AUTOMATED TOOLS STORAGE DEVICE

Abstract

An automated tools storage device comprises of a cylindrical body 1 developed to be positioned on a fixed surface for supporting the body 1 on the surface, a touch interactive display panel 3 arranged on the body 1 for selecting name of a tool, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 is installed on the body 1 for capturing and processing for capturing and processing multiple images of the body 1, a motor is linked with central shaft to rotate the shaft in view of positioning a translating a particular compartment designated for storage of the user-specified tool, a motorized lid 6 integrated on each of the compartment to accommodate the tool inside a slot, a winch is arranged inside the compartment for coiling a wire of the tool, a motorized gripper 7 integrated with inside each of the compartments 5 to position a wiping sheet integrated on the gripper.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated tools storage device that determines the dimensions of the tool positioned in proximity to the body in order to storage the user-specified tool in a particular designated compartment and clean the stored tool when not in use, to maintain the cleanness of the tool for further usage by the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A toolbox, also known as a toolkit or tool chest, is a container used to organize, carry, and protect tools. People use toolboxes for different activities like work, hobbies, or DIY projects, and the tools inside vary depending on the task. Tool storage equipment, such as boxes, belts, pouches, totes, and bags, are commonly used to keep tools organized and easy to access. These tools and accessories are often moved between different places, so it's important for storage devices to be portable. Durability is also essential because tool storage devices may be used in different environments and weather conditions.

[0003] Traditionally, users store their tools in toolboxes, tool chests, or workbenches. However, these storage methods have limitations because tools in these methods are often disorganized and difficult for the user to find. Users may spend a lot of time in searching for the right tool, leading to inefficiency and frustration. Moreover, disorganized tools may also increase the risk of accidents and injuries during work. Furthermore, a cluttered workspace may also affect productivity and overall work quality of the user.

[0004] US10086508B2 includes an invention that is a kind of tool storage devices. A tool storage device may include a handle assembly including a support arm connected between a body and a handle portion and having a substantially rectangular cross section oriented with first walls extending transverse to the axis having a greater width than second walls extending parallel to the axis. A width of the handle portion may be at least about 50% of a width of the body. The body may include a frame assembly formed of a rigid material, a wall formed of a flexible material and at least partially defining the storage compartment with an open top, and a cover formed of a rigid material connected to the frame assembly to selectively close the open top. A wheel well portion receives each wheel and may cover the width of the wheel and a portion of the circumference of the wheel. A radial clearance between the wheel and a lower end of the wheel well may be no more than about 0.5 inches.

[0005] US10350746B2 discloses about an invention that is a kind of a tool storage device and a tool box. The device may include flexible walls cooperating to define a storage area, and a rigid frame supported in the storage area and including a central portion extending in a direction from a bottom wall toward a top wall, one base portion extending from one side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward one side wall, and another base portion extending from an opposite side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward an opposite side wall. The tool box may include a body defining a storage compartment; a lid defining a groove in its outer surface to support an elongated work piece; and a handle engageable with a work piece supported in the groove. The lid may be attachable to the top of the body in a closed position and to the bottom in a stowed position.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed for tools storage. However, these devices are incapable of determining the dimensions of the tool positioned in proximity to the body, thus resulting in the failure to store the user-specified tool in a designated compartment. In addition, these existing device fails to clean stored tool when not in use and making them inefficient in maintaining tool cleanness for further usage.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that detect the dimensions of the tool positioned near the body and allow for storing the user-specified tool in a particular designated compartment. Additionally the device clean the stored tool when not in use and maintain the cleanness of the tool for further use.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of determining the dimensions of the tool in order to storage the user-specified tool in a particular designated compartment.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of cleaning the stored tool when not in use, in order to maintain the cleanness of the tool for further usage.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is reliable in nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an automated tools storage device that is capable of determining the dimensions of the tool to allow storing the user-specified tool in a particular designated compartment. In addition, the proposed device clean the stored tool when not in use, and maintain the cleanness of the tool for further use.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated tools storage device comprises of a cylindrical body positioned on a fixed surface and the upper and lower portion of the body is arranged with a disc for supporting the body on the surface, a touch interactive display panel arranged on the body for selecting name of a tool which is to be stored inside the body, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit is installed on the body to determine dimensions of a tool positioned in proximity to the body, plurality of compartments integrated in the body around a shaft assembled at center portion of the body, a motor is linked with the shaft to rotate the shaft in view of positioning a translating a particular compartment designated for storage of the user-specified tool and a motorized lid integrated on each of the compartment to open the compartment for allowing the user to accommodate the tool inside a slot carved inside the compartment to encase the tool.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a winch is arranged inside the compartment for coiling a wire of the tool on the winch in order to appropriately store the tool in the compartment, a motorized gripper integrated with inside each of the compartments to position a wiping sheet integrated on the gripper to be maneuvered over the stored tool in view of cleaning the stored tool, a UV (ultraviolet) lamp is installed inside each of the compartments to get illuminated for sterilizing the stored tool when not in use, plurality of motorized wheels are arranged underneath the body to move the body on the surface and a battery is configured with the frame for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an automated tools storage device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to an automated tools storage device that is capable of determining the dimensions of the tool in order to storage the user-specified tool in a particular designated compartment along with cleaning the stored tool when not in use, in order to maintain the cleanness of the tool for further usage.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, a perspective view of an automated tools storage device is illustrated, comprising of a cylindrical body 1 developed to be positioned on a fixed surface, upper and lower portion of the body 1 is arranged with a disc 2, a touch interactive display panel 3 arranged on the body 1, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 is installed on the body 1, plurality of compartments 5 integrated in the body 1, a motorized lid 6 integrated on each of the compartment, a motorized gripper 7 integrated with inside each of the compartments 5, a UV (ultraviolet) lamp 8 is installed inside each of the compartments 5, plurality of motorized wheels 9 are arranged underneath the body 1.

