WIRELESS TORQUE WRENCH WITH TORQUE SPECIFICAITONS

CLE DYNAMOMETRIQUE SANS FIL AVEC PARAMETRES DE COUPLE

English 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.

Claims

Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of configuring an electronic torque wrench, comprising:
receiving a preset fastening task and a lock operation from an external
device;
determining a torque specification associated with the preset fastening task,
wherein the
torque specification includes a target torque value;
configuring the electronic torque wrench with the torque specification and the
lock
operation; and
entering a locked state based on the lock operation, wherein the locked state
disables
measurement of torque by the electronic torque wrench.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining whether a communication connection between the electronic torque
wrench
and external device is disconnected; and
wherein if the communication connection between the electronic torque wrench
and
external device is disconnected, then causing the electronic torque wrench to
enter the locked
state.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the torque specification further includes
a batch count,
and the method further includes:
determining whether a cycle count matches the batch count; and
wherein if the cycle count matches the batch count, then causing the
electronic torque
wrench to enter the locked state.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining a measured amount of torque applied to a fastener;
determining whether the measured amount of torque exceeds the target torque
value; and
wherein if the measured amount of torque exceeds the target torque value, then
causing the
electronic torque wrench to enter the locked state.
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5. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a lock screen on
the electronic
torque wrench in response to the electronic torque wrench entering the locked
state.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating a haptic vibrator
of the electronic
torque wrench in response to the electronic torque wrench entering the locked
state.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising illuminating a light emitting
diode of the
electronic torque wrench in response to the electronic torque wrench entering
the locked state.
8. 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.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein sending the notification includes sending
a notification
of a number of days before calibration is needed.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein sending the notification includes
sending a notification
of a number of torque cycles since a last calibration date.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein sending the notification includes
sending a notification
of a number of cycles left before calibration is needed.
12. The method of claim 8, 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.
13. The method of claim 8, further comprising sending instructions to the
electronic torque
wrench to enter a locked state when calibration is needed.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

Description

WIRELESS TORQUE WRENCH WITH TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Cross-References to Related Applications
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the
priority benefit of, U.S.
Patent Application No. 15/601,361, filed May 22, 2017, the contents of which
are incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.
Technical Field of the Invention
[0002] A torque wrench with a wireless link to a software application on a
mobile device.
The software application is used to lookup specifications and configure the
wrench, and provides
real-time interactive functionality.
Background of the Invention
[0003] Electronic torque wrenches are gaining popularity in automotive,
fleet, aviation, and
other assembly and repair applications. Such wrenches are used to apply torque
to a rotatable
"work piece," such as a screw, a nut, a bolt, or other rotatable fastener, and
to measure the torque
applied to the work piece by the wrench. These wrenches can indicate to a
technician (i.e., a
wrench user) when the work piece has been torqued to the appropriate torque
value, such as 100
ft-lb. Some electronic torque wrenches also measure angles as a work piece is
rotated. Angle
measurement may be used to determine which work pieces have already been
tightened, and/or
to tighten a work piece beyond a snug point or threshold torque by a certain
angle.
[0004] Some tasks require a specific fastening procedure, such as applying
specific amounts
of torque to a series of work pieces in an ordered sequence. Fastening
procedures may also
require applying specific angle adjustments to the work pieces in the sequence
to ensure proper
tightening. The procedure for an individual work piece in the sequence may
also require
applying torques and/or angles to the individual work piece in stages. For
example, an aerospace
fuel line nut requires a specific rundown angle, seating torque, and final
torque and angle to
determine if the joint seats correctly.
[0005] Technicians may try to find the correct torque specifications and
sequence in
literature, in original equipment manufacturer (OEM) data, online, or via a
consolidated
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

information service, such as the "Mitchell 1" service for automotive industry
repair information.
However, the time lost to researching specifications lengthens the time
required to conduct a
torqueing operation. Due to the time required to lookup the correct fastening
values and
procedures, technicians often instead rely on inaccurate personal experience
or resort to trial and
error. Further, if a technician programs a wrench with a preset called "Preset
1," then unless the
preset is used on a regular basis, its purpose may be quickly forgotten (and
be a complete
mystery if the wrench is shared with another technician).
Summary of the Invention
[0006] A system broadly comprising an electronic torque wrench and a
software application.
The software application is executable by a computing device, such as a
cellular telephone or
tablet computer, and connects to the electronic torque wrench by way of a
wireless
communications link. Using the software application, a technician can
configure the torque
wrench, and use the software application to obtain torque specifications from
a remote service.
If the torque specifications include an ordered sequence, the software
application can direct the
technician through the sequence, configuring the torque wrench accordingly.
Should the
technician depart from the sequence, the software application accommodates the
change,
providing a recommendation to the technician on how to proceed in view of the
alteration of the
sequence. The process performed by the software application may take the form
of a method,
computer-executable code stored on a computer readable medium, or a computing
device
configured to perform the process.
[0007] Implemented as a method, the method broadly comprises querying a
database to
determine at least one fastening task associated with a torqueing operation.
After receiving the
results, they are displayed for a technician to review, so that the technician
may select a fastening
task for which the electronic wrench will be configured. After receiving a
selection of a
fastening task from among those displayed, torque specifications are
determined for the selected
fastening task. When the torque specifications include an ordered sequence of
work pieces, an
indication is provided for the technician as to which work piece to torque as
a recommendation.
However, the technician can select a different work piece than the one
indicated. When a work
piece is selected that does not comport with the ordered sequence, the
electronic torque wrench is
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configured for the torque specification corresponding to the selected work
piece, and a
determination is made as to which work piece should be torqued next in view of
the selected
work piece departing from the ordered sequence. Based on the determination, an
indication is
provided for the technician as to which work piece is recommended as the next
to torque. This
process of recommending which work piece should be torqued, receiving a
selection, and
configuring the wrench, continues until all work pieces in the sequence have
been torqued.
[0008] Implemented as a computing device, the device broadly comprises a
processor, a
display, and a memory storing instructions to be executed by the processor.
The instructions
configure the processor to query a database to determine at least one
fastening task associated
with a vehicle. The fastening tasks are output to the display. A selection of
a fastening task is
received from among the fastening tasks output to the display. The processor
determines torque
specifications for the selected fastening task. When the torque specifications
include an ordered
sequence of work pieces, the processor indicates, via the display, a work
piece to be torqued in
accordance with the ordered sequence. After a work piece is selected that does
not comport with
the ordered sequence (i.e., selected out-of-order), the processor configures
an electronic torque
wrench for the torque specification corresponding to the selected work piece,
and determine a
next work piece to be torqued after the selected work piece. The processor
indicates, via the
display, the next work piece to be torqued. This process of recommending which
work piece
should be torqued, receiving a selection, and configuring the wrench,
continues until all of the
work pieces in the sequence have been torqued.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0009] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject
matter sought to be
protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments
thereof, from an
inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following
description, the subject
matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its
advantages should
be readily understood and appreciated.
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system including an electronic
torque wrench and a
mobile computing device.
[0011] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate different views of the electronic torque
wrench of FIG. 1.
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[0012] FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating example
electronic components of
the torque wrench of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating example
electronic components of
the mobile computing device of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIGS. 5A to 5L illustrate examples of user interfaces provided by
the software
application executed on the mobile computing device of FIGS. 1 and 4, to
configure and interact
with the electronic torque wrench of FIGS. 1 to 3, and to provide additional
functionality.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating example operations of
the software
application executed by the mobile computing device of FIGS. 1 and 4.
[0016] FIGS. 7A to 7E illustrate examples of user interfaces provided by
the software
application in conjunction with the process flow in FIG. 6 that configure the
wrench with
fastening specifications.
[0017] FIGS. 8A to 8D illustrate examples of an interactive user interface
provided by the
software application to guide a technician through an ordered fastening
sequence in conjunction
with the process flow in FIG. 6.
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrated an example batch operation, in accordance with an
embodiment of
the invention.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram illustrating example operations of
a wrench lock
operation based on a connection between a wrench and computing device, in
accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 11 a process flow diagram illustrating example operations of
another wrench
lock operation, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 12 a process flow diagram illustrating example operations of a
wrench lock
operation based on a batch operation, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0022] FIG. 13 a process flow diagram illustrating example operations of a
wrench lock
operation based on a torqueing operation, in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention.
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Detailed Description of the Embodiments
[0023] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms,
there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail,
embodiments, including a
preferred embodiment, of the invention with the understanding that the present
disclosure is to be
considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the
broad aspect of the invention to any one or more of the embodiments
illustrated or disclosed. As
used herein, the term "present invention" is not intended to limit the scope
of the claimed
invention, and is instead a term used to discuss exemplary embodiments of the
invention for
explanatory purposes only.
[0024] Many technicians use mobile computing devices, such as tablet
computers or "smart"
phones with them. Among other things, technicians may use these devices to
look up fastening
values and procedures. The user interfaces of the applications on these
devices tend to use
standardized graphical user interfaces (GUIs), such that operating new
applications is often
intuitive and requires little-to-no training. The near-ubiquity of these
devices and users' existing
familiarity with the interface can be leveraged to simplify and expand access
to the full suite of
features offered by an electronic torque wrench, and to add new features and
services.
[0025] Such an approach avoids the substantial costs and complexity
associated with
tethered base station solutions, which primarily are designed for the
industrial market. Tool
sharing is also simplified, since the presets and wrench settings can be
seamlessly reconfigured
for the preferences of the technician currently using the wrench based on
which technician is
associated with and/or logged into the mobile computing device, while
preserving the presets and
preferences of other technicians. Since presets and preferences can be
transferred from the
device to the tool at the start of a session, the electronic wrench can
provide a full suite of
services with a smaller amount of on-tool memory than an equivalent standalone
wrench.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a system including an electronic
torque wrench
100 and a mobile computing device 160. The wrench 100 communicates with the
device 160 via
a wireless communications link 170 using a protocol such as Bluetooth,
Bluetooth Smart (also
known as Bluetooth low energy), Wi-Fi Direct, or any other wireless protocol.
In an
embodiment, the device 160 includes a touch-sensitive display 165 via which a
technician
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

