FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for data retrieval and analysis/monitoring of power conversion equipments such as inverter, UPS and batteries.
PRIOR ART
Power conversion equipments such as inverter and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) use rechargeable batteries. It is important to continuously monitor and manage these equipments and batteries for better performance. Several techniques have been used to test and monitor the condition of storage batteries.
Already available retrieval/analysis systems do not provide the complete monitoring/controlling and data-logging with high storage capacity for a number of batteries from the installation date to the present date with customer's information. Almost all of them are limited to certain analysis of battery only.
There are a number of retrieval/analysis systems available, all being customized to specific needs for a specific product. In case of power backup systems too, analysis systems are available but therein, the data-logging and the retrieval/analysis is done on the computer. Hence, these systems do not act as standalone systems but require an additional system for the logging and retrieval or a separate printer to printout the data. A number of patents that are discussed below have described the method/ system for monitoring the batteries used in UPS
U.S. patent no. 4,352,067 provides a battery analyzer system for testing industrial batteries under constant load. The system includes a load bank consisting of a plurality of resistors while the load is connected across battery terminals. A printer generates the printouts while a display unit directs an operator in the use of the analyzer.

U.S. patent no. 7,089,127 "Integrated battery service system" performs services related to a battery, such as battery testing, battery charging etc. A memory device is coupled to the processor to store operation history. The processor may access the memory to retrieve data related to the aborted service and parameters obtained during the service before the process was aborted.
U.S patent no. 7,199,489 "Battery communication system" describes a UPS system which communicates to UPS processor information concerning the status of a battery pack. Information about the battery packs are collected by monitors associated with each of the battery packs and is transmitted to the UPS in response to commands issued by the UPS processor to the monitors.
U.S. patent no. 5,047,961 "Automatic battery monitoring system" describes an instrument for the continuous monitoring of emergency stand-by batteries during operation of the batteries. It monitors the emergency batteries during discharge operations. The processor, which has system RAM for non-volatile storage, outputs signals to a LCD as well as a printer and receives commands from a keypad. This information is printed every 24 hours and after every battery discharge.
U.S. patent no. 5,939,855 describes power inverter equipment monitor/controller method and apparatus. It provides semi-automatic state steering and monitoring of an inverter/charger and alternator system. A flat panel user interface includes an array of switches, displays and indicators for establishing modes of operation of the system, for initializing operating parameters of the system and a connected battery, for establishing rates for the system's operation, permit the user to monitor the system's operating mode and charging data. A processor-scanned keypad with keys and the display indicates a present status of charging data. A remote controller is distally connected to inverter/charger.
U.S. patent no. 6,112,136 provides a software management system of an intelligent power conditioner with backup system option employing trend analysis for early prediction of AC

power line failure. The software controlled system analyzes and identifies defects and computes associated trends, stores accumulated data in a log buffer for digital printout and then provides appropriate alarms to a user. The trend analysis system keeps track of battery operation and is used to manage battery recharging for optimum battery life.
U.S. patent no. 7,061,246 "Battery monitoring system and method" describes a method for predicting the remaining life of a battery for a vehicle.
There are further techniques available for analysis of power back up systems like the UPS, but none of them monitor/analyse inverters/UPS or inverters/UPS & battery as a whole. Not all the power back up systems have connectivity with the computer and even if they do have, often, there is no computer in the household. Moreover, retrieval/ analysis of earlier systems always requires the customized software to run on the computer which further requires the computer to be powered ON always thereby causing a potential power loss.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to propose an apparatus for data retrieval and analysis/monitoring of power conversion equipments such as inverter, UPS and batteries which overcomes disadvantages associated with the prior arts.
Another object of the present invention is to propose an apparatus for data retrieval and analysis/monitoring of power conversion equipments such as inverter, UPS and batteries herein and after referred as product which can work without having connectivity to the computer. Hence, all the critical information like product installation date, inverter/UPS/battery make & serial number, first customer's information, the number of batteries used till date, data logged so far can always be retrieved even when not connected to the computer.

Still another object of the present invention is to propose an apparatus for data retrieval and analysis/monitoring of power conversion equipments such as inverter, UPS and batteries, the operation of which is not limited to time specific e.g. during emergency operations only or aborting the current operation, retrieve the information and then resume the process. It rather retrieves the information without hampering the process in any manner thereby, ensuring flawless and smooth operation.
Further object of the present invention is to propose an apparatus for data retrieval and analysis/monitoring of power conversion equipment such as inverter, UPS and batteries having an internal as well as an external memory which can accommodate data of for example over 1 lakh customers (depending on the location and the requirement, it can be more than that also). This data can be printed and a copy of it be given to the customer. This information can also be sent to the server through direct communication like RS232/RS485/USB as well as indirectly through e-mail/GPRS also. This information is further updated automatically in the server while keeping the earlier records as well.
Yet another object of the present invention is to propose an apparatus for data retrieval and analysis/monitoring of power conversion equipments such as inverter, UPS and batteries which does not require an additional power supply or battery to be activated; rather it draws its power from the product itself which makes it small, portable and light weight.
Still another object of the present invention is to propose an apparatus for data retrieval and analysis/monitoring of power conversion equipment such as inverter, UPS and batteries which has a separate memory region allocated especially for the updation of the product. This field programmability is doubly password secured and the product can smoothly switch over to its updated version without aborting the operation or losing the memory.

