Improvements in battery information

Abstract

A battery information display device (10) is disclosed. The device (10) includes a controller (20) configured to be in communication with sensor arrangements (22, 24, 26) associated with a plurality o

Description

Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to battery information, and in particular to a battery information display device, a battery information system, a battery-powered machine monitoring system and a method. Background to the Invention The performance of batteries in general can be optimized if they are in a certain condition (for example if they are at a certain temperature). The performance of industrial batteries in particular can significantly depend on their current condition. Furthermore, batteries longevity can be dependent on how certain parameters relating to the battery are managed such as temperature, water level, and charge level. In known charging set ups for charging battery arrangements there is a lack of any visual indication as to a current status of each of the batteries and a health of those batteries, for example, in arrangements where a number of battery powered machines are provided. This is made worse by the fact that batteries in battery-powered machines are often inaccessible or at least difficult to access. This can mean that when a battery is selected for use by an operator that battery can be not ready for use / suitable (as it may require water for example), and therefore time can be wasted and potentially the battery damaged. Further, often batteries are not properly maintained as there is no prompt to perform proper maintenance operations. It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one problem with prior arrangements. Summary of the Invention According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device. The device may be a battery information display device. The device may comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to be in communication with sensor arrangements. The sensor arrangements may be associated with a plurality of batteries. The device may comprise an electronic display. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor arrangements. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery information display device comprising: a controller configured to be in communication with sensor arrangements associated with a plurality of batteries; and an electronic display; wherein the controller is configured to control the electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries, wherein the controller is configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor arrangements. In the invention, information relating to a group of batteries (preferably where each battery is provided in a battery powered machine) is displayed on a single electronic display. This display can be arranged in a workspace or operating area, meaning the information relating to the batteries can be clearly seen by workers, meaning required battery maintenance operations are carried out. For example, when the information includes the temperature of the batteries and the displayed information indicates that one of the batteries is overheating, the water level of the overheated battery can be adjusted so that the overheated battery can cool to a safe temperature. When the information includes a charge level of the batteries, an operator can tell that a battery associated with a specific battery-operated machine is flat before using that machine, meaning that working time is not wasted. The invention also ensures that batteries are only used within a correct charge level working range, meaning that batteries are not over discharged and damaged. When the information relates to a type or serial number of each battery, workers can ensure specific maintenance operations required for specific batteries can be carried out. The controller may be configured to be in communication with the sensor arrangements associated with a plurality of batteries in use. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries in use. Each sensor arrangement may be associated with a respective one of the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries based on the communication with the sensor arrangements. The sensors may sense (or measure) one or more parameters. The sensors may sense (or measure) one or more parameters associated with the plurality of batteries. The sensors may sense (or measure) one or more parameters of the plurality of batteries. The one or more parameters may be associated with each of the batteries of the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to be in one-way communication with the sensor arrangements (i.e. just receive communications from the sensor arrangements). The one-way communication may be simplex communication. Alternatively, the controller may be configured to be in two-way communication with the sensor arrangements (for example communication protocols may be followed when the controller and sensor arrangements connect to each other and / or the data from the sensor arrangements is received at the controller). The two-way communication may be duplex communication. The controller may be configured to establish a communication channel between each sensor arrangement and the controller. There may be a plurality of the communication channels concurrently. The controller may be configured to establish a communication channel between each sensor arrangement and the controller in use. There may be a plurality of the communication channels concurrently in use. The controller may be configured to be in communication with the sensor arrangements simultaneously. The information may relate to each of the batteries. The information may relate to a state of each of the batteries. The information may be dynamic. The information may be static. The plurality of batteries may comprise a first battery. The plurality of batteries may comprise the first battery and a second battery. The plurality of batteries may comprise the first battery, the second battery and a third battery. The information may comprise first component-information relating to the first battery of the plurality of batteries. The information may comprise second componentinformation relating to the second battery of the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to control the display to display the first-component information and the second-component information concurrently. The information may comprise third component-information relating to the third battery of the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to control the display to display the first-component information, the second-component information and the third-component information concurrently. The information may comprise one or more of the following (parameters): charge level, temperature, water level, voltage balance, voltage balance and charging cycle state. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display the information diagrammatically. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display the information numerically. The controller may be configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor arrangements via a form of wireless communication that utilises radio waves. The form of wireless communication may be Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The information may relate to the one or more parameters associated with the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to receive data from the sensor arrangements. The data may be received in a coded format. The controller may be configured to decode the coded format. The information may comprise the data. Alternatively, and / or additionally, the controller may be configured to use the data to determine the information. When the controller uses the data to determine the information, the controller may use an algorithm to determine the information. The data may be dynamic. The data may relate to the one or more parameters associated with the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to use the data relating to the one or more parameters to determine the information. In an embodiment, the controller is configured to receive data relating to the one or more parameters associated with the plurality of batteries from the sensor arrangements and may be configured to use the data to determine the information, and / or the information may relate to the one or more parameters. In an embodiment, the controller is configured to receive data relating to the one or more parameters associated with the plurality of batteries from the sensor arrangements and may be configured to use the data to determine the information, and / or the information may relate to a measured value of the one or more parameters of each of the batteries. The data may relate to a first parameter of each of the batteries. The data may comprise the first parameter of each of the batteries. The controller may be configured to determine the first parameter of each of the batteries using the data. The one or more parameters sensed by the sensor arrangements may comprise the first parameter. The controller may be configured to compile a (first) list of the batteries where the batteries are listed in ascending or descending order of a magnitude of the first parameter. