Patents by Inventor Stephen J. McShane

Stephen J. McShane 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
  • Publication number: 20160253852
    Abstract: Testing or diagnostics are performed on an electric vehicle. The vehicle is operated and current flow through a system of the vehicle is monitored. A voltage related to the system is also monitored. Diagnostics are provided based upon the monitored voltage and the monitored current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane
  • Patent number: 9335362
    Abstract: Testing or diagnostics are performed on an electric vehicle. The vehicle is operated and current flow through a system of the vehicle is monitored. A voltage related to the system is also monitored. Diagnostics are provided based upon the monitored voltage and the monitored current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane
  • Patent number: 8306690
    Abstract: Testing or diagnostics are performed on an electric vehicle. The vehicle is operated and current flow through a system of the vehicle is monitored. A voltage related to the system is also monitored. Diagnostics are provided based upon the monitored voltage and the monitored current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100289498
    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: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Dennis V. Brown, Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Michael E. Troy, William G. Sampson
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7498767
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring replacing of a previously purchased storage battery with a replacement storage battery. A battery tester is coupled to the replacement storage battery. A replacement storage battery identifier is entered into the battery tester that identifies the replacement storage battery. The battery tester performs a battery test on the replacement storage battery. A replacement battery test code is generated using the battery test and the replacement storage battery identifier. The replacement battery test code is communicated to a centralized database. The replacement battery test code is associated with a battery test code related to the previously purchased storage battery in the centralized database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis V. Brown, Stephen J. McShane, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Publication number: 20090024266
    Abstract: Testing or diagnostics are performed on an electric vehicle. The vehicle is operated and current flow through a system of the vehicle is monitored. A voltage related to the system is also monitored. Diagnostics are provided based upon the monitored voltage and the monitored current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane
  • Publication number: 20080204030
    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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis V. Brown, Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Michael E. Troy, William G. Sampson
  • Patent number: 7363175
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery provides a test output indicative of a condition of the battery. Electronic measurement circuitry provides a measurement output related to a condition of the battery. The battery condition is determined based upon one or more responses to one or more queries provided to an operator. The responses are used to determine battery type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Wilhelmus H. J. Koster
  • Patent number: 7034541
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery provides a test output indicative of a condition of the battery. Electronic measurement circuitry provides a measurement output related to a condition of the battery. The battery condition is determined based upon one or more responses to one or more queries provided to an operator. The responses are used to determine battery type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Wilhelmus H. J. Koster
  • Patent number: 7012433
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester, comprising first and second connectors configured to electrically couple to terminals of the battery, a microprocessor configured to test the battery using the first and second connectors, a memory containing a set of locked instructions for the microprocessor, an input configured to receive a software unlocking key, and the microprocessor configured to execute the set of locked instructions in response to the software unlocking key corresponding a predetermined software unlocking key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Clark E. Smith, Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane
  • Patent number: 6998847
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester is provided for testing storage batteries. Battery test circuitry is configured to couple to the storage battery and measure a condition of the battery. A removable module is configured to couple to the battery tester to add increased functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane
  • Patent number: 6941234
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery provides a test output indicative of a condition of the battery. Electronic measurement circuitry provides a measurement output related to a condition of the battery. The battery condition is determined based upon one or more responses to one or more queries provided to an operator. The responses are used to determine battery type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Wilhelmus H. J. Koster
  • Publication number: 20040145371
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery provides a test output indicative of a condition of the battery. Electronic measurement circuitry provides a measurement output related to a condition of the battery. The battery condition is determined based upon one or more responses to one or more queries provided to an operator. The responses are used to determine battery type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Wilhelmus H. J. Koster
  • Patent number: 6759849
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester is provided for testing storage batteries. Battery test circuitry is configured to couple to the storage battery and measure a condition of the battery. A removable module is configured to couple to the battery tester to add increased functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane
  • Publication number: 20040051532
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester, comprising first and second connectors configured to electrically couple to terminals of the battery, a microprocessor configured to test the battery using the first and second connectors, a memory containing a set of locked instructions for the microprocessor, an input configured to receive a software unlocking key, and the microprocessor configured to execute the set of locked instructions in response to the software unlocking key corresponding a predetermined software unlocking key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Clark E. Smith, Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane
  • Patent number: 6586941
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester includes battery test circuitry configured to couple to a battery. A memory is configured to log data from the battery test circuitry and a databus configured to exchange logged data with external circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane