System and method for converting binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system and method for converting binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files. The apparatus includes a database server that builds a database including a first table containing cycler IDs and version information of binary files generated by the cycler, and a second table containing cycler IDs and data structure information of the binary files generated by the cycler; a data server that receives binary files containing battery test results from the cycler and stores the files in a first storage medium; and a computer connected to the database server and the data server and including a processor. The processor can determine the ID of the cycler that generated the binary file to be converted from the first table using file version information included in the header of the binary file to be converted as a reference key, and convert the binary file to a text file based on the data structure information of the binary file to be converted read from the second table using the cycler ID as a reference key.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for converting binary files, and more particularly to a system and method for converting binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0042349, filed on March 30, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings thereof. [Background technology]

[0003] Recently, with the rapid increase in demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones, and the full-scale development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, satellites, and other products, active research is being conducted on high-performance batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0004] A battery cycler (hereafter abbreviated as "cycler") is a device that tests the performance of batteries. Cyclers are used in research, manufacturing, quality control, and other fields to determine the performance and characteristics of batteries.

[0005] The cycler can repeatedly charge and discharge (ie, cycle) the battery while varying the battery's operating conditions, such as the battery's temperature, charge rate, and discharge rate.

[0006] The cycler can measure the battery's state of charge, capacity, resistance, and other performance indicators while cycling the battery, and can be used to evaluate new materials and structural designs to optimize battery performance and lifespan.

[0007] Cyclers are divided into cell-based cyclers and pack-based cyclers. A pack is a large-capacity battery containing multiple cells connected in series and / or parallel. Packs are used in electrically powered vehicles, power tools, power storage devices, and the like.

[0008] The cycler has multiple test channels that can independently control tests on batteries, and therefore the cycler can test multiple cells or packs corresponding to the number of test channels.

[0009] After cycling tests on multiple cells or packs in multiple test channels, the cycler generates a binary file for each channel and records the set of binary files on a storage medium that may be provided in the cycler itself or, if the cycler is connected to a network, may be the storage medium of a data server included in the network.

[0010] Even if binary files are generated by the same type of cycler, the data structure may differ depending on the cycler's manufacturing date and the cycler purchaser's requirements. The cycler contains information about the data structure of the binary file and provides application software that can convert the binary file into a text file.

[0011] However, since the data structure of binary files may differ for each cycler, there is no guarantee that a binary file generated by one cycler can be converted into a text file using application software for another cycler.

[0012] A tester can download the binary files generated by the cycler from the cycler or from a network data server to a personal computer to review the battery test results.

[0013] To check the battery test results on a personal computer, the tester must convert the binary file to a text file. To do this, the tester must accurately identify the cycler that generated the binary file, install the application software provided by the cycler manufacturer on the personal computer, and use the application software to directly convert the binary file to a text file.

[0014] This series of file conversions leads to inefficiencies in analyzing test results, and the inefficiencies associated with file conversions of multiple binary files are exacerbated when multiple cyclers that generate binary files with different data structures are used. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0015] The present invention has been made against the background of the above-mentioned conventional technology, and has an object to provide a system and method that can build data structure information of binary files generated by multiple cyclers as a table-based relational database and automate the process of converting binary files into text files using the database.

[0016] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and will become more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Also, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof as set forth in the claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] To achieve the above technical objective, the system of the present invention for converting binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files includes a database server that constructs a database including a first table containing a cycler ID and version information of the binary file generated by the cycler, and a second table containing the cycler ID and data structure information of the binary file generated by the cycler, a data server that receives binary files containing battery test results from the cycler and stores the binary files in a first storage medium, and a computer connected to the database server and the data server, and including a second storage medium and a processor.

[0018] The processor may be configured to determine the cycler ID that generated the binary file to be converted from the first table using file version information read from the header of the binary file to be converted as a reference key, and to convert the binary file to a text file based on data structure information read from the second table using the cycler ID as a reference key, and record the text file on the second storage medium.

[0019] The processor may be configured to search the first storage medium and output a binary file list via a display, and to allow a tester to select at least one or more binary files to be converted.

[0020] The cycler may include a plurality of test channels that can be independently tested and may be configured to generate two or more different versions of a binary file for each test channel, and the first table may have a data structure in which one cycler ID and two or more version information are matched with each other.

[0021] The second table may be constructed independently for each of two or more different versions of the binary file.

[0022] The second table may have a data structure in which information regarding the type, name, and size of each of a plurality of data included in the data structure information for each cycler ID is matched with each other.

[0023] The test results may include first to nth operational characteristic data relating to battery operational characteristics periodically acquired, and the binary file may include a header structure including version information and first to nth data structures in binary data format corresponding to the first to nth operational characteristic data, respectively.

[0024] The processor may be configured to refer to the data structure information of the binary file to be converted queried from the second table, read the first to nth data structures in order from the binary file to be converted, generate the first to nth behavior characteristic data in text data format in order, and generate a text file including the first to nth behavior characteristic data in text data format.

[0025] The text file can have an "xls" extension, a "cvs" extension, or a "txt" extension.

[0026] Any kth data structure (k is a natural number from 1 to n) includes time data corresponding to the acquisition time of the kth operating characteristic data, and a plurality of operating characteristic data selected from the battery's voltage data, current data, cycler's constant temperature chamber temperature data, and charge state change data, and the time data and each of the plurality of operating characteristic data can be included in the kth data structure with a predetermined data size.

[0027] The processor may be configured to transmit the text file to the data server via the network, and the data server may be configured to match the text file to the binary file to be converted and store it on the first storage medium.

[0028] The processor may be configured to determine in real time the ratio at which the binary file to be converted has been converted to the text file, and output said ratio via a display to a graphical user interface.

