Centralized data storage of condition of a storage battery at its point of sale

• US 7,498,767 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2006
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interstate Battery Systems International Incorporated (Interstate Battery System of America, Inc.), Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Brown, Dennis V., Bertness, Kevin I., McShane, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US11/356,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20060192564A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/114, 320/115, 320/132, 320/149, 324/426, 324/427, 324/433
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/012 Providing warranty services

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for monitoring replacing of a previously purchased storage battery with a replacement storage battery. A battery tester is coupled to the replacement storage battery. A replacement storage battery identifier is entered into the battery tester that identifies the replacement storage battery. The battery tester performs a battery test on the replacement storage battery. A replacement battery test code is generated using the battery test and the replacement storage battery identifier. The replacement battery test code is communicated to a centralized database. The replacement battery test code is associated with a battery test code related to the previously purchased storage battery in the centralized database.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring sales of storage batteries, the method comprising:

coupling a battery tester to a select storage battery that is being purchased;

entering a storage battery identifier into the battery tester that identifies the select storage battery;

performing a battery test on the select storage battery with the battery tester;

generating a battery test code related to a condition of the select storage battery derived from the battery test and the storage battery identifier; and

communicating the battery test code to a centralized database.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the battery test code comprises the storage battery identifier and encoded battery test results, the encoded battery test results comprising information generated during the step of performing a battery test.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising printing the battery test code.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising removing a removable portion of a multi-part sticker on the select storage battery and placing the removable portion of the multi-part sticker on a printout that includes the printed battery test code.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating a limited warranty for the select storage battery by accessing the battery test code that is associated with the select storage battery in the centralized database.

6. The method of claim 1 including communicating information that identifies a purchaser of the select battery to the centralized database.

7. The method of claim 1 including communicating a warranty duration of a selected warranty that is associated with the select storage battery to the centralized database.

8. The method of claim 1 including associating information that identifies a purchaser of the select battery and associating information of a warranty duration with the battery test code in the centralized database.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein entering the storage battery identifier comprises entering the storage battery identifier through an input on the battery tester.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the input on the battery tester comprises an input selected from the group of inputs consisting of a keypad, a bar code scanner and a RFID reader.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating the battery test code to a centralized database comprises communicating the battery test code over a network.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating the battery test code to a centralized database comprises communicating the battery test code over one of a infrared and RF signal.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating the battery test code to a centralized database comprises:

storing the battery test code on a removeable memory card insertable in a memory card receiver in the battery tester; and

uploading the battery test code to the centralize database by removing the memory card from the battery tester and inserting the memory card into a memory card receiver in the centralized database.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating the battery test code to a centralized database comprises:

printing the battery test code onto a printout in the form of a bar code; and

scanning the bar code into the centralized database using a bar code reader coupled to the centralized database.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating the battery test code to a centralized database comprises:

printing the battery test code onto a printout in a human readable form; and

manually entering the battery test code into the centralized database based on the human readable form of the printout.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

subsequently testing the select storage battery after the select storage battery has been placed into use; and

providing a replacement storage battery after the subsequent test of the select storage battery.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising associating a warranty duration with the replacement storage battery that is related to time remaining of a warranty duration for the select storage battery.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing a rebate check for the replacement storage battery.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

entering the storage battery identifier of the select storage battery prior to subsequently testing the select storage battery; and

generating a battery test code that indicates the storage battery identifier and the subsequent test.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

entering a replacement storage battery identifier for the replacement battery; and

generating a replacement battery test code that indicates the replacement storage battery identifier and a battery test of the replacement battery.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising associating the replacement battery test code with the battery test code of the select storage battery in the centralized database.

22. A method of monitoring replacements of storage batteries, the method comprising:

coupling a battery tester to a replacement storage battery that is replacing a previously purchased storage battery;

entering a replacement storage battery identifier into the battery tester that identifies the replacement storage battery;

performing a battery test on the replacement storage battery with the battery tester;

generating a replacement battery test code related to a condition of the replacement storage battery derived from the battery test and to the replacement storage battery identifier;

communicating the replacement battery test code to a centralized database; and

associating the replacement battery test code with a battery test code related to the previously purchased storage battery in the centralized database.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising associating a warranty duration with the replacement storage battery that is a time remaining in a warranty duration of the previously purchased storage battery.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing a rebate check for the replacement storage battery.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising printing the replacement battery test code.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein communicating the replacement battery test code to a centralized database comprises communicating the replacement battery test code over one of a infrared and RF signal.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein communicating the replacement battery test code to a centralized database comprises:

storing the battery test code on a removeable memory card insertable in a memory card receiver in the battery tester; and

uploading the replacement battery test code to the centralize database by removing the memory card from the battery tester and inserting the memory card into a memory card receiver in the centralized database.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein communicating the replacement battery test code to a centralized database comprises:

printing the replacement battery test code onto a printout in the form of a bar code; and

scanning the bar code into the centralized database using a bar code reader coupled to the centralized database.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein communicating the replacement battery test code to a centralized database comprises:

printing the replacement battery test code onto a printout in a human readable form; and

manually entering the replacement battery test code into the centralized database based on the human readable form of the printout.

30. A system for monitoring sales of storage batteries, the system comprising:

a battery tester coupled to a select storage battery that is being purchased, the battery tester configured to;

receive a storage battery identifier that identifies the select storage battery;

perform a battery test on the select storage battery;

generate a battery test code that indicates the storage battery identifier and encoded battery test results that includes information generated during the performing of the battery test; and

a centralized database coupled to the battery tester and configured to receive and store the battery test code.

31. The system of claim 30, further comprising a printer configured to print the battery test code.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the centralized database is further configured to receive a warranty duration of a selected warranty that is associated with the battery test code of the select storage battery.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein the battery tester is further configured to subsequently test the select storage battery after the select storage battery has been placed into use.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the battery tester is further configured to:

receive a replacement storage battery identifier for a replacement battery that is to replace the select storage battery; and

generate a replacement battery test code indicating the replacement storage battery identifier and encoded battery test results that includes information generated during the battery test of the replacement battery.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the centralized database is configured to associate the replacement battery test code with the battery test code of the select storage battery.