interacts with user interfaces provided by a software application on the
device 160. Among other
things, the software application may be used to configure the wrench, to look-
up fastening values
and procedures, and to review wrench logs. The software application also
provides the
technician with live, real-time feedback and interactive functionality to
assist the technician with
progressing through fastening procedures.
[0027] The device 160 provides access to a torque values and procedures
database 195 via a
wireless communications link 175 to a data communications network 180, such as
the Internet.
The wireless communications link 175 may be, for example, a Wi-Fi link between
the device
160 and a local wireless router, or a cellular data link between the device
160 and a nearby cell
tower, using a cellular protocol such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), Global
System for Mobile
Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), etc.
[0028] One-or-more servers 190 are connected to the network 180 via
communications
link(s) 185. Based on queries received from the software application on the
device 160, a server
190 retrieves fastening value and procedures data from the database 195,
transmits query results
to the device 160 via the network 180. Among other system arrangements, the
server(s) 190 and
database(s) 195 may be associated with a software service provider, a
manufacturing company,
or with the company providing repair services. In one example, the database
195 may be the
"Mitchell 1" database/service for automotive industry repair information.
[0029] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate different views of an example of the
electronic torque
wrench 100. The wrench 100 is adapted to apply torque to a work piece via an
adapter or socket
coupled to a drive 240, such as a bi-directional ratcheting square or
hexagonal drive.
Conventionally, the drive 240 is a "male" connector designed to fit into or
penetrate a female
counterpart (as illustrated), but the drive may be a "female" connector
designed to receive a male
counterpart. The drive may also be structured to directly engage a work piece
without coupling
to an adapter or socket.
[0030] As will be described in further detail below, in an embodiment, the
wrench 100 can
measure, record, and display torque and angle data in real time during
torqueing operations, as
well as transmit that data in real time to the device 160. In the context of
the system in FIG. 1,
"real time" means "without significant delay" (e.g., measurement and
processing delays not
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exceeding one second per data sample). Torque application and angle data may
be logged and
stored with a time index by the wrench 100 and/or the software application on
the device 160.
[0031]
The torque wrench 100 broadly comprises a shaft 201 connected to a head 210
housing the drive 240. When ratcheting and torqueing, the head 210 rotates
around the center
axis 241 of the drive 240, with the center axis 241 transecting the head 210.
The shaft 201
comprises a handle 205, a control unit 245, and a neck 250. The neck 250 is
coupled to the head
210 at the opposite end of the shaft 201 from the handle 205. As illustrated,
the male drive 240
extends perpendicularly from the head 210, relative to the plane in which the
head 240 rotates
around the axis 241. Force is applied to the handle 205 to rotationally pivot
the wrench 100
around the axis 241, thereby transferring torque to a workpiece (not
illustrated) coupled to the
drive 240.
[0032]
The handle 205 may include a textured grip 215 to improve a technician's grasp
of
the wrench 100 during torqueing operations. The control unit 245 may include a
user interface
220, such as a tactile user interface comprising at least one button 225 and a
display screen 230.
The display screen 230 may optionally be touch-sensitive, with the software or
firmware
executed by a processor or controller of the control unit 245 providing
virtual on-screen controls.
[0033]
Instructions and other information can be input directly into the wrench 100
via the
user interface 220. During torqueing operations, the display 230 may display
information, such
as torque and/or angle information. The head 210 may include a reversing lever
235 for
reversing the drive direction of a ratcheting mechanism. As will be discussed
further below, the
head 210 also houses one or more sensors used to sense the torque applied to a
work piece via
the drive 240, and the angle of rotation of the head 210 and shaft 201 around
the axis 241. The
head 210 may also include an orientation sensor to determine the angle of the
axis 241 relative to
"down" (that is, relative to the force of gravity).
[0034]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating examples of the electronic
components of the electronic torque wrench 100 of FIG. 1. The wrench 100 may
include one or
more controllers/processors 302, a memory 306, non-volatile storage 308, and a
wireless
communications transceiver 310. Each controller/processor 302 may include a
central
processing unit (CPU) for processing data and computer-readable instructions.
The
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

processor/controller 302 retrieves instructions from data storage 308 via a
bus 304, using the
memory 306 for runtime temporary storage of instructions and data. The memory
306 may
include volatile and/or nonvolatile random access memory (RAM). While
components are
illustrated in FIG. 3 as being connected via the bus 304, components may also
be connected to
other components in addition to (or instead of) being connected to other
components via the bus
304.
[0035] Data storage 308 stores the instructions, including instructions to
manage
communications with the software application on the mobile computing device
160. The data
storage component 308 may include one-or-more types non-volatile solid-state
storage, such as
flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), phase-
change
memory, etc. The wrench 100 may also include an input/output interface to
connect to
removable or external non-volatile memory and/or storage (such as a removable
memory card,
memory key drive, networked storage, etc.). Such an input/output interface may
be a wired or
embedded interface (not illustrated) and/or may comprise the wireless
communications
transceiver 310.
[0036] Computer instructions for operating the wrench 100 and its various
components may
be executed by the controller/processor 302, using the memory 306 as temporary
"working"
storage at runtime. The computer instructions may be stored in a non-
transitory manner in non-
volatile memory 306, storage 308, or an external device. Alternatively, some-
or-all of the
executable instructions may be embedded in hardware or firmware in addition to
or instead of
software.
[0037] The wrench 100 may include multiple input and output interfaces.
These interfaces
include the radio transceiver 310, one-or-more buttons 225a/225b, one-or-more
light-emitting
diodes LEDs) 330a/330b, a speaker or audio transducer 335, a haptics vibrator
340, one-or-more
torque sensors 320, one-or-more angle sensors 324, and an orientation sensor
328. The torque
sensor 320 may include, for example, one-or-more of a torque transducer, a
strain gauge, a
magnetoelastic torque sensor, and a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor. The
angle sensors 324
may comprise, for example, one-or-more of a rotational angle sensor and an
electronic gyroscope
(such as a two-or-three axes gyroscope). The orientation sensor 328 may
comprise a three-axes
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