[0029] The processor may be configured to analyze the first to nth operating characteristic data in the text data format contained in the text file, generate a time-varying pattern of the operating characteristic data selected from the battery voltage data, current data, temperature data of the cycler's thermostatic chamber, and state-of-charge change data as a graph image, and output the graph image via a display.

[0030] To achieve the above technical objective, a method for converting binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files includes the steps of: (a) a database server constructing a database including a first table containing cycler IDs and version information of binary files generated by the cycler, and a second table containing cycler IDs and data structure information of binary files generated by the cycler; (b) a data server receiving binary files containing battery test results from the cycler via a network and storing the binary files in a first storage medium; and (c) a computer searching the first storage medium and outputting a binary file list via a display, and selecting at least one binary file to be converted from the tester. (d) the computer identifies file version information included in the header of the binary file to be converted; (e) the computer, in conjunction with the database server, determines from the first table the cycler ID that generated the binary file to be converted using the file version information as a reference key; (f) the computer, in conjunction with the database server, reads from the second table the data structure information of the binary file to be converted using the cycler ID as a reference key; and (g) the computer converts the binary file to a text file based on the data structure information and records the text file on the second storage medium.

[0031] In the step (a), the database server can independently build the second table for each version of the binary file.

[0032] In step (g), the computer refers to the data structure information of the binary file to be converted queried from the second table, reads the first to nth data structures in order from the binary file to be converted, and generates the first to nth behavior characteristic data in text data format in order, thereby generating a text file including the first to nth behavior characteristic data in text data format.

[0033] The method of the present invention may further include a step in which the computer sends the text file to the data server, and a step in which the data server matches the text file to the corresponding binary file to be converted and stores it in the first storage medium.

[0034] The method of the present invention may further include a step in which the computer determines in real time the ratio at which the target binary file has been converted to the text file, and outputs the ratio to a graphic user interface via a display.

[0035] The method according to the present invention may further include a step of analyzing the first through nth operational characteristic data in the text data format contained in the text file, generating a time-varying pattern of operational characteristic data selected from the voltage data, current data, temperature data of the cycler's thermostatic chamber, and state-of-charge change data as a graph image, and outputting the graph image via a display. [Effects of the Invention]

[0036] According to one aspect of the present invention, binary files generated by multiple cyclers are stored in a data server in an integrated manner, and data structure information for the binary files generated by each cycler is constructed as a table-based relational database based on the version of the binary file. The database can then be used to automatically convert the binary files to text files. This reduces the time required to convert binary files generated by the cyclers to text files. In particular, the present invention significantly reduces the hassle of file conversion when multiple cyclers are used to perform a large number of battery cycling tests.

[0037] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above effects, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0038] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical concepts of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler into a text file according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a first table included in a database according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a second table included in a database according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of another second table including data structure information of a binary file having a different version when the binary file is further generated according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]A diagram conceptually showing the structure of two binary files, "TEST#1_file1.bin" and "TEST#1_file2.bin", generated in the first test channel of a cycler with a cycler ID of "1" according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] A diagram conceptually showing the structure of two binary files, "TEST#4_file1.bin" and "TEST#4_file2.bin", generated in the fourth test channel of a cycler with a cycler ID of "2" according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for converting a binary file generated in a battery cycler into a text file according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 illustrates a graphic user interface for displaying a conversion ratio of a binary file according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10A-10C illustrate graphical images of battery operating characteristic data generated by analysis of a converted text file according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and phrases used in the specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but should be construed as having meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventors themselves can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe the invention.

[0041] Therefore, it should be understood that the configurations shown in the embodiments described in this specification are merely the most desirable embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor at the time of this application.

[0042] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one of the various components from the rest, and are not used to limit the components by such terms.

[0043] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "comprise" certain elements, this means that it can further include other elements, rather than excluding other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0044] Throughout this specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only "directly connected" but also "indirectly connected" with another element therebetween.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system 100 for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler into a text file according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a database server 110, a data server 120, and a computer .

[0047] In an embodiment, the database server 110 , the data server 120 , and the computer 130 may be communicatively connected to one another via a network 140 .

[0048] There is no restriction on the type of network 140 as long as it supports communication between the database server 110, the data server 120, and the computer 130.

[0049] Network 140 may include a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination thereof. Wired networks include local area or wide area Internet networks supporting the TCP / IP protocol. Wireless networks include base station-based wireless communication networks, satellite communication networks, local area wireless communication networks such as Wi-Fi®, or a combination thereof.

[0050] Network 140 may include, by way of example, a 2G (second generation) to 5G (fifth generation) network, an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network, a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, an EVDO (Evolution-Data Optimization) network, a Public Land Mobile (PLM) network, and / or other networks.

[0051] Network 140 may also include, as other examples, a local area network (LAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wide area network, a metropolitan network (MAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), an ad hoc network, a managed IP network, a virtual private network, an intranet, the Internet, a fiber optic based network, and / or combinations thereof, or other types of networks.

[0052] According to another embodiment, multiple cyclers 150 may be connected to the data server 120 via the network 140 so as to be able to communicate with the data server 120 .

[0053] At least one of the multiple cyclers 150 may be a cell cycler capable of testing a battery cell-by-cell, and at least one of the multiple cyclers 150 may be a pack cycler capable of testing a battery pack-by-pack.

[0054] Any cycler 150i (i is a natural number from 1 to p) can have one or more test channels. The test channel can include a temperature chamber into which a battery cell or pack is loaded. The test channel can include a sensor capable of acquiring battery voltage and current data and temperature data of the temperature chamber, a power conditioning circuit capable of variably controlling the battery's charge current, charge voltage, discharge current, discharge voltage, etc. according to cycling conditions, and a controller for integrated control of the cycler. The cycler 150i can be appropriately selected from products commercially available in the art.

