Electronic battery tester with network communication

• US 20050075807A1
• Filed: 08/09/2004
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I.
• Granted Patent: US 7,003,411 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/63
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/386 using test-loads
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00041 in response to measured battery parameters, e.g. voltage, current or temperature profile
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/163 with special means for initiating or limiting the excitation current

Abstract

An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide a battery test output related to a condition of the battery. A memory stores a battery tester address of the battery tester, and communication circuitry transmits the battery test output formatted with the battery tester address on a communication link to a remote location.

Claims

1. An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery, comprising:

test circuitry configured to couple to the storage battery and provide a battery test output related to a condition of the battery measured through Kelvin connections to the battery;

a memory configured to store a battery tester address of the battery tester; and

communication circuitry configured to transmit battery test data formatted with the battery tester address on a communication link to a remote location.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communication link comprises a physical connection.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communication link comprises a non-physical connection.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communication link is in accordance with TCP/IP.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the address comprises an IP address.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the IP address comprises four groups of eight bits each.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the address comprises a unique address.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communication link is bi-directional.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuitry measures a dynamic parameter of the battery.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 including a user input.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the battery test data includes data received through the user input.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the data received through the user input comprises a battery rating.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the data received through the user input comprises a battery type.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 including a display configured to provide an output related to the condition of the battery.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test data includes the output related to the condition of the battery.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test data includes data used by the test circuitry to determine the condition of the battery.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test data includes data received through a bar code.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test data includes data which identifies a dealer.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test data includes a warranty code.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test data includes a compilation of data.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test data is encrypted.

25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test data is transmitted on the communication link at predetermined times.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test data is transmitted on the communication link in response to polling of the battery tester.

27. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test data includes a vehicle identification number (VIN).

28. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test data includes data retrieved from a data bus of a vehicle.

29. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the battery tester retrieves test parameter updates.

30. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the battery tester receives software updates.

31. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the battery tester receives service bulletins.

34. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the battery tester receives weather related information.

35. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the battery tester receives information related to the specific battery under test.

71. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test is based upon a dynamic measurement.

9. (cancelled)

21. (cancelled)

22. (cancelled)

32. (cancelled)

33. (cancelled)

36. A method for testing a storage battery with a battery tester, comprising:

coupling to the storage battery through a Kelvin connection and providing a battery test output related to a condition of the battery;

retrieving a battery tester address of the battery tester from a memory; and

transmitting battery test data formatted with the battery tester address on a communication link to a remote location.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the communication link comprises a physical connection.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein the communication link comprises a non-physical connection.

39. The method of claim 36 wherein the communication link is in accordance with TCP/IP.

40. The method of claim 36 wherein the address comprises an IP address.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the IP address comprises four groups of eight bits each.

42. The method of claim 36 wherein the address comprises a unique address.

43. The method of claim 36 wherein the communication link is bi-directional.

45. The method of claim 36 including measuring a dynamic parameter of the battery.

46. The method of claim 36 including receiving a user input.

47. The method of claim 41 wherein the battery test data includes the user input.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein the user input comprises a battery rating.

49. The method of claim 47 wherein the user input comprises a battery type.

50. The method of claim 36 including displaying an output related to the condition of the battery.

51. The method of claim 36 wherein the battery test data includes data used by the test circuitry to determine the condition of the battery.

52. The method of claim 36 wherein the battery test data includes data received through a bar code.

53. The method of claim 36 wherein the battery test data includes data which identifies a dealer.

54. The method of claim 36 wherein the battery test data includes a warranty code.

57. The method of claim 36 wherein the battery test data includes a compilation of data.

58. The method of claim 36 including encrypting the battery test data.

59. The method of claim 36 including transmitting battery test data on the communication link at predetermined times.

60. The method of claim 36 wherein the battery test data is transmitted on the communication link in response to polling of the battery tester.

61. The method of claim 36 wherein the battery test data includes a vehicle identification number (VIN).

62. The method of claim 36 including retrieving the battery test data from a data bus of a vehicle.

63. The method of claim 36 including retrieving test parameter updates on the link.

64. The method of claim 36 including receiving software updates on the link.

65. The method of claim 36 including receiving service bulletins on the link.

68. The method of claim 36 including receiving weather related information on the link.

69. The method of claim 36 including receiving information related to the specific battery under test on the link.

72. The method of claim 36 includes obtaining a dynamic measurement of the battery.

44. (cancelled)

55. (cancelled)

56. (cancelled)

66. (cancelled)

67. (cancelled)

70. (cancelled)