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display the (first) list. The (first) list may be the information. The first parameter may be charge level, temperature, water level or voltage balance. The information may relate to the first parameter of each of the batteries. The information may comprise the first parameter of each of the batteries. The device may further comprise a speaker. The speaker may be configured to output an audible alert. The controller may be configured to determine whether a first parameter value is a safe parameter value. The controller may be configured to determine whether the first parameter value is a safe parameter value by comparing the first parameter value to one or more threshold values. The one or more threshold values may be pre-set. The threshold values may be variable. When there are multiple threshold values they may define a safe value range. When there are multiple threshold values they may define a non-safe value range. The controller may be configured to generate an alert signal following the determination that the first parameter value is not a safe parameter value. In response to the alert signal, the electronic display may be configured to display a visual alert. When the device further comprises a speaker, in response to the alert signal, the speaker may be configured to output the audible alert. The first parameter may be temperature, charge level or water level. The controller may be configured to receive data from the sensor arrangements relating to a second parameter. The second parameter may relate to each of the batteries. The second parameter may be different from the first parameter. The information may comprise the second parameter of each of the batteries. The controller may be configured to compile a second list of the batteries where the batteries are listed in ascending or descending order of a magnitude of the second parameter. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display the second list. The second list may be the information. The second parameter may be charge level, temperature, water level or voltage balance. The device may comprise a body. The body may comprise the electronic display. The body may comprise the electronic display and the speaker. The body may be mountable to a support surface. The body may comprise mounting elements for at least assisting the display to be mounted to a support surface. The mounting elements may be one or more mounting holes and / or one or more elongate mounting elements. The support surface may be provided on a wall, mount or bollard, for example. The electronic display may have a screen area of at least 900 square centimetres. The electronic display may have a screen area of at least 1200 square centimetres. The electronic display may have a screen area of at least 1300 square centimetres. The electronic display may have a screen area of at least 1400 square centimetres. The electronic display may have a screen area of at least 1500 square centimetres. The electronic display may lack a folding element. The electronic display may be unfoldable. The electronic display may be substantially planar. The sensor arrangements may be configured to detect changes in the batteries. Each sensor arrangement may be associated with one of the batteries of the plurality of batteries. Each sensor arrangement may be operable to detect a change in its associated battery. The sensor arrangements may comprise first and second sensor arrangements. The first and second sensor arrangements may sense one or more parameters associated with the first and second batteries, respectively. The sensor arrangements may comprise the first and second sensor arrangements and a third sensor arrangement. The first and second sensor arrangements may sense one or more parameters associated with the first, second and third batteries, respectively. The controller may be configured to establish a communication channel between each sensor arrangement and the controller such that in use concurrently there is at least: a first communication channel between the controller and the first sensor arrangement of the sensor arrangements; and a second communication channel between the controller and the second sensor arrangement of the sensor arrangements. Each sensor arrangement may comprise one or more sensors. Each sensor arrangement may comprise a plurality of sensors. Each sensor may sense a different parameter. Each sensor may sense a different parameter of its associated battery. Each sensor arrangement may comprise a first sensor. The first sensor may be a temperature sensor, charge level sensor, voltage sensor or water level sensor. Each sensor arrangement may comprise the first sensor and a second sensor. The second sensor may be a temperature sensor, charge level sensor, voltage sensor or water level sensor. In some embodiments, the first sensor is a temperature sensor, and the second sensor is a charge level sensor. In these embodiments, the information may be temperature and charge level information relating to the batteries. Each sensor arrangement may comprise at least one transmitter. The device may further comprise a receiver operable to receive one or more signals from each transmitter. The one or more signals may include the data. The data received from sensor arrangements in use may comprise a battery type of each of the batteries. The controller may be operable to control the electronic display to display a battery type of each of the batteries based on the communication with the sensor arrangements. The controller may be operable to control the electronic display to display that the battery type of one or more of the batteries of the plurality of batteries is different from the remaining battery or batteries of the plurality of batteries based on the communication with the sensor arrangements. The data received from the sensor arrangements in use may comprise a battery serial number of each of the batteries. The controller may be operable to control the electronic display to display a battery serial number of each of the batteries based on the communication with the sensor arrangements. The serial number may comprise numbers and / or letters. The serial number may comprise one or more words. The electronic display may be a liquid crystal display (LCD). The controller may be configured to control the electronic display. The controller may control the electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries by instructing the electronic display to display the information relating to the plurality of batteries. The controller may be an electronic controller. The controller may be a processor. The controller may be a computer. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery information system comprising: sensor arrangements configured to be associated with a plurality of batteries; and a battery information display device comprising: a controller in communication with the sensor arrangements; and an electronic display; wherein the controller is configured to control the electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries, wherein the controller is configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor arrangements. The sensor arrangements may be configured to be associated with a plurality of batteries in use. There may be two, three, four, five, or any number of batteries that is greater than 2. There may be at least 20 batteries. There may be at least 50 batteries. Each sensor arrangement may be configured to be associated with a respective one of the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries based on the communication with the sensor arrangements. The sensors may sense (or measure) one or more parameters. The sensors may sense (or measure) one or more parameters associated with the plurality of batteries. The sensors may sense (or measure) one or more parameters of the plurality of batteries. The one or more parameters may be associated with each of the batteries of the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to be in one-way communication with the sensor arrangements (i.e. just receive communications from the sensor arrangements). The one-way communication may be simplex communication. Alternatively, the controller may be configured to be in two-way communication with the sensor arrangements (for example communication protocols may be followed when the controller and sensor arrangements connect to each other and / or the data from the sensor arrangements is received at the controller). The two-way communication may be duplex communication. The controller may be configured to establish a communication channel between each sensor arrangement and the controller. There