electronic accelerometer or gravity sensor to determine the orientation of the
head 210 relative to
"down."
[0038] Depending upon the type of torque sensor 320 used, analog-to-digital
(A/D)
converters 321 may receive analog signals from the torque sensor 320,
outputting digital signals
to the processor/controller 302. Likewise, A/D converters 325 may receive
analog signals from
the angle sensor 324, and A/D converters 329 may receive analog signals from
the orientation
sensor 328, outputting digital signals to the processor/controller 302. The
A/D converters
321/325/329 may be discrete, integrated with/in the processor/controller 302,
or integrated
with/in their respective sensors 320/324/328.
[0039] The number of, and need for, the A/D converters 321/325/329 is
dependent on the
technology used for each sensor 320/324/328. Multiple A/D converters may be
provided to
accommodate as many signals as needed, such as if the angle sensor 324
provides analog outputs
for a plurality of gyroscope axes, or if the orientation sensor 328 provides
analog outputs for a
plurality of accelerometer axes. Signal conditioning electronics (not
illustrated) may also be
included as standalone circuitry, integrated with/in the processor/controller
302, or integrated
with/in the respective sensors 320/324/328, to convert non-linear outputs
generated by a
component of a sensor 320/324/328 into a linear signal.
[0040] Instructions executed by the processor/controller 302 receive data
from the sensors
320/324/328, such as torque and angle values. From that data, the
processor/controller 302 may
determine various information, such as the duration that torque has been or
should be applied to
a work piece. For some job tasks where work pieces have distinctive
orientations, the
processor/controller 302 may determine which work piece is being torqued based
on the
orientation of the head 210.
[0041] The sensor data and information can be logged in real time or at a
predetermined
sampling rate and stored in a memory 306 and/or storage 308. The sensor data
and information
may also be transmitted to the device 160 via the communication link 170 for
further analysis
and review. The software application on the device 160 may, for example,
graphically plot the
sensor data and/or information. As other examples, the software application
may determine an
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

optimal torqueing profile to apply to future torqueing operations for that
work piece or job task,
or to determine that a correct torqueing profile was applied during the
torqueing operation.
[0042] "Data" is/are values that are processed to make them meaningful or
useful
"information." However, as used herein, the terms data and information should
be interpreted to
be interchangeable, with data including information and information including
data. For
example, where data is stored, transmitted, received, or output, that may
include data,
information, or a combination thereof.
[0043] The radio transceiver 310 comprises a transmitter, a receiver, and
associated
encoders, modulators, demodulators, and decoders. The transceiver 310 manages
the radio
communication links, establishing the communications link 170 with the mobile
device 160 via
one-or-more antennas 312 embedded in the wrench, enabling bidirectional
communication
between the processor/controller 302 and the software application executed by
the mobile device
160. The communications link 170 may be a direct link between the wrench 100
and the
computing device 160 (as illustrated), or may be an indirect link through one-
or-more
intermediate components, such as via a Wi-Fi router or mesh connection (not
illustrated).
[0044] The wrench 100 also includes a power source 390 to power the
processor/controller
302, the bus 304, and other electronic components. For example, the power
source 390 may be
one-or-more batteries arranged in the handle 205. However, the power source
390 is not limited
to batteries, and other technologies may be used such as fuel cells. The
wrench 100 may also
include components to recharge the power source 390, such as organic or
polymer photovoltaic
cells arranged along the neck 250, and/or an interface by which to receive an
external charge,
such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port or an inductive pick-up, along with
associated
charging-control electronics.
[0045] The display 230 may be used by software/firmware executed by the
processor/controller 302 to display information for the technician to view and
interpret. Such
information may be formatted as text, graphics, or a combination thereof. The
display 230 may
also be used to provide feedback when information is entered into wrench 100
(for example, via
the buttons 225 and/or a touch-sensitive interface integrated with the display
230 itself). The
display 230 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) display, an organic light
emitting diode
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

(OLED) display, an electronic paper display, or any kind of black-and-white or
color display that
has suitable power-consumption requirements and volume to facilitate
integration into the
control unit 245.
[0046] FIG. 4 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating example
components of the mobile
computing device of FIG. 1. In a typical implementation, the computing device
160 is a
smartphone or tablet computer with a touch-sensitive display 165.
[0047] The device 160 may include one or more controllers/processors 402,
that may each
include a central processing unit (CPU) for processing data and computer-
readable instructions,
and a memory 406 for storing data and instructions. The memory 406 may include
volatile
random access memory (RAM), non-volatile read only memory (ROM), and/or other
types of
memory. The device 160 may also include a data storage component 408, for
storing data and
controller/processor-executable instructions (for example, instructions for
the software
application that performs the processes and generates the user interfaces
illustrated in FIGS. 5-8).
The data storage component 408 may include one-or-more types of non-volatile
solid-state
storage, such as flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), magnetoresistive RAM
(MRAM),
phase-change memory, etc. The device 160 may also be connected to removable or
external
non-volatile memory and/or storage (such as a removable memory card, memory
key drive,
networked storage, etc.) through the input/output device interfaces 410.
[0048] Computer instructions for operating the device 160 and its various
components may
be executed by the controller(s)/processor(s) 402, using the memory 406 as
temporary "working"
storage at runtime. The computer instructions may be stored in a non-
transitory manner in non-
volatile memory 406, storage 408, or an external device. Alternatively, some
of the executable
instructions may be embedded in hardware or firmware in addition to or instead
of in software.
[0049] The input/output (I/O) interfaces 410 provide the device 160 with
connectivity and
protocol support. A variety of input and output connections may be made
through the
input/output interfaces 410. For example, radio frequency (RF) antenna 470 may
be used to
provide connectivity to the wrench 100 via communication link 170. The same RF
antenna 470
or another antenna 475 may be used to provide connectivity to the network 180
via
communication link 175.
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[0050] A variety of protocols may be supported by the I/O device interfaces
410 to support
the links 170/175. The protocol/radio access technology used for each link
170/175 may be
different. For example, the communication link 170 may use a protocol such as
Wi-Fi Direct, or
a personal area network (PAN) protocol such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth Smart
(also known as
Bluetooth low energy), Wireless USB, or ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4). The
communication link 175
may be a wireless local area network (WLAN) link such as a flavor of Wi-Fi, or
a cellular
communications data protocol associated with mobile broadband, LTE, GSM, CDMA,
WiMAX,
High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
(UMTS),
etc.
[0051] The input/output interfaces 410 may support audio/video (A/V) user
interfaces, such
as the touch sensitive display 165, a microphone 430, a speaker 435, a haptic
vibrator 440, and a
camera 445. The input/output interfaces 410 may also support other types of
connections and
communications protocols. For example, the device 160 may also include a wired
interface such
as a USB port (not illustrated).
[0052] The device 160 may include an address/data bus 404 for conveying
data among
components of the device 160. Each component within the device 160 may also be
directly
connected to other components in addition to (or instead of) being connected
to other
components across the bus 404. The device 160 also includes a power source
490, such as a
battery or a fuel cell, along with associated charging circuitry (not
illustrated).
[0053] The software application stored in storage 408 and executed by the
controller(s)/processor(s) 402 of the mobile computing device 160 provides
user interfaces that
allow a technician to configure and interact with the electronic torque wrench
100, and to
provide additional functionality. While some of the functionality may be
available directly via
the user interface 220 of the torque wrench, the added capabilities of the
device 160 provides
additional processing power, and leverages the connection(s) 175 to the
network(s) 180, such as
connectivity to the external database(s) 195.
[0054] Via the wireless link 170, a technician can use the software
application on the device
160 to configure the wrench 100, such as configuring how the wrench 100
provide a technician
12
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

