Apparatus and method for testing and charging a power source with ethernet

• US 20040002836A1
• Filed: 09/06/2002
• Published: 01/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Raichle, Kurt, Miller, Garret, Sontheimer, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 6,842,707 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/36 Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A method and apparatus that allows a battery charger/tester to transmit and receive information from a remote location. Information, such as the result of the charge and testing of the battery, can be relayed via a wire or wirelessly to a remote device, such as a server for storage. Additionally, information such as firmware updates can be relayed to the battery charger/tester for upload.

Claims

1. A charging apparatus, comprising:

a power source charger having a module port; and

a communication module received in the module port, wherein the communication module communicates with a remote device.

2. The charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source charger is also a tester.

3. The charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication module is an ethernet module.

4. The charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication module is a wireless ethernet module.

5. The charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote device can be selected from a group consisting of a network server, a printer, a personal computer, a workstation, a file server, a print server, a fax machine, a phone, a pager, an email communication device, a personal digital assistant, a display, other communication device and a combination thereof.

6. The charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication module communicates by receiving information from or by transmitting information to the remote device.

7. The charging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising of a controller in communication with the communication module.

8. A method of communication for a charging apparatus, comprising:

communicating between a controller of the charging apparatus and a communication module; and

communicating between the communication module and a remote device.

9. The method of communication of claim 8, wherein communicating is transmitting and receiving information between the respective devices.

10. The method of communication of claim 8, wherein the charging apparatus can further comprises a module port that receives the communication module.

11. The method of communication of claim 8, wherein the communication module is an ethernet module.

12. The method of communication of claim 8, wherein the communication module is a wireless ethernet module.

13. The method of communication of claim 8, wherein the remote device can be selected from a group consisting of a network server, a printer, a personal computer, a workstation, a file server, a print server, a fax machine, a phone, a pager, an email communication device, a personal digital assistant, a display, other communication device and a combination thereof.

14. The method of communication of claim 8, wherein the controller is a FPGA and the charging apparatus further comprises a tester.

15. The method of communication of claim 8, wherein the communication module can transmit information selected from a group consisting of temperature data, result of charging/testing, warranty information, battery type, make and mode, data from previous charging/testing, firmware, diagnostic, operating parameters, warnings, maintenance information, other data, and a combination thereof.

16. A communication system for a charging apparatus, comprising:

a power source charger means having a module receiving means; and

a first communication means received in the receiving means and can communicate with a remote second communication means.

17. The communication system of claim 16, wherein the power source charger means further includes a power source testing means.

18. The communication system of claim 16, wherein the first communication means is an ethernet means.

19. The communication system of claim 16, wherein the first communication means is a wireless ethernet means.

20. The communication system of claim 16, wherein the remote second communication means can be selected from a group consisting of a network server means, a printer means, a personal computer means, a workstation means, a file server means, a print server means, a fax machine means, a phone means, a pager means, an email communication device means, a personal digital assistant means, a display means, other communication device means and a combination thereof.

21. A charger with a notification system, comprising:

a controller provided with a power source charger for monitoring at least one condition;

a communication module that relays the at least one condition; and

a display for notifying an operator, wherein the controller, the communication module, and the display are in communication with each other.

22. The charger system of claim 21, wherein the controller monitors the at least one condition and notifies the user of said condition.

23. The charger system of claim 21, wherein the controller monitors the at least one condition of the power source and notifies the user of said condition.

24. The charger system of claim 21, wherein the display can be remotely located.

25. The charger system of claim 21, wherein notifying is done visually.

26. The charger system of claim 21, wherein notifying is done audibly.

27. The charger system of claim 21, wherein notifying is done tactilely.

28. The charger system of claim 21, wherein the at least one condition can be the temperature of the power source during charging.

29. The charger system of claim 21, where in the at least one condition can be the status of the battery during charging.

30. The charger system of claim 21, wherein the at least one condition can be the status of the battery during testing.