Code reading apparatus and method

• US 7,472,820 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Raichle, Kurt, Krampitz, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Michael G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Haupt; Kristy A
• Application Number:
  US10/303,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20040046026A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,233 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.01, 235/462.13, 235/462.15, 235/437, 235/384, 235/375, 701/29, 701/32, 701/33, 701/35, 701/99, 702/57, 702/122, 702/123
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• 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: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An apparatus and method that allows information about the product to be transferred to the testing device so that the pertinent tests can be run. After the product is tested and repaired, updated information can be encoded onto the medium and the medium can be stored with the product for later retrieval.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transferring information to and from a battery tester and charger relating to a tested product, comprising:

a controller configured to run one or more diagnostic tests on the tested product based on first testing information to obtain test result information; and

an encoding device in communication with the controller configured to receive the test result information and encode the test result information onto a first medium in an electronic form, wherein the first medium is configured to be mechanically coupled to the tested product, and wherein the controller is configured to charge the tested product by determining which portion of an input power sine wave to permit to pass to the tested product

a code reader configured to read the first testing information from the first medium, wherein the controller is in communication with the reader and configured to receive the first testing information from the code reader.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the encoding device encodes the test result information onto the first medium in a machine language.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first medium includes at least one of a magnetic data storage medium, an optical data storage medium strip, a flash memory and a memory having a USB drive.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first testing information includes information relating to a warranty of the tested product.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the test result information includes information relating to a warranty of the tested product.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the code reader is further configured to read from the first medium and provide to the controller information regarding at least one of model, make, maintenance information, serial number, lot number, previous tests, analysis, and repairs, current and previous owners, manufacture date, manufacture location, person who originally tested the product before the product is shipped to distributors, rating information, service dates and service procedures of the tested product.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tested product is an automotive battery.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a communication port configured that communicates informing regarding the tested product to a remote device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is a field programmable gate array (FPGA) linked to the battery charger and tester.

10. A method for transferring information to and from a battery tester and charger relating to a tested product, comprising:

performing one or more diagnostic tests by a first testing device on the tested product based on first testing information to obtain test result information;

encoding the first test result information onto a first medium in an electronic form; and

if the first medium is not affixed to the tested product, affixing the first medium onto the tested product,

controlling the charge of the tested product by determining which portion of an input power sine wave to permit to pass to the tested product reading the first testing information from the first medium before performing the one or more diagnostic test.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising shipping the tested product with the first medium to a remote location, and reading the first test result information.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising assessing warranty information based on the first test result information.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the first testing information includes information relating to a warranty of the tested product.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein controlling to charge a battery is performed by a field programmable gate array (FPGA) linked to the battery charger and tester.

15. A system for transferring information to and from a battery tester charger relating to a tested product, comprising:

means for controlling configured to run one or more diagnostic tests on the tested product based on first testing information to obtain test result information; and

means for encoding in communication with the means for controlling configured to receive the test result information and encode the test result information onto a first medium in an electronic form, wherein the first medium is configured to be mechanically coupled to the tested product, and wherein the means for controlling is configured to charge the battery by determining which portion of an input power sine wave to permit to pass to the tested product

means for reading a code configured to read the first testing information from the first medium, wherein the means for controlling is in communication with the means for read mg a code and configured to receive the first testing information from the means for reading a code.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first testing information includes information relating to a warranty of the tested product.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for controlling is a field programmable gate array (FPGA) linked to the battery charger and tester.