may be a plurality of the communication channels concurrently. The controller may be configured to establish a communication channel between each sensor arrangement and the controller. There may be a plurality of the communication channels concurrently. The controller may be configured to be in communication with the sensor arrangements simultaneously. The information may relate to each of the batteries. The information may relate to a state of each of the batteries. The information may be dynamic. The information may be static. The plurality of batteries may comprise a first battery. The plurality of batteries may comprise the first battery and a second battery. The plurality of batteries may comprise the first battery, the second battery and a third battery. The information may comprise first component-information relating to the first battery of the plurality of batteries. The information may comprise second componentinformation relating to the second battery of the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to control the display to display the first-component information and the second-component information concurrently. The information may comprise third component-information relating to the third battery of the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to control the display to display the first-component information, the second-component information and the third-component information concurrently. The information may comprise one or more of the following (parameters): charge level, temperature, water level, voltage balance, voltage balance and charging cycle state. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display the information diagrammatically. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display the information numerically. The controller may be configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor arrangements via a form of wireless communication that utilises radio waves. The form of wireless communication may be Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The information may relate to the one or more parameters associated with the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to receive data from the sensor arrangements. The data may be received in a coded format. The controller may be configured to decode the coded format. The information may comprise the data. Alternatively, and / or additionally, the controller may be configured to use the data to determine the information. When the controller uses the data to determine the information, the controller may use an algorithm to determine the information. The data may be dynamic. The data may relate to the one or more parameters associated with the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to use the data relating to the one or more parameters to determine the information. In an embodiment, the controller is configured to receive data relating to the one or more parameters associated with the plurality of batteries from the sensor arrangements and may be configured to use the data to determine the information, and / or the information may relate to the one or more parameters. In an embodiment, the controller is configured to receive data relating to the one or more parameters associated with the plurality of batteries from the sensor arrangements and may be configured to use the data to determine the information, and / or the information may relate to a measured value of the one or more parameters of each of the batteries. The data may relate to a first parameter of each of the batteries. The data may comprise the first parameter of each of the batteries. The controller may be configured to determine the first parameter of each of the batteries using the data. The one or more parameters sensed by the sensor arrangements may comprise the first parameter. The controller may be configured to compile a (first) list of the batteries where the batteries are listed in ascending or descending order of a magnitude of the first parameter. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display the (first) list. The (first) list may be the information. The first parameter may be charge level, temperature, water level or voltage balance. The information may relate to the first parameter of each of the batteries. The information may comprise the first parameter of each of the batteries. The device may further comprise a speaker. The speaker may be configured to output an audible alert. The controller may be configured to determine whether a first parameter value is a safe parameter value. The controller may be configured to determine whether the first parameter value is a safe parameter value by comparing the first parameter value to one or more threshold values. The one or more threshold values may be pre-set. The threshold values may be variable. When there are multiple threshold values they may define a safe value range. When there are multiple threshold values they may define a non-safe value range. The controller may be configured to generate an alert signal following the determination that the first parameter value is not a safe parameter value. In response to the alert signal, the electronic display may be configured to display a visual alert. When the device further comprises a speaker, in response to the alert signal, the speaker may be configured to output the audible alert. The first parameter may be temperature, charge level or water level. The controller may be configured to receive data from the sensor arrangements relating to a second parameter. The second parameter may relate to each of the batteries. The second parameter may be different from the first parameter. The information may comprise the second parameter of each of the batteries. The controller may be configured to compile a second list of the batteries where the batteries are listed in ascending or descending order of a magnitude of the second parameter. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display the second list. The second list may be the information. The second parameter may be charge level, temperature, water level or voltage balance. The device may comprise a body. The body may comprise the electronic display. The body may comprise the electronic display and the speaker. The body may be mountable to a support surface. The body may comprise mounting elements for at least assisting the display to be mounted to a support surface. The mounting elements may be one or more mounting holes and / or one or more elongate mounting elements. The support surface may be provided on a wall, mount or bollard, for example. The electronic display may have a screen area of at least 900 square centimetres. The electronic display may have a screen area of at least 1200 square centimetres. The electronic display may have a screen area of at least 1300 square centimetres. The electronic display may have a screen area of at least 1400 square centimetres. The electronic display may have a screen area of at least 1500 square centimetres. The electronic display may lack a folding element. The electronic display may be unfoldable. The electronic display may be substantially planar. The sensor arrangements may be configured to detect changes in the batteries. Each sensor arrangement may be associated with one of the batteries of the plurality of batteries. Each sensor arrangement may be operable to detect a change in its associated battery. The sensor arrangements may comprise first and second sensor arrangements. The first and second sensor arrangements may sense one or more parameters associated with the first and second batteries, respectively. The sensor arrangements may comprise the first and second sensor arrangements and a third sensor arrangement. The first and second sensor arrangements may sense one or more parameters associated with the first, second and third batteries, respectively. The controller may be configured to establish a communication channel between each sensor arrangement and the controller such that concurrently there is at least: a first communication channel between the controller and the first sensor arrangement of the sensor arrangements; and a second communication channel between the controller and the second sensor arrangement of the sensor arrangements. Each sensor arrangement may comprise one or more sensors. Each sensor arrangement may comprise a plurality of sensors. Each sensor may sense a different parameter. Each sensor may sense a different parameter of its associated battery. Each sensor arrangement may comprise a first sensor. The first sensor may be a temperature sensor, charge level sensor, voltage sensor or water level sensor. Each sensor arrangement may comprise the first sensor and a second sensor. The second sensor may be a temperature sensor, charge level sensor, voltage sensor or water level sensor. In some embodiments, the first sensor is a temperature sensor, and the second sensor is a charge level sensor. In these embodiments, the information may be temperature and charge