feedback using the haptic vibrator 340, such as to indicate when a target
torque or target angle is
achieved.
[0055] A technician may also use the software application on the device 160
to set up or
configure preset values, and set preset numbers and names for certain
operations. Preset values
may include user defined torque and/or angle settings and measurement units,
such as torque and
angle target values with minimum and maximum tolerances and/or a batch
counter. The preset
values and names can be set for custom operations, as well as augmenting or
replacing the values
and names provided by the database(s) 195. Among other things, preset values
may be set for
non-database aftermarket parts, and to replace values received from the
database(s) 195 with
custom values. As used herein, "names" refer to text strings. The preset
values, and set preset
numbers and names may be transmitted to the wrench 100, and displayed on the
wrench to a user
to identify the fastening operation to be performed.
[0056] The software application on the device 160 may be used to configure
the wrench 100
to set a fastener preset type to which torque is to be applied, such as, for
example, torque, angle,
torque then angle or torque and angle measurement modes. The software
application on the
device 160 may be used to configure the wrench 100 with an allowable direction
of measurement
for measuring torque and rotation/angle application amounts. The software
application on the
device 160 may be used to configure the wrench 100 to prevent measuring torque
in an incorrect
or wrong direction, prevent measurement of a fastening task or operation
before the target values
have been configured, and/or prevent technician/operator changes and wrench
use if the wrench
100 is due for calibration or another error is detected.
[0057] The software application on the device 160 may be used to configure
the wrench 100
to use an offset or adapter when measuring torque. For example, by configuring
the wrench 100
with an offset or adapter length. For example, an adapter may be coupled to
the wrench 100,
which changes a length of the torque wrench and changes the measured torque
reading. The
wrench 100 receives the offset or adapter length, and the wrench 100
automatically compensates
for the change in length to allow the wrench 100 to display a compensated
measured torque
value.
13
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

[0058] The software application on the device 160 may be used to configure
the wrench 100
with automatic sequencing through preset operations to prevent any operation
other than the use
of the preset target fastener operations, to prevent further use after a
preset torque sequence is
completed, to prevent further use after over torque or rotation, and/or to
redo a preset torque or
angle operation.
[0059] The software application on the device 160 may be used to configure
the wrench 100
to determine the elapsed time from the last calibration date to notify the
operator of the number
of days before calibration is required. The software application on the device
160 may be used
to configure the wrench 100 to determine the number of torque cycles since the
last calibration
date and to notify the operator of the number of cycles left before
calibration is required. The
software application on the device 160 may be used to configure the wrench 100
to indicate that
the wrench 100 requires calibration following an expired calibration interval
or number of torque
cycles since last calibration. The software application on the device 160 may
also be used to
configure the wrench 100 to prevent the use of the wrench 100 once calibration
is required.
[0060] The wrench 100 may transmit batch, torque, angle, and/or orientation
information to
the device 160 in real time, based on data from the sensors 320/324/328. The
software
application on the device 160 may record the data and information in one-or-
more log files to be
stored in storage 408, forwarded via the communication connection 175, and/or
uploaded to
external storage. The software application may use the log information to
generate and send
reports for auditing purposes, and determine whether the rate of force
application, torque values,
and angle values are consistent with customer and/or regulatory compliance
requirements.
[0061] For example, a fastener operation or preset may include applying a
minimum target
torque and/or rotational angle value. In this example, the wrench 100 receives
the preset
information from device 160, and indicates that the target value(s) has been
reached. If the
applied torque and/or angle continues to increase, the wrench 100 may provide
a warning
indication, such as an audible sound, light, etc., to indicate that the upper
limit has been
exceeded. The results of the operation may also be wirelessly transmitted by
the wrench 100 to
the device 160 for processing and data logging.
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

[0062]
The software application may also generate and output graphic plots in real
time via
display 165, such as graphs illustrating torque versus time, torque versus
angle, etc. The
application may compare fastener orientation information from a database 195
with received data
from orientation sensor 328 to automatically track which work pieces have been
completed.
[0063]
The software application may obtain torque and angle settings from the
database 195,
and substitute or augment those setting with presets values stored on the
device 160. The wrench
100 may also be configured to output a preset name for a workpiece to the
display 230, rather
than a name assigned to the operation by the database 195. For tasks where the
software
application downloads torque and/or angle values for multiple tasks to the
wrench 100 in a batch,
a technician may choose which work piece to operate on via the user interface
220 on the wrench
100 itself, or via an interface provided on the device 160 by the software
application. In an
alternative to batch downloading, the software application may download torque
and/or angle
values to the wrench for one workpiece at-a-time.
[0064]
The technician may interactively select which workpiece included in a
fastening
procedure to work on, or in a slaved-mode, the software application may
control the order in
which work pieces are automatically selected, dictating to the technician the
order in which a
fastening procedure comprising multiple work pieces is carried out. Upon
selection, the wrench
100 is configured with the torque and/or angle values for that work piece.
Automatic selection in
slave mode may be used for error proofing where customer or regulatory
requirements require an
order of steps.
[0065]
For many jobs, technicians need flexibility to carry out fastening procedures
based on
their own preferences and experiences, preferring not to be locked into a
fixed procedure.
Failing to provide technicians such flexibility increases the likelihood that
they will ignore or
otherwise disregard manufacturer specifications.
In addition, looking up manufacturer
specifications typically adds a quarter-hour to the time required to complete
a task, further
discouraging use of such specifications. To address these needs, the software
application on the
device 160 makes it quick and easy for a technician to obtain the correct
specifications, while
providing them increased flexibility on how fastening procedures are carried
out.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

[0066] FIGS. 5A to 5H illustrate examples of graphical user interfaces
(GUIs) provided by
the software application executed by the mobile computing device 160, to
configure and interact
with the electronic torque wrench 100, and to provide additional
functionality. In the GUI
figures, editable text fields are boxed to indicate that the fields may be
edited via the GUI. It will
be appreciated that any GUI interface, user interface, and/or menu operation
can be used without
departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
[0067] FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a startup "splash" screen of the
software
application, after a communications link 170 is established with the torque
wrench. The screen
includes a navigation icon 502. Actuation of the icon opens an options menu
(menu 512 in FIG.
5B). There is a mode indicator 504a identifying that a current operational
mode of the
application is "measure," which would typically be used as default mode. The
screen also
identifies (506) the wrench 100 to which the software application has been
configured to
connect, and the current state (508) of the connection 170. A "ready" message
(510) indicates
that the software application is connected and ready to interact with the
wrench 100.
[0068] FIG. 5B illustrates an example of features of the software
application that are
accessible via the options menu 512. As illustrated, the features include
"measure" 514a,
"presets" 514b, "log" 514c, "wrench settings" 514d, "wrenches" 516, and
"database lookup"
518.
[0069] FIG. 5C illustrates an example of the "presets" feature 514b. The
mode indicator
504b identifies that the current operational mode is "presets." Selecting the
presets feature
causes the software application to upload any presets already stored on the
wrench 100, and
display those presets. As illustrated, there are no presets stored on the
wrench 100 for the
software application to upload, so a user is presented with an interface
comprising a "NEW"
field 520, a "Target Torque" field 522, and a "Target Angle" field 524.
Selecting any of these
fields launches an interface to define a new preset. If existing presets are
uploaded and
displayed, a user can select and edit each preset's setting, in addition to
creating new presets.
Presets may be, for example, custom presets as might be fastening procedures
used for
aftermarket parts.
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