[0055] The cycler 150i can perform cycling tests on batteries loaded in multiple test channels independently for each test channel. When performing a cycling test on one test channel, the cycler 150i can periodically acquire battery operating characteristic data, including at least one of battery voltage data and current data, temperature data of a constant temperature chamber, and data on the amount of change in the battery's state of charge, using a sensor.

[0056] If the battery is a single cell, the voltage data of the battery may include a cell voltage and, optionally, an average cell voltage for a predetermined time. If the battery is a pack including multiple cells, the voltage data of the battery may include a pack voltage and a voltage of a cell included in the pack, and, optionally, an average pack voltage for a predetermined time and an average cell voltage of each cell included in the pack.

[0057] If the battery is a single cell, the battery current data may include the cell current and, optionally, the average cell current over a given time. If the battery is a pack including multiple cells, the battery current data may include the pack current and, optionally, the average pack current over a given time. In the present invention, the current may be a charge current or a discharge current flowing through a cell or a pack.

[0058] The temperature data of the temperature chamber may include the temperature of the temperature chamber into which the battery is loaded, and optionally the average temperature of the temperature chamber over a predetermined period of time.

[0059] The controller of the cycler 150i can periodically use the battery current data to determine the amount of change in the battery's state of charge over a predetermined period of time. The cycler 150i can also generate a binary file containing multiple pieces of battery operating characteristic data acquired as test results from the test channel and file version information, and store the binary file in its internal storage medium. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the multiple pieces of battery operating characteristic data will be referred to as the first through nth pieces of operating characteristic data.

[0060] The cycler 150i can generate one or more binary files in one test channel. When multiple binary files are generated in one test channel, the file versions of the binary files may be different from each other. When multiple binary files are generated in one test channel, the first to nth operational characteristic data acquisition periods included in each binary file may be different from each other.

[0061] As an example, when cycling a battery, the cycler 150i can acquire battery operating characteristic data including at least one of the battery voltage data (average voltage of the cell or pack) and current data (average current of the cell or pack), temperature data (average temperature) of the constant temperature chamber, and the amount of change in the state of charge every first time period (e.g., 10 seconds), and generate a first binary file including the first to nth operating characteristic data acquired at multiple points in time and file version information, and record it on the storage medium.

[0062] In addition, when cycling the battery, the cycler 150i can acquire battery operating characteristic data including at least one of the battery voltage data (cell or pack voltage) and current data (cell or pack current), temperature data of the constant temperature chamber, and the amount of change in the state of charge every second time period (e.g., 1 second), and generate a second binary file including the first to nth operating characteristic data acquired at multiple points in time and file version information, and record it on the storage medium.

[0063] Since the first time period and the second time period are different from each other, the first binary file and the second binary file may contain different numbers of battery operating characteristic data, and therefore, the index n indicating the number of battery operating characteristic data may be different for each binary file.

[0064] In the present invention, the number of binary files generated through one test channel is not particularly limited, and the number of binary files can be increased to three or more depending on the conditions for obtaining battery operating characteristic data.

[0065] According to yet another aspect, the binary file may include a header structure containing file version information and first to nth data structures in binary data format corresponding to the first to nth operational characteristic data, respectively.

[0066] Any kth data structure (k is a natural number from 1 to n) includes time data corresponding to the acquisition time of the kth operating characteristic data, and multiple operating characteristic data selected from battery voltage data, current data, temperature data of the constant temperature chamber, and state of charge change data, and the time data and the multiple operating characteristic data can each be included in the kth data structure with a predetermined data size.

[0067] In an embodiment, the database server 110 may include a database 111 including a first table 111a containing cycler IDs and version information of binary files generated by the cyclers, and a second table 111b containing cycler IDs and data structure information of binary files generated by the cyclers.

[0068] Preferably, the database 111 is a relational database that stores data using a table structure having rows and columns. Relational databases are well known in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0069] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary data structure of a first table 111a according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary data structure of a second table 111b according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] 2, the first table 111a may include a data field 112 for recording a cycler ID and one or more data fields 114, 115 for recording version information of binary files generated by the cycler. The cycler may include multiple test channels that can be tested independently, and may be configured to generate two or more different versions of binary files through cycling tests of each test channel. The data fields 114, 115 for recording version information of binary files may record version information of each binary file generated by the cycler for each cycler ID.

[0071] For convenience of explanation, the version information of the binary file recorded in data field 114 will be referred to as first version information, and the version information of the binary file recorded in data field 115 will be referred to as second version information.

[0072] If a cycler with a specific ID generates three or more binary files, an additional data field can be added to record the version information of the binary files. The version information recorded in the additional data field may be called the third version information, fourth version information, etc.

[0073] The first table 111a may optionally further include a data field 113 in which the type of cycler is recorded. A flag indicating a cell or a pack may be recorded in the data field 113 in which the type of cycler is recorded.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 3, the second table 111b may have a data structure in which information regarding the type, name, and size of each of a plurality of data items included in a data structure for each cycler ID is matched with each other.

[0075] Specifically, the second table 111b can include a data field 116 in which the cycler ID is recorded, and multiple fields 117, 118, 119, and 122 in which data structure information of the binary file generated by the cycler is stored.

[0076] In the second table 111b, the fields in which data structure information is stored may include a field 117 in which the arrangement order of the data within the data structure is recorded, a field 118 in which the type of data is recorded, a field 119 in which the name of the data is recorded, and a field 122 in which the size of the data is recorded.

