WO2019079751A1

WO2019079751A1 - Advanced battery performance evaluation for consumer messaging

Info

Publication number: WO2019079751A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/056761
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael R. CARLO; Craig Steven PLANTON
Original assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co
Current assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co
Priority date: 2017-10-20
Filing date: 2018-10-19
Publication date: 2019-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2020-04-20

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a system for improved reporting of consumer, the system comprising: a vehicle having an observed vehicle identification number, observed miles-per-gallon, battery, and onboard computer, an onboard diagnostics port; a battery tester; an OBD-II reader; and a server; wherein either or both the OBD-II reader and/or battery tester acquire the vehicle information and transmit the same to the server; and wherein the server comprises a processor programmed to determine a loss of fuel efficiency value based on the vehicle information.

Description

ADVANCED BATTERY PERFORMANCE EVALUATION FOR CONSUMER

MESSAGING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Number 62/575,060 filed October 20, 2017 the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0001] This application relates to the field of batteries. More specifically, this application relates to battery performance evaluation.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The performance requirements of batteries have changed with evolving vehicle technologies. For example, many recent vehicles are equipped with technology which shuts down the engine when the vehicle is at rest/stopped (for example, at a stoplight). This feature is known as "start/stop technology" and aims to reduce fuel consumption and idle emissions.

Typically, a vehicle will continue to provide internal functions (air conditioning/heat, radio, etc.) while the engine is turned off during a start/stop event. Then, when the vehicle is no longer at rest/stopped, the engine is restarted.

[0003] This functionality creates strain on the battery. Starting the vehicle creates a draw on the battery, as does maintaining vehicle functionality while the engine is off. A function of batteries is to facilitate the start/stop events and to support subsequent load. As battery performance decreases, engines will fail to execute start/stop events. As start/stop events fail, the engine continues to run, continually using fuel and outputting idle emissions. The vehicle operation is then less fuel efficient which may be reflected in a lower miles per gallon (MPG) value and an increase in overall carbon emissions.

[0004] Consumers may have minimal understanding of battery health relative to start/stop events. Because a battery may continue to turn over an engine for longer than it may facilitate start/stop events, a customer may not realize the battery is impaired. Further, a consumer may not understand why they should replace a battery before it fails to execute a crank but instead while it fails to facilitate a start/stop event.

[0005] Newer battery technologies have been developed for these more demanding vehicle electrical needs. Previously, a battery may have started a vehicle once or twice a day: one time to drive to work and a second time to drive home. Between startups, the battery is used as an energy-storage component in the vehicle. Now vehicles are demanding more from the battery. For example, batteries may now be required to capture lost energy from the vehicle when decelerating in addition to starting a vehicle multiple times during a commute.

[0006] The typical failure mode for an older conventional battery is that the vehicle experiences a no-start condition. Over the life of a battery the performance will slowly degrade due to usage patterns and the environment of the battery. As the battery begins to corrode and wear out the vehicle will begin to have issues starting. Ultimately, the failure of the battery occurred when the battery could no longer supply enough energy to start the vehicle. This means the vehicle sits for a period of time and then when the owner comes by to start the vehicle the vehicle is unable to start. The mode of failure is easy to detect; it is clear when the failure occurs.

[0007] In advanced technologies, for example, some AGM batteries, a vehicle's battery management system (BMS) may be intelligent enough to know when the performance of the battery is degrading and will therefore change how the battery is being used. For example, in a brand new start/stop car, a consumer may drive the vehicle off the lot and the battery is brand new. The consumer may drive to work and find that his vehicle turns off at every light on the way into work, maybe 8 times, at each stop light. The stopping of the vehicle may allow for the vehicle to achieve a higher MPG, saving fuel. As the battery wears out over time, the BMS in the vehicle may decide to not turn off the engine as often. During the same commute maybe now the vehicle only shuts off the engine once or twice. This conservation of the battery in the vehicle will cause the MPG of the vehicle to decrease from its optimum performance. Decreased MPG is environmentally unfriendly and costs the consumer money by having to purchase more gas frequently. In this case the battery has not technically failed producing a no start condition but it has reduced performance. The reduced performance costs the consumer more money to drive the vehicle with lower MPG. Known testers do not provide consumers with such information.

