) in accordance with manipulation of the user operation switch (<NUM>). The control unit (<NUM>) is adapted to perform a process related to the electric power tool (<NUM>), based on sound input to a microphone (<NUM>).

The control unit (<NUM>) may perform a process related to the electric power tool (<NUM>), based on a result of subjecting input sound to a sound recognition process.

When the user operation switch (<NUM>) is in an on state, the control unit (<NUM>) may not perform a sound recognition process, and, when the user operation switch (<NUM>) is in an off state, the control unit (<NUM>) may perform a sound recognition process. When the electric power tool (<NUM>) is not in a state of being gripped by the user, the control unit (<NUM>) may not perform a sound recognition process, and, when the electric power tool (<NUM>) is in a state of being gripped by the user, the control unit (<NUM>) may perform a sound recognition process. When the electric power tool (<NUM>) is gripped by the user, and when the electric power tool (<NUM>) is at a predetermined orientation or is caused to make a predetermined motion, the control unit (<NUM>) may perform a sound recognition process.

The control unit (<NUM>) may set a parameter value for controlling the operation of the driving unit (<NUM>), based on a result of subjecting input sound to a sound recognition process. The control unit (<NUM>) may set a parameter value, based on information related to work.

When the user operation switch (<NUM>) is in an on state, the control unit (<NUM>) may not set a parameter value, and, when the user operation switch (<NUM>) is in an off state, the control unit (<NUM>) may set a parameter value. When the electric power tool (<NUM>) is not in a state of being gripped by the user, the control unit (<NUM>) may not set a parameter value, and, when the electric power tool (<NUM>) is in a state of being gripped by the user, the control unit (<NUM>) may set a parameter value. The control unit (<NUM>) may set a parameter value after notifying the user that a parameter value is about to be set.

The control unit (<NUM>) may receive an input of information indicating a place of work and store the information indicating the place of work and information indicating a result of work in association with each other. The control unit (<NUM>) may cause the information indicating the place of work and the information indicating a result of work associated with each other to be transmitted to an external device. The control unit (<NUM>) may include a determination function of determining a state of the electric power tool (<NUM>) by analyzing an operating sound input to a microphone (<NUM>). The determination function may be performed when the user operation switch (<NUM>) is in an on state. The control unit (<NUM>) may include a user authentication function based on sound input to a microphone (<NUM>).

electric power tool, <NUM>. driving unit, <NUM>. motor, <NUM>. output shaft, <NUM>. user operation switch, <NUM>. control unit, <NUM>. information output unit, <NUM>. microphone, <NUM>. memory, <NUM>. battery, <NUM>. executed function determination unit, <NUM>. sound processing unit, <NUM>. sound analysis unit, <NUM>. sound recognition unit, <NUM>. input receiving unit, <NUM>. parameter processing unit, <NUM>. tool state determination unit, <NUM>. user authentication unit, <NUM>. work information processing unit.

Claim 1:
An electric power tool (<NUM>) comprising:
a user operation switch (<NUM>) adapted to be manipulated by a user;
an output shaft (<NUM>) on which a front-end tool is adapted to be mounted;
a driving unit (<NUM>) configured to drive the output shaft (<NUM>) ; and
a control unit (<NUM>) configured to control an operation of the driving unit (<NUM>) in accordance with manipulation of the user operation switch (<NUM>), wherein
the control unit (<NUM>) is adapted to perform a process related to the electric power tool (<NUM>), based on sound input to a microphone (<NUM>), wherein
the control unit (<NUM>) is configured to perform a process related to the electric power tool (<NUM>), based on a result of subjecting input sound to a sound recognition process, characterized in that,
when the user operation switch (<NUM>) is in an on state, the control unit (<NUM>) does not perform the sound recognition process, and, when the user operation switch (<NUM>) is in an off state, the control unit (<NUM>) performs the sound recognition process.