Method of operating a networl with a programmable battery and programming same

Abstract

A method of operating a network for tracking and storing warranty information and metrics of a programmable battery and programming the programmable battery, the method comprising executing a diagnostic check of the programmable battery, storing sales or maintenance specific programming, activation, and configuration data for the programmable battery in a memory coupled to the programmable battery through at least one point of sale/point of maintenance device, searching the network for software updates and product enablement data for the programmable battery and communicating information stored in the memory to a database through the point of sale/point of maintenance device and the network.

1 . A method of operating a network for tracking and storing warranty information and metrics of a programmable battery and programming the programmable battery, the method comprising:
 executing a diagnostic check of the programmable battery;   storing sales or maintenance specific programming, activation, and configuration data for the programmable battery in a memory coupled to the programmable battery through at least one point of sale/point of maintenance device;   searching the network for software updates and product enablement data for the programmable battery; and   communicating information stored in the memory to a database through the point of sale/point of maintenance device and the network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 communicating warranty information specific to a purchase of the programmable battery to the database, wherein the warranty information includes at least one of information regarding a vehicle of the purchaser, identifying the programmable battery, information identifying a point of sale of the programmable battery, information identifying a date of purchase of the programmable battery, information identifying a level of warranty protection, information identifying a time period of a warranty, vehicle identifying information, a VIN number, information identifying vehicle make and model, information identifying a geographic region in which programmable battery is located product.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 communicating information previously stored in a memory coupled to the programmable battery to the database.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 comparing the information previously stored in the memory to information previously stored in the database for anomalies or results outside pre-established parameters stored in the database.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the information previously stored in the memory includes data collected during operation of the programmable battery, including historical data, operational metrics and information regarding past and current states of the programmable battery. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 receiving, at the programmable battery, software upgrades from the network.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 selectively enabling or disabling, through the point of sale/point of maintenance device, at least one of the programmable battery and specific features of the programmable battery.