[0008] Current testers in the market currently focus on the battery condition. Typically this done by making a physical connection to the vehicle electrical system. The test equipment will look for signs of battery performance degradation in battery internal resistance, load tests and analyze electrical signals while the vehicle is running. Most interrogation methods are independent of what the BMS (Battery Management System) is doing on the vehicle. Therefore, known testers do not provide advanced battery condition information. [0009] What is needed is a system and method that remedies these and other deficiencies;

providing improved evaluation and communication to consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Accordingly, an improved battery performance evaluation for consumer messaging is disclosed. The system and method herein may allow for consumers or others that operate a battery tester to evaluate battery health relative to advanced battery metric information including start/stop events.

[0011] The system and method herein may work with an onboard vehicle computer system, which may include a BMS and ECU (Electronics Control Unit). The BMS and ECU may collect information about the engine and electrical system. By using data from the ECU of the vehicle a message can be properly crafted to the consumer to inform them the status of performance loss due to the aging battery. This information may be made available by way of the vehicle OBD-II port.

[0012] By connecting an OBD-II reader to the OBD-II port of the vehicle, the vehicle identification number (VIN) may, in various embodiments, be identified. Using the VIN additional details about the vehicle can be determined (for example, by referencing an online database of VINs and vehicle make/model) and compared to the optimal ("New") vehicle -like performance. Information such as Current MPG of the vehicle, number of start/stop events, or number of missed start/stop events, or error codes related to low battery voltage, etc. can be used to inform the customer the health of the battery.

[0013] The vehicle may include an onboard computer in communication with a battery and an OBD-II reader. The OBD-II reader may, in various embodiments, communicate with a battery tester to obtain certain vehicle data. The battery tester may alternately obtain certain vehicle data itself. The vehicle data may be transmitted to the tester. The battery tester and/or OBD-II reader may communicate with a server, for example, a cloud server. The cloud server may

communicate with an external data source. The vehicle information, battery data, and external data may show a number of analyzed data points to a consumer.

[0014] The system and method herein may use information gathered from the communication across the OBD-II port on the vehicle to acquire vehicle specific information related to battery health. The information gathered from the ECU may be used to calculate a dollar per 100, 500, or 1000 miles cost to the consumer. The same calculation estimating the additional gas consumption may be equated to an increased carbon footprint by not replacing the battery. This calculation may comprise an estimate of the additional gas consumed by the vehicle. Data may also be used to calculate start/stop performance percentage. This calculation may indicate to the customer that the battery is losing performance. This information may be related to the customer in a percentage format. In various embodiments, the vehicle could track how many low voltage or battery errors were detected by ECU. All these informational metrics could, in various embodiments, be relayed to the customer through a customer specific report.

[0015] Disclosed is a system for battery testing, the system comprising a battery tester, an OBD- II reader, and a server, either or both the OBD-II reader and/or battery tester being configured to acquire vehicle information and transmit the same to the server, wherein the server comprises a processor programmed to determine a loss of fuel efficiency value based on the vehicle information. Further disclosed is a system wherein the vehicle information comprises a vehicle identification number and observed miles per gallon. Further disclosed is a system wherein the vehicle information is obtained from a vehicle onboard computer. Further disclosed is a system wherein the server further comprises an optimal miles per gallon. Further disclosed is a system wherein the loss of fuel efficiency value is the difference between an optimal miles per gallon and observed miles per gallon. Further disclosed is a system wherein the loss of fuel efficiency is transmitted to the battery tester and/or a consumer report. Further disclosed is a system wherein the vehicle information further comprises a location, the server being further configured to consult fuel price data using the location. Further disclosed is a system wherein the server is further configured to calculate a cost using the loss of fuel efficiency and location.

[0016] Disclosed is a method for battery health evaluation, the method comprising: acquiring vehicle information and location information using a battery tester and/or OBD-II device, the vehicle information comprising a vehicle identification number and an observed miles-per- gallon; sending the vehicle information and location information to a server using the battery tester and/or OBD-II device; determining, using a computing device within the server, an optimal miles-per-gallon using the vehicle identification number and a miles-per-gallon difference between optimal miles-per-gallon and observed miles-per-gallon. Further disclosed is a method wherein the server further comprises a cloud database. Further disclosed is a method wherein the cloud database further comprises a repository of miles-per-gallon values obtained from manufacturer specifications or observing similar vehicle identification number observed miles per gallon values. Further disclosed is a method comprising obtaining a price of gasoline based on the location information and a cost difference by multiplying the price of gasoline and the miles-per-gallon difference. Further disclosed is a method comprising reporting the cost difference to the battery tester or a consumer report.