[0077] The second table 111b shown in FIG. 3 is a table containing data structure information of the first binary file, and the third column data field 114 in the first table 111a shown in FIG. 2 may be a field defined to record version information of the first binary file.

[0078] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a cycler with a cycler ID of "1" can perform a cycling test on a cell, and the data structure of the first binary file generated by the cycler can include, in order, time data for the time (time) when the battery operating characteristic data was acquired, data for the cell average voltage (cell_avr_voltage) for a predetermined period as one of the battery operating characteristic data, data for the cell average current (cell_avr_current) for a predetermined period as another of the battery operating characteristic data, data for the average temperature of the constant temperature chamber (chamber_avr_temperature) for a predetermined period as yet another of the battery operating characteristic data, and data for the change in state of charge (delta_SOC) for a predetermined period as yet another of the battery operating characteristic data.

[0079] As a specific example, the multiple data structures included in the first binary file generated by the cycler with a cycler ID of “1” may include multiple pieces of battery operating characteristic data for a cell, each of which is acquired at 10-second intervals. Each piece of battery operating characteristic data may include a time corresponding to the acquisition point of the battery operating characteristic data, an average cell voltage for the 10 seconds, an average cell current for the 10 seconds, an average temperature chamber temperature for the 10 seconds, and a change in state of charge for the 10 seconds.

[0080] Also, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a cycler with a cycler ID of "2" can perform a cycling test on a pack, and the data structure of the first binary file generated by the cycler can include, in order, time data for the time (time) when the battery operating characteristic data was acquired, data for the pack average voltage (pack_avr_voltage) for a predetermined period as one piece of battery operating characteristic data, data for the pack average current (pack_avr_current) for a predetermined period as another piece of battery operating characteristic data, data for the average temperature of the constant temperature chamber (chamber_avr_temperature) for a predetermined period as yet another piece of battery operating characteristic data, and data for the average voltage of each cell included in the pack (cell#1_avr_voltage, ..., cell#m_avr_voltage; m is the total number of cells) as yet another piece of battery operating characteristic data.

[0081] As a specific example, the multiple data structures included in the first binary file generated by the cycler with a cycler ID of “2” may include multiple pieces of battery operating characteristic data for a pack, each of which was acquired at 10-second intervals. Each piece of battery operating characteristic data may include a time corresponding to the acquisition point of the battery operating characteristic data, an average pack voltage for the 10 seconds, an average pack current for the 10 seconds, an average temperature chamber temperature for the 10 seconds, and an average cell voltage for each of the cells included in the pack for the 10 seconds.

[0082] On the other hand, if the cycler generates a binary file with a different version, a second table containing data structure information of the binary file may be generated.

[0083] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of another second table 111b' containing data structure information of a binary file when a different version of the binary file is further generated in the same cycling test according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] The second table 111b' shown in FIG. 4 is a table containing data structure information of the second binary file, and the data field 115 of the fourth column in the first table 111a shown in FIG. 2 may be a field defined to record version information of the second binary file.

[0085] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, a cycler with a cycler ID of "1" can perform a cycling test on a cell, and the data structure of the second binary file generated by the cycler can include, in order, time data for the time (time) when battery operating characteristic data was acquired, data for the cell voltage (cell_voltage) acquired at the time as one piece of battery operating characteristic data, data for the cell current (cell_current) acquired at the time as another piece of battery operating characteristic data, data for the temperature of the constant temperature chamber (chamber_temperature) acquired at the time as another piece of battery operating characteristic data, and data for the change in state of charge (delta_SOC) over a predetermined period as another piece of battery operating characteristic data.

[0086] As a specific example, the multiple data structures included in the second binary file generated by the cycler with a cycler ID of “1” may each include multiple pieces of battery operating characteristic data for a cell acquired at one-second intervals. Each piece of battery operating characteristic data may include a time corresponding to the acquisition time of the battery operating characteristic data, a cell voltage acquired at that time, a cell current acquired at that time, a thermostatic chamber temperature acquired at that time, and a change in state of charge over one second.

[0087] Also, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, a cycler with a cycler ID of "2" can perform a cycling test on a pack, and the data structure of the second binary file generated by the cycler can include, in order, time data for the time (time) when battery operating characteristic data was acquired, data for the pack voltage (pack_voltage) acquired at that time as one piece of battery operating characteristic data, data for the pack current (pack_current) acquired at that time as another piece of battery operating characteristic data, data for the temperature of the constant temperature chamber (chamber_temperature) acquired at that time as another piece of battery operating characteristic data, and data for the voltage of each cell included in the pack (cell#1_voltage, ..., cell#m_voltage; m is the total number of cells) as another piece of battery operating characteristic data.

[0088] As a specific example, the multiple data structures included in the second binary file generated by the cycler with a cycler ID of “2” may each include multiple pieces of battery operating characteristic data for the pack acquired at one-second intervals. Each piece of battery operating characteristic data may include a time corresponding to the acquisition point in time of the battery operating characteristic data, a pack voltage acquired at that time, a pack current acquired at that time, a temperature chamber temperature acquired at that time, and a cell voltage of each cell included in the pack acquired at that time.

[0089] Referring again to FIG. 1 , the data server 120 can receive binary files containing first to nth operational characteristic data in first to nth data structures, respectively, as battery test results from multiple cyclers 150 via the network 140 and store the binary files in the first storage medium 121.

[0090] 5 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the structure of two binary files, “TEST#1_file1.bin” and “TEST#1_file2.bin,” generated in the first test channel of a cycler with a cycler ID of “1” according to an embodiment of the present invention. The character string “TEST#1” included in the name of the binary file indicates that the binary file was generated by a cycling test in the first test channel of the cycler.