level information relating to the batteries. Each sensor arrangement may comprise at least one transmitter. The device may further comprise a receiver operable to receive one or more signals from each transmitter. The one or more signals may include the data. The data received from sensor arrangements may comprise a battery type of each of the batteries. The controller may be operable to control the electronic display to display a battery type of each of the batteries based on the communication with the sensor arrangements. The controller may be operable to control the electronic display to display that the battery type of one or more of the batteries of the plurality of batteries is different from the remaining battery or batteries of the plurality of batteries based on the communication with the sensor arrangements. The data received from the sensor arrangements may comprise a battery serial number of each of the batteries. The controller may be operable to control the electronic display to display a battery serial number of each of the batteries based on the communication with the sensor arrangements. The serial number may comprise numbers and / or letters. The serial number may comprise one or more words. The electronic display may be a liquid crystal display (LCD). The controller may be configured to control the electronic display. The controller may control the electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries by instructing the electronic display to display the information relating to the plurality of batteries. The controller may be an electronic controller. The controller may be a processor. The controller may be a computer. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery-powered machine monitoring system comprising: a plurality of battery-powered machines; a plurality of batteries, each of the batteries being configured to power one of the plurality of battery-powered machines; a battery information system comprising: sensor arrangements associated with the plurality of batteries; and a battery information display device comprising: a controller in communication with the sensor arrangements; and an electronic display; wherein the controller is configured to control the electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries, wherein the controller is configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor arrangements. One or more of the batteries of the plurality of batteries may have a different construction to at least one other battery of the plurality of batteries. The battery-powered machines may comprise one or more wheeled-apparatus. The battery information system may be the battery information system of the second aspect. Each sensor arrangement may be associated with a respective one of the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries based on the communication with the sensor arrangements. The sensors may sense (or measure) one or more parameters. The sensors may sense (or measure) one or more parameters associated with the plurality of batteries. The sensors may sense (or measure) one or more parameters of the plurality of batteries. The one or more parameters may be associated with each of the batteries of the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to be in one-way communication with the sensor arrangements (i.e. just receive communications from the sensor arrangements). The one-way communication may be simplex communication. Alternatively, the controller may be configured to be in two-way communication with the sensor arrangements (for example communication protocols may be followed when the controller and sensor arrangements connect to each other and / or the data from the sensor arrangements is received at the controller). The two-way communication may be duplex communication. The controller may be configured to establish a communication channel between each sensor arrangement and the controller. There may be a plurality of the communication channels concurrently. The controller may be configured to establish a communication channel between each sensor arrangement and the controller. There may be a plurality of the communication channels concurrently. The controller may be configured to be in communication with the sensor arrangements simultaneously. The information may relate to each of the batteries. The information may relate to a state of each of the batteries. The information may be dynamic. The information may be static. The plurality of batteries may comprise a first battery. The plurality of batteries may comprise the first battery and a second battery. The plurality of batteries may comprise the first battery, the second battery and a third battery. The information may comprise first component-information relating to the first battery of the plurality of batteries. The information may comprise second componentinformation relating to the second battery of the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to control the display to display the first-component information and the second-component information concurrently. The information may comprise third component-information relating to the third battery of the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to control the display to display the first-component information, the second-component information and the third-component information concurrently. The information may comprise one or more of the following (parameters): charge level, temperature, water level, voltage balance, voltage balance and charging cycle state. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display the information diagrammatically. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display the information numerically. . The controller may be configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor arrangements via a form of wireless communication that utilises radio waves. The form of wireless communication may be Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The information may relate to the one or more parameters associated with the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to receive data from the sensor arrangements. The data may be received in a coded format. The controller may be configured to decode the coded format. The information may comprise the data. Alternatively, and / or additionally, the controller may be configured to use the data to determine the information. When the controller uses the data to determine the information, the controller may use an algorithm to determine the information. The data may be dynamic. The data may relate to the one or more parameters associated with the plurality of batteries. The controller may be configured to use the data relating to the one or more parameters to determine the information. In an embodiment, the controller is configured to receive data relating to the one or more parameters associated with the plurality of batteries from the sensor arrangements and may be configured to use the data to determine the information, and / or the information may relate to the one or more parameters. In an embodiment, the controller is configured to receive data relating to the one or more parameters associated with the plurality of batteries from the sensor arrangements and may be configured to use the data to determine the information, and / or the information may relate to a measured value of the one or more parameters of each of the batteries. The data may relate to a first parameter of each of the batteries. The data may comprise the first parameter of each of the batteries. The controller may be configured to determine the first parameter of each of the batteries using the data. The one or more parameters sensed by the sensor arrangements may comprise the first parameter. The controller may be configured to compile a (first) list of the batteries where the batteries are listed in ascending or descending order of a magnitude of the first parameter. