Battery tester with battery replacement output

• US 6,906,522 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2002
• Issued: 06/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I., Sampson, William G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US10/112,998
• Publication Number:
  US 20030184306A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 324/426, 324/427, 324/428, 324/429, 324/430, 324/431, 324/432, 324/433
• 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 31/374 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

Abstract

An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery. The battery tester provides a replacement battery output as a function of battery environment information and battery replacement information.

Claims

1. A method of testing a storage battery, comprising:

obtaining a battery test result;

obtaining battery environment information;

obtaining battery replacement information; and

providing a battery replacement output.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the battery replacement output comprises outputting information related to a single replacement battery for the storage battery.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising providing a price of the single replacement battery.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising providing a quality level of the single replacement battery.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the battery replacement output comprises outputting information related to different battery replacement options for the storage battery.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising providing prices for the different battery replacement options.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising providing quality levels for the different battery replacement options.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the battery replacement output comprises providing information related to battery sales promotional activities.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the battery replacement output comprises providing a visual output.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the battery replacement output comprises providing an audio output.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the battery replacement output comprises providing the battery replacement output at a remote location.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining battery environment information comprises obtaining information related to the geographical location in which the battery is used.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining battery environment information comprises obtaining information related to the seasons in which the battery is used.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining battery environment information comprises obtaining information related to a vehicle in which the battery is used.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining battery environment information comprises obtaining battery size information.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining the battery test result is carried out by measuring at least one dynamic parameter of the battery and obtaining the battery test result as a function of the measured dynamic parameter.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the at least one dynamic parameter includes battery conductance.

18. A battery tester implementing the steps of claim 1.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining battery replacement information includes obtaining information related to battery type.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining battery replacement information includes obtaining information related to battery price.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining battery replacement information includes obtaining information related to battery warranty.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the battery replacement output is provided as a function of the information related to battery warranty.

23. An apparatus for testing a storage battery, comprising:

a processor configured to determine a battery replacement output based on a battery test result, battery environment information and battery replacement information; and

an output device configured to report the battery replacement output.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the processor is part of a battery test circuit.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the battery test result is obtained by the battery test circuit.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the battery test circuit is configured to couple to terminals of the storage battery through a four point Kelvin connection.

27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the battery test circuit comprises a dynamic parameter measurement circuit.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the dynamic parameter measurement circuit is configured to measure at least one dynamic parameter of the battery, and wherein the battery test result is obtained as a function of the dynamic parameter.

29. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the battery replacement output comprises information related to a single replacement battery for the storage battery.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the battery replacement output further comprises a price of the single replacement battery.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the battery replacement output further comprises a quality level of the single replacement battery.

32. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the battery replacement output comprises information related to different battery replacement options for the storage battery.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the battery replacement output further comprises prices for the different battery replacement options.

34. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the battery replacement output further comprises quality levels for the different battery replacement options.

35. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the battery replacement output comprises information related to battery sales promotional activities.

36. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the output device is configured to provide a visual output.

37. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the output device is configured to provide an audio output.

38. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the output device is situated at a remote location from the processor.

39. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the battery environment information is related to the geographical location in which the battery is used.

40. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the battery environment information is related to the seasons in which the battery is used.

41. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the battery environment information is related to a vehicle in which the battery is used.

42. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the battery environment information is related to battery size information.

43. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the battery replacement information is related to battery type.

44. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the battery replacement information is related to battery warranty.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the battery replacement output is determined as a function of the information related to battery warranty.

46. An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery, comprising:

a memory configured to store battery replacement information related to different types of storage batteries;

an input adapted to receive battery environment information;

test circuitry configured to measure at least one dynamic parameter of the battery and to obtain a battery test result as a function of the measured dynamic parameter and the test condition information, the test circuit further configured to determine battery replacement options, wherein the battery replacement options are selected from the battery replacement information as a function of the battery environment information and the battery test result; and

output circuitry configured to output the battery test result and the battery replacement options.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the battery environment information includes information related to the battery.

48. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the battery environment information includes information related to geographic location.

49. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein battery environment information includes information related to battery temperature.

50. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the battery environment information includes information related to a vehicle which contains the battery.

51. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the battery environment information includes battery type.

52. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the at least one dynamic parameter includes battery conductance.

53. A method of testing a storage battery, comprising:

storing battery replacement information related to different types of storage batteries;

inputting battery environment information;

measuring at least one dynamic parameter of the battery;

obtaining a battery test result as a function of the measured dynamic parameter and the battery environment information;

determining battery replacement options, wherein the battery replacement options are selected from the battery replacement information as a function of the battery environment information and the battery test result; and

outputting the battery test result and the battery replacement options.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein the battery environment information includes information related to the battery.

55. The method of claim 53 wherein the battery environment information includes information related to geographic location.

56. The method of claim 53 wherein the battery environment information includes information related to battery temperature.

57. The method of claim 53 wherein the battery environment information includes information related to a vehicle which contains the battery.

58. The method of claim 53 wherein the battery environment information includes battery type.

59. The method of claim 53 wherein the at least one dynamic parameter includes battery conductance.