Wireless battery tester with information encryption means

• US 7,772,850 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2005
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Muralidar; Richard V
• Application Number:
  US11/178,550
• Publication Number:
  US 20060006876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,856 Days
• Field of Search: 324/426, 324/430, 320/132, 320/136
• 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 31/371 with remote indication, e.g. on external chargers
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof

Abstract

An electronic battery tester and method includes generating battery test data from an electronic battery test. The battery test data is transmitted over a wireless communication medium. In another aspect, a method and apparatus is provided for receiving battery test data from a wireless communication medium. Also, a diagnostic battery charger, which is capable of transmitting battery condition information to an external receiver, is provided.

Claims

1. A method of testing a storage battery comprising:

connecting a battery test device to the storage battery;

obtaining, via an input of the battery test device, identification information for an operator carrying out the battery test;

obtaining, via the input of the battery test device, test condition information related to the battery;

obtaining battery measurement values by performing a step in a battery test on the storage battery with the battery test device;

digitizing the battery measurement values with the battery test device;

determining, using a microprocessor in the battery test device, a condition of the battery as a function of the digitized battery measurement values and the test condition information;

digitally combining the operator identification information, the test condition information, the digitized battery measurement values and the condition of the battery to form an encrypted code, the encrypted code having properties such that the operator identification information, the digitized battery measurement values and the condition of the battery are subsequently recoverable from the encrypted code and the battery test subsequently verifiable through comparing the measurement values to the condition of the battery to identify operator falsification of the battery test; and

transmitting the encrypted code that combines the operator identification information, the test condition information, the digitized battery measurement values and the condition of the battery, across a wireless communication medium to an external receiver.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the condition of the battery comprises computing a dynamic parameter of the battery.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the dynamic parameter of the battery is a conductance of the battery.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the encrypted code further comprises information related to a date that the battery test was performed.

5. An apparatus comprising:

battery test circuitry configured to couple to a battery and to generate battery measurement values;

an analog to digital converter configured to provide digitized measurement values;

input circuitry configured to receive operator identification information and test condition information related to a test condition of the storage battery;

a microprocessor configured to determine a condition of the storage battery as a function of the digitized measurement values and the test condition information, the microprocessor is further configured to generate an encrypted code that combines the operator identification information, the test condition information, the digitized battery measurement values and the condition of the battery, the encrypted code having properties such that the operator identification information, the digitized battery measurement values and the condition of the battery are subsequently recoverable from the encrypted code and the battery test subsequently verifiable through comparing the measurement values to the condition of the battery to identify operator falsification of the battery test; and

communication circuitry configured to transmit the encrypted code that combines the operator identification information, the test condition information, the digitized battery measurement values and the condition of the battery, across a wireless communication medium to an external receiver.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the communication circuitry utilizes radio frequency (RF) signals to transmit the encrypted code that combines the operator identification information, the test condition information, the digitized battery measurement values and the condition of the battery over the wireless communication medium.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the communication circuitry utilizes infrared (IR) signals to transmit the encrypted code that combines the operator identification information, the test condition information, the digitized battery measurement values and the condition of the battery over the wireless communication medium.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the microprocessor is configured to determine a dynamic parameter of the battery.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the dynamic parameter of the battery is a conductance of the battery.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the battery test circuitry comprises a temperature sensor that is configured to measure a temperature of the battery.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to transmit the measured temperature over the wireless communication medium.

12. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the battery test circuitry is configured to receive software updates.

13. A receiving system comprising:

a receiver, having an antenna, configured to receive, over a wireless communication medium, a generated encryption code from a battery tester, the encrypted code combining operator identification information, test condition information, digitized battery measurement values and a condition of the battery, the encrypted code having properties such that the operator identification information, the digitized battery measurement values and the condition of the battery are subsequently recoverable from the encrypted code and the battery test subsequently verifiable through comparing the measurement values to the condition of the battery to identify operator falsification of the battery test; and

an output configured to provide information related to the condition of the battery.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the receiving system is portable.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the receiver is a RF receiver.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 and further comprising a computing device that is coupled to the receiver, the computing device is configured to at least temporarily store the operator identification information, the test condition information, the digitized battery measurement values and the condition of the battery.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the receiving system is configured to couple to an Internet connection.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the at least temporarily stored test data is accessible using a web browser.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the receiving system is configured to couple to an Intranet connection.