Electronic battery tester having a user interface to configure a printer

[0001] The present invention relates to testing of storage batteries. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electronic battery tester capable of configuring a printer.

[0002] Storage batteries, such as lead acid storage batteries of the type used in the automotive and standby power industry, have existed for many years. However, understanding the nature of such storage batteries, how such storage batteries operate and how to accurately test such batteries has been an ongoing endeavor and has proved quite difficult. Storage batteries consist of a plurality of individual storage cells electrically connected in series. Typically each cell has a voltage potential of about 2.1 volts. By connecting the cells in series, the voltages of the individual cells are added in a cumulative manner. For example, in a typical automotive storage battery, six storage cells are used to provide a total voltage when the battery is fully charged of 12.6 volts.

[0003] There has been a long history of attempts to accurately test the condition of storage batteries. A simple test is to measure the voltage of the battery. If the voltage is below a certain threshold, the battery is determined to be bad. However, this test is inconvenient because it requires the battery to be charged prior to performing the test. If the battery is discharged, the voltage will be low and a good battery may be incorrectly tested as bad. Another technique for testing a battery is referred as a load test. In a load test, the battery is discharged using a known load. As the battery is discharged, the voltage across the battery is monitored and used to determine the condition of the battery. This technique requires that the battery be sufficiently charged in order that it can supply current to the load.

