ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH NETWORK COMMUNICATION

• US 20100194576A1
• Filed: 04/12/2010
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I.
• Granted Patent: US 8,958,998 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/636.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382

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;

a local communication link configured to provide communication between the test circuitry and a local relay;

a remote communication link configured to provide communication between the local relay and a remote location;

wherein data sent to the remote location includes battery test data and address information.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the local relay comprises a cellular telephone.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the local communication link is in accordance with wireless technology.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the wireless technology comprises Bluetooth®

wireless communication technology.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the wireless communication comprises WIFI.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the local communication comprises a hardwired link.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the hardwired link comprises an ether net connection.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the local relay is configured to communicate with an intermediary remote location.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the intermediary remote location comprises a cellular telephone tower.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the local communication relay includes a memory which stores address information.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the address information comprises an IP address.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the address comprises an address in accordance with cellular telephone communication protocols.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the remote communication link is in accordance with cellular telephone communication protocol.

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

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the test circuitry including a Kelvin connection configured to couple the test circuitry to the battery.

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

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

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the battery test data includes data received through the user input.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the data received through the user input comprises a battery rating.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the data received through the user input comprises a battery type.

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

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

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

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

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

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

27. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test data includes count information.

28. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test data includes information related to a promotion.

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

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

31. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test data is transmitted on the local or remote communication link at predetermined times.

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

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

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

35. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the battery tester retrieves test parameter updates from the local relay.

36. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the battery tester receives software updates from the local relay.

37. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the battery tester receives service bulletins from the local relay.

38. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the battery tester receives test procedures from the local relay.

39. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the battery tester receives battery replacement authorization from the local relay.

40. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the battery tester receives weather related information from the local relay.

41. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the battery tester receives information related to the specific battery under test.

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

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

transmitting battery test data formatted with the battery tester address on a local communication link to a local relay; and

transmitting the battery test data from the local relay to a remote location over a remote communication link.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the communication link comprises a physical connection.

44. The method of claim 42 wherein the communication link comprises a non-physical connection.

45. The method of claim 42 wherein the communication link is in accordance with TCP/IP.

46. The method of claim 42 wherein the address comprises an IP address.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein the IP address comprises four groups of eight bits each.

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

49. The method of claim 42 wherein the communication link is bi-directional.

50. The method of claim 42 wherein the coupling comprises coupling with a Kelvin connection to the battery.

51. The method of claim 42 including measuring a dynamic parameter of the battery.

52. The method of claim 42 including receiving a user input.

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

54. The method of claim 53 wherein the user input comprises a battery rating.

55. The method of claim 53 wherein the user input comprises a battery type.

56. The method of claim 42 including displaying an output related to the condition of the battery.

57. The method of claim 42 wherein the battery test data includes data used by the test circuitry to determine the condition of the battery.

58. The method of claim 42 wherein the battery test data includes data received through a bar code.

59. The method of claim 42 wherein the battery test data includes data which identifies a dealer.

60. The method of claim 42 wherein the battery test data includes a warranty code.

61. The method of claim 42 wherein the battery test data includes count information.

62. The method of claim 42 wherein the battery test data includes information related to a promotion.

63. The method of claim 42 wherein the battery test data includes a compilation of data.

64. The method of claim 42 including encrypting the battery test data.

65. The method of claim 42 including transmitting battery test data on the communication link at predetermined times.

66. The method of claim 42 wherein the battery test data is transmitted on the communication link in response to polling of the battery tester.

67. The method of claim 42 wherein the battery test data includes a vehicle identification number (VIN).

68. The method of claim 42 including retrieving the battery test data from a data bus of a vehicle.

69. The method of claim 42 including retrieving test parameter updates on the link.

70. The method of claim 42 including receiving software updates on the link.

71. The method of claim 42 including receiving service bulletins on the link.

72. The method of claim 42 including receiving test procedures on the link.

73. The method of claim 42 including receiving battery replacement authorization on the link.

74. The method of claim 42 including receiving weather related information on the link.

75. The method of claim 42 including receiving information related to the specific battery under test on the link.