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display the (first) list. The (first) list may be the information. The first parameter may be charge level, temperature, water level or voltage balance. The information may relate to the first parameter of each of the batteries. The information may comprise the first parameter of each of the batteries. The device may further comprise a speaker. The speaker may be configured to output an audible alert. The controller may be configured to determine whether a first parameter value is a safe parameter value. The controller may be configured to determine whether the first parameter value is a safe parameter value by comparing the first parameter value to one or more threshold values. The one or more threshold values may be pre-set. The threshold values may be variable. When there are multiple threshold values they may define a safe value range. When there are multiple threshold values they may define a non-safe value range. The controller may be configured to generate an alert signal following the determination that the first parameter value is not a safe parameter value. In response to the alert signal, the electronic display may be configured to display a visual alert. When the device further comprises a speaker, in response to the alert signal, the speaker may be configured to output the audible alert. The first parameter may be temperature, charge level or water level. The controller may be configured to receive data from the sensor arrangements relating to a second parameter. The second parameter may relate to each of the batteries. The second parameter may be different from the first parameter. The information may comprise the second parameter of each of the batteries. The controller may be configured to compile a second list of the batteries where the batteries are listed in ascending or descending order of a magnitude of the second parameter. The controller may be configured to control the electronic display to display the second list. The second list may be the information. The second parameter may be charge level, temperature, water level or voltage balance. The device may comprise a body. The body may comprise the electronic display. The body may comprise the electronic display and the speaker. The body may be mountable to a support surface. The body may comprise mounting elements for at least assisting the display to be mounted to a support surface. The mounting elements may be one or more mounting holes and / or one or more elongate mounting elements. The support surface may be provided on a wall, mount or bollard, for example. The electronic display may have a screen area of at least 900 square centimetres. The electronic display may have a screen area of at least 1200 square centimetres. The electronic display may have a screen area of at least 1300 square centimetres. The electronic display may have a screen area of at least 1400 square centimetres. The electronic display may have a screen area of at least 1500 square centimetres. The electronic display may lack a folding element. The electronic display may be unfoldable. The electronic display may be substantially planar. The sensor arrangements may be configured to detect changes in the batteries. Each sensor arrangement may be associated with one of the batteries of the plurality of batteries. Each sensor arrangement may be operable to detect a change in its associated battery. The sensor arrangements may comprise first and second sensor arrangements. The first and second sensor arrangements may sense one or more parameters associated with the first and second batteries, respectively. The sensor arrangements may comprise the first and second sensor arrangements and a third sensor arrangement. The first and second sensor arrangements may sense one or more parameters associated with the first, second and third batteries, respectively. The controller may be configured to establish a communication channel between each sensor arrangement and the controller such that concurrently there is at least: a first communication channel between the controller and the first sensor arrangement of the sensor arrangements; and a second communication channel between the controller and the second sensor arrangement of the sensor arrangements. Each sensor arrangement may comprise one or more sensors. Each sensor arrangement may comprise a plurality of sensors. Each sensor may sense a different parameter. Each sensor may sense a different parameter of its associated battery. Each sensor arrangement may comprise a first sensor. The first sensor may be a temperature sensor, charge level sensor, voltage sensor or water level sensor. Each sensor arrangement may comprise the first sensor and a second sensor. The second sensor may be a temperature sensor, charge level sensor, voltage sensor or water level sensor. In some embodiments, the first sensor is a temperature sensor, and the second sensor is a charge level sensor. In these embodiments, the information may be temperature and charge level information relating to the batteries. Each sensor arrangement may comprise at least one transmitter. The device may further comprise a receiver operable to receive one or more signals from each transmitter. The one or more signals may include the data. The data received from sensor arrangements may comprise a battery type of each of the batteries. The controller may be operable to control the electronic display to display a battery type of each of the batteries based on the communication with the sensor arrangements. The controller may be operable to control the electronic display to display that the battery type of one or more of the batteries of the plurality of batteries is different from the remaining battery or batteries of the plurality of batteries based on the communication with the sensor arrangements. The data received from the sensor arrangements may comprise a battery serial number of each of the batteries. The controller may be operable to control the electronic display to display a battery serial number of each of the batteries based on the communication with the sensor arrangements. The serial number may comprise numbers and / or letters. The serial number may comprise one or more words. The electronic display may be a liquid crystal display (LCD). The controller may be configured to control the electronic display. The controller may control the electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries by instructing the electronic display to display the information relating to the plurality of batteries. The controller may be an electronic controller. The controller may be a processor. The controller may be a computer. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: putting a controller in wireless communication with sensor arrangements associated with a plurality of batteries; and instructing an electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries. The method may further comprise displaying the information relating to the plurality of batteries on the electronic display. The method may comprise providing a plurality of battery-powered machines. Each of the batteries may be configured to power one of the plurality of battery-powered machines. The battery-powered machines may comprise one or more wheeled apparatus. The providing a plurality of battery-powered machines may be the first step of the method. The putting a controller in communication with sensor arrangements associated with a plurality of batteries step may further comprise putting the controller in simultaneous communication with each of the sensor arrangements. The putting a controller in communication with sensor arrangements associated with a plurality of batteries step may further comprise establishing a communication channel between the controller and each of the sensor arrangements. The sensor arrangements may sense one or more parameters relating to the batteries. The sensor arrangements may sense one or more parameters of the batteries. The sensor arrangements may sense one or more parameters associated with the batteries. The method may further comprise performing a maintenance operation in connection with one of the batteries following or during the displaying step. The maintenance operation may comprise adjusting a water level of the one of the batteries. The maintenance operation may comprise using a cooling device to cool the one of the batteries. The method may comprise providing the battery information display device of the first aspect. The method may comprise providing the battery information system of the second aspect. The method may comprise providing the battery-powered machine monitoring system of the third aspect. The providing step may be carried out as a first or second step of the method. The method may further comprise measuring a first parameter of each of the batteries using the sensor arrangements. Alternatively or additionally, the method may comprise using the first parameter of each of the batteries to determine the information. The first parameter of each of the batteries may be the information. The method may further comprise receiving data from the sensor arrangements at the controller. The method may comprise receiving data relating to the first parameter of each of the batteries at the controller. The information may comprise the first parameter of each of the batteries The method may further comprise communicating a magnitude of the first parameter of each of the batteries to the controller. The method may further comprise displaying the magnitude of the first parameter of each of the batteries on the electronic display. The method may comprise compiling a (first) list of the batteries where the batteries are listed in ascending or descending order of a magnitude of the first parameter. The controller may control the electronic display to display the (first) list. The (first) list may be the information. The first parameter may be charge level, temperature, water level or voltage balance. The information may relate to the first parameter of each of the batteries. The