[0070] FIG. 5D illustrates an example of the "edit preset" feature, which
may be used to edit
an existing preset or customize a new preset. The mode indicator 504c
identifies that the current
operational mode is "edit preset." Editable fields allow a technician to
change any of the setting
associated with a preset, including the preset's name 528, a minimum torque
530 for proper
fastening torque, a maximum torque 532 for indicating over torque, the units
534 used for the
preset's torque, and an angle 536 (which may include a minimum target value
for proper fastener
rotation and a maximum target value for indicating over rotation). Once
changes are made, the
changes can be saved using a "save" button 538, or discarded using a "cancel"
button 540.
[0071] In an example, the device 160 may send or transmit a wireless
message to the wrench
100 to set a preset minimum target torque value for a fastener. The message
can also contain a
torque maximum value. An optional message can be transmitted to set the target
torque value.
The wrench receives the optional target torque value and displays the value on
the wrench 100 if
set, otherwise the minimum target torque value is displayed. When the minimum
target torque
value is applied to the fastener or the maximum torque is exceeded, the wrench
100 wirelessly
transmits the torque results to the device 160.
[0072] FIG. 5E illustrates an example of the "wrench settings" feature
514d. The mode
indicator 504d identifies that the current operational mode is "wrench
settings." The software
application uploads the current wrench settings from the wrench 100, and
displays the current
values. As illustrated, the editable settings include the wrench's name 544, a
sleep timer 546 that
the wrench's processor/controller 302 uses to determine when to enter a low-
power state after a
period of inactivity, and whether the wrench's haptic vibrator 340 to generate
vibration feedback.
As illustrated, the vibration-setting interface is a slider 548 with a text
indication 550 that
indicates whether vibration is enabled or disabled. When a change is made to
any of the wrench
settings, the software application downloads the change to the wrench 100. A
"sync" indicator
552 activates when the software application is uploading from or downloading
to the wrench
100. The illustrated wrench settings are examples, and other or different
settings may be
included depending on (among other things) the capabilities of the wrench 100,
such as settings
for the brightness of a backlight included with the display 230, whether
acoustic feedback is
provided via speaker/transducer 335, the tones used by for acoustic feedback,
etc.
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

[0073] FIG. 5F illustrates an example of the wrench back in "measure" mode.
The software
application receives torque, angle, and/or orientation data from the wrench
100 via
communications link 170. Each type of data may be received at a sampling rate
specified for the
respective data type in software, firmware, or hardware. The sampled data is
processed by the
processor/controller 302 and provided to the software application on the
device 160 in real time,
with continuous updates sent via communications link 170 (e.g., several times
per second). As
an alternative, instead of sending continuous updates to the device 160, the
wrench 100 may send
an update whenever a torque, angle, and/or orientation value changes by a
threshold amount
(e.g., 0.1 ft-lbs, 0.1 degrees, etc.). With either approach to updating,
depending upon the
fastening procedure being performed, the software application outputs a
current peak fastening
value (556) to the display 165. As illustrated, the current peak fastening
value (556) is "101.2 ft-
lb." The screen continually updates to show the peak torque of each wrench
cycle as the wrench
100 is used. The peak value will also be saved to a log file on the device
160. If the fastening
procedure includes rotating the work-piece by a certain angle after a
specified torque is reached,
the display may switch to displaying angle information, or display both torque
and angle
information.
[0074] FIG. 5G illustrates an example of the "log" feature 514d. The mode
indicator 504e
identifies that the current operational mode is "log." The log screen shows
the current log file
contents 560 stored on the device 160. All of the log files are transportable
to other devices.
The device user is able to select log files 560 (e.g., by touching record
names via the touch-
sensitive display 165 to make a selection), delete any unwanted records (e.g.,
using delete button
562), and share selected log contents (e.g., using share button 564) using any
sharing application
available on the device 160, such as e-mail, Dropbox, etc.
[0075] FIG. 5H shows an example of sharing selected log files 574 via e-
mail. The software
application or the e-mail application may automatically populate the "from"
field 568, and the
software application may automatically populate the subject field 572. The
user populates the
"to" field 570 in the ordinary manner used by the e-mail application, and
selects the "send"
button 576 to send or the "cancel" button 578 to cancel.
[0076] FIG. 5I shows an example of calibration options that the device 160
may be used to
configure for the wrench 100. The editable fields include a calibration
interval field 580 where a
18
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

desired number of months can be set, a calibration cycles field 581 where a
number of cycles can
be set, a warning field 582 where it can be selected whether or not warnings
are to be provided, a
calibration warning cycle field 583 where a number of cycles can be set for
purposes of the
warning, and a calibration warning days field 584 where a number of days can
be set for
purposes of the warning. A notification field 585 can also be present where it
can be selected
whether or not notification are sent to an email address provided in an email
field 586. This
allows the wrench and software application running on the device 160 to
determine the elapsed
time from the last calibration date to notify the operator of the number of
days before calibration
is required to configure the wrench 100 to determine the number of torque
cycles since the last
calibration date and to notify the operator of the number of cycles left
before calibration is
required. The software application on the device 160 may be used to configure
the wrench 100
to indicate that the wrench 100 requires calibration following an expired
calibration interval or
number of torque cycles since last calibration. The software application on
the device 160 may
also be used to configure the wrench 100 to prevent the use of the wrench 100
once calibration is
required.
[0077]
FIG. 5J illustrates another example of the "edit preset" feature, which may be
used to
edit an existing preset or customize a new preset. Editable fields allow a
technician to change
any of the setting associated with a preset, including a preset type 587 (such
as torque, angle,
torque and angle - torque then angle, etc.), the preset's name 528, the units
534 used for the
preset's torque, a direction of measurement 588, a target torque value 589, a
minimum torque
530 for proper fastening torque, a maximum torque 532 for indicating over
torque, a batch size
590, an offset length 591, and an angle 536 (which may include a minimum
target value for
proper fastener rotation and a maximum target value for indicating over
rotation). Once changes
are made, the changes can be saved using a "save" button 538, or discarded
using a "cancel"
button 540. With regard to the offset length 591, an adapter may be coupled to
the wrench 100,
which changes a length of the torque wrench and changes the measured torque
reading. The
wrench 100 receives the offset or adapter length 591, and the wrench 100
automatically
compensates for the change in length to allow the wrench 100 to display a
compensated
measured torque value.
19
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

[0078] .FIGS. 5K and 5L illustrate an example of the Jobs feature. The
device 160 and/or
application running on the device 160 can be used to set and enable "Job" mode
on the wrench
100. The Job mode is advantageous when a supervisor wants an
operator/technician to
implement a torqueing sequence in a particular order. A Job mode may require
an operator or
technician to perform one or more configured preset operations sequentially.
In Job mode, the
wrench 100 is locked and only the preset modes/operations are executable in
the sequence they
are numbered. The first configured preset is displayed when Job mode is
enabled. When the first
configured preset is completed, the wrench 100 automatically switches to the
next configured
preset.
[0079] Editable fields allow a technician to change any of the setting
associated with a Job,
including selecting a Job 592, editing a job name 593, and view one or more
assigned presets
594 to the Job. Once a Job is selected, the Job can be edited or deleted using
a "edit" button 597,
or deleted using a "delete" button 598. A new Job can also be created using a
"new" button 596.
A new Job can be created or an existing Job edited in the edit Job feature
illustrated in FIG. 5L.
Referring to FIG. 5L, editable fields allow a technician to change any of the
setting associated
with a Job or create a new Job, including the Job name 593, wrench type 599,
library 571.
Presets 573 may also be added to or removed from the assigned presets 594
using add or remove
buttons. Once the changes are made, the changes can be saved using a "save"
button 538, or
discarded using a "cancel" button 540.
[0080] The user interfaces associated with the "wrenches" option 516 in the
options menu
512 of FIG. 5B are not illustrated, and depend in part on the communications
protocol used to
connect the wrench 100 and the device 160. For example, if a variant of
Bluetooth is used for
the communications link 170, the wrenches option 516 will include a list of
wrenches previously
paired with the device 160, indicate which wrench on the list the software
application is currently
configured to use, allow the user to select a wrench from the list to which
the software
application should connect, and provide an interface to pair the device 160 to
a new wrench.
Such interfaces may be part of the software application, part of the operating
system of the
device 160, part of a separate wireless configuration tool on the device 160,
or some combination
thereof.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

