INTEGRATED TAG READER AND ENVIRONMENT SENSOR

• US 20090184165A1
• Filed: 04/01/2009
• Published: 07/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I., Philbrook, John S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,436,619 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.10
• 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

A combined sensing and reading apparatus. The apparatus includes a tag reader and an environment sensor integrated with the tag reader. A battery maintenance tool that includes a tag reader and an environment sensor integrated with the tag reader is also provided. Examples of a battery maintenance tool include a battery tester and a battery charger.

Claims

1. A combined sensing and reading apparatus comprising:

a tag reader; and

an environment sensor integrated with the tag reader.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising a holding feature that maintains the tag reader and the environment sensor in an integrated configuration.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 and wherein the holding feature comprises a connector between the tag reader and the environment sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 and wherein the holding feature comprises at least one band that encircles the tag reader and the environment sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 and wherein the holding feature comprises a common housing that encloses both the tag reader and the environment sensor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the tag reader is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the tag reader is a barcode reader.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising a common activation mechanism configured to substantially simultaneously activate both the tag reader and the environment sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the environment sensor is a temperature sensor.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 and wherein the temperature sensor is a non-contact temperature sensor.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 and wherein the non-contact temperature sensor is an infrared temperature sensor.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the tag reader is configured to read a tag affixed to a battery.

13. A battery maintenance tool comprising the apparatus of claim 12.

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

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the battery maintenance tool is a battery charger.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the tag reader and the environment sensor receive power via Kelvin connectors of the battery maintenance tool.

17. A method of reading information from a tag affixed to an item and for obtaining measurement data for the item, the method comprising:

providing a tag reader that is capable of reading information from the tag; and

integrating an environment sensor with the tag reader.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the environment sensor is a temperature sensor.

19. The method of claim 18 and wherein the temperature sensor is a non-contact temperature sensor.

20. The method of claim 19 and wherein the non-contact temperature sensor is an infrared temperature sensor.