[0004] More recently, a technique has been pioneered by Dr. Keith S. Champlin and Midtronics, Inc. of Willowbrook, Ill. for testing storage batteries by measuring the conductance of the batteries. This technique is described in a number of United States patents, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,873,911, issued Mar. 25, 1975, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING DEVICE; U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,708, issued Sep. 30, 1975, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING DEVICE; U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,768, issued Mar. 28, 1989, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING DEVICE; U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,170, issued Apr. 25, 1989, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE SCALING; U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,038, issued Nov. 14, 1989, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE SCALING TO DETERMINE DYNAMIC CONDUCTANCE; U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,416, issued Mar. 27, 1990, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING DEVICE WITH STATE-OF-CHARGE COMPENSATION; U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,269, issued Aug. 18, 1992, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC TESTER FOR ASSESSING BATTERY/CELL CAPACITY; U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,380, issued Aug. 30, 1994, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPRESSING TIME VARYING SIGNALS IN BATTERIES UNDERGOING CHARGING OR DISCHARGING; U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,136, issued Nov. 5, 1996, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH AUTOMATIC COMPENSATION FOR LOW STATE-OF-CHARGE; U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,355, issued Nov. 12, 1996, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTION AND CONTROL OF THERMAL RUNAWAY IN A BATTERY UNDER CHARGE; U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,416, issued Dec. 10, 1996, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STEP-CHARGING BATTERIES TO OPTIMIZE CHARGE ACCEPTANCE; U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,728, issued Dec. 17, 1996, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH AUTOMATIC COMPENSATION FOR LOW STATE-OF-CHARGE; U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,757, issued Dec. 31, 1996, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STEP-CHARGING BATTERIES TO OPTIMIZE CHARGE ACCEPTANCE; U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,093, issued Jan. 7, 1997, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING DEVICE LOOSE TERMINAL CONNECTION DETECTION VIA A COMPARISON CIRCUIT; U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,098, issued Jan. 28, 1997, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH VERY HIGH NOISE IMMUNITY; U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,920, issued Aug. 12, 1997, entitled METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING THE CHARGING LEAD-ACID BATTERIES AND AN INTERACTIVE CHARGER; U.S. Pat. No. 5,757,192, issued May 26, 1998, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING A BAD CELL IN A STORAGE BATTERY; U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,756, issued Oct. 13, 1998, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH TAILORED COMPENSATION FOR LOW STATE-OF-CHARGE; U.S. Pat. No. 5,831,435, issued Nov. 3, 1998, entitled BATTERY TESTER FOR JIS STANDARD; U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,605, issued Jun. 22, 1999, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,829, issued Aug. 31, 1999, entitled MIDPOINT BATTERY MONITORING; U.S. Pat. No. 6,002,238, issued Dec. 14, 1999, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING COMPLEX IMPEDANCE OF CELLS AND BATTERIES; U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,751, issued Mar. 14, 2000, entitled APPARATUS FOR CHARGING BATTERIES; U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,777, issued Mar. 14, 2000, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING BATTERY PROPERTIES FROM COMPLEX IMPEDANCE/ADMITTANCE; U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,976, issued Apr. 18, 2000, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUDITING A BATTERY TEST; U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,098, issued Jun. 27, 2000, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY; U.S. Pat. No. 6,091,245, issued Jul. 18, 2000, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUDITING A BATTERY TEST; U.S. Pat. No. 6,104,167, issued Aug. 15, 2000, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY; U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,269, issued Oct. 24, 2000, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONICALLY EVALUATING THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL OR BATTERY; U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,156, issued Dec. 19, 2000, entitled ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,483, issued Jan. 9, 2001, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING COMPLEX IMPEDANCE OF CELL AND BATTERIES; U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,505, issued Jan. 9, 2001, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Pat. No. 6,222,369, issued Apr. 24, 2001, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING BATTERY PROPERTIES FROM COMPLEX IMPEDANCE/ADMITTANCE; U.S. Pat. No. 6,225,808, issued May 1, 2001, entitled TEST COUNTER FOR ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,124, issued Jun. 19, 2001, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH INTERNAL BATTERY; U.S. Pat. No. 6,259,254, issued Jul. 10, 2001, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON BATTERIES AND FOR RAPIDLY CHARGING BATTERIES; U.S. Pat. No. 6,262,563, issued Jul. 17, 2001, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING COMPLEX ADMITTANCE OF CELLS AND BATTERIES; U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,896, issued Sep. 25, 2001; entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING COMPLEX SELF-IMMITANCE OF A GENERAL ELECTRICAL ELEMENT; U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,897, issued Sep. 25, 2001, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONICALLY EVALUATING THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL OR BATTERY; U.S. Pat. No. 6,304,087, issued Oct. 16, 2001, entitled APPARATUS FOR CALIBRATING ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,481, issued Oct. 30, 2001, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Pat. No. 6,313,607, issued Nov. 6, 2001, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EVALUATING STORED CHARGE IN AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL OR BATTERY; U.S. Pat. No. 6,313,608, issued Nov. 6, 2001, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY; U.S. Pat. No. 6,316,914, issued Nov. 13, 2001, entitled TESTING PARALLEL STRINGS OF STORAGE BATTERIES; U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,650, issued Nov. 27, 2001, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,793, issued Dec. 11, 2001, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY; U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,762, issued Dec. 18, 2001, entitled ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE; U.S. Pat. No. 6,332,113, issued Dec. 18, 