Integrated tag reader and environment sensor

• US 8,436,619 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2009
• Issued: 05/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I., Philbrook, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIGGUSH, AARON C
• Application Number:
  US12/416,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20090184165A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,497 Days
• Field of Search: 324/426, 320/106, 320/108
• US Class Current: 324/426
• 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: H01M 10/488 Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
• 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: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A combined sensing and reading apparatus. The apparatus includes a tag reader and an environment sensor integrated with the tag reader. A battery maintenance tool that includes a tag reader and an environment sensor integrated with the tag reader is also provided. Examples of a battery maintenance tool include a battery tester and a battery charger.

Claims

1. A combined sensing and reading apparatus comprising:

a tag reader configured to read a tag affixed to a battery; and

an environment sensor integrated with the tag reader to form a physically independent integrated unit,

wherein the integrated unit is freely positionable relative to the battery with the affixed tag, and

wherein the tag reader of the integrated unit is configured to read the tag affixed to the battery independently of any predetermined fixed positional relationship between the battery with the affixed tag and the tag reader, and

wherein the environment sensor of the integrated unit is configured to measure a condition of an environment of the battery independently of any predetermined fixed positional relationship between the battery and the environment sensor, and

wherein the tag reader of the integrated unit is configured to read the tag affixed to the battery, and the environment sensor of the integrated unit is configured to measure a condition of an environment of the battery, when the integrated unit and any housing including the integrated unit are physically unattached to the battery.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising a holding feature that maintains the tag reader and the environment sensor in an integrated configuration.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 and wherein the holding feature comprises a connector between the tag reader and the environment sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 and wherein the holding feature comprises at least one band that encircles the tag reader and the environment sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 and wherein the holding feature comprises a common housing that encloses both the tag reader and the environment sensor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the tag reader is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the tag reader is a barcode reader.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising a common activation mechanism configured to substantially simultaneously activate both the tag reader and the environment sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 and wherein the common activation mechanism is a push button configured to substantially simultaneously activate both the tag reader and the environment sensor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the environment sensor is a temperature sensor.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 and wherein the temperature sensor is a non-contact temperature sensor.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 and wherein the non-contact temperature sensor is an infrared temperature sensor.

13. A battery maintenance tool comprising the apparatus of claim 1.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the battery maintenance tool is a portable battery tester.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the battery maintenance tool is a battery charger.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the tag reader and the environment sensor receive power via Kelvin connectors of the battery maintenance tool.

17. A method of reading information from a tag affixed to a battery and for obtaining measurement data for the battery, the method comprising:

providing a tag reader that is configured to read information from the tag; and

integrating an environment sensor with the tag reader to form a physically independent integrated unit,

wherein the integrated unit is freely positionable relative to the battery with the affixed tag, and

wherein the tag reader of the integrated unit is configured to read the tag affixed to the battery independently of any predetermined fixed positional relationship between the battery with the affixed tag and the tag reader, and

wherein the environment sensor of the integrated unit is configured to measure a condition of an environment of the battery independently of any predetermined fixed positional relationship between the battery and the environment sensor, and

wherein the tag reader of the integrated unit is configured to read the tag affixed to the battery, and the environment sensor of the integrated unit is configured to measure a condition of an environment of the battery, when the integrated unit and any housing including the integrated unit are physically unattached to the battery.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the environment sensor is a temperature sensor.

19. The method of claim 18 and wherein the temperature sensor is a non-contact temperature sensor.