[0017] Disclosed herein is a system for improved reporting of consumer, the system comprising: a vehicle having an observed vehicle identification number, observed miles-per-gallon, battery, and onboard computer, an onboard diagnostics port; a battery tester; an OBD-II reader; and a server; wherein either or both the OBD-II reader and/or battery tester acquire the vehicle information and transmit the same to the server; and wherein the server comprises a processor programmed to determine a loss of fuel efficiency value based on the vehicle information.

Further disclosed herein is a system wherein the OBD-II reader acquires vehicle identification number and observed miles-per-gallon through the onboard computer by way of the onboard diagnostics port. Further disclosed herein is a system wherein the server further comprises a database having vehicle identification numbers and miles-per-gallon values. Further disclosed herein is a system wherein the server is configured to compare the database to the observed vehicle identification number to assign an optimal miles-per-gallon. Further disclosed herein is a system wherein the loss of fuel efficiency value is the difference between the optimal miles-per- gallon and observed miles-per-gallon. Further disclosed herein is a system wherein the vehicle further comprises a vehicle location transmitted by the OBD-II reader or battery tester to the server, the server being further configured to access local gas prices using the vehicle location. Further disclosed herein is a system wherein the server is further configured to determine a cost of loss efficiency value by multiplying the loss of efficiency value by the local gas price.

[0018] These and various further advantages may be understood from the disclosure herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components for use with the system and method herein, according to various embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an algorithm for use with the system and method herein, according to various embodiments. [0021] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary to the understanding to the invention or render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Referring to the figures, a system and method for battery performance evaluation is disclosed. FIG. 1, a diagram of a system 101, according to various embodiments, is disclosed. A vehicle 109 comprises an onboard computer 111. The onboard computer 111 may further comprise a Battery Management System (BMS) and Electronics Control Unit (ECU). The onboard computer 111 may be provided with certain software for monitoring vehicle systems. This may include software supporting standard onboard diagnostics (OBD) functionality. The vehicle may further comprise an onboard diagnostics port (for example, an OBD-II port) 110 for accessing the onboard diagnostics functionality. While an OBD-II reader may be specified, equivalent diagnostics protocols and readers should be contemplated as within the scope of this disclosure. The onboard computer 111 may monitor a battery 113. The vehicle 109 may have a vehicle identification number (VIN) 106. The vehicle 109, for example, by way of the onboard computer 111, may monitor a miles-per-gallon (MPG) value 108 which may be, in various embodiments, an observed MPG 108.

[0023] An OBD-II reader (more generally, onboard diagnostics reader) 105 may be provided into an OBD port 110 provided on the vehicle 109 which communicates with the onboard computer 111. The OBD-II reader 105 may be equipped with a data sending/receiving mechanism, for example, a Bluetooth or wireless internet module. The data transmission and receipt mechanism provided within the OBD-II reader 105 may communicate with (e.g. transmit data to and receive data from) a battery tester 107. Together the battery tester 107 and OBD-II reader 105 may comprise the testing hardware 103. In various embodiments, data (for example but not limited to the vehicle VIN (observed VIN) 106, miles-per-gallon (observed MPG) 108, and/or vehicle location) may be obtained using the battery tester 107, OBD-II reader 105 or both 103, in order to facilitate the system and method herein. The battery tester 107 may be attached to or otherwise communicate with the battery 113. [0024] The battery tester 107 may be configured with known mechanisms for testing a battery 113, including attaching clips to the battery 107 and evaluating battery health such as cold crank amperes (CCA). The battery tester 107 may have one or more data communication mechanisms (for example, Bluetooth or wireless internet modules). The battery tester 107 may therefore communicate both with the battery 113 and the OBD-II reader 105.