2001, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Pat. No. 6,351,102, issued Feb. 26, 2002, entitled AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM TESTER; U.S. Pat. No. 6,359,441, issued Mar. 19, 2002, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,303, issued Mar. 26, 2002, entitled ALTERNATOR DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, U.S. Pat. No. 6,392,414, issued May 21, 2002, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Pat. No. 6,417,669, issued Jul. 9, 2002, entitled SUPPRESSING INTERFERENCE IN AC MEASUREMENTS OF CELLS, BATTERIES AND OTHER ELECTRICAL ELEMENTS; U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,158, issued Jul. 23, 2002, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON BATTERIES AND FOR RAPIDLY CHARGING BATTERIES; U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,585, issued Aug. 17, 2002, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TESTING RECHARGEABLE ENERGY STORAGE BATTERIES; U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,158, issued Sep. 3, 2002, entitled VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TESTER WITH ENCODED OUTPUT; U.S. Pat. No. 6,456,045, issued Sep. 24, 2002, entitled INTEGRATED CONDUCTANCE AND LOAD TEST BASED ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Pat. No. 6,466,025, issued Oct. 15, 2002, entitled ALTERNATOR TESTER; U.S. Pat. No. 6,466,026, issued Oct. 15, 2002, entitled PROGRAMMABLE CURRENT EXCITER FOR MEASURING AC IMMITTANCE OF CELLS AND BATTERIES; U.S. Ser. No. 09/703,270, filed Oct. 31, 2000, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Ser. No. 09/780,146, filed Feb. 9, 2001, entitled STORAGE BATTERY WITH INTEGRAL BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Ser. No. 09/816,768, filed Mar. 23, 2001, entitled MODULAR BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Ser. No. 09/756,638, filed Jan. 8, 2001, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING BATTERY PROPERTIES FROM COMPLEX IMPEDANCE/ADMITTANCE; U.S. Ser. No. 09/862,783, filed May 21, 2001, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING CELLS AND BATTERIES EMBEDDED IN SERIES/PARALLEL SYSTEMS; U.S. Ser. No. 09/960,117, filed Sep. 20, 2001, entitled IN-VEHICLE BATTERY MONITOR; U.S. Ser. No. 09/908,389, filed Jul. 18, 2001, entitled BATTERY CLAMP WITH INTEGRATED CIRCUIT SENSOR; U.S. Ser. No. 09/908,278, filed Jul. 18, 2001, entitled BATTERY CLAMP WITH EMBEDDED ENVIRONMENT SENSOR; U.S. Ser. No. 09/880,473, filed Jun. 13, 2001; entitled BATTERY TEST MODULE; U.S. Ser. No. 09/940,684, filed Aug. 27, 2001, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EVALUATING STORED CHARGE IN AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL OR BATTERY; U.S. Ser. No. 60/330,441, filed Oct. 17, 2001, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH RELATIVE TEST OUTPUT; U.S. Ser. No. 60/348,479, filed Oct. 29, 2001, entitled CONCEPT FOR TESTING HIGH POWER VRLA BATTERIES; U.S. Ser. No. 10/046,659, filed Oct. 29, 2001, entitled ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE; U.S. Ser. No. 09/993,468, filed Nov. 14, 2001, entitled KELVIN CONNECTOR FOR A BATTERY POST; U.S. Ser. No. 09/992,350, filed Nov. 26, 2001, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER, U.S. Ser. No. 60/341,902, filed Dec. 19, 2001, entitled BATTERY TESTER MODULE; U.S. Ser. No. 10/042,451, filed Jan. 8, 2002, entitled BATTERY CHARGE CONTROL DEVICE, U.S. Ser. No. 10/073,378, filed Feb. 8, 2002, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS USING A CIRCUIT MODEL TO EVALUATE CELL/BATTERY PARAMETERS; U.S. Ser. No. 10/093,853, filed Mar. 7, 2002, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH NETWORK COMMUNICATION; U.S. Ser. No. 60/364,656, filed Mar. 14, 2002, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH LOW TEMPERATURE RATING DETERMINATION; U.S. Ser. No. 10/098,741, filed Mar. 14, 2002, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUDITING A BATTERY TEST; U.S. Ser. No. 10/101,543, filed Mar. 19, 2002, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Ser. No. 10/112,114, filed Mar. 28, 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 10/109,734, filed Mar. 28, 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 10/112,105, filed Mar. 28, 2002, entitled CHARGE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE BATTERY; U.S. Ser. No. 10/112,998, filed Mar. 29, 2002, entitled BATTERY TESTER WITH BATTERY REPLACEMENT OUTPUT; U.S. Ser. No. 10/119,297, filed Apr. 9, 2002, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING CELLS AND BATTERIES EMBEDDED IN SERIES/PARALLEL SYSTEMS; U.S. Ser. No. 10/128,790, filed Apr. 22, 2002, entitled METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING JUMP-START BOOSTER PACKS; U.S. Ser. No. 60/379,281, filed May 8, 2002, entitled METHOD FOR DETERMINING BATTERY STATE OF CHARGE; U.S. Ser. No. 10/143,307, filed May 10, 2002, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Ser. No. 60/387,046, filed Jun. 7, 2002, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INCREASING THE LIFE OF A STORAGE BATTERY; U.S. Ser. No. 10/177,635, filed Jun. 21, 2002, entitled BATTERY CHARGER WITH BOOSTER PACK; U.S. Ser. No. 10/207,495, filed Jul. 29, 2002, entitled KELVIN CLAMP FOR ELECTRICALLY COUPLING TO A BATTERY CONTACT; U.S. Ser. No. 10/200,041, filed Jul. 19, 2002, entitled AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE; U.S. Ser. No. 10/217,913, filed Aug. 13, 2002, entitled, BATTERY TEST MODULE; U.S. Ser. No. 60/408,542, filed Sep. 5, 2002, entitled BATTERY TEST OUTPUTS ADJUSTED BASED UPON TEMPERATURE; U.S. Ser. No. 10/246,439, filed Sep. 18, 2002, entitled BATTERY TESTER UPGRADE USING SOFTWARE KEY; U.S. Ser. No. 60/415,399, filed Oct. 2, 2002, entitled QUERY BASED ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; and U.S. Ser. No. 10/263,473, filed Oct. 2, 2002, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH RELATIVE TEST OUTPUT; U.S. Ser. No. 60/415,796, filed Oct. 3, 2002, entitled QUERY BASED ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Ser. No. 10/271,342, filed Oct. 15, 2002, entitled IN-VEHICLE BATTERY MONITOR; U.S. Ser. No. 10/270,777, filed Oct. 15, 2002, entitled PROGRAMMABLE CURRENT EXCITER FOR MEASURING AC IMMITTANCE OF CELLS AND BATTERIES; U.S. Ser. No. 10/310,515, filed Dec. 5, 2002, entitled BATTERY TEST MODULE; U.S. Ser. No. 10/310,490, filed Dec. 5, 2002, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Ser. No. 10/310,385, filed Dec. 5, 2002, entitled BATTERY TEST MODULE, U.S. Ser. No. 60/437,255, filed Dec. 31, 2002, entitled REMAINING TIME PREDICTIONS, U.S. Ser. No. 60/437,224, filed Dec. 31, 2002, entitled DISCHARGE VOLTAGE PREDICTIONS, U.S. Ser. No. 10/349,053, filed Jan. 22, 2003, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING A BATTERY FROM OVERDISCHARGE, which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0005] Some battery testers communicate with a printer to print various test results. The battery tester communicates with the printer through different types of physical and non-physical interfaces. Before the battery tester can communicate with the printer through a communication interface, the printer or the tester is manually set to a printer communication protocol which allows the battery tester to communicate with the printer. Manually setting the printer communication protocol is time consuming, may introduce errors in the printing process and has limited functionality.

