Patent ID: 8047664

Claim:
A system, comprising: a switchable filter, comprising an electro chrominance filter; a communication unit; and a power controller; wherein the switchable filter changes from a light state to a dark state after receiving a dark state command message from the communication unit, and changes from the dark state to the light state after receiving a light state command message from the communication unit; and wherein the communication unit repeatedly generates and transmits the dark state command message to the switchable filter during a predetermined length of time and after receiving a tool activation signal, waits the predetermined length of time sufficient to allow the switchable filter to enter the dark state after generating the first dark state command message, and generates and transmits an activate tool command after the predetermined length of time has elapsed, generates and transmits a deactivate tool command in response to a tool deactivation signal, waits for a predetermined deactivate tool wait time to elapse and generates the light state command message; and wherein the power controller activates a welding tool after receiving the activate tool command and deactivates the tool after receiving the deactivate tool command.