System for Automatically Gathering Battery Information

• US 20130087624A1
• Filed: 11/28/2012
• Published: 04/11/2013
• 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 8,704,483 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• 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 method that includes affixing a radio frequency identification tag on a storage battery at a battery manufacturing plant. The method also includes storing battery manufacturing information into the radio frequency identification tag at the battery manufacturing plant. The battery manufacturing information includes a battery algorithm suitable for use in testing the storage battery.

Claims

1. ) An apparatus comprising:

a storage battery having a housing; and

a radio-frequency identification (RFID) label affixed to the housing of the storage battery,

wherein the RFID label includes stored battery test/charge results.

2. ) The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the RFID label further comprises stored battery identification information.

3. ) The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the RFID label further comprises stored battery warranty information.

4. ) The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the RFID label further comprises stored information related to a vehicle in which the battery is used.

5. ) The apparatus of claim 4 and wherein the information related to the vehicle in which the battery is used comprises a vehicle identification number VIN of the vehicle.

6. ) The apparatus of claim 5 and wherein the RFID label comprises stored battery warranty information, and wherein the VIN of the vehicle ties the battery warranty information to the vehicle.

7. ) The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the stored battery test/charge results comprise battery pre-charge test results and a corresponding timestamp for the pre-charge test results and post charge test results and a corresponding timestamp for the post-charge test results.

14. ) The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the stored test results comprise battery pre-charge test results and a corresponding timestamp for the pre-charge test results and post charge test results and a corresponding timestamp for the post-charge test results.

8. ) A method comprising:

affixing a radio-frequency identification (RFID) label to a housing of the storage battery;

testing the storage battery; and

storing the test results in the RFID label.

9. ) The method of claim 8 and further comprising storing battery identification information in the RFID label.

10. ) The method of claim 8 and further comprising storing battery warranty information in the RFID label.

11. ) The method of claim 8 and further comprising storing information related to a vehicle in which the battery is used in the RFID label.

12. ) The method of claim 11 and wherein the information related to the vehicle in which the battery is used comprises a vehicle identification number VIN of the vehicle.

13. ) The method of claim 12 and further comprising storing battery warranty information into the RFID label, wherein the VIN of the vehicle ties the battery warranty information to the vehicle.