[0091] 5, the binary files "TEST#1_file1.bin" and "TEST#1_file2.bin" can both include a header structure H and multiple data structures D1 to Dn, where n indicates the number of data structures and may vary depending on the version of the binary file.

[0092] The header structure H can include version information of the binary file and optionally information on the date the cycling test was performed.

[0093] Any k-th data structure Dk (k is a natural number from 1 to n) can include data corresponding to the data structure information stored in the second tables 111b, 111b' in order.

[0094] As a specific example, any kth data structure Dk (k is a natural number from 1 to n) included in the binary file "TEST#1_file1.bin" may include, in order, the battery operating characteristic data acquisition time, the average cell voltage at a specified time, the average cell current at a specified time, the average temperature of the constant temperature chamber at a specified time, and the amount of change in the state of charge at a specified time, corresponding to the data structure information recorded in the second table 111b.

[0095] Furthermore, any kth data structure Dk (k is a natural number from 1 to n) included in the binary file TEST#1_file2.bin can include, in order, the battery operating characteristic data acquisition time, the cell voltage acquired at that time, the cell current acquired at that time, the constant temperature chamber temperature acquired at that time, and the amount of change in the state of charge over a specified time, in correspondence with the data structure information recorded in the second table 111b'.

[0096] 6 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the structure of two binary files, “TEST#4_file1.bin” and “TEST#4_file2.bin,” generated in the fourth test channel of a cycler with a cycler ID of “2” according to another embodiment of the present invention. The character string “TEST#4” included in the name of the binary file indicates that the binary file was generated by a cycling test of the fourth test channel.

[0097] 6, the binary files "TEST#4_file1.bin" and "TEST#4_file2.bin" can both include a header structure H and multiple data structures D1 to Dn, where n indicates the number of data structures and may vary depending on the version of the binary file.

[0098] The header structure H can contain version information of the binary file and, optionally, date information on when the cycling test was performed.

[0099] Any k-th data structure Dk (k is a natural number from 1 to n) can include data corresponding to the data structure information stored in the second tables 111b and 111b'.

[0100] As a specific example, any kth data structure Dk (k is a natural number from 1 to n) included in the binary file "TEST#4_file1.bin" may include, in order, the battery operating characteristic data acquisition time, the pack average voltage at a predetermined time, the pack average current at a predetermined time, the thermostatic chamber average temperature at a predetermined time, and the cell average voltage at a predetermined time for each of the cells included in the pack, in correspondence with the data structure information recorded in the second table 111b.

[0101] Furthermore, any kth data structure Dk (k is a natural number from 1 to n) included in the binary file "TEST#4_file2.bin" can include, in order, the battery operating characteristic data acquisition time, the pack voltage acquired at that time, the pack current acquired at that time, the constant temperature chamber temperature acquired at that time, and the cell voltage of each of the cells included in the pack, so as to correspond to the data structure information recorded in the second table 111b'.

[0102] 1, computer 130 may be connected to database server 110 and data server 120 via network 140. Computer 130 may also include a display 131, a processor 132, and a second storage medium 133. Computer 130 may further include known input devices (not shown), such as a keyboard and / or a mouse.

[0103] According to the embodiment, the processor 132 may search the first storage medium 121 in cooperation with the data server 120 in response to a request from a tester, and output a list of binary files stored in the first storage medium 121 via the display 131 of the computer 130. The processor 132 may also be configured to execute control logic for selecting at least one or more binary files to be converted from the tester to a text file.

[0104] In another embodiment, the processor 132 may be configured to execute control logic to download the selected binary file to be converted from the data server 120 via the network 140 and record it in the second storage medium 133.

[0105] In yet another embodiment, the processor 132 may be configured to execute control logic that reads file version information from a header structure of the binary file to be converted.

[0106] In another aspect, the processor 132 may be configured to operate in conjunction with the database server 110 via the network 140 and execute control logic to determine the cycler ID that generated the binary file to be converted from the first table 111a of the database 111 using file version information read from the binary file to be converted as a query key.

[0107] As a specific example, if the file version information read from the two binary files to be converted selected by the tester is "0x0001" and "0x0002", the processor 132 can use the file version information as a query key to query the first table 111a of the database 111, and identify that the cycler ID that generated the two binary files is "1".

[0108] In yet another aspect, the processor 132 may be configured to execute control logic to interface with the database server 110 via the network 140, read data structure information corresponding to the version information of the binary file to be converted from the second table 111b, 111b' of the database 111 using the cycler ID as a query key, and convert the binary file to be converted into a text file based on the data structure information and record the text file in the second storage medium 133 of the computer 130.

[0109] If the second tables 111b, 111b' are constructed as independent tables for each version of the binary file, the processor 132 can identify the table corresponding to the version information of the binary file to be converted, and read out the data structure information corresponding to the binary file to be converted from the identified table by using the cycler ID as a query key.

[0110] As a specific example, if the second table 111b shown in Figure 3 is defined to include data structure information of a binary file having first version information (0x0001, 0x0003) recorded in the third data field 114 of the first table 111a, and the second table 111b' shown in Figure 4 is defined to include data structure information of a binary file having second version information (0x0002, 0x0004) recorded in the fourth data field 115 of the first table 111a, the processor 132 can read out data structure information of a binary file to be converted whose version information is "0x0001" from the second table 111b of Figure 3 using the cycler ID "1" as a query key, and can read out data structure information of a binary file to be converted whose version information is "0x0002" from the second table 111b' of Figure 4 using the cycler ID "1" as a query key.