[0081] FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating example operations of
the software
application executed by controller(s)/processor(s) 402 of the mobile computing
device 160 as an
example of a database lookup 518. The illustrated process may be initiated,
for example, by
receiving a selection of the database lookup option 518 from the options menu
512 in FIG. 5B.
Background operations such as data logging are omitted from FIG. 6 for
brevity. FIGS. 7A to
7E illustrate examples of interactive user interfaces provided by the software
application in
conjunction with the process flow in FIG. 6 to configure the wrench with
fastening
specifications.
[0082] For example, the application receives (602) a vehicle
identification. The vehicle
identification information may be received, for example, by scanning a barcode
or matric code
on the vehicle using the camera 445, by scanning a radio-frequency
identification (RFID) tag on
a part or on the vehicle, by entry into the mobile computing device 160 using
a virtual keyboard
provided via the touch-sensitive display 165, by entry into a physical
keyboard attached to the
device 160 via an I/O interface 410, by navigating through a nested list of
vehicles by make,
model, and year, and/or by speech-to-text processing using microphone 430.
Speech-to-text
processing may be implemented by the device 160, or using a speech-to-text
processing provided
by the one-or-more servers 190.
[0083] FIG. 7A illustrates the software application performing a vehicle
identification
number (VIN) scan as an example of the process for receiving (602) the vehicle
information.
The displayed operational mode 704a is set to "VIN Scan," and the device
captures images using
camera 445. The software application or a helper application perform image
processing to
identify the VIN in the captured image(s). The software interface may include
a bounding box
706a to assist a user with positioning the device 160 relative to the VIN. The
bounding box may
be static, or may dynamically resize as the image processing software locks
onto the features of
the VIN (as illustrated by resized bounding box 706b in FIG. 7B).
[0084] Based on the vehicle identification information received by the
mobile device 160,
the mobile device 160 determines what vehicle is being worked upon. Depending
upon how the
vehicle identification information is captured, the mobile device 160 may work
in conjunction
with the server(s) 190 to identify the vehicle. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the
software application
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

may output a progress message 708 to indicate that the scanned VIN has been
captured and is
being looked up to identify the vehicle.
[0085] The mobile device 160 sends (604) a query to a server 190 for
database information
about the vehicle. Based on the query, the server 190 generates a list of
fastening tasks from the
database 195 for the identified vehicle, and sends the list to the software
application on the
device 160 as a response to the query. The contents of the list may be
anything from a message
that no information is available for the identified vehicle, to one-or-more
fastening categories
(i.e., tasks) for which the database has information about the identified
vehicle.
[0086] In response to receiving (606) the list of fastening tasks for the
vehicle, the software
application may output (608) a prompt via the display 165, enabling the
user/technician to select
a fastening task from the displayed list. An example is illustrated in FIG.
7C, with the displayed
operational mode 704b changing to "vehicle information." The output 608
includes an identifier
712 of the vehicle (e.g., year, make, and model), and a list of fastening
tasks/categories 714. The
user selects a fastening task 714 from the list and presses "submit" 716 to
select the task. The
process may also afford the technician the ability to change the search (not
illustrated) if
technician is dissatisfied with the received (606) fastening task list,
generating another query
(604).
[0087] After receiving (610) a selection of a fastening task in response to
the prompt, the
software application sends (612) a request for torque specifications for the
selected task back to
the server(s) 190. As illustrated in FIG. 7D, the software application may
output a progress
message 720 to indicate that the torque specifications for the selected task
are being looked up.
[0088] The server 190 that generates the list of fastening tasks 714 may be
the same as or
different than the server 190 that looks up the torque specification for the
selected fastening task.
After looking up the torque specifications in the database 195, the server 190
sends the torque
specifications back to the software application on the device 160 as a
response to the request
(612).
[0089] After the software application receives (614) the torque
specifications, a
determination (616) is made as to whether any presets corresponding to the
specification are
stored on the device 160. The software application may make this determination
(616) based on
22
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

a comparison of a text string for a fastening task or other embedded code
received (614) in the
response with text string or code data stored on the device 160, and
associated with at least one
preset name or value.
[0090] If a preset name is stored on the device 160 for a received
specification, the software
application will supplement (618) the fastening specification list with the
stored preset names.
The software application may associate a preset with a specific manufacturer
and task, rather
than a specific vehicle model and year, automatically applying a technician's
preferred
nomenclature without requiring each occurrence to be individually programmed.
For example, a
technician performing a "Front Wheel Alignment" (fastening task) on a 2003
Toyota Avalon
might set a nickname for lower shock absorber nuts (work pieces) to be "shock
nuts."
Thereafter, whenever the application receives a "Front Wheel Alignment"
specification that
includes values for lower shock absorber nuts on any Toyota, the software
application may
automatically supplement the information received from the database 195 with
the preset
nickname "shock nuts." After the specification are downloaded to the wrench
100, the wrench
100 may display the preset name on the display 230, rather than the name of
the fastening
specification received from the database 195.
[0091] The software application also determines whether any preset values
have been set in
the past to override a received torque specification. In the past, a
technician may have decided
that a torque value received from the database 195 was not what they wanted,
and manually
entered a different torque value. If so, the software application may
substitute (620) the preset
values for the specification values from the database 195. Both the wrench 100
and the software
application on the device 160 may annotate a displayed torque value to
indicate that the value is
based on a preset rather than database information, such as displaying preset
values in a different
color than database values. An interface may also provide the technician an
option to choose
between a previous preset value and the value received from the database.
[0092] After adjusting the torque specifications with presets, the software
application output
(622) a list of work pieces for the selected fastening task on the display
165. Torque and angle
values may be batch or individually downloaded by the software application to
the wrench 100.
As illustrated FIG. 6, work piece torque values are downloaded (632)
individually to facilitate
23
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

some of the interactive features of the software application. However, FIG. 7E
illustrates an
interface that allows a technician to control which values are included in a
batch download.
[0093] In FIG. 7E, the displayed operational mode 704c is "fastening
specifications." The
displayed list includes the titles 724a to 724c of each of the work pieces
received from the
database 195, torque values 726a to 726c that are the values received (614)
from the database
195 and/or preset values if the software application has substituted (620)
preset values, and any
preset names 728a to 728c that supplement (618) the titles 724a to 724c
received from database
195. Presets values and/or names can be set or adjusted by selecting the
corresponding field.
The technician may select which specifications will be downloaded to the
wrench 100 by
selecting a respective specification using selection boxes 730a to 730c, and
then selecting "sync"
732. The interface may also provide (not illustrated) for entry and uploading
of temporary
torque values that will not be saved and applied to future tasks, which may be
convenient when
working with a mix of original and aftermarket equipment.
[0094] Returning to FIG. 6, the software application may provide
interactive interfaces to
facilitate completion of a selected task. The software application determines
(624), based on
information received from the database 195, whether torque should be applied
to the workpieces
in a particular order. For example, the torque specifications that are
received (614) may indicate
that the list of work pieces is an ordered list. Along with the ordered list,
the software
application may receive a graphical representation of the part being worked
upon, with torque
values in the list associated with work pieces represented in the graphic.
Mapping data may be
included with the graphical representation identifying where the workpieces
are located within
the graphic. For example, the list may include absolute or relative Cartesian
coordinates, vector
coordinates, or distances from the image edges, identifying the location of a
corresponding work
piece in the graphic. Based on such mapping data, the software application can
determine the
locations of the work pieces in the graphic.
[0095] If the list of work pieces is ordered (624 "Yes"), the graphic as-
received may already
be annotated with the recommended order in which torque should be applied to
the plurality of
work pieces. As an alternative, the software application on the device 160 may
annotate the
graphic by adding or overlaying order numbers adjacent to each work piece, as
output to the
display 165.
24
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