[0023] The device disclosed here comprises of a cylindrical body 1 developed to be positioned on a fixed surface. Upper and lower portion of the body 1 are arranged with a disc 2 for supporting the body 1 on the surface along with plurality of motorized wheels 9 arranged underneath the body 1 that are actuated by the microcontroller to move the body 1 on the surface. The motorized wheel comprises a disc 2 or a wheel coupled with a motor via a shaft wherein upon receiving the command from the microcontroller by the motor, the motor starts to rotate in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction in order to provide movement to the wheel via the shaft. The wheel thus provides a maximum level of assistance to the user and also allow the user to maintain a steady speed while moving the body 1 on the surface.

[0024] Further, a touch interactive display panel 3 arranged on the body 1 is accessed by a user for selecting name of a tool which is to be stored inside the body 1. The touch interactive display panel 3 as mentioned herein is typically an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen that presents output in a visible form. The screen is equipped with touch-sensitive technology, allowing the user to interact directly with the display using their fingers. A touch controller IC (Integrated Circuit) is responsible for processing the analog signals generated when the user inputs details regarding selecting name of a tool. A touch controller is typically connected to an inbuilt microcontroller embedded within the body 1 through various interfaces which may include but are not limited to SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) or I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) for selecting name of a tool which is to be stored inside the body 1.

[0025] Upon selecting name of a tool which is to be stored inside the body 1, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 installed on the body 1 and integrated with a processor, captures and processes multiple images in vicinity of the body 1, to determine dimensions of a tool positioned in proximity to the body 1. An artificial intelligence based imaging unit 4 comprises of a camera lens and a processor, wherein the 360 degree rotatable camera captures multiple images of the body 1 and then the processor carries out a sequence of steps including pre-processing, feature extraction and segmentation. In pre-processing, the unwanted data like noise, background is removed out and the image is converted into a format recommended for feature extraction. The features like pixel intensities of the foreground image are extracted and are sent for classification to determine dimensions of a tool positioned in proximity to the body 1.

[0026] Upon determining the dimensions of a tool positioned in proximity to the body 1, a motor linked with a shaft is actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to rotate the shaft in view of positioning a translating a particular compartment designated for storage of the user-specified tool, towards the user. The motor works on the principle when an electric current is passed through a conductor placed normally in a magnetic field, a force acts on the conductor as a result of which the conductor begins to rotate the shaft in view of positioning a translating a particular compartment designated for storage of the user-specified tool, towards the user.

[0027] Further, a motorized lid 6 integrated on each of the compartment is actuated by the microcontroller to open the compartment for allowing the user to accommodate the tool inside a slot carved inside the compartment to encase the tool. The motorized lid 6 consists of an diaphragm configured with multiple blades overlapping with each other and powered by a bi-directional motor, wherein the blades are rotated in the clockwise direction it closed the surface of the lids and the blades are rotated in the anticlockwise direction the surface of the lids are open. On actuation, the motor controller generates the command to actuate the DC motor to rotate the blades of the lids in an anticlockwise direction to open the lids and the microcontroller simultaneously for allowing the user to accommodate the tool inside a slot carved the compartment to encase the tool. Upon accommodating the tool inside the slot, a winch arranged inside the compartment is accessed by the user for coiling a wire of the tool on the winch in order to appropriately store the tool in the compartment.