Further object of the present invention is to propose an apparatus for data retrieval and analysis/monitoring of power conversion equipments such as inverter, UPS and batteries wherein this light weight, portable and hand held retrieval/analysis system has a powerful central processor, a keypad, a LCD display, communication port(s), memory card and a thermal printer, accommodated in a very small enclosure.
Further, it is the objective of the present invention to store the product (inverter/UPS/battery) related data in the memory of the product and retrieve it later with the help of the retrieval/analysis system. More specifically, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a retrieval/analysis system for inverter/UPS/battery, capable of retrieving all the customer's information as well as product's information & data since the product's installation date till date, storing this data in the server for analysis and betterment of the product and generating reports via the in-built thermal printer.
It is the further object of the present invention to provide such products with value added features e.g. charge in the battery when it leaves dealer's premises, installation date of the system, warranty claim etc. which will not only ease the customer's apprehension of being cheated or hassles like keeping the warranty card safe etc. but also will give him a sense of freedom.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention the retrieval/analysis system is powered with a processor which establishes a communication between the retrieval/analysis system and the product. This processor helps in retrieving all data of the product and the number of the batteries used so far. This information gets displayed on the LCD screen as well to facilitate the operator. The keypad helps in feeding data at the time of the installation and retrieving it later at the time of servicing.

According to the present invention the retrieval/analysis system stores thus retrieved information in the memory of the processor as well as in the external memory e.g. external EEPROM, CF/SD/MMC card. This information can then be sent to the server via GPRS/email or direct communication like USB/RS232/RS485 etc.
According to the present invention, the information thus stored in the server will provide an extensive database for the further development of such systems which may help in power audit as well as designing specific systems for specific geographical regions, if required. Also, it would serve the battery manufactures as well with the critical data like the events of deep discharge of the battery, the geographical region of the installation and the behavior of the batteries in different regions.
According to the present invention an in-built thermal printer is used to generate reports of the retrieved data of the product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of first embodiment of data retrieval/analysis system showing its interface with the product according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the data retrieval/analysis system as a standalone system according to
the present invention;
FIG. 3 gives the inside view of the data retrieval/analysis system;
FIG. 4 shows the product interfacing with the computer and the data retrieval/analysis system
according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows the interfacing of the product along with the battery and the data retrieval/analysis system according to the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of thermal printer for generating a report; FIG. 7 illustrates the composition of the content database; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the database;
FIG. 9A is a flow chart outlining the software program procedures for a typical visit to the computer by the user, according to the present invention; FIG. 9B is a continuation of FIG. 9 A;
FIG. 9C is a continuation of FIG. 9B; FIG. 9D is a continuation of FIG. 9C;
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
Reference may be made to Fig (1) giving the overall view of the functionality of the system i.e. retrieval/analysis system and its interface with the product & the computer. Whilst at the customer end, the retrieval/analysis system, when connected to the product (inverter/UPS and battery), collects all the data from the product and stores it into its own memory. Thereafter, a printout, reflecting the customer & product information along with the data, can be generated with the thermal printer which is also a part of the retrieval/analysis system. Moreover, this data which is stored in the memory of the retrieval/analysis system can again be retrieved by the server and this information is updated for the customer database and product analysis as well as data storage.
Now, reference may be made to Fig (2) showing the overall view of the functionality of the control section of the system i.e. retrieval/analysis system. The main section comprising of several components viz. the central processing unit (CPU), external memory viz. EEPROM/CF/SD/MMC card, the keypad, thermal printer, connectivity to the product, provision for In Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) and the LCD display. The CPU is a high end digital

signal controller which establishes a connection between the retrieval/analysis system and the product. The CPU has its own in-built EEPROM sufficient enough to store all the information of the desired product. This information, when accumulates for a number of products, is stored in the external memory viz. EEPROM/CF/SD/MMC card and then sent to the computer via RS232/RS485/USB or via GPRS/email. The keypad serves the purpose of feeding the product with the required details and retrieving the information/data at the later date when required. The keypad can have any number of keys, depending upon the requirement of the data to be stored/ retrieved. However the basic information can be stored/ fetched using just 2-3 keys on the keypad. A user friendly LCD display enables the user to feed the product with the correct information as well as edit the information at the time of the installation. It also displays the data being retrieved in auto/ self mode. Later, a printout of this data (explained in Fig. 7) can be generated through the thermal printer.
Fig (3) gives the outlook of the control card-of the retrieval/analysis system. This control card has the provision for in-circuit serial programming to update the system with the latest software. The updated software is doubly secured and uses a handshaking protocol to identify the host.
Fig (4) gives the overview of an inverter/UPS system having internal battery connected with the computer and its interface with retrieval/analysis system. Inverter/UPS is connected to the computer through true RS232 communication and supplies it with the data related to the system as well as the battery. This data can thereafter be retrieved by the retrieval/analysis system.
Fig (5) gives the outlook of the interface between inverter/UPS & battery and the retrieval/analysis system. This system can be connected to the product through RJ11/RJ12/RJ45 cable or a simple 4/6 pin connector to transfer the information between the retrieval/analysis system and the product. The supply to the retrieval/analysis system and its in-built thermal printer can also be sent via this 4/6 pin connector. The system's updation process if required can also take place via the RJ11/RJ12/RJ45 cable.