[0096] FIG. 8A illustrates an example of a simplified graphic 810 for a
bolt torque sequence
for a head bolt pattern. The torque and angle values for each bolt in the
sequence are
independent of the others in the sequence, such that each bolt may have
different torque and
angle values. The received graphic may be pictorial, abstract, schematic, a
photograph, etc. The
operational mode 804 displays "fastening sequence," and a counter 816 displays
how many bolts
(i.e., the work pieces) remain to be torqued.
[0097] The software application may add or overlay a visual highlight to
identify each work
piece 812a to 812h on the display 165, and add or overlay a sequence number
814a to 814h
adjacent to each work piece. The sequence numbers may be included in list of
work pieces, or
the software application may generate the numbers based on each work piece's
order in the
ordered list. The screen may also include a graphic component to assist the
technician in
determining the orientation of the displayed graphic relative to the vehicle.
In the example in
FIG. 8A, this displayed indication of orientation is an arrow 818 pointing to
the front of the
vehicle.
[0098] The software application determines (626) a work piece
recommendation to guide the
technician. If the technician follows the sequence as-illustrated in FIG. 8A,
the recommendation
will correspond to the order of the sequence numbers. On the first pass, the
recommendation
will correspond to the first work piece in the sequence (which corresponds to
workpiece 812b in
FIG. 8A). However, if the technician does not follow the recommended order, an
algorithm or
alternative order may be used to determine subsequent recommendations, as will
be described
further below. The software application may also provide a warning to the
user/technician if the
technician does not follow the recommended order, and such a warning may be
recorded.
[0099] The software application may output (628) the recommendation by
distinctively
highlighting the work piece in the graphic. An example of this is illustrated
in FIG. 8B, where a
circle 820 is graphically added around the recommended work piece 812b. The
circle 820
highlights the work piece, and may be uniquely colored, flashing, animated to
change shape
(e.g., pulsing), etc. While a circle is illustrated as the added highlight,
any sort of highlighting
can be used, as the purpose is to visually distinguish the recommended work
piece from the other
work pieces in the graphic.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

[00100] Thereafter, the software application receives (630) a selection of a
work piece that is
input by the user. The device 160 may receive (630) the selection based on the
technician
touching one of the displayed work pieces on the touch-sensitive display 165,
based on the
technician using the user interface 220 on the wrench 100 to select a work
piece, based on
speech-to-text processing, or if list of work pieces includes unique
orientation information for the
work pieces, based on orientation data from the wrench's orientation sensor
328. FIG. 8C
illustrates an example of a technician selecting a work piece in the graphic
that is different than
the recommended work piece 820 in the sequence. The software application may
highlight 822
the selected work piece to provide feedback to the technician, indicating that
the technician's
selection has been received.
[00101] If the work piece specifications are downloaded in a batch to the
wrench, and the
user's selection is input via the user interface 220 on the wrench 100 or
determined based on
wrench head orientation, then the software application may highlight (822) the
selected work
piece on the display 165, and advance directly to outputting (634) values
received from the
wrench to the display 165, as previously illustrated in FIG. 5F.
[00102] If the work piece specification were batch-downloaded and the
selection is received
via the touch interface 165, then the software application signals the
processor/controller 302 on
the wrench which work piece is to be worked upon. Otherwise, if the work piece
specifications
are being downloaded to the wrench on an as-needed basis, the software
application downloads
(632) the values for the selected work piece to the wrench 100. As torque is
applied, the peak
value per sensor data sample is output (634) from the display 165, as
previously illustrated in
FIG. 5F.
[00103] The software application continues (636 "No") to output (634) the
values until the
specified torque and/or angle values are achieved. When the target value(s)
are achieved (636
"Yes"), the wrench 100 and/or software application 160 will output feedback
(e.g., audio
feedback, vibration, etc.) to indicate that the target is achieved. The
software application will
also update 638 the work piece counter 816, and update the list to indicate
that the particular
work piece has been torqued.
26
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

[00104] The process determines (640) whether there are any more work pieces
remaining to
be torqued. If there are not (640 "No"), the process returns to outputting
(608) a prompt to select
a fastening task from the list, as previously discussed in connection with
FIG. 7C. The list may
be updated to indicate which tasks have already been performed. Otherwise (640
"Yes"), if there
are work pieces remaining, the process loops back to step 624 to determine
whether the work
pieces are ordered, and if they are (624 "Yes"), to determine (626) a next
work piece
recommendation.
[00105] As noted above, if the technician follows the recommended order, the
next work
piece recommendation will simply be the next work piece in the ordered
list/sequence.
However, if the technician elects not to follow the recommended order,
selecting an out-of-order
work piece that does not comport with the ordered sequence, there are several
approaches that
the software application may employ to determine which work piece should be
torqued next.
[00106] A first approach is use alternative order data included in a table in
the received (614)
torque specification, indicating alternative recommendation orders to use
based on which work
pieces have already been torqued. This approach requires minimal computation
by the device
160, but increases the amount of data that must be transferred with the torque
specifications, and
potentially bloats the data stored in database 195 if the table data is not
computed by the server
190 on an as-needed basis.
[00107] A second approach is for the software application to query a server
190, including a
list of what work pieces have already been torqued in the query, with the
server 190 responding
with an alternative recommendation order. This reduces the overall amount of
data that must be
transferred with the torque specification, but if the technician continually
ignores the
recommendations, the need to repeatedly communicate with the server 190 during
the process
risks delays in updating recommendations after each selection.
[00108] A third approach is for the software application to apply an algorithm
to determine a
next work piece recommendation. The algorithm may be supplied by the server
190, may be
stored on the device 160 with the server 190 specifying which algorithm to
use, or software
application 160 may independently apply an algorithm stored on the device. The
algorithm
27
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

applied by the device 160 for this approach may also be used by the server 190
to generate the
alternative lists provided with the first and second approaches.
[00109] Examples of the algorithm that may be used to select a next work piece
to
recommend include selecting the highest-priority work piece remaining to be
worked on from
the original list, selecting among the remaining work pieces based on a
magnitude of the torques
specified for the remaining work pieces (e.g., in a smallest-magnitude torque
to largest-
magnitude torque order, or in a largest-magnitude torque to a smallest-
magnitude torque order),
or geometric-based selection, such as outside-in, middle-out, and/or
alternating edges,
determined based on the mapping data included with the graphical
representation. Geometric
selection may be relative to the work pieces that have already been torqued,
and/or relative to the
last work piece that was torqued (e.g., selecting a work piece diagonally
across from the last
work piece torqued).
[00110] More than one of these algorithms may be used to make a
recommendation. For
example, when two-or-more algorithms select a same work piece to recommend as
next, that
work piece may be selected (e.g., the work piece receiving the most votes).
Different algorithms
may be assigned different priorities or "weights" to break ties as to which
work piece should be
next.
[00111] As another approach, if a final angle rotation is to be applied to a
work piece after a
work piece is seated, the software application may withhold the angle until
after all the work
pieces are seated, and then repeat the original ordered list in the original
sequence, indicating the
angles for the work pieces where the angle data was withheld using the initial
order.
[00112] FIG. 8D illustrates an updated fastening sequence graphic
representation, where the
work piece counter 816 has been updated, and the work piece that was
previously selected is
marked 824 as completed (using different highlighting than was used to mark a
recommendation
820 and a selection 822). The software application outputs 820 a next work
piece
recommendation, as determined (626) using one of the above-described
approaches.
[00113] Referring to FIG. 9, in another example, the device 160 can be used to
wirelessly
transmit a message to set a number of fastener cycles (i.e., batch count) to
perform. This
configuration is advantageous to determine, for example, whether the user has
properly
28
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

