Method and apparatus for auditing a battery test

• US 6,091,245 A
• Filed: 10/25/1999
• Issued: 07/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ballato, Josie
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Vincent Q.
• Application Number:
  US09/426,302
• Time in Patent Office: 267 Days
• Field of Search: 324/426, 324/429, 324/430, 324/433, 324/158.1, 340/636, 702/119, 702/64
• 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 31/367 Software therefor, e.g. for battery testing using modelling or look-up tables
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/374 with means for correcting the measurement for temperature or ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3835 involving only voltage measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/386 using test-loads
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/389 Measuring internal impedance, internal conductance or related variables

Abstract

A method and apparatus for auditing condition of a storage battery performs a battery test on the storage battery to obtain a test result. Test condition information is obtained related to conditions of the battery test. The battery test result and the test condition information is combined into a code. The code may be subsequently used to determine conditions during the battery test which lead to the particular test result.

Claims

1. A method for auditing a battery test using battery test code data, comprising:

obtaining the battery test code data, the battery test code data in an encrypted format;

extracting test condition information from the encrypted battery test code data, the test condition information indicative of a condition under which the battery test was performed on a battery; and

extracting test result information from the encrypted battery test code data, the test result information indicative of a result of the battery test, the result indicative of a conclusion of the battery test regarding a condition of the battery.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the test condition information includes intermediate test result information.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the intermediate test result information includes battery voltage.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the intermediate test result information includes battery conductance.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the intermediate test result information includes resistance.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the intermediate test result information includes impedance.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein the test condition information includes temperature information.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein the test condition information includes rated battery Cold Cranking Amps (CCA).

9. The method of claim 2 wherein the test condition information includes geographic information.

10. The method of claim 2 wherein the test condition information includes information related to a vehicle containing the battery.

11. The method of claim 2 wherein the battery test code data comprises an alpha numeric code.

12. The method of claim 2 wherein obtaining the battery test code data comprises reading a code written on the battery.

13. The method of claim 2 wherein the test condition information includes information related to the battery.

14. The method of claim 1 including:

calculating battery condition as a function of the extracted test condition information; and

comparing the extracted test result with the calculated battery condition.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the test condition information includes battery type.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the test condition information includes geographic location.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the test condition information includes time information.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the test condition information includes the name of the operator.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the test condition information includes the VIN code of a vehicle which contains the battery.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the test condition information includes battery specific information.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the test condition information includes battery serial number.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the test condition information includes battery model.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the test condition information includes date of manufacture of the battery.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the test condition information includes a digital signature.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining the battery test code data comprises reading a bar code.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining the battery test code data comprises receiving the code data.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein receiving the code data comprises receiving data through a modem.

28. The method of claim 1 wherein the test result information includes battery capacity.

29. The method of claim 1 wherein the test result information includes battery state of charge.