Wireless battery tester/charger

• US 20060006876A1
• Filed: 07/11/2005
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I.
• Granted Patent: US 7,772,850 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/426
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/371 with remote indication, e.g. on external chargers
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof

Abstract

An electronic battery tester and method includes generating battery test data from an electronic battery test. The battery test data is transmitted over a wireless communication medium. In another aspect, a method and apparatus is provided for receiving battery test data from a wireless communication medium. Also, a diagnostic battery charger, which is capable of transmitting battery condition information to an external receiver, is provided.

Claims

1. An electronic battery tester, comprising:

battery test circuitry configured to couple to a battery and generate test data; and

communication circuitry configured to transmit the test data over a wireless medium to an external receiver.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test circuitry is further configured to generate an encrypted code including information related to the test data and test condition information, and wherein the communication circuitry is configured to transmit the encrypted code over the wireless communication medium to the external receiver.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communication circuitry utilizes radio frequency (RF) signals to transmit the test data over the wireless communication medium.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communication circuitry utilizes infrared (IR) signals to transmit the test data over the wireless communication medium.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the test circuitry is configured to determine a dynamic parameter of the battery.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the dynamic parameter of the battery is a conductance of the battery.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the test circuitry comprises a temperature sensor that is configured to measure a temperature of the battery.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to transmit the measured temperature over the wireless communication medium.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the test circuitry is configured to receive software updates.

10. A method for testing a storage battery, comprising:

performing a battery test on a storage battery and generating corresponding test data; and

transmitting the test data over a wireless communication medium to an external receiver.

11. The method of claim 10 and further comprising generating an encrypted code including information related to the test data and test condition information, and transmitting the encrypted code across the wireless communication medium to the external receiver.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the encrypted code further comprises information related to a date that the battery test was performed.

13. A receiving system comprising:

a receiver, having an antenna, configured to receive, over a wireless communication medium, test data from a battery tester; and

an output configured to provide information related to the received test data.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the receiving system is portable.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the receiver is a RF receiver.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 and further comprising a computing device that is coupled to the receiver, the computing device is configured to at least temporarily store the received test data.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the receiving system is configured to couple to an Internet connection.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the at least temporarily stored test data is accessible using a web browser.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the receiving system is configured to couple to an Intranet connection.

20. An diagnostic battery charger, comprising:

battery charging and testing circuitry configured to supply energy to the battery and to generate battery condition information; and

communication circuitry configured to transmit the battery condition information over a wireless medium to an external receiver.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the battery charging and testing circuitry is further configured to generate an encrypted code including the battery condition information, and wherein the communication circuitry is configured to transmit the encrypted code over the wireless communication medium to the external receiver.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the communication circuitry utilizes radio frequency (RF) signals to transmit the test data over the wireless communication medium.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the communication circuitry utilizes infrared (IR) signals to transmit the test data over the wireless communication medium.

24. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the charging and testing circuitry further comprises a temperature sensor that is configured to measure a temperature of the battery.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to transmit the measured temperature over the wireless communication medium.

26. A receiving system comprising:

a receiver, having an antenna, configured to receive, over a wireless communication medium, battery condition information from battery charging and testing circuitry; and

an output configured to provide information related to the received battery condition information.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 and further comprising a computing device that is coupled to the receiver, the computing device is configured to at least temporarily store the battery condition information.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the receiving system is configured to couple to an Internet connection.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the at least temporarily stored battery condition information is accessible using a web browser.

30. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the receiving system is configured to couple to an Intranet connection.