Patents Assigned to Midtronics, Inc.
  • In-vehicle battery monitor
    Patent number: 7999505
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of monitoring a battery in an automotive vehicle are provided. An output is provided which can be a relative output as a function of minimum and maximum parameters of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Battery maintenance tool with probe light
    Patent number: 7977914
    Abstract: A battery maintenance tool, which electrically couples to a battery, includes a maintenance tool housing and electronic circuitry within the maintenance tool housing. A cable, substantially external to the maintenance tool housing includes a plurality of conductors. At least some conductors of the plurality conductors are configured to electrically couple to the electronic circuitry within the maintenance tool housing. At least one probe light that is configured to electrically couple to at least two of the plurality of conductors in the cable is also included. The probe light, which is separate from the maintenance tool housing, receives power via the at least two of the plurality of conductors to which it is electrically coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Clamp for electrically coupling to a battery contact
    Patent number: 7959476
    Abstract: A clamp that is capable of attaching to a battery post and also to a female receptacle terminal. The clamp includes a post-grasping portion that is capable of attaching to the battery post. The clamp also includes a male plug feature that is configured to fit into a female receptacle terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Clark E. Smith, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Battery tester with promotion feature
    Patent number: 7940053
    Abstract: Battery maintenance equipment is provided for use in maintaining storage batteries. The battery maintenance equipment includes battery maintenance circuitry. A redemption code output is provided and configured to provide an output having a redeemable value in response to the battery maintenance circuitry. A method includes outputting a redemption code in response to usage of battery maintenance equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignees: Midtronics, Inc., Interstate Battery System of America
    Inventors: Dennis V. Brown, Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Michael E. Troy, William G. Sampson
  • Electronic battery test based upon battery requirements
    Patent number: 7940052
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide an output based upon a selected test criteria. Additionally, circuitry is provided to assist in balancing batteries used in a string of multiple batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: J. David Vonderhaar, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Automotive vehicle battery test system
    Patent number: 7924015
    Abstract: A cable for connecting to an electronic battery tester, includes a first end configured to couple to a databus of a vehicle and a second end configured to couple to the electronic battery tester. An electrical connection extends between the first end and the second end and is configured to couple the electronic battery tester to the databus of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Battery run down indicator
    Patent number: 7808375
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle battery monitor includes an electrical connection configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of the vehicle. An output provides a visual indication related to a condition of the battery. A mount mounts the output at a location at which the output is visible from outside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Nick McMahan
  • Battery tester with promotion feature to promote use of the battery tester by providing the user with codes having redeemable value
    Patent number: 7791348
    Abstract: Battery maintenance equipment is provided for use in maintaining storage batteries. The battery maintenance equipment includes battery maintenance circuitry. A redemption code output is provided and configured to provide an output having a redeemable value in response to the battery maintenance circuitry. A method includes outputting a redemption code in response to usage of battery maintenance equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis V. Brown, Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Michael E. Troy, William G. Sampson
  • Theft prevention device for automotive vehicle service centers
    Patent number: 7777612
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing theft in automotive vehicle service centers. The apparatus includes at least one portable tool and a controller. The portable tool includes circuitry configured to communicate with the controller. The portable tool further includes anti-theft circuitry, which is configured to disable the portable tool if no communication occurs between the portable tool and the controller for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Sampson, John S. Philbrook
  • Wireless battery monitor
    Patent number: 7774151
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Wireless battery tester with information encryption means
    Patent number: 7772850
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Electronic battery tester with databus
    Patent number: 7728597
    Abstract: A cable for connecting to an electronic battery tester, includes a first end configured to couple to a databus of a vehicle and a second end configured to couple to the electronic battery tester. An electrical connection extends between the first end and the second end and is configured to couple the electronic battery tester to the databus of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Electronic battery tester configured to predict a load test result based on open circuit voltage, temperature, cranking size rating, and a dynamic parameter
    Patent number: 7723993
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for rapidly and safely estimating the high-rate load test voltage of a storage battery utilizing open-circuit voltage, temperature and a dynamic parameter such as conductance or resistance. An output indicative of the condition of the battery is provided as a function of the estimated load test voltage of the battery compared to industry standards without the necessity to charge the battery or discharge the battery with high-rate loads using bulky load testing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: James K. Klang
  • Battery tester that calculates its own reference values
    Patent number: 7710119
    Abstract: A battery tester that is capable of calculating its own reference values is provided. The battery tester includes test circuitry that is configured to obtain dynamic parameter values for batteries, and to compute at least one reference value based on the dynamic parameter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Alternator tester
    Patent number: 7706991
    Abstract: An alternator tester is provided for testing an alternator of a vehicle while the alternator is coupled to the vehicle. A sensor is configured to couple to the vehicle and sense a signal related to operation of the alternator. A memory contains data related to operator instructions for performing an alternator tester of a function of vehicle type. A processor configured to provide an output indication of alternator condition based upon the sensed signal. An extra load or connection can be provided for coupling to the electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Alan Keith Melton
  • Automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic device
    Patent number: 7705602
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus includes first and second electrical connections configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of an automotive vehicle which includes a battery. Digital samples are obtained during operation of the vehicle which are related to the system. The digital samples are stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Energy management system for automotive vehicle
    Patent number: 7688074
    Abstract: A battery monitor is provided for use with a battery of an automotive vehicle. The battery monitor can provide real time battery condition measurements and can selectively control the charging of the battery through an alternator of the vehicle based upon the measured battery condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Cox, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Electronic battery tester with vehicle type input
    Patent number: 7656162
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide an output based upon a selected test criteria. Additionally, circuitry is provided to assist in balancing batteries used in a string of multiple batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics Inc.
    Inventors: J. David Vonderhaar, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic device
    Patent number: 7642787
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus includes first and second electrical connections configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of an automotive vehicle which includes a battery. Digital samples are obtained during operation of the vehicle which are related to the system. The digital samples are stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, William G. Sampson
  • Electronic battery tester
    Patent number: D643759
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness