Patents by Inventor John S. Philbrook

John S. Philbrook has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9496720
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided in which a radio frequency identification (RIFD) tag is associated with the storage battery and is used in conjunction with a battery test, battery charger, or other battery maintenance. A cable configured to be affixed to the storage battery. The cable is configured to store information and wirelessly communicate the information to a battery tester. A battery maintenance device configured to couple to the battery and to perform battery maintenance on the battery through the cable. The battery maintenance device includes wireless communication circuitry configured to communicate with a memory of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. McShane, Todd J. Stukenberg, Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • Patent number: 8963550
    Abstract: A method that includes affixing a radio frequency identification tag on a storage battery at a battery manufacturing plant. The method also includes storing battery manufacturing information into the radio frequency identification tag at the battery manufacturing plant. The battery manufacturing information includes a battery algorithm suitable for use in testing the storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • Patent number: 8872517
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery, includes connections configured to couple to terminals of the battery. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the connections and configured to measure a parameter of the battery. An input is configured to receive a battery age input variable. Computation circuitry is configured to provide a test output related to a condition of the battery based upon the measured parameter and the battery age input variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Philbrook, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 8704483
    Abstract: A method that includes affixing a radio frequency identification tag on a storage battery at a battery manufacturing plant. The method also includes storing battery manufacturing information into the radio frequency identification tag at the battery manufacturing plant. The battery manufacturing information includes a battery algorithm suitable for use in testing the storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • Patent number: 8442877
    Abstract: A simplified inventory management method. The method employs a plurality of stock-keeping unit labels, with each of the plurality of stock-keeping unit labels having a same stock-keeping unit number. Individual ones of the plurality of stock-keeping unit labels are utilized to track individual items of a plurality of items. A sale price of individual ones a first set of the plurality of items is different from a sale price of individual ones of a second set of the plurality of items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • Patent number: 8436619
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • Patent number: 8344685
    Abstract: A method that includes affixing a radio frequency identification tag on a storage battery at a battery manufacturing plant. The method also includes storing battery manufacturing information into the radio frequency identification tag at the battery manufacturing plant. The battery manufacturing information includes a battery algorithm suitable for use in testing the storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • Publication number: 20120182132
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided in which a radio frequency identification (RIFD) tag is associated with the storage battery and is used in conjunction with a battery test, battery charger, or other battery maintenance. A cable configured to be affixed to the storage battery. The cable is configured to store information and wirelessly communicate the information to a battery tester. A battery maintenance device configured to couple to the battery and to perform battery maintenance on the battery through the cable. The battery maintenance device includes wireless communication circuitry configured to communicate with a memory of the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen J. McShane, Todd J. Stukenberg, Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • Publication number: 20120035876
    Abstract: A method that includes affixing a radio frequency identification tag on a storage battery at a battery manufacturing plant. The method also includes storing battery manufacturing information into the radio frequency identification tag at the battery manufacturing plant. The battery manufacturing information includes a battery algorithm suitable for use in testing the storage battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: MIDTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • Publication number: 20110257913
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery, includes connections configured to couple to terminals of the battery. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the connections and configured to measure a parameter of the battery. An input is configured to receive a battery age input variable. Computation circuitry is configured to provide a test output related to a condition of the battery based upon the measured parameter and the battery age input variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: John S. Philbrook, Kevin I. Bertness
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7642786
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery. The tester includes a first connector configured to electrically couple to a first terminal of the battery via a first battery post adapter and a second connector configured to electrically couple to a second terminal of the battery via a second battery post adapter. The tester also includes an input configured to receive a battery-post-adapter-connection indicator. Test circuitry, which is coupled to the input, upon receipt of the battery-post-adapter-connection indicator, determines whether or not the first battery post adapter and the second battery post adapter are faulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Philbrook
  • Publication number: 20090212781
    Abstract: A method that includes affixing a radio frequency identification tag on a storage battery at a battery manufacturing plant. The method also includes storing battery manufacturing information into the radio frequency identification tag at the battery manufacturing plant. The battery manufacturing information includes a battery algorithm suitable for use in testing the storage battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • Publication number: 20090184165
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • Publication number: 20090187495
    Abstract: A simplified inventory management method. The method employs a plurality of stock-keeping unit labels, with each of the plurality of stock-keeping unit labels having a same stock-keeping unit number. Individual ones of the plurality of stock-keeping unit labels are utilized to track individual items of a plurality of items. A sale price of individual ones a first set of the plurality of items is different from a sale price of individual ones of a second set of the plurality of items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook