Wireless torque wrench with torque specifications

Abstract

An interactive software application on a mobile computing device is used to configure an electronic torque wrench via a wireless connection. The software application obtains torque specifications for a vehicle from a remote database. When the torque specification require that work pieces be torqued in an ordered sequence, the software application guides the technician through the sequence, but accommodates changes when the technician departs from the sequence.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of configuring an electronic torque wrench, comprising:
 providing, via an external device, editable calibration fields for an electronic torque wrench, the editable calibration fields including: calibration interval, calibration cycles, calibration warning cycles, and calibration warning days; and   sending, by the external device, a notification based on the editable calibration fields and a state of the electronic torque wrench.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein sending the notification includes sending a notification of a number of days before calibration is needed. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein sending the notification includes sending a notification of a number of torque cycles since a last calibration date. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein sending the notification includes sending a notification of a number of cycles left before calibration is needed. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining an expiration of a calibration interval, and wherein sending the notification includes sending a notification indicating that the electronic torque wrench requires calibration. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sending instructions to the electronic torque wrench to enter a locked state when calibration is needed.