[0025] In various embodiments, the tester 107 and/or OBD-II reader 105 may have a data communication mechanism which allows the tester to communicate (transmit and receive data), for example, using a wired or wireless data communication mechanism (such as USB, wireless internet, etc.). This may allow the tester 107 and/or OBD-II reader 105 to transmit data to a data storage device, which may be a server 115. The data storage device 115 may be located locally or remotely. In various embodiments, the data storage device (e.g. server) 115 is a cloud server or similar device. While the term "cloud server" may be used, other suitable data storage devices are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0026] In various embodiments, the testing hardware 103 (e.g. battery tester 107 and/or OBD-II reader 105) transmits data and receives data from a cloud server (server 115). The server 115 may comprise a database 116 as well as analysis features, for example, a processor. The server 115 (for example, but not limited to, a cloud server) may receive further data from an external data source 117. Alternatively, an external data source 117may send data to the battery tester 107 or testing hardware 103 directly. In alternative embodiments, the OBD-II reader 105 may transmit data directly to the server 115.

[0027] The system 101 including the server 115 may, in various embodiments, analyze data from the external data source 117, battery tester 107 (battery 113), and OBD-II reader 105 (vehicle 109, vehicle onboard computer 111). This analyzed data may transmit to a user report or user feedback device 119. For example, the cloud server 115 may transmit an email or other notification containing the analyzed data to a user.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, an algorithm for performance or operation of the system and method herein according to one or more examples of embodiments is disclosed. As a non-limiting example, the algorithm of FIG. 2 could be performed on some or all of the components disclosed in FIG. 1.

[0029] According to FIG. 2, in step S201, a battery tester (e.g. tester 107 or testing hardware

103) may acquire vehicle information (e.g. 106, 108). The battery tester (testing hardware) may acquire the vehicle information directly (for example, through manual entry into the tester or scanning) or by transmission from a device such as an onboard diagnostics/OBD-II device (for example, by way of the vehicle battery management system) or other input mechanism. The vehicle information may include a vehicle identification number (VIN), an observed MPG, mileage, and any current error codes. It should be understood additional vehicle information may be available using, for example, OBD-II protocol information, and may be useful to various embodiments of the system and method herein. In addition, the tester may acquire a current location, for example, using a GPS module or location as configured in device settings.

[0030] The tester (e.g. 107, 103) may also acquire information regarding the approximated "health" of the battery. For example, in current equipment the battery may be tested and the indicators of age such as internal resistance change (increase), lower voltage, and lower charge acceptance may be used to produce a CCA rating. The CCA rating may be understood as a user- facing method to illustrate the CCA rating of the battery. While it may be referred to as a CCA rating, the factors used may include the internal resistance and charge acceptance as previously described. For example, a new battery may have a label rating of 800 CCA and the tester may be able to indicate from certain factors such as those described in this paragraph that the battery has, for example, approximately 700 CCA. These same factors may also indicate the battery is aging; when the battery ages it may have less ability to discharge energy. As the battery ages, modern cars with start/stop technology may not turn off the engine at stop lights because the vehicle may determine the battery cannot handle the start/stop incident.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, in step S203 the tester (and/or OBD-II reader) may send the vehicle VIN (i.e. the observed VIN) and an observed MPG (which may, in various embodiments, be tracked by the vehicle's computer) to a server. More or less data may likewise be considered as within the scope of this disclosure.

[0032] As non-limiting examples, the VIN may be obtained from the vehicle via the OBD-II reader or it may be obtained by the battery tester using a camera. The current vehicle MPG may be able to be obtained through the vehicle computer (which may include an ECU or Engine Control Unit). The ECU may be accessed through the OBD-II reader. Relevant data may be obtained from the ECU including, but not limited to, vehicle mileage, MPG, VIN, and ECU error codes. [0033] In step S205, the data (in various embodiments, VIN and observed MPG) may be compared with a database (for example, a cloud database) of unique VIN combinations connected to particular vehicle MPG. In various embodiments, the VIN may be used to correlate a particular vehicle with its make or model. In step S207, the make or model may be used to identify an optimal mpg of a vehicle. For example, the optimal MPG may be the MPG at manufacture ("rated MPG"), which may be the MPG of the vehicle with a battery at its beginning of the battery life. Optimal MPG may be determined, for example, from manufacturer specifications database. Alternatively, optimal MPG may be referenced through observing other similar VIN observed MPG; for example, the database in the server may include a repository collection of other readings from similar vehicles. This database (for example, database 1 16) may be updated throughout use of the system and method herein. In various embodiments, the optimal MPG may be determined from multiple sources.