[0111] In still another aspect, the processor 132 may be configured to refer to the data structure information of the binary file to be converted queried from the second table 111b, 111b', read the first to nth data structures in order from the binary file to be converted, generate the first to nth behavior characteristic data in text data format in order, generate a text file containing the first to nth behavior characteristic data in text data format, and store the text file in the second storage medium 133 of the computer 130.

[0112] In yet another embodiment, the text file generated by the processor 132 may have an "xls" extension, a "cvs" extension, or a "txt" extension, where the "xls" extension is the file extension for Microsoft Excel software.

[0113] As a specific example, if the text file is a file with an “xls” extension, the processor 132 may generate a table in the file having rows corresponding to the number obtained by adding 1 to the total number of data structures included in the binary file to be converted, and columns corresponding to the number of data included in each data structure, and in the first row of the table, the names of the data included in each data structure may be recorded in order in each column of the first row, and in the second to last rows of the table, the data included in the text-format battery operating characteristic data read from each data structure may be recorded in order in each column.

[0114] As another specific example, if the text file is a file with a "cvs" extension or a "txt" extension, the processor 132 may create empty paragraphs in the file corresponding to the number obtained by adding 1 to the total number of data structures contained in the binary file to be converted, and in the first paragraph, the names of the data contained in each data structure may be recorded consecutively using delimiters (e.g., tab symbols, colon symbols, semicolon symbols, etc.), and from the second paragraph to the last paragraph, the data contained in the text-format battery operating characteristic data read from each data structure may be recorded consecutively using delimiters.

[0115] According to another aspect, the processor 132 may transmit the converted text file to the data server 120 via the network 140. The data server 120 may then be configured to match the text file with the corresponding binary file to be converted and store the text file in the first storage medium 121. As an example, the processor 132 may store the text file in the directory where the binary file to be converted is stored.

[0116] According to yet another aspect, the processor 132 may be configured to execute control logic to determine a conversion ratio in real time during conversion of the target binary file to a text file and output the ratio to a graphical user interface via the display 131. Preferably, the graphical user interface may be configured to show the conversion ratio as a percentage value.

[0117] 8 shows a graphic user interface for displaying the above ratios according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the graphic user interface can comprehensively display the conversion ratios of multiple binary files to be converted.

[0118] According to another aspect, the processor 132 may be configured to execute control logic to analyze the first to nth operational characteristic data in text format contained in the text file in response to a request from a tester, generate a graph image of a change pattern for at least one operational characteristic data selected from the battery voltage data and current data, the temperature data of the constant temperature chamber, and the state of charge, and output the graph image via the display 131.

[0119] For example, if the tester specifies the cycler ID as "1," the test channel as "#4," and the operational characteristic data for generating a graph image as battery cell voltage data, the computer 130 can search the second storage medium 133 to identify a text file converted from a binary file generated by the "#4" test channel of the cycler with ID "1." The computer 130 can then parse n pieces of time and voltage data from the first through nth operational characteristic data included in the text file, generate a graph image of the battery voltage data changes based on the parsed information, and visually output the generated graph image via the display 131 of the computer 130. The parsed voltage data can be cell voltage or average cell voltage depending on the version of the binary file. If there are two or more versions of the binary file, the computer 130 can receive further instructions from the tester regarding the version of the binary file.

[0120] Preferably, the computer 130 receives from the tester a cycler ID, at least one test channel, and the type of operational characteristic data for which a graph image is to be generated, and generates one or more graph images according to the specified conditions and outputs them via the display 131 of the computer 130.

[0121] 9 is a diagram showing a graph image according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the tester can assign three channels (#4, #5, #6) to a specific cycler, and easily visually check the voltage change patterns of the three cells.

[0122] The processor 132 of the computer 130 is a control circuit that may be implemented in hardware using at least one of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), microprocessors, and other electrical units for performing functions.

[0123] The processor 132 of the computer 130 may include multiple cores. In this case, the processor 132 may use the multiple cores to distribute the task of converting multiple binary files to text files in a parallel manner, thereby increasing data processing speed and efficiency. Parallel distribution of tasks may be particularly useful when there are a large number of binary files to be converted to text files.

[0124] The storage media 121, 133 may be at least one type of storage medium selected from the group consisting of a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a solid state disk type (SSD type), a silicon disk drive type (SDD type), a multimedia card micro type, a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and a programmable read-only memory (PROM).

[0125] In the present invention, the computer 130 may optionally include a processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), other chipsets, logic circuits, registers, communication modems, data processing devices, etc., known in the art, to perform the various control logic described above.

[0126] Furthermore, when the control logic is implemented as a program, the computer processor 132 can execute the program. In this case, the program can be stored in memory and executed by the processor 132. The memory can be internal or external to the processor and can be connected to the processor by various well-known computer components. The memory can also be included in the second storage medium 133. Furthermore, the memory is a general term for devices in which information is stored, regardless of the type of device, and does not refer to a specific memory device.

[0127] Furthermore, various control logics executed by the processor 132 of the computer 130 may be combined, and the combined control logic may be created as a computer-readable code system and stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The type of the storage medium is not particularly limited as long as it is accessible by the processor included in the computer. For example, the storage medium may include at least one selected from the group consisting of ROM, RAM, registers, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, hard disk, floppy disk, and optical data recording device. The code system may also be stored and executed in a distributed manner on computers connected via a network. Furthermore, functional programs, codes, and code segments for implementing the combined control logic may be easily construed by a programmer skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0128] Next, a method for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to an embodiment of the present invention into a text file will be described in detail.

[0129] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for converting a binary file generated in a battery cycler into a text file according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0130] In the following description, steps performed by computer 130 are steps performed by processor 132 of computer 130 .