[0006] An apparatus for testing a storage battery includes an input configured to select a printer protocol from a plurality of printer protocols. A memory contains a plurality of printer protocol selection commands. Each of the printer protocol selection commands corresponds with each of the printer protocols. A processor is coupled to the input and the memory such that the processor can retrieve one of the plurality of printer protocol selection commands that corresponds to the selected printer protocol. A communication interface is configured to send the printer protocol selection command to a printer, the printer protocol selection command is configured to cause the printer to communicate in accordance with the selected printer protocol.

[0013] The present invention provides an apparatus and method for configuring a printer with a printer protocol to allow the printer to communicate with a battery tester. The present invention also provides an apparatus and method for configuring a battery tester with an output protocol to allow the battery tester to transmit test data to the printer in accordance with the printer protocol. A user interface is utilized in the present invention to both configure a printer with a printer protocol and configure a battery tester with an output protocol.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an electronic battery tester system 10 in which embodiments of the present invention are useful. Batter tester system 10 includes a battery tester 12 coupled to battery 14 and printer 30. Note that FIG. 1 is illustrative of a specific type of battery tester 12 which measures dynamic parameters. However, in one aspect, the present invention is applicable to any type of battery tester including those which do not use dynamic parameters. Other types of example testers include testers that conduct load tests, current based tests, voltage based tests, tests which apply various conditions or observe various performance parameters of a battery, etc.