Fig (6) depicts the direct thermal printer. This printer uses heat to transfer an impression onto paper and prints the image by burning dots onto coated paper when the paper passes over a line of heating elements. This thermal printer is a subsection of the retrieval/analysis system and generates a printout for the relevant information whenever a print command is executed. The printout containing all the information is handed over to the customer and a copy of this is retained with the service engineer for company records.
Fig (7) is a screen shot of the database at the server end showing every customer's information (e.g. name, address, telephone no. etc.), product information (e.g. inverter/UPS model & S. No., battery make & S. No.), installation date, all the data retrieved from the systems viz. number of events like overload, short circuit, battery low, deep discharge events, number of battery changes, fuse blown, total charge & discharge (in AH) of the battery(ies), time (total, mains mode as well as backup mode), date of service engineer's visit, service engineer's code etc.
Fig (8) shows the data flow from the product and the retrieval/analysis system to the database section of the computer and the server respectively. The customer's information and the product's information, along with the data stored, is stored in the memory of the processor and is sent to the retrieval/analysis system when required. The retrieval/analysis system stores the data in the external memory EEPROM or memory card (CF/SD/MMC). This data is further sent to the server which stores all the information in its database. Again if the data already exists for a particular customer, the database will be updated with the new information while keeping the previous information intact. The database stores the data in the form of excel sheets with the product's name and the S. No., thus helping in segregation of the records of the different products. The segregation is selectable and can be done on the basis of geographical region as well.
Figs. (9A-9D) are the flow charts outlining the software program procedures for a typical visit to the data retrieval and analysis system by the user, according to the present invention. After the

unit is attached to the product via RJ11/RJ12/RJ45 cable, the retrieval/analysis system confirms whether this is a new installation or not. If the installation is fresh, the retrieval/analysis system asks for the one time entries like customer's information, product information & installation date
etc.
It also enables the user to edit the information, should the customer wish to change his/her information within the stipulated time. In case of an old installation, the system prompts to enter the number of the battery for which information of the product (as well as the battery) when connected with the particular battery, is required. The data for all of the batteries, connected so far, can be retrieved individually, displayed on the LCD display of the retrieval/analysis system and sent to the thermal printer for a printout. A copy is handed over to the customer while another copy remains with the service engineer. This unit also has the doubly secured updated software of the product and if desired by customer, the product can be updated with the latest software.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the following claims:-

WE CLAIM;
1. An apparatus for data retrieval and analysis of power conversion equipments such as
inverter, UPS and batteries comprising of a central processing unit which further
establishes a connection between the apparatus and the equipment, retrieves the data stored
in the memory of the equipment for the further storage, printout and power analysis at the
company's server end, in which the apparatus is provided with an internal memory of the
processor and external memory for storing information.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising of a central processor, a keypad, a LCD
display, communication port(s), internal as well as external memory cards and a thermal
printer, all accommodated in an enclosure.
3. An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus works for
stand alone power conversion equipments as well, not requiring computer to be connected
for data-logging.
4. An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus is
independent of emergency operations while storing the information continuously without
aborting the operation.
5. An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the stored information in
the internal as well as external memory such as CF/SD/ MMC card can be sent to the server
via communication port such as RS 232/RS485/USB or via GPRS/email; data can be stored
at server end and can be analysed further.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims having a separate memory region
allocated especially for the updation of the equipment, without aborting/hampering the
operation.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus does not
require an additional power supply or battery to be activated; rather draws its power from
the equipment itself thereby making it small, portable and light in weight.
8. An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus helps in
power audit as well as designing specific equipments for specific geographical regions.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus serves the
battery manufacturers with the critical data like the events of deep discharge of the battery,
the geographical region of the installation and behavior of the batteries in different regions
etc.
10. An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus is capable
of retrieving critical information from the equipment such as charge in the battery when it
leaves dealer's premises, installation date of the power conversion equipment, warranty
claim etc.
11. An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims which stores the equipment's
(inverter/UPS/battery) information and customer's information in the memory of the
equipment and retrieves it later with the help of the apparatus such as herein described.