[0131] Referring to both Figures 1 and 7, first, in step S100, the database server 110 can construct a database 111 including a first table 111a containing cycler IDs and version information of binary files generated by the cycler, and second tables 111b, 111b' containing cycler IDs and data structure information of binary files generated by the cycler.

[0132] The first table 111a may have a data structure in which one cycler ID and version information of two or more binary files are matched with each other. To this end, the first table 111a may include a data field in which the cycler ID is recorded and two or more data fields in which version information for the two or more binary files is respectively recorded (see FIG. 2).

[0133] If the first table 111a has a data field in which version information for two or more binary files is recorded, the database server 110 can independently build a second table for each version of the binary file (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0134] The second tables 111b and 111b' may have a data structure in which information on the type, name, and size of each of a plurality of data items included in a data structure for each cycler ID is matched with each other.

[0135] In step S110, the data server 120 receives a binary file containing the battery test results from the cycler 150i via the network 140 and can store it in the first storage medium 121.

[0136] In the present invention, the cycler 150i includes multiple test channels capable of independently testing multiple batteries, and can generate two or more different versions of a binary file for each test channel and transmit them to the data server 120 via the network 140.

[0137] The battery test results may include first through nth operational characteristic data. Any kth operational characteristic data (k is a natural number from 1 to n) may include a plurality of operational characteristic data selected from voltage data, current data, temperature data of a thermostatic chamber, and state-of-charge change data related to the battery acquired in the kth period. The first through nth operational characteristic data may be recorded in binary data format in first through nth data structures within a binary file, respectively.

[0138] Step S110 is followed by step S120.

[0139] In step S120, in response to a request from the tester, the computer 130 works in conjunction with the data server 120 via the network 140 to search the first storage medium 121, outputting a list of binary files via the display 131, and the tester selects at least one binary file to be converted.

[0140] The computer 130 can output a graphic user interface including the names and creation dates of the binary files via the display 131 in order to facilitate the selection of the binary files to be converted.

[0141] In step S130, the computer 130 can also identify version information of the binary file to be converted. The computer 130 can parse the header structure of the binary file to be converted to identify the version information of the file.

[0142] In step S140, the computer 130 also interfaces with the database server 110 via the network 140 and can determine the cycler ID that generated the binary file to be converted from the first table 111a of the database 111 using the file version information as a query key.

[0143] In step S150, the computer 130 also interfaces with the database server 110 via the network 140 and can read data structure information of the binary file to be converted from the second table 111b, 111b' of the database 111 using the cycler ID as a query key.

[0144] In step S160, the computer 130 can also convert the binary file to be converted into a text file and record it in the second storage medium 133 based on the read data structure information.

[0145] Specifically, the computer 130 refers to the data structure information of the binary file to be converted queried from the second tables 111b, 111b' of the database 111, reads the first to nth data structures from the binary file to be converted in order, generates the first to nth behavior characteristic data in text data format in order, and generates a text file containing the first to nth behavior characteristic data in text data format.

[0146] In the present invention, the text file generated by the computer 130 may have an "xls" extension, a "cvs" extension, or a "txt" extension. When the text file has an "xls" extension, a "cvs" extension, or a "txt" extension, the specific manner in which the computer 130 generates the text file has been described above.

[0147] The method of the present invention may further include, after step S160, a step in which the computer 130 sends the text file to the data server 120 via the network 140, and a step in which the data server 120 matches the text file with a corresponding binary file and stores it in the first storage medium 121.

[0148] The method of the present invention may include, in step S160, a step in which the computer 130 determines in real time the ratio at which the binary file is converted to a text file and outputs said ratio to a graphic user interface via the display 131 of the computer 130.

[0149] The method according to the present invention may further include, after step S160, a step in which the computer 130 analyzes the first to nth operational characteristic data in the form of text data contained in the text file, thereby generating a graph image of a change pattern over time of the operational characteristic data selected from the battery voltage data, current data, temperature data of the thermostatic chamber, and the state of charge of the battery, and outputting the graph image via the display 131 of the computer 130.

[0150] Preferably, the computer 130 receives from the tester a cycler ID, at least one test channel, and the type of operational characteristic data for which a graph image is to be generated, and generates one or more graph images according to the specified conditions and outputs them via the display 131 of the computer 130.

[0151] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, binary files generated by multiple cyclers are stored in a data server in an integrated manner, and data structure information for the binary files generated by each cycler is constructed as a relational database based on the version of the binary file. The database can then be used to automatically convert the binary files to text files. This reduces the time required to convert binary files generated by the cyclers to text files. In particular, the present invention significantly reduces the hassle of file conversion when multiple cyclers are used to perform a large number of battery cycling tests.

[0152] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto, and that various modifications and variations can be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains within the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. a database server that has constructed a database including a first table containing cycler IDs and version information of binary files generated by the cycler, and a second table containing the cycler IDs and data structure information of the binary files generated by the cycler; a data server that receives the binary file containing the battery test results from the cycler and stores the binary file in a first storage medium; a computer connected to the database server and the data server, the computer including a second storage medium and a processor; The processor: determining the cycler ID that generated the binary file to be converted from the first table using file version information read from the header of the binary file to be converted as a reference key; the cycler ID is used as a reference key, and the binary file to be converted is converted into a text file based on the data structure information read from the second table, and the text file is recorded on the second storage medium. A system that converts binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files.

2. The processor is configured to search the first storage medium and output a binary file list via a display, and to allow a tester to select at least one binary file to be converted.

10. A system for converting a binary file generated by the battery cycler of claim 1 into a text file.

3. the cycler includes a plurality of independently testable test channels, and is configured to generate two or more different versions of a binary file for each test channel; The first table has a data structure in which one cycler ID and two or more pieces of version information are matched with each other.