information may comprise the first parameter of each of the batteries. The method may further comprise outputting an audio alert using a speaker. The method may comprise determining whether a first parameter value is a safe parameter value. The method may further comprise determining whether the first parameter value is a safe parameter value by comparing the first parameter value to one or more threshold values. The one or more threshold values may be pre-set. The threshold values may be variable. When there are multiple threshold values they may define a safe value range. When there are multiple threshold values they may define a non-safe value range. The method may further comprise generating an alert signal following the determination that the first parameter value is not a safe parameter value. The method may further comprise, in response to the alert signal, displaying a visual alert using the electronic display. When the device further comprises a speaker, in response to the alert signal, the method may further comprise using the speaker to output the audible alert. The method may further comprise receiving at the controller data from the sensor arrangements relating to a second parameter. The second parameter may relate to each of the batteries. The second parameter may be different from the first parameter. The information may comprise the second parameter of each of the batteries. The method may further comprise compiling a second list of the batteries where the batteries are listed in ascending or descending order of a magnitude of the second parameter. The controller may control the electronic display to display the second list. The second list may be the information. The second parameter may be charge level, temperature, water level or voltage balance. When the method comprises providing one of the battery information display device of the first aspect, the battery information system of the second aspect, and the battery-powered machine monitoring system of the third aspect, the battery information display device may further comprise the speaker. The data received from the sensor arrangements may comprise a battery type and / or serial number of each of the batteries. The method may further comprise displaying the battery type of each of the batteries on the electronic display. The method may further comprise displaying the battery type of each of the batteries on the electronic display concurrently. The battery information display device of the first aspect may be suitable for use as part of the battery information system of the second aspect. The battery information display device of the first aspect may be suitable for use as part of the battery-powered machine monitoring system of the third aspect. The battery information system of the second aspect may be suitable for use as part of the battery-powered machine monitoring system of the third aspect. The skilled person will appreciate that, except where mutually exclusive, a feature described in relation to any one of the aspects, embodiments or examples of the present disclosure may be applied mutatis mutandis to any other aspect, embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Furthermore, except where mutually exclusive, any feature described herein may be applied to any aspect and / or combined with any other feature described herein. In particular, the features of the first aspect are applicable to the second, third, or fourth aspect. In particular, the features of the second aspect are applicable to the third or fourth aspect. Detailed Description of the Invention In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a battery information display device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a battery-powered machine monitoring system including the battery information display device of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a process according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a battery information display device 10 according to the present invention. As shown the device 10 includes an electronic display 12 which is controllable by a controller, which is not shown in Figure 1, but is shown in Figure 2 and will be described in greater detail below. The electronic display 12 shows dynamic and real time information relating to a plurality of batteries. In particular, the electronic display of this example shows information related to the temperature, state of charge, water level, voltage balance and charging phase state of each of the plurality of batteries. The electronic display 12 also shows the serial number / custom name of each of the batteries. In this embodiment, the information display device 10 is provided as part of a battery-powered machine monitoring system and each of the batteries is located in and supplies power to a battery-powered machine. The display of information relating to multiple batteries on a single electronic display, which may be positioned in a working space of a work area comprising the battery-powered machines, means operators are able to keep track of the state of the batteries and also the type of batteries being used, and thus ensure that required maintenance operations are carried out and that batteries are only used within a correct charge-level working range. The electronic display has a screen area of at least 900 square centimetres and is planar and unfoldable. The electronic display is a liquid crystal display (LCD). Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a battery-powered machine monitoring system 200 incorporating a battery information system 100 incorporating the battery information display device 10 described with reference to Figure 1. As depicted in Figure 2 and discussed above the battery information display device 10 includes a controller 20. The controller is operable to control the electronic display 12 of the device 10, and is in communication with first, second and third sensor arrangements 22, 24, 26 sensing one or more parameters associated with first, second and third batteries 30, 32, 34, respectively. The first, second and third sensor arrangements 22, 24, 26 are thus associated with the first, second and third batteries 30, 32, 34, respectively. As shown each of the batteries is located in a battery-powered machine 38. In this embodiment, each of the battery-powered machines 38 is a battery-powered vehicle that is wheeled. The communication between the controller 20 and the sensor arrangements 22, 24, 26 in this embodiment is wireless and simplex communication (i.e one way towards the controller 10). However, in other embodiments the communication may be duplex communication (i.e. in two directions). WIFI and Bluetooth wireless communication methods may also be employed. In the depicted embodiment, a communication channel 21 is provided between the controller 20 and each of the sensor arrangements 22, 24, 26, and there are three communication channels 21 that exist concurrently / simultaneously. As shown each of the sensor arrangements 22, 24, 26 comprises three sensors (.i.e. first, second and third sensors 44, 46, 48). However, in some embodiments there may only be a single sensor, for example a single temperature sensor. However, in this embodiment, the first sensor 44 is a temperature sensor, the second sensor 46 is a charge level sensor and the third sensor is a water level sensor 48. In this embodiment, the parameters associated with their respective batteries 30, 32, 34 which the sensor arrangements 22, 24, 26 sense are therefore temperature, charge level and water level. One or more of the sensors may be also able to determine a type of battery or serial number of the battery proximate it, and be able to feed the battery type / serial number back to the controller 20 so the controller can update the display to display all the battery types and / or the serial numbers of the batteries 30, 32, 34 in the battery-powered machine monitoring system 200. The controller 20 is configured to receive data from the sensor arrangements 22, 24, 26, sent via the communication channels 21. In particular, the data relates to the one or more parameters of each of the batteries 30, 32, 34. Specifically, in this embodiment, the data relates to the temperature, the charge level and the water level of each of the batteries 30, 32, 34. The controller 20 can then display the data as the information relating to the batteries 30, 32, 34 on the electronic display 12. In some embodiments, the controller 20 may use the data to determine the information. For example, the controller 20 may receive data relating to a pressure of a component of at least one of the batteries 30, 32, 34 and use that to determine the temperature of at least one of the batteries (preferably by following a computer process), and then instruct the electronic display 12 to display the temperature of the at least one of the batteries. The one or more parameters associated with the batteries sensed by the sensor arrangements 22, 24, 26 may comprise a first parameter of