[0015] Battery tester 12 is coupled to terminals 16 of battery 14 via connectors 18. For example, connectors 18 may provide Kelvin connections to battery 14. Battery tester 12 includes test circuitry 22. Test circuitry 22 contains processor 20 and other circuitry configured to measure a dynamic parameter of battery 14. As used herein, a dynamic parameter is one which is related to a signal having a time varying component. The signal can be either applied to or drawn from battery 14. In addition, test circuitry 22 may further include battery charge circuitry 23 to charge battery 14. Charge circuitry 23 is capable of determining the status of battery 14, making advanced decisions about charging battery 14 and selecting a particular charging profile used in such charging.

[0016] Besides assisting in measuring dynamic and non-dynamic parameters of battery 14 and charging battery 14, processor 20 also controls the operation of other components within battery tester 12. Battery tester 12 also includes input 24, memory 26 and communication interface 28. Processor 20 controls the operation of these and other components within test circuitry 22 and, in turn, carries out different battery testing functions based upon battery testing instructions stored in memory 26.

[0017] Generally, battery tester 12 is in communication with printer 30 via communication interface 28 such that printer 30 will print test data provided by test circuitry 22. Test circuitry 22 in conjunction with processor 20 is configured to send measurement information via an output or measurement output 21 to printer 30 to print test data. In order for test circuitry 22 to communicate with printer 30, printer 30 is configured with a printer protocol corresponding to the particular interface that communication interface 28 is using.

[0018] The printer protocol is changed manually by a multiple button pressing sequence on printer 30. This method of changing the printer protocol of printer 30 is time consuming and presents many possibilities of error in button pressing. To eliminate these unwanted printer conditions the present invention is a battery tester 12 which includes a user-friendly input for configuring printer 30 with a printer protocol. The user-friendly input therein eliminates the multiple manual button pressing on printer 30.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of battery tester 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one aspect of the invention, input 24 is a user input configured to receive one of a plurality of protocols 40-45 from the user. Protocols 40-45 each represent a type of printer protocol associated with configuring printer 30. Memory 26 contains a plurality of printer protocol selection commands 140-145 corresponding to the plurality of printer protocols 40-45 of input 24.

[0020] Each of the plurality of protocols 40-45 that correspond with each of the plurality of selection commands 140-145 are associated with a type of communication interface 28 that is being used to send measurement information to printer 30. For example, communication- interface 28 can be a Recommended Standard 232 (RS232) interface having a registered jack 12 (RJ12) socket which is standardized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The RS232 interface connects to the printer by a physical link such as a cable. In another example, communication interface 28 can be a Hewlett Packard Infrared (HPIR) interface. In yet another example, communication interface 28 can be an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) interface as standardized by the IrDA. Both the HPIR and IrDA interfaces are infrared non-physical interfaces. This list of example interfaces is not exhaustive, for example, communication interface 28 can use other forms of physical and non-physical interfaces. Examples of non-physical interfaces include ultrasonic and radio frequencies.

[0021] Each of the plurality of printer protocol selection commands 140-145 contain a command or set of commands which configure printer 30. For example, printer 30 can be configured to an IrDA protocol, a HPIR protocol or a RS232 protocol. This list is not exhaustive and can include any type of protocol corresponding to any interface that includes a physical or non-physical interface to printer 30. In one example, protocol 40 in input 24 represents an IrDA protocol which corresponds with protocol selection command 140. Protocol selection command 140 contains a command or set of commands to configure printer 30 to an IrDA protocol. Upon the user selecting protocol 40, processor 20 accesses memory 26 and retrieves the corresponding printer protocol selection command 140. Processor 20 sends protocol selection command 140 via communication interface 28 to configure printer 30 with an IrDA protocol. In another example, protocol 41 in input 24 represents a HPIR protocol and corresponds with protocol selection command 141 which contains a command or set of commands to configure printer 30 to a HPIR protocol. Upon the user selecting protocol 41, processor 20 accesses memory 26 and retrieves the corresponding protocol selection command 141. Processor 20 sends protocol selection command 141 via communication interface 28 to configure printer 30 with a HPIR protocol.