10. A system for converting a binary file generated by the battery cycler of claim 1 into a text file.

4. the second table is constructed independently for each of two or more binary files of different versions; 4. A system for converting binary files generated by the battery cycler of claim 3 into text files.

5. the second table has a data structure in which information regarding the type, name, and size of each of a plurality of data items included in the data structure information is matched with each other for each cycler ID; 10. A system for converting a binary file generated by the battery cycler of claim 1 into a text file.

6. the test results include first through nth operational characteristic data relating to periodically acquired battery operational characteristics; the binary file includes a header structure including version information and first to nth data structures in a binary data format corresponding to the first to nth operational characteristic data, respectively; the processor is configured to refer to the data structure information of the binary file to be converted retrieved from the second table, read the first to nth data structures in order from the binary file to be converted, generate first to nth behavior characteristic data in text data format in order, and generate a text file including the first to nth behavior characteristic data in text data format.

10. A system for converting a binary file generated by the battery cycler of claim 1 into a text file.

7. The text file has an "xls" extension, a "cvs" extension, or a "txt" extension, 7. A system for converting binary files generated by the battery cycler of claim 6 into text files.

8. the k-th data structure (k is a natural number from 1 to n) includes time data corresponding to an acquisition time of the k-th operating characteristic data, and a plurality of operating characteristic data selected from voltage data, current data, temperature data of a constant temperature chamber of the cycler, and state-of-charge change data; the time data and each of the plurality of pieces of behavior characteristic data are included in the kth data structure with a preset data size; 7. A system for converting binary files generated by the battery cycler of claim 6 into text files.

9. the processor is configured to transmit the text file over a network to the data server; the data server is configured to match the text file with the binary file to be converted and store the text file in the first storage medium; A system for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to any one of claims 1 to 8 into a text file.

10. the processor is configured to determine in real time the ratio at which the target binary file has been converted to the text file and output the ratio to a graphical user interface via a display; A system for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to any one of claims 1 to 8 into a text file.

11. The processor: the first to nth operating characteristic data in the text data format included in the text file are analyzed, and a time-varying pattern of the operating characteristic data selected from the voltage data, the current data, the temperature data of the constant temperature chamber of the cycler, and the state-of-charge change amount data is generated as a graph image and output via a display.

9. A system for converting binary files generated by the battery cycler of claim 8 into text files.

12. (a) a database server constructing a database including a first table containing cycler IDs and version information of binary files generated by cyclers, and a second table containing the cycler IDs and data structure information of the binary files generated by the cyclers; (b) a data server receives the binary file containing the battery test results from the cycler via a network and stores the binary file in a first storage medium; (c) a step in which the computer searches the first storage medium and outputs a binary file list via a display, and at least one or more binary files to be converted are selected by a tester; (d) the computer identifying file version information included in the header of the binary file to be converted; (e) the computer, in cooperation with the database server, determines, from the first table using the file version information as a reference key, the cycler ID that generated the binary file to be converted; (f) the computer works in conjunction with the database server and reads data structure information of the binary file to be converted from the second table using the cycler ID as a reference key; (g) converting the binary file to be converted into a text file based on the data structure information, and recording the text file on a second storage medium, How to convert a binary file generated by a battery cycler into a text file.

13. the cycler includes a plurality of independently testable test channels, and is configured to generate two or more different versions of a binary file for each test channel; The first table has a data structure in which one cycler ID and two or more pieces of version information are matched with each other.

13. A method for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to claim 12 into a text file.

14. In the step (a), the database server independently constructs the second table for each version of the binary file; 14. A method for converting a binary file generated by the battery cycler of claim 13 into a text file.

15. the second table has a data structure in which information regarding the type, name, and size of each of the plurality of data included in the data structure information is matched with each other for each cycler ID; 13. A method for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to claim 12 into a text file.

16. the test results include first through nth operational characteristic data relating to periodically acquired battery operational characteristics; the binary file includes a header structure including version information and first to nth data structures in a binary data format corresponding to the first to nth operational characteristic data, respectively; In the step (g), the computer references the data structure information of the binary file to be converted retrieved from the second table, reads the first to nth data structures in order from the binary file to be converted, and generates first to nth behavior characteristic data in text data format in order, and generates a text file including the first to nth behavior characteristic data in text data format.

13. A method for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to claim 12 into a text file.

17. The text file has an "xls" extension, a "cvs" extension, or a "txt" extension, 17. A method for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to claim 16 into a text file.

18. the k-th data structure (k is a natural number from 1 to n) includes time data corresponding to an acquisition time of the k-th operating characteristic data, and a plurality of operating characteristic data selected from voltage data, current data, temperature data of a constant temperature chamber of the cycler, and state-of-charge change data; the time data and each of the plurality of pieces of behavior characteristic data are included in the kth data structure with a preset data size; 17. A method for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to claim 16 into a text file.

19. the computer sending the text file to the data server; The data server further includes a step of matching the text file with the corresponding binary file to be converted and storing the text file in the first storage medium.

19. A method for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to any one of claims 12 to 18 into a text file.

20. the computer further includes a step of determining in real time a ratio at which the target binary file has been converted into the text file, and outputting the ratio to a graphic user interface via a display.

19. A method for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to any one of claims 12 to 18 into a text file.

21. further comprising a step of analyzing the first to nth operational characteristic data in the text data format included in the text file, generating a time-varying pattern of operational characteristic data selected from the voltage data, the current data, the temperature data of the constant temperature chamber of the cycler, and the state-of-charge change amount data as a graph image, and outputting the graph image on a display.

20. A method for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to claim 18 into a text file.

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