[0034] Once the optimal MPG is determined, as continued in step S207, the system may observe a difference between optimal MPG and observed MPG (for example, using a cloud computing system). A comparison between observed MPG and optimal MPG may be performed. For example, the system and method herein may compare observed MPG of vehicle to VIN MPG.

[0035] The VIN MPG or observed MPG may comprise the actual performance of the vehicle, accommodating the factor that a person is driving/has driven the car. Optimal MPG may comprise the rated MPG that comes from the manufacture. Optimal MPG may, for example, be placed on the vehicle in ideal situations. Thus, when a vehicle is made its MPG may be as close to optimal MPG as possible. As the vehicle is driven, the VIN MPG may begin to decrease. For example, in a start-stop vehicle, the vehicle may at first stop the engine at almost every opportunity. As the battery ages, the vehicle may decide to not stop the engine, thus consuming more fuel. The reduction in engine stopping may decrease fuel economy. However, the battery may not age (decrease performance) enough to cause a no-start condition may create a typically indication by which consumers determine their battery has died.

[0036] In step S209, the cloud computer(s) (for example, the server) may compare the change in MPG to external data in order to report certain information to a user. In various embodiments, the external data may be obtained through an API. For example, the external data may comprise the price of gas in a particular location. The system may provide the tester location to an external data source and obtain the price of gas at that location. Then, the increased gas consumption due to a change in vehicle MPG (optimal MPG - observed MPG) may be presented to a user, for example, in a $/distance measurement.

[0037] In various embodiments, the system may also process an increase in carbon footprint due to vehicle loss performance based on increased gas usage. In this case, an external data source may be unnecessary. In other words, the data necessary to evaluate the carbon footprint may be housed locally, for example, on one or more cloud server(s). In various embodiments, the system could determine an increased carbon footprint due to vehicle loss performance based on increased gas usage.

[0038] In various embodiments, information regarding start/stop events may be obtained. For example, the OBD-II device may include the number of start/stop events as well as the number of missed or aborted start/stop events. A ratio of missed start/stop events may be calculated. For example, in various embodiments, a certain number of start/stop events may be required before an accurate ratio may be acquired. For example, ten missed start/stop events may be used to determine a missed start/stop ratio. This information, in various embodiments, may be obtained through the OBD-II reader. The information may be analyzed (for example, to determine missed events ratio) by the tester and/or cloud server.

[0039] In various embodiments, information regarding low voltage events may be obtained using the system and method herein. In various embodiments, error codes relating to poor battery performance may be obtained. This information, in various embodiments, may be available through the OBD-II reader. Information obtained by the OBD-II reader may be analyzed by the tester and/or cloud server(s).

[0040] As described in FIG. 2 step S211, the obtained data (increased gas consumption, increased carbon footprint, missed start/stop events, low voltage events, etc.) may be transmitted to a user. For example, in various embodiments, the data may be transmitted to a user by way of an email sent by the cloud server. The email address may be obtained, in various embodiments, by way of the battery tester (through, for example, manual entry by the tester operator). In various embodiments, the data may be sent from the cloud back to the battery tester to display to the customer by the tester operator. In various embodiments, the data may be sent to the customer through an application, for example, a mobile application or app.

[0041] In various embodiments of the invention, the system may also perform the following steps or method. First, conveying the loss of MPG to the customer by comparing the vehicle's MPG to the rated MPG for the vehicle. The VIN number may be collected from the vehicle via OBD-II or via battery tester, for example, using a camera (for example, in various embodiments, using the system and method provided in US Pat. App. Pub. No. 2016/0266212 which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference). The current vehicle MPG may extracted from the ECU as well as other relevant data from ECU (Vehicle Mileage, MPG, VIN, ECU error codes). The tester, in various embodiments, may also comprise location data based upon settings configured within the unit or via GPS located in device. Data from the tester may be sent to computing devices, for example, cloud computer(s) or server(s) which may include one or more databases. In various embodiments, the cloud computer(s) may include a series of databases that are vehicle specific and may determine the optimal MPG and may compare this to the observed MPG.