[0022] In response to the protocol selection command sent from memory 26, printer 30 will complete some or all of the following steps: 1) change its protocol; 2) complete a linefeed of the paper in printer 30; and 3) print a short text string. The linefeed and the text string are printer outputs (indicated at output 31). The printed text string indicates the output that printer 30 is ready to accept that relates to the type of interface that communication interface 28 is using.

[0023] In another aspect of the present invention, the user-friendly input 24 is an input containing a user friendly layered menu interface 300. FIG. 3 illustrates layered menu interface 300 displaying user options to configure printer 30 with a printer protocol. For example, layered menu 300 can be graphically displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD).

[0024] Layered menu interface 350 includes a plurality of menu levels 350, 360 and 370. In level one 350 of layered menu interface 300, a plurality of options for testing a storage battery. For example, PRINT RESULTS, VIEW RESULTS, QC (quality control) MODE, VOLTMETER, EXPORT DATA and PERFORM TEST are frequently used functions in battery tester 12 that can be selected in level one 350. If PRINT RESULTS is selected, then tester 12 will send test data from the last test result to printer 30 for printing. If VIEW RESULTS is selected, then tester 12 will display test data from the last test result on the LCD display. If QC MODE is selected, then tester 12 will save test data into memory locations. If VOLTMETER is selected, the tester will function as a voltmeter. If EXPORT DATA is selected, tester 12 will send test data in a format that can be displayed on a personal computer (PC) having PC software. If PERFORM TEST is selected, tester 12 will perform a test. Note that in this embodiment of the invention layered menu interface 300 can only display three options at one time on the LCD. However, the present invention encompasses any amount of options that can be displayed at any level of layered menu 300. In FIG. 3, the corresponding PRINT RESULTS and VIEW RESULTS options are options 352 and 353.

[0025] Another option in level one 350 is option 351 labeled UTILITIES. Utility option 351 allows access to infrequently used menu selections. The user can select utility option 351 by using the up/down arrows 358 to move the horizontal arrow 356 next to utility option 351. After selection, level two 360 displays the list of utility options.

[0026] Examples of utility options in layered menu interface 300 can include options such as COUPON MODE, PRINTER TYPE, LANGUAGE, CONTRAST, SET DATA AND TIME, SET ADDRESS, TEST COUNTER, CONFIG PRINTER and MAIN MENU. By selecting the main menu option, the user is brought back to level one 350 of layered menu 300. This is not an exhaustive list of utility options that can be found in level two 360, for example, other infrequently used functions for battery tester 12 can be listed on level two 360 of layered menu 300.

[0027] To configure printer 30 with a printer protocol that corresponds to the type of interface that communication interface 28 is using, the user selects option 362 labeled CONFIG PRINTER from the list of utility options by moving horizontal arrow 356 adjacent option 362. After selection, level three 370 is displayed wherein the user selects the corresponding protocol. For example, the user can select either option 374 labeled IRDA PRINTER or option 376 labeled HP82240B. IRDA PRINTER refers to an IrDA protocol and HP82240B refers to a HPIR protocol. For example, if communication interface 28 is an IrDA interface, then the horizontal arrow 356 should be moved adjacent to option 374. If the communication interface 28 is a HPIR interface, then the horizontal arrow 356 should be moved adjacent to option 376. This is not an exhaustive list of options that can be found in level three 370. Other protocols for battery tester 12 can be listed on level three 370 of layered menu 300. For example, a RS232 protocol can be an option.

[0028] After selection of one of the above protocols, processor 20 accesses memory 26 and retrieves one of the plurality of protocol selection commands which matches the selection made in level three 370. Processor 20 sends the command or set of commands found in one of the plurality of protocol selection commands to configure printer 30 via the communication interface 28.

[0029] In yet another aspect of the present invention, layered menu interface 300 can be layered menu interface 400 of FIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates layered menu interface 400 displaying user options to configure printer 30 with a printer protocol. For example, layered menu 400 can be graphically displayed on a LCD.

