Electronic battery tester with network communication

Abstract

An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide a battery test output related to a condition of the battery. A memory stores a battery tester address of the battery tester, and communication circuitry transmits the battery test output formatted with the battery tester address on a communication link to a remote location.

1 . An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery, comprising: 
 test circuitry configured to couple to the storage battery and provide a battery test output related to a condition of the battery;    a memory configured to store a battery tester address of the battery tester; and    communication circuitry configured to transmit battery test data formatted with the battery tester address on a communication link to a remote location.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the communication link comprises a physical connection.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the communication link comprises a non-physical connection.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the communication link is in accordance with TCP/IP.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the address comprises an IP address.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the IP address comprises four groups of eight bits each.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the address comprises a unique address.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the communication link is bi-directional.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the test circuitry including a Kelvin connection configured to couple the test circuitry to the battery.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the circuitry measures a dynamic parameter of the battery.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a user input.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the battery test data includes data received through the user input.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the data received through the user input comprises a battery rating.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the data received through the user input comprises a battery type.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a display configured to provide an output related to the condition of the battery.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the battery test data includes the output related to the condition of the battery.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the battery test data includes data used by the test circuitry to determine the condition of the battery.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the battery test data includes data received through a bar code.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the battery test data includes data which identifies a dealer.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the battery test data includes a warranty code.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the battery test data includes count information.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the battery test data includes information related to a promotion.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the battery test data includes a compilation of data.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the battery test data is encrypted.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the battery test data is transmitted on the communication link at predetermined times.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the battery test data is transmitted on the communication link in response to polling of the battery tester.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the battery test data includes a vehicle identification number (VIN).  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the battery test data includes data retrieved from a data bus of a vehicle.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the battery tester retrieves test parameter updates.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the battery tester receives software updates.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the battery tester receives service bulletins.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the battery tester receives test procedures.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the battery tester receives battery replacement authorization.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the battery tester receives weather related information.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the battery tester receives information related to the specific battery under test.  
   
   
       36 . A method for testing a storage battery with a battery tester, comprising: 
 coupling to the storage battery and providing a battery test output related to a condition of the battery;    retrieving a battery tester address of the battery tester from a memory; and    transmitting battery test data formatted with the battery tester address on a communication link to a remote location.    
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the communication link comprises a physical connection.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the communication link comprises a non-physical connection.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the communication link is in accordance with TCP/IP.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the address comprises an IP address.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the IP address comprises four groups of eight bits each.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the address comprises a unique address.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the communication link is bi-directional.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the coupling comprises coupling with a Kelvin connection to the battery.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 36  including measuring a dynamic parameter of the battery.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 36  including receiving a user input.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the battery test data includes the user input.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the user input comprises a battery rating.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the user input comprises a battery type.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 36  including displaying an output related to the condition of the battery.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the battery test data includes data used by the test circuitry to determine the condition of the battery.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the battery test data includes data received through a bar code.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the battery test data includes data which identifies a dealer.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the battery test data includes a warranty code.  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the battery test data includes count information.  
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the battery test data includes information related to a promotion.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the battery test data includes a compilation of data.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 36  including encrypting the battery test data.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 36  including transmitting battery test data on the communication link at predetermined times.  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the battery test data is transmitted on the communication link in response to polling of the battery tester.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the battery test data includes a vehicle identification number (VIN).  
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 36  including retrieving the battery test data from a data bus of a vehicle.  
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 36  including retrieving test parameter updates on the link.  
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 36  including receiving software updates on the link.  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 36  including receiving service bulletins on the link.  
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 36  including receiving test procedures on the link.  
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 36  including receiving battery replacement authorization on the link.  
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 36  including receiving weather related information on the link.  
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 36  including receiving information related to the specific battery under test on the link.