each of the batteries, and the data received by the controller 20 may relate to the first parameter of each of the batteries 30, 32, 34. The controller 20 is configured to provide an alert signal to the display 12 to provide a visual alert when the first parameter of at least one of the batteries is above or below a threshold. In particular, in this embodiment, when doing this, the controller 20 determines whether or not a first parameter value of at least one of the batteries is a safe parameter value by comparing the first parameter value to one or more threshold values. These one or more threshold values may be variable but are pre-set in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the first parameter is temperature, and the data relates to the temperature of each of the batteries 30, 32, 34. In this embodiment a pre-set threshold value of 40 degrees Celsius is set for temperature and a temperature value of less than 40 degrees Celsius is considered a safe parameter value and a temperature exceeding 40 degrees Celsius is considered a non-safe parameter value. The controller 20 is configured to generate an alert signal when a detected temperature is 40 degrees or over, and this is sent to the display 12 for the display to provide a visual alert. In this embodiment, the one or more parameters may also comprise charge level and water level, and the controller 20 may be configured to instruct the display to provide a visual indication in the same way when each of these parameters is above or below a threshold. The controller may receive data from the sensor arrangements 22, 24, 26 that relates to a second parameter at the same time as receiving data relating to the first parameter, for example, the controller 20 may receive data relating to the charge level of each of the batteries at the same time as receiving data relating to the temperature of the batteries. The controller 20 may be configured to compile a first list of the batteries where the batteries are listed in ascending or descending order of a magnitude of the first parameter using the data relating to the first parameter of each of the batteries 30, 32, 34. The controller 20 may be configured to control the electronic display 12 to display the first list as the information. In the depicted embodiment, the first parameter is temperature, and the controller may instruct the electronic display 12 to display the list where the batteries 30, 32, 34 are listed in ascending order of their temperature. The controller may also be configured to control the display 12 to display a second list relating to the second parameter in the same way. The controller 20 may be configured to provide an analysis of the data received from the sensor arrangements 22,24,26 and may be configured to control the electronic display 12 to display the analysis thereon. In other words, the controller 20 may be configured to interpret data. As shown the battery information display device 10 comprises a speaker 54. The device 10 thus comprises controller 20, electronic display 12 and speaker 54. The speaker 54 is configured to output an audio alarm. The speaker may do this upon receiving the alert signal from the controller 20 mentioned above which the controller generates when the first parameter value is above or below a pre-determined threshold. The battery information display device 10 comprises a body (not shown), and the body comprises the electronic display and the speaker 54. The body comprises one or more mounting elements not shown that allow the body to be mounted to a surface within a room. With reference to Figure 3, there is shown a method according to the present invention (which utilises the battery-powered machine monitoring system 200 shown in Figure 2, which includes the battery information display device 10 shown in Figure 1). At step 2, the controller 20 is put in communication with the sensor arrangements 22, 24, 26 shown in Figure 2. This means that data relating to the batteries 30, 32, 34 can be received by the controller 20. During this step three separate communication channels between the sensor arrangements 22, 24, 26 and the controller 20 are established and the sensor arrangements 22, 24, 26 are thus in simultaneous communication with the controller 20. At step 4 the controller 20 receives data from the sensor arrangements 22, 24, 26 relating to a first parameter of each of the batteries. In particular, the data is the temperature of each of the batteries sensed by the first sensor 22 of each of the sensor arrangements 22, 24, 26. At step 6 the controller instructs the electronic display 12 electronically to display the temperature of each of the batteries 30, 32, 34 on the electronic display. The temperature of the batteries 30, 32, 34 may vary according to charge state or environmental conditions and thus the temperature information displayed on the electronic display 12 is dynamic. At step 8, the controller 20 determines whether or not the temperature of each of the batteries has a safe parameter value by comparing the temperature values of each of the batteries with the pre-set threshold (i.e. 40 degrees Celsius), and the controller determines that the temperature (the first parameter) of one of the batteries 30, 32, 34 is elevated and exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, and therefore that the temperature of one of the batteries has a non-safe parameter value. The controller 20 then generates an alert signal and sends the alert signal to the speaker to output an audible alert that the one of the batteries 30, 32, 34 is above the pre-determined threshold. At the same time, the controller 20 provides the alert signal to the electronic display so that the electronic display provides a visual alert on the electronic display 12 that the temperature of the one of the batteries 30, 32, 34 is elevated. At step 10, an operator performs a maintenance operation on the battery with the elevated temperature following being made aware of the situation as a result of the audible alert. This may involve for example adjusting the water level of the battery with an elevated temperature. Steps 2 to 8 work in a similar way when data relates to a different parameter (such as charge level or water level), and as shown in Figure 1 the information of this embodiment relates to different component pieces of information which are all shown concurrently. The method may also comprise the further step of the controller 20 receiving data relating to the battery type / serial number of its associated battery from each of the sensor arrangements 22, 24,26. The controller 20 then updates the display 12 to display all the battery types and / or the serial numbers of the batteries 30, 32, 34 in the battery-powered machine monitoring system 200. The method may also comprise compiling a first list of the batteries where the batteries are listed in ascending or descending order of a magnitude of the first parameter, and displaying the first list as the information. When the data received by the controller relates to the second parameter, a similar list may be compiled and displayed. In the invention, information relating to a group of batteries (preferably where each battery is provided in a battery powered machine) is displayed on a single electronic display. This display can be arranged in a workspace or operating area, meaning the information relating to the batteries can be clearly seen by workers, meaning required battery maintenance operations are carried out. For example, when the information includes the temperature of the batteries and the displayed information indicates that one of the batteries is overheating, the water level of the overheated battery can be adjusted so that the overheated battery can cool to a safe temperature. When the information includes a charge level of the batteries, an operator can tell that a battery associated with a specific battery-operated machine is flat before using that machine, meaning that working time is not wasted. The invention also ensures that batteries are only used within a correct charge level working range, meaning that batteries are not over discharged and damaged. When the information relates to a type or serial number of each battery, workers can ensure specific maintenance operations required for specific batteries can be carried out. The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery-powered machine monitoring system comprising:a plurality of battery-powered machines;a plurality of batteries, each of the batteries being configured to power one of the plurality of battery-powered machines;sensor arrangements associated with the plurality of batteries; anda battery information display device comprising:a controller in communication with the sensor arrangements; andan electronic display;wherein the controller is configured to control the electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries,wherein the controller is configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor arrangements.