sequentially torqued all the fasteners/workpieces in the batch. For example,
if the batch includes
3 bolts, a typical mistake is for the user to believe that all 3 bolts have
been properly torqued, but
instead one or more of the bolts have been mistakenly torqued more than once,
and one or more
of the bolts therefore remain loose or have not been properly torqued. Once
configured, the
wrench 100 displays the cycle number and the total number to be performed. For
example, the
display 230 of the wrench 100 may display a preset name 902 and number 904,
target torque
value 906, measurement units 908, batch count 910, and current cycle count 912
associated with
the batch count operation.
[00114] The display 230 may also show a locked or unlocked icon to indicate
whether the
wrench 100 is in either one of a locked or unlocked selective states. As
illustrated in FIG. 9, a
locked icon 914 is displayed, indicating that the batch operation must be
completed prior to
moving to another operation. The device 160 may also configure the wrench 100
to redo a
torqueing operation, if the torqueing operation was performed or measured
incorrectly. In this
instance, the cycle count to redo is displayed on the wrench 100.
[00115] In another embodiment, the device 160 can be used to set up and
configure locking
operations of the wrench 100. Referring to FIG. 10, the wrench 100 can be
configured to enter a
locked state when a wireless link between the wrench 100 and device 160 is
disabled or fails.
For example, the wrench 100 receives a message from the device 160 and/or
application running
on the device 160 to configure a locking operation (1002). The wrench 100
configures itself, via
the processor/controller 302, with the locking operation (1004). The wrench
100 and/or
processor/controller 302 checks a status of a wireless communication link
between the wrench
100 and the device 160 (1006). If the status of a wireless communication link
(1008) is
connected, the wrench 100 remains in the unlocked state (1010), and can be
used to perform a
torqueing operation. However, if the status of a wireless communication link
(1008) is
unconnected, the wrench 100 enters a locked state (1012), and measurement
operations are
disabled. A LOCKED message is displayed (1014), for example on the display
230, and an
indication may be activated. For example, the indication may be a vibration
that is activated
(such as haptic vibrator 340), and illumination of red LEDs (such as LED 330a
and/or 330b)
until torque is released. When the link is re-connected, measurement may be
reenabled re-
enabled.
29
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

[00116] Referring to FIG. 11, the wrench 100 can be configured to enter a
locked state by the
device 160. For example, a technician can use the device 160 and/or
application running on the
device 160 to place the wrench 100 in a locked state at any time. In this
example, the wrench
100 receives a message from the device 160 and/or application running on the
device 160 to
configure a locking operation (1102).
The wrench 100 configures itself, via the
processor/controller 302, with the locking operation (1104). The wrench 100
enters a locked
state (1106), and measurement operations are disabled. A LOCKED message, for
example, is
displayed (1108), on the display 230, and an indication may be activated. For
example, the
indication may be a vibration that is activated (such as haptic vibrator 340),
and illumination of
red LEDs (such as LED 330a and/or 330b) until torque is released. This may be
useful when
incorrect presets are being used or for any other reason. A power cycle or
resending of preset
parameters can be used to re-enable the wrench 100 for fastener operations.
[00117] Referring to FIG. 12, the wrench 100 can be configured, by the device
160, to enter a
locked state to prevent further fastener operations by enabling a lock at an
end of batch
operation. This can be used as a further indication to the user or technician
that the batch
operation has been completed. For example, a technician can use the device 160
and/or
application running on the device 160 to send a lock operation or
configuration to the wrench
100 In this example, the wrench 100 receives a message from the device 160
and/or application
running on the device 160 to configure a locking operation (1202). The wrench
100 configures
itself, via the processor/controller 302, with the locking operation (1204).
The wrench 100 is
used to perform the batch operation and determines whether a cycle count
reaches the batch
count (1206/1208). If the cycle count does not match the batch count, the
wrench remains in the
unlocked state (1210), and can be used to perform a torqueing operation.
However, if the cycle
count does match the batch count, the wrench 100 enters a locked state (1212),
and further
measurement operations are disabled. A LOCKED message is displayed (1214), for
example on
the display 230, and an indication may be activated. For example, the
indication may be a
vibration that is activated (such as haptic vibrator 340), and illumination of
red LEDs (such as
LED 330a and/or 330b). Resending preset parameters or a redo message can be
used to re-
enable the wrench 100 for fastener operations.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

[00118] Referring to FIG. 13, the wrench 100 can be configured, by the device
160, to enter a
locked state to prevent further fastener operations by enabling a lock on over
torque or rotation.
For example, a technician can use the device 160 and/or application running on
the device 160 to
send a lock operation or configuration to the wrench 100 In this example, the
wrench 100
receives a message from the device 160 and/or application running on the
device 160 to
configure a locking operation (1302).
The wrench 100 configures itself, via the
processor/controller 302, with the locking operation (1304). The wrench 100 is
used to perform
a torqueing operation and measures applied torque and/or angle values (1306).
The wrench 100
also determines whether the measured applied torque and/or angle values exceed
maximum
preset torque and/or angle values (1308). If the measured applied torque
and/or angle values do
not exceed the maximum preset torque and/or angle values, the wrench remains
in the unlocked
state (1310), and can be used to perform the torqueing operation. However, if
the measured
applied torque and/or angle values exceed the maximum preset torque and/or
angle values, the
wrench 100 enters a locked state (1312), and measurement operations are
disabled. A LOCKED
message is displayed (1314), for example on the display 230, and an indication
may be activated.
For example, the indication may be a vibration that is activated (such as
haptic vibrator 340), and
illumination of red LEDs (such as LED 330a and/or 330b). Resending preset
parameters or a
redo message can be used to re-enable the wrench 100 for fastener operations.
[00119] The device 160 and/or application running on the device 160 can also
be used to lock
the presets. For example, the wrench 100 can be locked to use only preset
torque/angle
measurements, and manual torque and angle modes are disabled. In this example,
a lock icon
(such as the lock icon 914) is displayed on the preset target screen of the
display 230 when
locked. The user/technician can only select from multiple presets on the
wrench or application
running on the device 160. A password may be required to make any
configuration changes on
the wrench 100.
[00120] The device 160 and/or application running on the device 160 can also
be used to lock
menu access to the wrench 100. For example, menu access on the wrench 100 can
be locked,
and manual torque and angle modes disabled. In this example, a lock icon (such
as the lock icon
914) is displayed on the preset target screen of the display 230 when locked.
A password may be
required to enable access to menus on the wrench 100.
31
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

[00121] It should be appreciated that any number of the lock operations
illustrated and
described above may be used in combination with one another. The lock
operations may also be
used in conjunction with any of the other configurations, operations, presets,
fastening tasks, etc.
described herein.
[00122] The concepts disclosed herein may be applied within several different
devices and
computer systems. Although device 160 is described as a mobile device, any
computer may be
used. Likewise, the server(s) 190 may be any sort of computer.
[00123] The specific examples discussed above are meant to be illustrative.
They were
chosen to explain the principles and application of the disclosure and are not
intended to be
exhaustive. Persons having ordinary skill in the field of computers should
recognize that
components and process steps described herein may be interchangeable with
other components
or steps, or combinations of components or steps, and still achieve the
benefits and advantages of
the present invention.
[00124] The processes executed by the wrench 100, the device 160, and servers
190 may be
implemented as a computer method or as an article of manufacture such as a
memory device or
non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage
medium may
be readable by a computer and may comprise instructions for causing a computer
or other device
to perform the described processes. The computer readable storage medium may
be
implemented by a non-volatile computer memory, storage, or media. In addition,
some of the
processing operations attributed to the wrench 100 may be implemented as
firmware or as a state
machine in hardware, such as implementing some or all of the operations
executed by
processor/controller 302 as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
a field
programmable gate array (FPGA), or some combination thereof.
[00125] As used in this disclosure, the term "a" or "one" may include one or
more items
unless specifically stated otherwise. Further, the phrase "based on" is
intended to mean "based
at least in part on" unless specifically stated otherwise.
[00126] As used herein, the term "coupled" and its functional equivalents are
not intended to
necessarily be limited to direct, mechanical coupling of two or more
components. Instead, the
term "coupled" and its functional equivalents are intended to mean any direct
or indirect
32
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

mechanical, electrical, or chemical connection between two or more objects,
features, work
pieces, and/or environmental matter. "Coupled" is also intended to mean, in
some examples, one
object being integral with another object.
[00127] The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying
drawings is
offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular
embodiments have
been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
changes and
modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of the
inventors'
contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be
defined in the following
claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
33
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-19

Representative Drawing