Method and apparatus for auditing a battery test

• US 6,885,195 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2002
• Issued: 04/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Rajnikant B.
• Application Number:
  US10/098,741
• Publication Number:
  US 20030001579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 324/426, 324/427, 324/428, 324/430, 324/435, 324/436, 320/125, 320/134, 320/153, 320/116, 320/112, 320/106, 340/636, 340/637
• US Class Current: 324/426
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/005 Testing of electric installations on transport means
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• 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 31/378 specially adapted for the type of battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/379 for lead-acid batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/382 Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/386 using test-loads
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3865 related to manufacture, e.g. testing after manufacture
• 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. Subjective information pertaining to the battery is obtained. An audit code is generated based on the battery test result and the subjective information.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring the condition of a storage battery, comprising:

performing a battery test on the storage battery and obtaining a test result;

obtaining subjective information pertaining to the battery wherein the subjective information relates to observations made by an operator; and

generating an encrypted code based on the test result and the subjective information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining subjective, information comprises obtaining observation data pertaining to a problem with the battery and generating the encrypted code based on the observation data.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the problem relates to a vehicle containing the battery.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the problem relates to a physical condition of the battery.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the problem is observed by a technician.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the problem is observed by a customer using the battery.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining subjective information comprises obtaining an indication of customer accommodation and generating the encrypted code based on the indication.

8. The method of claim 1 and further comprising obtaining battery test related to conditions of the battery test and generating the encrypted code based on the battery test information.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the battery test information includes a name of the operator performing the battery test.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the battery test information includes a location of the dealer performing the battery test.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the battery test information includes information related to a vehicle containing the battery.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the battery test information includes obtaining temperature information.

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

14. The method of claim 1 wherein performing a battery test includes determining battery conductance.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein performing a test includes applying an electrical load to the battery.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the encrypted code comprises an alpha numeric code.

17. The method of claim 1 including placing the encrypted code on the battery.

18. The method of claim 1 and further comprising obtaining battery test information and wherein obtaining subjective information comprises obtaining observation data and an indication of customer accommodation, and generating the encrypted code based on the battery test information.

19. An electronic battery tester configured to generate the encrypted code in accordance with the method of claim 1.

20. An apparatus for monitoring the condition of a storage battery, comprising:

battery test circuitry for performing a battery test on the storage battery and providing a battery test result;

input circuitry receiving subjective information pertaining to the battery, wherein the subjective information relates to observations made by an operator; and

calculation circuitry coupled to the battery test circuitry and the input circuitry and generating an encrypted code based on the battery test result and the subjective information.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the subjective information comprises observation data pertaining to a problem with the battery and the calculation circuitry generates the encrypted code based on the observation data.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the problem relates to a vehicle containing the battery.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the problem relates to a physical condition of the battery.

24. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the problem is observed by a technician.

25. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the problem is observed by a customer using the battery.

26. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the subjective information comprises an indication of customer accommodation and the calculation circuitry generates the encrypted code based on the indication.

27. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the input circuitry further receives battery test information related to conditions of the battery test and the calculation circuitry generates the encrypted code based on the battery test information.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the battery test information includes a name of the operator performing the battery test.

29. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the battery test information includes a location of the dealer performing the battery test.

30. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the battery test information includes information related to a vehicle containing the battery.

31. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the battery test information includes temperature information.

32. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the battery test information includes rated battery Cold Cranking Amps (CCA).

33. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the battery test circuitry includes means for determining battery conductance.

34. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the battery test circuitry includes means for applying an electrical load to the battery.