[0042] In addition, using a separate database of local gas prices cloud computer(s) may calculate the cost of not replacing the battery by consuming extra gas. The server (for example, a cloud computer or server) may also calculate additional carbon footprint by not replacing battery. Example calculation ( [[Specific Distance/Ob served MPG] -[Specific Distance/Rated

MPG]]*local gas prices = Cost to customer over the "Specific distance"). A similar calculation may be generated based on carbon emissions per gallon of consumed gas. As an example, the calculation could be ( [[Specific Distance/Ob served MPG] - [Specific Distance/Rated

MPG]]*Carbon Emission per MPG of consumed gas).

[0043] Using a specific messaging system (for example, in various embodiments, using the system and method provided in US Pat. App. No. 2016/0259015, which is incorporated herein in its entirety for background purposes) the customer may have a battery report catered directly to them showing them the impact in dollars and increased carbon footprint by not replacing their battery.

[0044] In various embodiments of the invention, the system may also perform the following steps or method. To convey a ratio of start/stops to the customer, the tester may first acquire event driven data from the vehicle, Number of Start/Stop events, Number of aborted Start/Stop events. Next, the tester may use the following equation to produce a ratio of Start/Stop performance. Sample equations may include Successful start/stop events = Total Number of start/stop events - Number of aborted start/stop events; Start/Stop performance = Successful Start/Stop events / Total Number of Start/Stop events. This information may be relayed to the customer on a customized report (for example, in various embodiments, using the method and system described in US Pat. App. No. 2016/0259015 which is incorporated herein in its entirety for background purposes),

[0045] To convey battery low voltage events, first the tester may acquire count of low voltage or error codes related to poor battery performance. Next, an information and count of the battery failures may be conveyed to the customer through a customized report (for example, in various embodiments, using the system and method provided in US Pat. App. No. 2016/0259015, which is incorporated herein in its entirety for background purposes).

[0046] The disclosed system and method may provide various advantages over known testing systems. Customers may not be aware battery health impacts start/stop functionality. Customers may not be aware of the impact of battery health on overall vehicle fuel consumption, including fuel cost and carbon footprint. Known systems may not present information regarding battery health and consumer impact such as that disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the disclosed system may advantageously allow for such reports to be given to the consumer during battery testing.

[0047] It should be noted that references to relative positions (e.g., "top" and "bottom") in this description are merely used to identify various elements as are oriented in the Figures. It should be recognized that the orientation of particular components may vary greatly depending on the application in which they are used.

[0048] For the purpose of this disclosure, the term "coupled" means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature.

[0049] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the system, methods, and devices as shown in the various examples of embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied (e.g. by variations in the number of engagement slots or size of the engagement slots or type of engagement). The order or sequence of any algorithm, process, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Likewise, some algorithm or method steps described may be omitted, and/or other steps added. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various examples of embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present inventions.

[0050] While this invention has been described in conjunction with the examples of

embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the examples of embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.

[0051] The technical effects and technical problems in the specification are exemplary and are not limiting. It should be noted that the embodiments described in the specification may have other technical effects and can solve other technical problems. Aspects of the method described herein are implemented on a software system running on a computer system. To this end, the methods and system may be implemented in, or in association with, a general-purpose software package or a specific purpose software package. As a specific, non-limiting example, the device could be an OBD-II reader and/or battery tester in communication with a cloud storage database and/or mobile device and/or a battery tester. As another specific, non-limiting example, the device could be a battery tester in communication with a cloud storage database and/or an onboard diagnostics or OBD-II reader. [0052] The software system described herein may include a mixture of different source codes. The system or method herein may be operated by computer-executable instructions, such as but not limited to, program modules, executable on a computer. Examples of program modules include, but are not limited to, routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like which perform particular tasks or implement particular instructions. The software system may also be operable for supporting the transfer of information within a network.

[0053] While the descriptions may include specific devices or computers, it should be understood the system and/or method may be implemented by any suitable device (or devices) having suitable computational means. This may include programmable special purpose computers or general-purpose computers that execute the system according to the relevant instructions. The computer system or portable electronic device can be an embedded system, a personal computer, notebook computer, server computer, mainframe, networked computer, workstation, handheld computer, as well as now known or future developed mobile devices, such as for example, a personal digital assistant, cell phone, smartphone, tablet computer, mobile scanning device, and the like. Other computer system configurations are also contemplated for use with the communication system including, but not limited to, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable electronics, network personal computers,

minicomputers, smart watches, and the like. Preferably, the computing system chosen includes a processor suitable for efficient operation of one or more of the various systems or functions or attributes of the communication system described.

