System for automatically gathering battery information for use during battery testing/charging

• US 20060038572A1
• Filed: 08/19/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Philbrook, John S.
• Application Number:
  US11/207,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20060038572A1
• 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: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/488 Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00043 using switches, contacts or markings, e.g. optical, magnetic or barcode
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An apparatus and method for testing/charging a storage battery includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that can be affixed to the storage battery, the RFID tag is configured to store and transmit information related to the battery. The apparatus also includes a battery tester/charger. The tester/charger includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver configured to receive the transmitted information related to the battery, and testing/charging circuitry configured to utilize the received information related to the battery to test/charge the storage battery.

Claims

1. An apparatus for testing a storage battery comprising:

a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that can be affixed to the storage battery, the RFID tag is configured to store and transmit information related to the battery; and

a battery tester comprising;

a receiver configured to receive transmitted information related to the battery; and

test circuitry configured to utilize the received information related to the battery to test the storage battery.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a subset of the information related to the battery is embedded in at least one barcode.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery tester further comprises a barcode scanner.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the information related to the battery includes a date of manufacture of the battery.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the information related to the battery includes a date of sale of the battery.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery tester is configured to determine a condition of the storage battery.

7. An apparatus for charging a storage battery comprising:

a RFID tag that can be affixed to the storage battery, the RFID tag is configured to store and transmit information related to the battery; and

a battery charger comprising;

a receiver configured to receive transmitted information related to the battery; and

charging circuitry configured to utilize the received information related to the battery to charge the storage battery.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least a subset of the information related to the battery is embedded in at least one barcode.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the battery charger further comprises a barcode scanner.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the information related to the battery includes a date of manufacture of the battery.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the information related to the battery includes a date of sale of the battery.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a tag that can be affixed to a storage battery, the tag is configured to store and wirelessly transmit information related to the battery; and

a battery maintenance tool comprising;

a receiver configured to receive the transmitted information related to the battery.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the battery maintenance tool is a battery tester.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the battery maintenance tool is a battery charger.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the wireless transmission of information is carried out using radio frequency signals.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the wireless transmission of information is carried out using infrared signals.

17. An method comprising:

forming a tag that can be affixed to a storage battery, and which is capable of wirelessly transmitting information related to the battery; and

providing a receiver that is capable of receiving wirelessly transmitted information related to the battery.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the receiver is a part of a battery maintenance tool.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the battery maintenance tool a battery tester.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the battery maintenance tool is combined battery charger and tester.