2. The battery-powered machine monitoring system of claim 2, wherein the controller is in communication with each of the sensor arrangements simultaneously.

3. The battery-powered machine monitoring system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the information relates to each of the batteries and comprises one or more of the following parameters: charge level, temperature, water level, voltage balance and charging cycle state.

4. The battery-powered machine monitoring system of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to establish a communication channel between each sensor arrangement and the controller such that concurrently there is at least: a first communication channel between the controller and a first sensor arrangement of the sensor arrangements; and a second communication channel between the controller and a second sensor arrangement of the sensor arrangements.

5. The battery-powered machine monitoring system of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to receive data from the sensor arrangements,wherein the data relates to a first parameter of each of the batteries or the controller is configured to determine the first parameter of each of the batteries using the data.

6. The battery-powered machine monitoring system of claim 5, wherein the information relates to the first parameter of each of the batteries.

7. The battery-powered machine monitoring system of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to compile a list of the batteries where the batteries are listed in ascending or descending order of a magnitude of the first parameter.

8. The battery-powered machine monitoring system of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether a first parameter value is a safe parameter value.

9. The battery-powered machine monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the first parameter value is a safe parameter value by comparing the first parameter value to one or more threshold values.

10. The battery-powered machine monitoring system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to generate an alert signal following the determination that the first parameter value is not a safe parameter value.

11. The battery-powered machine monitoring system of claim 10, wherein in response to the alert signal, the electronic display is configured to display a visual alert.

12. The battery-powered machine monitoring system of claim 10, further comprising a speaker, wherein in response to the alert signal, the speaker is configured to output an audible alert.

13. A battery information display device suitable for use as part of the battery-powered machine monitoring system of any preceding claim, comprising:a controller configured to be in communication with sensor arrangements associated with a plurality of batteries; andan electronic display;wherein the controller is configured to control the electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries,wherein the controller is configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor arrangements.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to establish a communication channel between each sensor arrangement and the controller such that in use concurrently there is at least: a first communication channel between the controller and a first sensor arrangement of the sensor arrangements; and a second communication channel between the controller and a second sensor arrangement of the sensor arrangements.

15. A battery information system for use as part of the battery-powered machine monitoring system of any of claims 1 to 12, comprising:sensor arrangements configured to be associated with a plurality of batteries; anda battery information display device comprising:a controller in communication with the sensor arrangements; andan electronic display;wherein the controller is configured to control the electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries,wherein the controller is configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor arrangements.

16. A method comprising:putting a controller in wireless communication with sensor arrangements associated with a plurality of batteries; andinstructing an electronic display to display information relating to the plurality of batteries.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising displaying the information relating to the plurality of batteries on the electronic display.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein the putting a controller in communication with sensor arrangements associated with a plurality of batteries step further comprises putting the controller in simultaneous communication with each of the sensor arrangements.

19. The method of any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the putting a controller in communication with sensor arrangements associated with a plurality of batteries step further comprises establishing a communication channel between the controller and each of the sensor arrangements.

20. The method of any of claims 16 to 19, wherein each of the batteries are located in a battery-powered machine at least initially during the displaying step.

21. The method of any of claims 16 to 20, further comprising performing a maintenance operation in connection with one of the batteries following or during the displaying step.

22. The method of any of claims 16 to 21, further comprising measuring a first parameter of each of the batteries using the sensor arrangements or determining the first parameter of each of the batteries using data from the sensor arrangements.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising determining whether a first parameter value is a safe parameter value.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising assessing whether the first parameter of at least one of the batteries is above or below the safe parameter level.