[0028] Further, a motorized gripper 7 integrated inside each of the compartments 5 are actuated by the microcontroller to position a wiping sheet integrated on the gripper to be maneuvered over the stored tool in view of cleaning the stored tool. The motorized gripper 7 operates as a robotic hand that is designed to grasp the corn effectively. The gripper typically incorporates a motorized mechanism that controls the opening and closing of the jaws of the gripper. The motor generates the necessary force to move the gripper's fingers for the opening and closing of the jaws with precision. This motorized action is often controlled by the microcontroller for the smooth and precise gripping, to position a wiping sheet integrated on the gripper to be maneuvered over the stored tool in view of cleaning the stored tool.

[0029] Upon cleaning the stored tool, a UV (ultraviolet) lamp 8 installed inside each of the compartments 5 are actuated by the microcontroller to get illuminated for sterilizing the stored tool when not in use. UV sterilizer function by penetrating disease-causing pathogens and destroying their DNA with ultraviolet light. Because DNA is the fundamental foundation of an organism's capacity to operate and reproduce, removing it prohibits these organisms from being active and expanding. UV photons have energy that is equivalent to sunshine in small amounts, but they are created at higher intensities via the inclusion of an electric discharge lamp ideally known as a UV lamp.

[0030] Lastly, a battery is installed within the device which is connected to the microcontroller that supplies current to all the electrically powered components that needs an amount of electric power to perform their functions and operation in an efficient manner. The battery utilized here, is generally a dry battery which is made up of Lithium-ion material that gives the device a long-lasting as well as an efficient DC (Direct Current) current which helps every component to function properly in an efficient manner. As the device is battery operated and do not need any electrical voltage for functioning. Hence the presence of battery leads to the portability of the device i.e., user is able to place as well as moves the device from one place to another as per the requirements.

[0031] The present invention works best in the following manner. The cylindrical body 1 developed to be positioned on a fixed surface where plurality of motorized wheels 9 are actuated by the microcontroller to move the body 1 on the surface. Further the touch interactive display panel 3 is accessed by the user for selecting name of a tool which is to be stored inside the body 1. Upon selecting name of a tool, the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 captures and processes images of the body 1 to determine dimensions of the tool positioned in proximity to the body 1. Further, the motor linked with the shaft is actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to rotate the shaft in view of positioning a translating a particular compartment designated for storage of the user-specified tool, towards the user. Next the motorized lid 6 integrated on each of the compartment is actuated by the microcontroller to open the compartment for allowing the user to accommodate the tool inside a slot carved inside the compartment to encase the tool. Upon accommodating the tool inside, the winch is accessed by the user for coiling the wire of the tool in order to appropriately store the tool in the compartment. Further, the motorized gripper 7 is actuated by the microcontroller to position a wiping sheet integrated on the gripper to be maneuvered over the stored tool in view of cleaning the stored tool. The UV (ultraviolet) lamp 8 are actuated by the microcontroller to get illuminated for sterilizing the stored tool when not in use.

[0032] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An automated tools storage device, comprising:

i) a cylindrical body 1 developed to be positioned on a fixed surface, wherein upper and lower portion of said body 1 is arranged with a disc 2 for supporting said body 1 on said surface;
ii) a touch interactive display panel 3 arranged on said body 1 that is accessed by a user for selecting name of a tool which is to be stored inside said body 1, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 is installed on said body 1 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of said body 1, respectively to determine dimensions of a tool positioned in proximity to said body 1;
iii) plurality of compartments 5 integrated in said body 1, around a shaft assembled at center portion of said body 1, wherein a motor is linked with said shaft that is actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to rotate said shaft in view of positioning a translating a particular compartment designated for storage of said user-specified tool, towards said user;
iv) a motorized lid 6 integrated on each of said compartment that is actuated by said microcontroller to open said compartment for allowing said user to accommodate said tool inside a slot carved inside said compartment to encase said tool, wherein a winch is arranged inside said compartment that is accessed by said user for coiling a wire of said tool on said winch in order to appropriately store said tool in said compartment; and
v) a motorized gripper 7 integrated with inside each of said compartments 5 that are actuated by said microcontroller to position a wiping sheet integrated on said gripper to be maneuvered over said stored tool in view of cleaning said stored tool, wherein a UV (ultraviolet) lamp 8 is installed inside each of said compartments 5 that are actuated by said microcontroller to get illuminated for sterilizing said stored tool when not in use.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein plurality of motorized wheels 9 are arranged underneath said body 1 that are actuated by said microcontroller to move said body 1 on said surface.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is configured with said frame for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with said device.

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