[0030] Layered menu interface 400 includes a plurality of menu levels 350, 360, 470 and 480. Level one 350 and level two 360 are illustrated in FIG. 3. However, layered menu interface 400 also includes level three 470 in place of level three 370 of FIG. 3 as well as level four 480. Unlike level three 370 of FIG. 3, level three 470 includes a plurality of options for configuring printer 30. Besides SELECT PROTOCOL, other examples of possible additional selections in level three 470 can include BAUD RATE, FLOW CONTROL, FONT, CHARACTER SCALING, PRINT DENSITY, PRINTER CURRENT, FEED CONTROL, AUTO OFF and RESET. This is not an exhaustive list of options that can be found in level three 470, for example, other options for configuring printer 30 can be listed on level three 470 of layered menu 400.

[0031] To configure printer 30 with a printer protocol that corresponds to the type of interface that communication interface 28 is using, the user selects option 482 from the list of options by moving horizontal arrow 356 adjacent option 482. After selection, level four 480 is displayed wherein the user selects the corresponding protocol as described in level three 370 of FIG. 3.

[0032] In yet another aspect of the present invention, battery tester 12 is configured with an output protocol to allow tester 12 to transmit test data to printer 30 in accordance with the selected printer protocol. FIG. 5 illustrates layered menu interface 500 displaying user options to configure tester 12 with an output protocol. For example, layer menu interface 500 can be graphically displayed on a LCD.

[0033] Layered menu interface 500 includes a plurality of menu levels 350, 360 and 570. Layered menu interface 500 includes level one 350 and level two 360 of FIG. 3. However, layered menu interface 500 also includes level three 570. To configure tester 12 with an output protocol, the user selects option 562 labeled PRINTER TYPE in level two 360. Level three 570 includes a plurality of output protocols 573. For example, the user can select either option 574 labeled IRDA or option 576 labeled HP82240B. If printer 30 is configured with an IrDA protocol then horizontal arrow 356 should be moved adjacent option 374. If printer 30 is configured with a HPIR protocol then horizontal arrow 356 should be moved adjacent option 376. This is not an exhaustive list of output protocols that can be found in level three 570. Other output protocols can be listed on level three 570 of layered menu 300. For example, a RS232 output protocol that corresponds to an RS232 printer protocol can be an option.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a flowchart 600 which illustrates an example process with which a user interacts with layered menu interfaces 300, 400 and 500 in battery tester 12 to configure printer 30 with a printer protocol and/or configure tester 12 with an output protocol to transmit test data in accordance with the printer protocol. The method begins at first step 601 where the user selects the UTILITIES option from the plurality of infrequently used selections of layered menu interface 300, 400 and 500.

[0035] At step 603, the user determines whether printer 30 needs to be configured with a printer protocol. If printer 30 needs configuration, the process advances to step 605. At step 605, the user selects the CONFIG PRINTER option from the plurality of user options in second level 360 of FIG. 3. Selection of the CONFIG PRINTER option allows third level 370 of FIG. 3 to be displayed. At step 607, the user selects a printer protocol from the plurality of printer protocols in level 370. At step 609, the selected printer protocol is sent to printer 30 to configure printer 30. If printer 30 does not need to be configured, the process passes control from step 603 to step 611.

[0036] At step 611, the user determines whether battery tester 12 needs to be configured with an output protocol. If the tester 12 needs to be configured, the process advances to step 613. At step 613, the user selects the PRINTER TYPE option from the plurality of user options in second level 360 of FIG. 5. Selection of the PRINTER TYPE option allows third level 570 of FIG. 5 to be displayed. At step 615, the user selects an output protocol from the plurality of output protocols that correspond with the previously selected printer protocol. After the output protocol has been selected the process ends. If tester 12 does not need to be configured, the method also ends.

[0037] The above method is not an exhaustive list of levels in which a user can interact with a user interface. For example, step 607 can further include the user selecting a SELECT A PROTOCOL option from a plurality of configure printer options in third level 470 of FIG. 4. The plurality of configure printer options include other options for configuring a printer besides selecting a printer protocol (see the description associated with FIG. 4). Selection of the SELECT A PROTOCOL option allows fourth level 480 to be displayed. The user selects a printer protocol from a plurality of printer protocols in the fourth level.

[0038] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.