[0054] The system or portions thereof may also be linked to a distributed computing

environment, where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communication network(s). To this end, the system may be configured or linked to multiple computers in a network including, but not limited to, a local area network, wide area network, wireless network, and the Internet. Therefore, information, content, and data may be transferred within the network or system by wireless means, by hardwire connection, or combinations thereof. Accordingly, the devices described herein communicate according to now known or future developed pathways including, but not limited to, wired, wireless, and fiber-optic channels.

[0055] In one or more examples of embodiments, data may be stored remotely (and retrieved by the application) or may be stored locally on a user's device in a suitable storage medium. Data storage may be in volatile or non-volatile memory. Data may be stored in appropriate computer- readable medium including read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD- RW, magnetic tapes, flash drives, as well as other optical data storage devices. Data may be stored and transmitted by and within the system in any suitable form. Any source code or other language suitable for accomplishing the desired functions described herein may be acceptable for use.

[0056] Furthermore, the computer or computers or portable electronic devices may be operatively or functionally connected to one or more mass storage devices, such as but not limited to, a hosted database or cloud-based storage.

[0057] The system may also include computer-readable media which may include any computer- readable media or medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code that may be accessed by a computer. The invention can also be embodied as computer-readable code on a computer-readable medium. To this end, the computer-readable medium may be any data storage device that can store data. The computer-readable medium can also be distributed over a network-coupled computer system so that the computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Claims

Claims:

1. A system for battery testing, the system comprising:

a battery tester, an OBD-II reader, and a server;

either or both the OBD-II reader and/or battery tester being configured to acquire vehicle information and transmit the same to the server;

wherein the server comprises a processor programmed to determine a loss of fuel efficiency value based on the vehicle information.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle information comprises a vehicle identification number and observed miles per gallon.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the vehicle information is obtained from a vehicle

onboard computer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the server further comprises an optimal miles per gallon.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the loss of fuel efficiency value is the difference between an optimal miles per gallon and observed miles per gallon.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the loss of fuel efficiency is transmitted to the battery tester and/or a consumer report.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the vehicle information further comprises a location, the server being further configured to consult fuel price data using the location.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the server is further configured to calculate a cost using the loss of fuel efficiency and location.

9. A method for battery health evaluation, the method comprising:

acquiring vehicle information and location information using a battery tester and/or OBD-II device, the vehicle information comprising a vehicle identification number and an observed miles-per-gallon; sending the vehicle information and location information to a server using the battery tester and/or OBD-II device;

determining, using a computing device within the server, an optimal miles-per-gallon using the vehicle identification number and a miles-per-gallon difference between optimal miles-per-gallon and observed miles-per-gallon.

10. The method of Claim 9, wherein the server further comprises a cloud database.

11. The method of Claim 10, wherein the cloud database further comprises a repository of miles-per-gallon values obtained from manufacturer specifications or observing similar vehicle identification number observed miles per gallon values.

The method of Claim 9, further comprising obtaining a price of gasoline based on the location information and a cost difference by multiplying the price of gasoline and the miles-per-gallon difference.

12. The method of Claim 11, further comprising reporting the cost difference to the battery tester or a consumer report.

13. A system for improved reporting of consumer, the system comprising:

a vehicle having an observed vehicle identification number, observed miles-per-gallon, battery, and onboard computer, an onboard diagnostics port;

a battery tester;

an OBD-II reader;

a server;

wherein either or both the OBD-II reader and/or battery tester acquire the vehicle information and transmit the same to the server; and wherein the server comprises a processor programmed to determine a loss of fuel efficiency value based on the vehicle information.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the OBD-II reader acquires vehicle identification number and observed miles-per-gallon through the onboard computer by way of the onboard diagnostics port.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the server further comprises a database having vehicle identification numbers and miles-per-gallon values.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the server is configured to compare the database to the observed vehicle identification number to assign an optimal miles-per-gallon.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the loss of fuel efficiency value is the difference

between the optimal miles-per-gallon and observed miles-per-gallon.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the vehicle further comprises a vehicle location

transmitted by the OBD-II reader or battery tester to the server, the server being further configured to access local gas prices using the vehicle location.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the server is further configured to determine a cost of loss efficiency value by multiplying the loss of efficiency value by the local gas price.